gunnarthor

Generally, I like this signing. I'd like them to add CB Fulton from SD next.

Evans and Booth didn't work out but Blackmon shows promise, And Theo Jackson was signed as a rookie off the Titans (I think) practice squad.

Bears signed C Dalman, best center on the market. They really improved their interior line this offseason.

I didn't post this on the Darnold thread b/c I thought the discussion was pretty much over but the tag and trade was never very likely. https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/agent-explains-why-tagging-sam-darnold-couldve-blown-up-in-vikings-face-01jnh8n8m9kq "When you tag (Darnold), the entire $41M counts against the cap," Baratz wrote in a reply on X/Twitter on Tuesday. "You cannot use that to sign other players. In addition, he controls the cards of where he goes. In addition, every team knows they have zero intention or desire to have him play on the tag, so you actually lose trade value. The comp pick next year can very well exceed the trade value. We are talking about maybe 2-3 trade partners. It is actually a substantial risk." The same article also notes the Vikings could get a 3rd rounder for letting Darnold go, as well.

Josh Allen resets the qb payscale https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44184294/sources-josh-allen-bills-reach-record-6-year-330m-deal

I don't mind this move. He was a good fit and we're getting him back at the same price, not a raise. I think we might also draft a RB but I don't think any of the 3rd round RBs are ready to carry the load. We were going to need a running back in free agency and Jones is legit good and plays well in the system.

Yeah, gotta agree with Levi here. Not really seeing your math.

Everybody's trying to win. That's the one great thing about the NFL.

Good move. Bynum is gone for sure.

I believe we gave up a conditional 5th and received a conditional 7th for Robinson. https://www.vikings.com/news/cam-robinson-trade-tackle-jaguars

And Bears add another guard for a 4th rounder. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44120523/source-bears-trade-chiefs-all-pro-guard-joe-thuney

Yeah, on some Viking blogs I read that Jackson graded out about as well as Risner and the Bears are paying 17m for him. On the other hand, PFF grades are wildly subjective, so ...

Bears trade a sixth rounder for an IOL, Jonah Jackson, from the Rams. Jackson was hurt most of last year. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44108614/sources-bears-getting-lineman-jonah-jackson-rams

So we didn't tag him and he will be a free agent. I think this post at dailynorseman sums up how I feel pretty well - Now that all is basically said and done, I think the intangible value Sam gave us cannot be overstated... He was, at best, a reclamation project and a bridge QB to the JJM era. That era took a ding in the form of a bum knee. We all threw our hands up and said "that's so Vikings..." That is, until Sam lead us to 14 wins, a pro bowl nod, and no shortage of some of the most exciting games I've seen in quite a while. In the process, Sam helped put the Vikes on the map as a contender and a destination where a FA can go to thrive. We became a viable destination for recruiting talent to add to a blossoming roster. And we did all that for a "measly" $10m price tag. I hope the best for Sam and will root from afar, but let's see what that newfound clout, a bag of FA cash, and JJM can do to swing our SB window wide open for the next several years.

Well, my portfolio is falling pretty fast this morning. Hasn't been this low since August.

Vikings add Jordan Traylor as assistant QB coach. From the Saints org. I like that we're adding someone that isn't form the Sean McVay coaching tree. He used to be a college QB and has background in scouting. https://www.dailynorseman.com/2025/3/4/24377558/minnesota-vikings-hire-jordan-traylor-assistant-quarterbacks-coach-new-orleans-saints

There were reports that the two sides were engaging in negotiations a month ago. I haven't heard anything yet but, frankly, I think the Vikings would be nuts to let him go. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10148799-report-vikings-gm-kwesi-adofo-mensah-in-contract-talks-after-oconnell-extension

Pete Carroll has already said he doesn't think they need a rebuilding year. I know this is kind of your windmill but teams don't tank in the NFL. Coaches and GMs don't think we'll be better off if we lose a lot this year. Cripes, Flores got fired for resisting that and the NFL took away the Dolphins first round pick, kicked their owner off of all committees and fined him millions - not for being a racist prick but for trying to tank.

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/sam-darnold-las-vegas-raiders-trade-news-nfl-report Darnold to the raiders rumors are starting.

Here's one report on him. https://www.nfl.com/prospects/bhayshul-tuten/32005455-5406-6215-da3b-cbf31441af43 Might be around in the 3rd but likely gone by the time we pick.

Anyone know how tag and trade of Darnold would impact the teams cap?

Could very well be. I just googled "player projected contract" and moved on, I'm horrible at guessing contracts. Holland's injury might make him a little cheaper but the need for IOL might make all three of those guys more expensive. But I think the Vikes will get a "big name" free agent and make some smart mid-size moves, comparable to Ginkel and Greenard. As I said, I really think Fulton could be a steal. And while it's not necessarily a big need, I'm curious what the Vikings may do for the WR3 position.

The Vikes can restructure both Van Ginkel and O'Neil to get more cap space. I think something like this is doable - Sign S Holland - I think he's a perfect fit in Flores scheme and Flores drafted him in Miami. A safety trio of Holland, Mettalus (as the pocket knife player), and Theo Jackson works. Holland will get paid though. Some online projections think 4 years and 18-19 per. But I don't want Bynum back and I think Smith will retire. Sign CB Asante Samuel Jr. - or Charvarius Ward both projected to get something like 3/45 - and Kristian Fulton (3/20), who I think is an underrated player and would be a good fit in our defense. Neither will break the bank but both are clear NFL caliber starters and, with better coaching, I think, can really make a leap forward kind of like what Murphy did. Samuel, Fulton, and Blackmon is a good threesome to start with at corner, although they'd have to add another corner. Sign two of C Dalman (4/48m), OG Will Freis (4/58) or OG Treven Jenkens (4/40). Even with those signings (or similar ones) they should still have cap room to get a few other rotational guys and a solid third receiver. Also, if the Vikes could somehow add another LB in the Cashman mold - Nick Bolton or Robert Spillaine, for instance, would be nice. In the draft, I'd like them to draft one of the big DL at 24 - someone like Nolan or Grant, who probably won't be there. And then grab the running back of the future in the 3rd round.

Here's a list of the top free agents. https://www.nfl.com/news/top-101-nfl-free-agents-of-2025-who-are-the-best-players-available

His postgame press comments about how he's been complaining for years about the interior line. I took that - and others might have read it differently - as "it's not my fault our o-line sucks, the GM brings in the players."