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NFL News
The Vikings signed something called Daylen Baldwin to the PS
From vikings.com, a collective of first round mock drafts for the Vikings
From vikings.com, the Monday morning mailbag
FROM BEHIND THE BESPN PAYWALL: 2024 NFL offseason: Key free agents, draft notes, predictions FOR THE VIKINGS:
I get the bullshit ESPN+ content free because I subscribe to Disney+ so that my adorable daughters can watch movies like Frozen, Encanto, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Coco, etc. three times a week (seriously though, Coco is really good). As an added plus I can provide this additional “analysis” from the ESPN “experts” to you all since the ESPN+ comes free with my Disney subscription. You can all thank these two beauties for this additional information (I have no idea how I produced such cute children despite my appearance, so don’t ask).

Biggest offseason priority: Minnesota has to determine Kirk Cousins‘ future with the team. His contract will void after the franchise tag deadline, giving him a clear path to the free agent market — where he might be the best quarterback available despite turning 36 next August and continuing his recovery from a torn right Achilles tendon. The Vikings don’t have an obvious heir on the roster, and their draft slot puts them on the edge of the first quarterback tier. Cousins said he wants to finish his career in Minnesota, and the Vikings seem warm to that idea. But would they pay him a market rate contact of $40 million annually or more?
Under-the-radar offseason priority: Make up for a thin 2022 draft class. The Vikings drafted five defensive players in the top 165 picks of that draft, and only one — fourth-round cornerback Akayleb Evans — has played with any regularity. The apparent misses set up a significant personnel problem for 2024
Latest on whether they will re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousins: The biggest question mark for the Vikings is the quarterback position. Cousins will be coming off major injury and will be 36 when next season starts. But they like him a lot, he likes being there and they’re carrying $28.5 million in dead 2024 salary cap charges on him no matter what. The question is, will Cousins cut them a deal for the first time ever? Or will he seek to max out on the open market as he did once upon a time?
Draft outlook: Whether or not Cousins returns, I wouldn’t rule out the Vikings looking quarterback early, though especially so if Cousins signs elsewhere. LSU’s Jayden Daniels, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. could all be Round 1 options for the Vikings.
Big prediction for the offseason: The Vikings will allow edge rusher Danielle Hunter to leave in free agency despite the fact he set a career-high with 16.5 sacks in 2023. Hunter’s cost will be too expensive going into his age-30 season (likely over $20 million per year), and Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will look to get younger on defense.
Minnesota Vikings Discussion Topic of the DAY
Do you agree with the ESPN assessment above?

Media Selection
Onto a new schtick, songs from the TV show Scrubs
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If JRobert is still hanging around..
What do you think of the “Welch Rule”? That you should fire the bottom 10% of your employees each year? I understand the concept but would be interested in your opinion.
Not much and not realistic. Lost all respect for him with all his personal affairs.
We graded people outstanding, highly effective, effective and needs improvement. If you got into the last category, you were given so much time to bring it up or out.
Now spent far too much time of my life fighting over what were the percents in each category – like 10% outstanding, etc.
Never tied to get rid of 10%.
Yes, I am not a fan…but it certainly got some traction…
Our company follows the Edward Deming philosophies…one of which is driving out fear in the work place…Of Course Welch’s 10 percent rule causes fear in the work place.
I do for the most part agree that management should spend most of its time encouraging/mentoring its high performers rather than its low performers.
Interesting about spending time with high performers.
went to a seminar almost 30 years ago. Guy asked a question – do you spend most of your time working with the 95% good folks. or do the 5% consume an inordinate amount of your time.
It was like a light bulb went off for me and changed the way I lead the rest of my career – far,far for the best.
Exactly…It changed they way I thought about leadership as well….
Good for private life as well. The debbie downers and negative people will just drain you.
We just use the eye test.
If you ain’t pulling your weight, you are gone.
We do the if you’re not pulling your weight or you screw up bad enough you might get a warning and if it continues for the next couple of years then you might get reprimanded or fired. Pretty infuriating when you work with people who aren’t competent enough to tie their shoe but they make a real nice salary for nothing and there are no ramifications.
And that’s why you get rid of the ones who aren’t – you owe it to the ones who are.
Not necessarily a bad philosophy either…its been said of Western Managment that we are “Too quick to hire and too slow to fire” I think there is some truth to that.
Been reading a fair amount about Lions and Packers passing us. Guess so.
But we have an interesting chance this weekend, and next maybe, to see first hand the difference.
Niners are kind of the gold standard of defense. Interesting to see how Packers offense holds up. And perhaps Lions next week.
We did play against that defense.
Not a perfect comparison(s), but at least a look beyond words and thoughts.
Vikes season and roster is done. No sense comparing this seasons games and outcomes and future match ups in ’24 imo. Its all coulda shoulda wouldas and what aboutisms.
I agree with KFEY, the past no longer matters and our future roster will be different….
It will be nice to say we beat the Super Bowl champs….but we can’t hang a banner for that.
Wasn’t meant to be about us – more about Packers and Lions future.
ah,,,,now I see…
NoDak DumDum
I must have said it backwards.
People are now saying Love has developed so much Packers will be a real force going forwards. Maybe – they also looked like. hell against Giants and Bucs. Maybe game will give a little peak into how real the hype. is.
The Lions – are they really going to be a force for years going forward. I think their defense is a fake ( just me). But game might show us something.
It’s more about the strength of our competition than us. should have just left the “us” part out.
But hey, no one has to make any kind of forward thinking or projection if they don’t want to.
Both Lions Packers are getting a lot of forward hype – not sure what’s really real.
I think the hype, especially for the Packers, is that they won a playoff game and have young rosters. The Packers have by far the youngest roster in the league.
And is Love the next Farve/Rodgers?
Likely because the Packers haven’t been afraid to try and to let a guy develop. If only there was another team that had an aging vet that could have done the same thing…
Agreed all around, Love is up and down. I think hes showed flashes but lacks consistency to be scary at this point. I think Dallas Defensive plan for them was dog shit and fireable, so see what the 49ers do will be interesting. Also agreed on Detroit’s defense, it almost lost them the Rams game, and I thin will be exposed at some point here. But if they improve that for next season, could be scary. Hype is hype, just there to generate clicks and views, I try to tune it out.
I hope Baker lights it up this weekend.
Same but then again, that would affect our ability to sign him this off season when we let Kurt mosey down the dusty trail. If he gets them to the NFCCG they are resigning him for sure.
That ship sailed already. I don’t see any way Tampa doesn’t keep him around. I think that was decided before the playoffs.
Just a matter of how much now.
Nah, his mobility/40 time is like Cousin’s, and everyone knows you can’t win with an immobile QB in the NFL these days.
Stafford and Goff don’t look like deer out there to me – but my eyes aren’t as good as they used to be.
SEE? thats my point! the Rams lost cause Stafford can’t move well.
Stafford also made throws from arm angles Cousins has not and can not do.
As said this is a bit silly. Stafford/Goff/ Cousins/ Burrows are all pocket QB’s not scramblers. But they are far more comfortable operating from the pocket and operate well from there – far better than the scramblers.
Of course its all silliness….and I started it with my sarcastic comment…so I am to blame.
Baker got out of sacks the Kirk would not have, if you watched the same game I did then you know Im right.
Baker did wiggle out of a few didn’t he?
Utter silliness – and Baker can ‘t make throws from the pocket Cousins can.
Thats the trade off. But the end all be all is $$$$ and Baker on the cheap > hurt expensive cousins 11/10 times.
He did.
Probably right.
It doesn’t matter how you say it, someone will spin a negative.
I fear we reach for QB and go back to a Ponder-esque situation. I also fear we cave to Cousins’ and pay him 45-50 million mixed with very few high draft picks that we are very strapped for talent all over the defense again… ugh…
Your first fear is irrational, the second is not.
I too, fear the second coming of Ponder.
I look forward to the first coming of The Great One.
Wouldn’t that be nice?? I would love to be able to say the Vikes have a top 3 QB playing for us for 15 years. Cousins is as close as we have gotten to that….well, since Sir Francis anyway.
Yep. It’s time to take a shot. I can forgive them trying and failing. I can not forgive not trying anymore. Nothing great is achieved without risk. Time to try and be great and not just good enough to maybe get lucky. Be the team everybody else is chasing with a QB that no matter what makes people say you have a chance.
“Fortune favors the bold” – the damn Greeks were onto something.
You’re generous – can’t forgive failure. Don’t believe in evaluating effort, only performance.
I get what you are saying…and might I add, You would have been an ass to work for.
Perhaps but it’s really hard to evaluate effort. One employee tries hard gets little done. One appears to not try hard, but gets a lot done. I “appreciate” effort, but evaluate actual performance.
Line comes from Peter Drucker one of the greatest management/leadership garus of all time.
Let’s say your name is Michael and you run a paper company. Would you rather your sales people, let’s call them Dwight and Jim, go for a big corporation account or be satisfied with 10 mom and pop accounts? The 10 mom and pop accounts will be sufficient to keep the company in the black, but the corporate account could lead to expanding the warehouse and hiring more employees to deal with those mom and pop accounts while also bringing in more corporate accounts.
From my business background – don’t get caught up in what’s called the tyranny of “or.”
I want BOTH.
And as an aside, whatever you do, the business must survive – and lack of current positive cash flow is what kills them all.
This is a case where you can make the move or you can’t. You can’t do both. You can trust that you know what you are doing and make the moves necessary to try and be great or you can hold the status quo and eventually be replaced.
That sounds good and you can believe and know with all your heart and mind of proper long range thing to do, you still can’t execute that if it will destroy you in short run.
Whatever you do, in business, you have to survive the short term to get to the long term – that is 100.00% true.
And for sure you don’t have to worry about being replaced if the company fails.
Your example was business – so my answer was directed as such.
Now football, some different. But if KAM wants to make a long term call, I’m fine with that – but I’m going to hold him accountable. It wold be nuts not be – both business and football.
Yes…I have read much of Mr. Drucker…
When I was coaching the 12 year old baseball travel team…there was one kid who had a great attitude and worked really hard…I had actually spent countless hours with him trying to improve his hitting…he tried hard.
BUT he couldn’t hit a beach ball tossed underhanded to him (not exaggerating much)…So, guess who didn’t make the team?
Effort only gets you so far.
And the ones that try really hard and just can’t cut it – it bothers you when you have to let them go.
And sometimes the ones that don’t try hard but have been around for a long time and are good guys.
Yes, it does…it doesn’t seem fair…some have so much ability but don’t care that much…..
I’m not saying they won’t lose their jobs if they choose wrong, but they’ll also lose their jobs if they stay on the current path. The current path is the KMart of football franchises. Doesn’t look much different than the Targets and Walmarts, but their definitely not taking the chances like the Targets and Walmarts.
You said forgive them for trying – I don’t. Picking the right players IS their damn jobs – I don’t care if they are trying hard or not. They just need to do it well.
Reid picked Mahomes – great.
Rick picked Ponder – no good.
You don’t win games by “trying to pick well”. You. win games by “picking well.”
GM’s job is to pick well.
First part of picking well though is picking. Signing injured or aging vets who have never done anything isn’t getting it done either. You can go down in history as a Brandon Bean, Andy Reid or you can go down in history as a Tim Connoly. Not taking the shot you are going to end up the latter the same as if you try and fail. If they don’t trust themselves enough to take the chance, then they have no business being in the positions they are in and should leave now.
I’m NOT saying don’t pick. I’m saying their job is to pick, but if they fuck it up I’m not letting them off the hook. You know – oh well, they tried.
I mean hell, any of us could pick and screw it up
Yeah, I’m not saying they get to keep their jobs and all is forgiven, but I will not hold a stain in my heart for them. There are many reasons a pick could fail other than just talent and not all can be predicted. I just meant I would have more respect in the future for taking the leap. Anything else is just chicken shit rubber spine and the whole staff will be gone in 2 years.
I want them to pick – that’s their jobs.
And of course there are few no risk picks.
But you mentioned business, so I think a good example is stock traders. Nobody is perfect and all will mess up and miss some..
But, the guys who are good at it have much better success rates than the lesser ones.
So KAM already has a bit of a batting average and how well his success is at doing this, to me will go into the calculus of his job performance.
I’m merely holding him accountable.
Might be for the better. We’ll find out, I guess.
Even the good GMs miss on picks. Were not saying they shouldn’t be held accountable but that shouldn’t stop you from wanting them to pick in the first place, I believe is the point he is making.
See above – I expect them to pick
And I understand all GM’s have misses.
But you don’t have to overreach. Don’t Ponder this shit.
Absolutely. At the same time though, if you see a guy that you think can be that guy, then go get him. The Chargers were called dumb for drafting Herbert when they did. If you see a guy that is your guy, get him and tell the world to screw off. Maybe you’ll be wrong, then the outcome is the same as if you do nothing. If you’re right though you have a chance to be the savior and go down in history as the guy that brought greatness to the Vikings.
“brought greatness to the Vikings” almost makes me tear up thinking about it…
The reality is Bow… the Vikings don’t actually have a choice… Cousins is gone. SO they have to go find a QB… somewhere. With that reality in mind, all this hullabaloo about taking a shot, is a lot of huey.
Could roll with Mullens/Hall if they want to. Not saying they would /should.
Likely that they bring a bridge vet in and draft someone in my opinion, but anything is possible. I do think Mullens can run the offense. If he stops throwing interceptions, he could do a decent job. Moreover if KOC fixes the run game, and Mullens can be less pressured to carry the whole team, then we would be OK.
We had flashes of greatness. Culpepper, Favre… but yeah, stability would be nice.
Favre was great, but only for a year..Culpepper was really good for 3 or 4 years, I can’t remember if he was considered “top 3” or not.
Daunte had prime Moss too. All he really had to do was drop back, close his eyes and throw the ball as far as he could.
And Kirk has had Diggs and JJ to throw too in the same amount of time.
I am not saying Culpepper didn’t have talent….BUT
Moss in his prime was other worldly. You literally did just have to throw it up in the air in his general direction.
JJ may turn out to be a hall of fame receiver, but he doesn’t have Moss’s ability from his prime.
And Kirk has produced more TD’s and more yards in a 5 year span than any QB in Vikings history. Culpepper was with the Vikings for seven seasons, and had one fantastic season, and one really good season.
This jack ass probably doesn’t know any more than the armchair GMs here.
But I kind of like this take…and yes I read it on the internet so it is valid….
Wouldn’t hate it.
I don’t understand the schemes and strengths/weakness of the different QBs to know who would be the best get for us.
But then I am not sure that KAM or most NFL ‘experts’ do either.
Does this mean roll with Mullens for now and let’s see to what extent Hall can be developed?
Then use draft picks to fill all the other holes.
Yes, except take a QB at 17….
I didn’t read the article – excerpt I misinterpreted the part posted to mean develop Hall for the future.
Jrobert DumDum
I’m a softie – i try to give a little love to all our QB’s.
A dumdum too though.
That’s not very close in terms of value, the Vikings would be getting back way more, seems unrealistic
See? I told you he was a jack ass who didn’t know much.
Seems like we would maybe get 17, 32, and 52.
Maybe if we threw in Cine??
Sounds like a win-win to me.
Probably have to add a pick for them to take him
I am sure some team will take him as he just needs a new start on a different team.
*wink-wink-nudge-nudge*
He’s going to break out any day now
Hey, he got a tackle at the end of the season. Late bloomer.
A tackle and an assist.
Need to lock in that 5th year option as quickly as possible.
Maybe this has already been discussed but…
Top 100 Picks in the draft
Packers: 5
Lions: 4
Bears: 3 (including 1 and 9)
Vikings: 2
Lots of catch up to do without much ammo.
Nice. With Queasy doing the drafting, we might be pretty much screwed.
I figured out last night that as bad as KAM drafts we may well be better off trading all of our picks for proven Vets in the trenches and on Defense.
Flores can inform KAM who to target and we won’t have to worry about screwing up the draft AGAIN.
Sounds like a plan 👍
This is why, if the team is planning on moving on from Cousins, I would trade JJ. Assuming we get a proportional haul and those picks come in, puts us in a way better place than paying him $30 large and rolling with Mullens and crap D. Even if KAM nails the 2024 draft the team will struggle without a real QB1, I would be happy with a 3-14 season, then we can talk about using that high draft pick for QBOTF.
With trading JJ, theoretically have 2 first in 2025 and 2 first in 2026? That is get 2 first and some change for JJ.
Also, MT what do you hear about an ammo company start up or move to Glendive?
Brixtel Defense is splintering off from some other Virginia based ammunition company, putting their first plant here in GDV next to the now defunct Gunners’ Ridge. 65 jobs starting in February, they are manufacturing small caliber ammo for NATO. A nice shot in the arm for us.
Their goal is to acquire a 500 acre campus as they need skabillion gallons of water to manufacture the brass and about 300 workers to manufacture bigger rounds and mortar rounds, plus they may need to build employee housing. Hopefully that is here, as well.
They originally picked Poplar but that didn’t work out.
Corporate Office
1544 Spring Hill Rd, Unit 9100, McLean, VA 22102
Tel: (202) 655-4080
Branch Office
112 West Oregon Lane, Glendive, MT 59330
Tel: (406) 646-6111
For career opportunities please e-mail your resume to [email protected]
I am surprised you showed up before anyone posted your favorite Gif. Here you go.
Thank you! Makes my day!
MT now gets his post-noon woody.
A little blood flow is good for the wood.
Those numbers could change based on comp picks but not for the Vikings, they aren’t getting any.
Congrats Ben, adorable little girls indeed. Reminds me of the time my daughter was little, which always makes me happy. So thanks for that 🙂
25 yrs ago today (wow a 1/4 century) I tried to console my crying son sitting on his bed with a pillow wrapped around his head. I said “son sports aren’t worth crying over, you don’t see me crying” (barely).
Son: “ya dad but your used to it” Ya, he had a point, and I am even more used to it now.
Don’t know which stung more the ’71 Cup or ’98 NFCCG. the blackhawks up 2-0 at the end of 2, in game 7 and lost 3-2 to the Habs.
Speaking of hockey, the Oil have rallied from 30th place in the league with two long winning streaks (current one at 11) to become a solid hockey team, with line depth and good goaltending. Was fantastic watching the raucous Leafs fans (the Maple Leafs are Canada’s version of the cuddly Care Bears) at Edmonton’s rink raising the roof while up 2-0 only to drown in tears of sorrow as the Oil gut punched ’em 4-2. Since football is effectively over I have switched to hockey mode.
That early 70’s blackhawk team made me a life long NHL fan. Tony Espisito (Tony “O”) is why I played goalie. (I sucked GAA >4)
He was phenomenal. RIP. I saw him play late in his career.
His brother Phil, of course, held the single season goal scoring record until the Great One surpassed it.
Saw Phil take off both his gloves and give the double bird over his head to all the fans during a particularly raucous game at Chi Stadium.
Meeting is going awesome!
Stay strong!
Good news I guess if you’re a fan of any of the local MN teams
I will believe it when i’m watching a game on prime
Sweet, my pirate streams last season for Twins games were hit and miss, not nearly as consistent as they were in the past, and I already have Prime.
Amazon is taking over the world. Prepare to bow to your new master.
First glance I thought you said “prepare for bow to be your new master.”
That too
Start bowing now so bow will have mercy on you in the future.
Kirk was in a racist chicken ad it seems.
Wonder what KOC thinks of KC working for KFC
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/questionable-kfc-commercial-got-nfl-134536448.html
I saw that commercial once. I thought it was stupid and kind of gross (who would want to lick second-hand KFC fried chicken grease off a football?), but didn’t make a connection to any potential racial undertone.
It’s just a bad extension of their “finger lickin’ good” tagline, which has been around for years. Not sure why their marketing team or Kirk would sign off on it.
$$$
People do stupid stuff for $$
I made chicken last night. I must be a racist.
Did you have watermelon as a side?
No. I must only be a partial racist.
Its like being pre-diabetic….you are well on your way…
Next you will be claiming to be “colorblind” when dealing with people….you may as well put on a KKK hood.
There is one way you can be absolved. You must donate heavily to, fundraise for and knock on doors for Joe Biden.
Hard pass….
But first you must take a “walk of shame.”
Yes, you must publicly apologize for your racist ways…even if unintentional….
or not even real…
Speaking of racism
Trump Promises Vivek An Administration Position Running The White House 7-Eleven | Babylon Bee
The White House as a 7-11?
Is that where Hunters Cocaine Dealer hangs out??
Likely.
What do you think they put in Joe’s ice cream to keep him upright for a 5 minute speech?
This, probably?
They’ll come for you now.
This is interesting, not exactly surprised though.
Anyone who doesn’t know Irsay is a Billionaire drug addict isn’t paying attention.
LOL, reporter asks one of the dumbest questions I’ve ever heard, surprised Bowles kept himself from laughing
Oh my GOD…how can you be so stupid/uninformed….
AND do it for a living? AND get paid?
That is almost as bad as a reporter asking a hockey coach how their team will acclimate to the climate at “insert road venue” here. Wow.
Sad how stupid people that create/report the news really are.
She will likely be an MSNBC anchor shortly.
Yep, sad. And terrible.
LOL
SO stupid, and this is a person the public should listen to as a “sports journalist”? She’s a ditz. WHY do we have to have this kind of crap forced on us by media types more interested in DEI than actual qualified people?
Diversity hire.
Since it’s early and some discussion on the future QB, will try to pass along a thought a guy mentioned to me about the Vikings offense and the QB position (as best I can).
QB gets two play calls. Comes to line and reads defense and either adjusts playcall or not.. Ball snaps – defense jumps from single high to three deep. All WR routes change for the play and all the QB reads and progressions change accordingly. QB then goes threw reads, finds the hole in defense and delivers an accurate on time throw to where the receiver will be.
And all of that is simply on script. But according to this guy, this type of on script is very hard and not to many guys can do this. Mind and arm is a really big deal for our offense.
With this in mind, if I’m drafting a QB, I want a Herbert type guy.
I would love that. Guy has to have a good arm, but the ability to move around if needed. Not a running QB, but a QB that can scramble enough to extend plays.
Excellent summary…and agree, not many QBs can do that…certainly not Fields.
For sure. Was laughing yesterday reading about Wilson coming here. Hell, Payton got pissed at Wilson cause he couldn’t run the plays there and that offense is less complex than ours.
Minchew and all those guys – no way in hell.
agree. Probably rolling with Mullens/Rookie next year.
Yea, actually thought Mullens showed growth as season went on.
Mullens can run the offense decently. He knows it, and he understands it. He has some issues with arm strength and deciphering defenses on the fly. He wants chunk plays, and sometimes doesn’t really make the right choice with the ball based on what the defense is doing.
You want Cousins…just younger and cheaper…(and just a tish more mobile)…I agree.
Exactly – just not sure how to get it. No matter who it is, they just aren’t going to have 10 years experience reading every conceivable defense out there, and making 5 decisions in about 1.5 seconds. And have no idea what the learning curve is.
But your thought is right on.
Exactly
The person you spoke with is correct. KOC’s “adaptive” passing offense is very hard to execute for a QB, as well as the receivers. The receivers don’t “win quick” much in KOC’s offense. Rather, as you mentioned, they’re reading the defense mid route, and then adjusting to it. They aren’t looking back for the ball and have no idea what the QB is doing. They’re busy trying to work the defense. Thus the QB is somewhat restricted in what he can do. If he scrambles, the receivers don’t know it. So, the QB has to read the defense, the receivers have to read the defense, and then, somehow “mind meld” so the QB can deliver the ball “somewhere” on the field. It’s very complex, and cerebral for the receivers and the QB.
Also, the Vikings do call audibles in the huddle. They have one word, audible plays that they will “kill” to. If the primary play call isn’t there pre-snap, you’ll here the QB yell “kill, kill” signaling they are going to run the audible play.
Whoever the people are that decide who gets into the NFL HOF are meeting today to decide the 2024 class. Jared Allen should have been a shoe in last year but was not elected, I would think he’d get in this year.
So, I have a little bone to pick with the Hall of Fame. It should be for “historic” figures. Terrell Owens wasn’t historic. Many others in the Hall weren’t historic either. The Hall is missing wide right. Why don’t they look at groups like the Steelers Steel Curtain, the Viking Purple People Eaters, or the Redskins “Hogs” who were indeed historic? Instead they look at stats, and say this guy caught a lot of TD’s, so he’s in. Total BS.
Yeah, I don’t disagree. Was Jared Allen historic? IDK, but he’s 12th all time on the NFL sack list.
Guess there aren’t too many truly “historic” players to be found, but the show must go on. So they also include less historic guys who were good entertainers.
Just looked an article regarding cap space. Over the Cap is currently showing the Vikings with $97M in cap space in 2024.
However, according to the article, the only reason Minnesota has $97M is because only 26 players are under contract through 2024, meaning all of that money will need to pay 27 more players to fill out the 53-man roster. That works out to $3.5M per player by my cipherin.
That’s weird, according to the OTC website the Vikings have 26 mil in cap space, Spotrac, which is usually more accurate, has them at 29 mil
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/cap/
Here’s the article… no idea.
https://www.si.com/fannation/bringmethesports/vikings/the-vikings-free-agency-moves-will-give-them-the-advantage-in-2024-right-yeah-not-so-fast#:~:text=Yes%2C%20it%27s%20true%20that%20at%20this%20very%20moment%2C,team%20is%20loaded%20with%20cap%20space%20in%202024.
I see now why it lists the cap space at 97 mil, that was published almost a year ago and before Kirk’s and Hunter’s restructure and before Hock’s extension, etc.
Ahhh so…
You just called ben an asshole…he didn’t deserve that.
??????
Its from a movie…try to keep up….
OK… I’m behind the times…
There it is! Thanks Ben.
This article lists 25 Vikings free agents in 2024:
And here they are:
I am about to enter a four-hour meeting…
I did that yesterday. More today. Good luck.
At least this one might engage my brain a little bit, as it relates to actual work I do instead of policy.
Well Ben see you married well – great looking kids! They grow fast, enjoy every moment.
ESPN – since Disney owns them, I’m skeptical.
Defense needs to get younger – how about defense needs to get a lot better with more talent.
KAM really needs to hit some draft picks – like our competitor organizations do.
QB situation – Cousins and Vikings reach agreement and they also draft a QB, but maybe not with the 11 pick,
JJ will stay a Viking and a good chance Hunter will too.
Again, great looking kids.
Ben, love the picture of your kids. They’re very cute. Their mother was obviously cheating on you (j/k).
The facts to me, are plain to see when it comes to the Vikings and their collective way ahead.
Cousins cost in dollars is a part of it ($40M is the current value assigned to him) but more importantly, he won’t sign a contract without a no trade clause, and guaranteed years. He won’t sign a worthless piece of paper that gives the GM the ability to do whatever he wants with him. KAM won’t offer him any such deal. This is the sticking point. So, KAM is moving on, and Cousins will hit the open market.
Might happen – but probably not.
Neither party is fully crazy here and do share a fair amount of mutual benefit.
It’s business JR. There are no “friends” in business. People don’t get that NFL contracts, from a players perspective, are worthless. NFL teams write big contracts that players sign, and they are never realized, because the team trades them, or cuts them outright without much fiscal impact. The only way a player empowers themselves is with a no trade clause, and guaranteed money. KAM isn’t going that route though. This is also why I think JJ could be traded. He’s probably following Cousins lead here.
It is indeed a business – the entertainment business
We just had a bad year.
So we let Cousins go and trade JJ, draft a lot save money and have two more bad years – three now in a row,
Guess what happens to KAM if year four isn’t hugely successful.
KAM’s one, and probably only, shot at being a GM is done.
Do you think fans want to watch stuff like that 12-10 Bears game or 3-0 Vegas game. I’d rather go to an art museum and the guys running this outfit know it too.
I agree with you JR, but my take on KAM is, he really thinks he’s smarter than everyone else. As I said before, he’s playing chess, everyone else is playing football.
So yes, I do believe he’s going to have the Vikings “take a step back” this coming year, with his sights set on 2025.
Well NLV, the graveyard is full of executives who thought they were smarter than everyone else.
I’ve fired a few in my career JR… looked good on paper, talked a good game, failed miserably.
For Cousins to come back there would have to be some sort of compromise. The sticking point last offseason was a 3rd year fully gtd. Like you I think Kirk will likely walk, but IDK, maybe they can agree to a 2 year fully gtd deal with a selective NTC or something like that, we’ll see.
I haven’t thought about Dobbs in quite a while, he doesn’t seem capable of running any offense
He hasn’t to date in his career.
Correct, he’s good at making plays off script but can’t run an offense, which is why he’s a career backup.
Yeah, he was very fun to watch for 6 quarters of football.
Excellent meme up top.
Yep, I laughed at that, a good one.
Ben, I’m just assuming your wife settled. Probably a good thing they got your wife’s genes.
Cute kids, Ben.
Thanks
They are cute girls, Ben. Need good genes like yours to reproduce cuz I have no demon spawn.
Now that I think about it, I would like to see a Packers/Lions NFC Championship Game. Such a thing would shine a spotlight on the Vikings and maybe wake up the powers that be; they need to get it together.
Here is where KAM is though, when talking about Cousins, and the Vikings in general, to the press:
“Ultimately, taking a step back in the short term isn’t a big deal if you don’t think you’re actually close to [remaining competitive],” Adofo-Mensah said. “And those are always the conversations we try and have and go about.”
He’s about to cut ties with Cousins, Hunter, and the Hitman. I don’t know if he actually knows or has any idea yet how he will fill those spots. Trade, draft, or free agent acquisition. I do believe 2024 will be a “step back” year for the Vikings. 2025 will set up as a year like the Redskins are in, in 2024. They have over $86M in cap space, the #2 pick in the draft, and 9 draft picks overall. That’s where I think the Vikings are headed. Right where many folks here have been saying we need to go for a long time.
It has to be done. Step back!
I think Smith is going to retire, that’s just my opinion, but he’s easily the most replaceable of the three, he’d likely be replaced with a traditional slot CB instead of playing 3 safeties. If KAM moves on from Kirk I see them signing a Mayfield or Minshew and drafting a QB. Replacing Hunter is a big question mark, I mean if you’re not going to pay him why pay some other FA? Between Hunter and Kirk the Vikings will have 43.5 million in dead cap if neither are re-signed. I’m guessing they do bring back Hunter.
Kwesi will probably think he can draft a DE and have no drop off.
Does Hunter have void years in his contract? He’s a free agent. Don’t know what his cap hit is. That said, I think KAM is looking at 2025. Don’t prolong the fiscal agony. Get it over with, and move on.
Yep, 14.9 mil void year cap hit in ded money for Hunter.
I think KAM eats that, as well as Cousins $28.5M dead money.
You’re probably right, between the two I think its more likely Hunter is back though.
Yes
2 void years so there is just under a $7.5 mill hit per year in ’24 and ’25 if he is re-signed or the full $14.9 if he walks.
Yep.
The reset/rebuild will finally happen.
If the Vikings are not going to be able to compete, there is zero reason for Kirk or Hunter or JJ to stick around for 3 years while a rebuild happens.
Those folks might get their wish soon enough.
Not bad! A new soda slut!
I still prefer the original
YES!!!!
Thanks Jackson!! That doesn’t quite do it for me though. I go for crazy, not kinky…and that soda slut is crazy.
GM
FTP
SKOL
Happy Hump Day
FIRST!
Good morning, SKOL!
FTP!
Happy Hump Day!
First auto rec