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Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Seven things Vikings’ offseason has revealed
Players, including McCarthy, were aware of Rodgers talks
On the morning of the 2024 draft, coach Kevin O’Connell summoned quarterback Sam Darnold to his office. In a 45-minute conversation, O’Connell told Darnold — who had recently signed a one-year contract with the Vikings — that the team planned to draft a quarterback that evening. Regardless of that plan, however, O’Connell told Darnold that he would be an important part of the 2024 season.
The conversation was one of the first steps in building Darnold into the Pro Bowl quarterback he became eight months later, and O’Connell utilized a similar approach to explain his discussions with Rodgers to McCarthy and others.
“J.J. knew of those conversations almost borderline in real time just because I do see him every day throughout the week,” O’Connell said, “and I thought it was important just so that he was hearing it from me and my perspective from the very first time I had any communication, really in regards to Aaron and any of the other free agents that we’ve discussed at kind of all positions.”
O’Connell said he also spoke with receiver Justin Jefferson, tight end T.J. Hockenson, right tackle Brian O’Neill and linebacker Jonathan Greenard about Rodgers and/or the team’s roster plans. It might sound simple, but there is value in preventing players — especially McCarthy — from being blindsided by news reports that could affect their jobs.
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“I think we basically went through that last year with Jordan [missing games],” O’Connell said. “We essentially, for two and a half games, didn’t have him, and we were able to beat the San Francisco 49ers and the Houston Texans with Jalen Nailor playing huge roles in those games.”
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G Blake Brandel gets ‘some grace’
“We wanted to make a commitment last year to Blake and see what it looked like over the course of a whole season,” O’Connell said. “I thought over the first five, six games, when you really took a step back with him playing next to Christian Darrisaw, he played at a pretty darn high level.
“There were some moments in there where I really thought Blake was taking that next step, and then Cam Robinson comes in, and I don’t think you can discount the role Blake played in Cam’s ability to come in, handle the communication, new offense, everything. But that had to stress Blake enough that I think we got to give him some grace on some things throughout that time.”
Vikings facilities blew away Jonathan Allen: ‘I feel like I’ve been cheated’
A positive team culture was a prerequisite for Allen no matter where he ended up signing. He didn’t want to go to a team where guys were just collecting paychecks. What stood out about the Minnesota Vikings was the well-established culture under coach Kevin O’Connell, and how the organization from the top down clearly made a strong culture a priority.
“I can’t state enough how great the culture has been, from how they treat their families to how they treat the players,” Allen said Thursday on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long, a former defensive end who spent 11 seasons in the NFL.
It doesn’t hurt either that the Vikings’ facilities at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minn., are among the best in the league, and the fact that the environment at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is memorable for visiting opponents.
“I feel like I’ve been cheated my last eight years,” Allen said of his first impression of Minnesota’s facilities.
Kiper sees Vikings taking Ohio State guard in his final mock
With the 24th pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings select: Donovan Jackson, guard, Ohio State.
That’s what Mel Kiper Jr. sees in his crystal ball. The most reputable mock drafter in the world released his final predictions on Tuesday and he has the Vikings going with the Ohio State guard.
“Minnesota signed guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly away from the Colts. It’s a big improvement on the interior offensive line. Let’s take it a step further. Jackson would replace Blake Brandel at the other guard spot, and he has the versatility to kick outside if needed,” Kiper Jr. wrote.
“He did so this past season when Josh Simmons got hurt for Ohio State. That seems relevant given left tackle Christian Darrisaw is recovering from a left knee injury. Jackson is a plug-and-play interior blocker with great agility and technique; he allowed four sacks over 40 career starts.”
There aren’t many quarterbacks in the NFL with more experience than Joe Flacco, who debuted in 2008 with the Baltimore Ravens. Flacco went on to win a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2012, making him one of the top potential mentors for McCarthy.
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox predicts Minnesota will swoop in and sign Flacco this offseason, writing, “Ideally, the Minnesota Vikings will be able to rely on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy throughout the 2025 season. However, the Michigan product is coming off a season-ending knee injury and has no regular-season experience.”
Yore Mock
Trades
Trade Partner: Cleveland Browns
Sent: Round 1 Pick 24
Received: Round 2 Pick 1, Round 3 Pick 3
…
Trade Partner: New Orleans Saints
Sent: Round 2 Pick 1
Received: Round 2 Pick 8, Round 3 Pick 29
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Trade Partner: Tennessee Titans
Sent: Round 3 Pick 29
Received: Round 4 Pick 1, Round 5 Pick 29
…
Trade Partner: Dallas Cowboys
Sent: Round 5 Pick 1
Received: Round 5 Pick 11, Round 6 Pick 28
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Trade Partner: San Francisco 49ers
Sent: Round 6 Pick 28
Received: Round 7 Pick 11, Round 7 Pick 36
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40: R2 P8 RB TreVeyon Henderson – Ohio State 5’10.1” 202
67: R3 P3 WR Jack Bech – TCU 6’1.2” 214
97: R3 P33 DL Ty Robinson – Nebraska 6’5.1” 288
103: R4 P1 G Charles Grant – William & Mary 6’4.7” 311
149: R5 P11 CB Jordan Hancock – Ohio State 6’0.01” 195
167: R5 P29 DL Cam Jackson – Florida 6’6.2” 328
187: R6 P11 EDGE Fadil Diggs – Syracuse 6’4.3” 257
227: R7 P11 S Marques Sigle – Kansas State 5’11.3” 199
252: R7 P36 LB Brandon George – Pittsburgh 6’3” 241
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