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Vikings Links: Offseason Planning Has Begun

This offseason is off to a great start. The debates are going to be fierce but great. What will and should they do at QB? When will they extend KOC and KAM? What positions will they target in free agency and then the draft? Will they trade for or away anyone? Will someone answer the dang phone?

How much will KOC get in a new deal? I am thinking at least 10M per year and probably 13M sounds good.

The Highest-Paid Head Coaches in the NFL

Updated: January 7, 2025

Rank : Coach : Team : Total Compensation

1 : Andy Reid : Kansas City Chiefs : $20 million

2 : Sean Payton : Denver Broncos : $18 million

T-3 : Mike Tomlin : Pittsburgh Steelers : $16 million

T-3 : Jim Harbaugh : Los Angeles Chargers : $16 million

5 : Sean McVay : Los Angeles Rams : $15 million

6 : Kyle Shanahan : San Francisco 49ers : $14 million

7 : John Harbaugh : Baltimore Ravens : $12 million

T-8 : Dan Campbell : Detroit Lions : $11 million

T-8 : Sean McDermott : Buffalo Bills : $11 million

10 : Mike Macdonald : Seattle Seahawks : $9 million

11 : Nick Sirianni : Philadelphia Eagles : $7 million

12 : Matt LaFleur : Green Bay Packers : $6 million

T-13 : Zac Taylor : Cincinnati Bengals : $4.5 million

T-13 : Dan Quinn : Washington Commanders : $4.5 million

T-15 : Mike McCarthy : Dallas Cowboys : $4 million

T-15 : Raheem Morris : Atlanta Falcons : $4 million

T-17 : Kevin Stefanski : Cleveland Browns : $3.5 million

T-17 : Mike McDaniel : Miami Dolphins : $3.5 million

Another topic has been will they sign a guard or two in free agency.

Here is a list of recent guard contracts and their pff grades for last year …

Player : Pos : Team : Ht : Wt : Age : Began : Years : Total : Avg./Year : PFF OVERALL : PFF PASS : PFF RUN : SNAPS

Landon Dickerson : LG : Eagles : 6’6” : 332 : 27 : 2024 : 4 : $84,000,000 : $21,000,000 : 79.2 : 73.6 : 79.7 : 995

Robert Hunt : RG : Panthers : 6’6” : 335 : 29 : 2024 : 5 : $100,000,000 : $20,000,000 : 67.7 : 57.5 : 72.0 : 966

Samuel Cosmi : RG : Commanders : 6’7” : 309 : 26 : 2024 : 4 : $74,000,000 : $18,500,000 : 68.8 : 74.3 : 66.4 : 1157

Quinn Meinerz : RG : Broncos : 6’3” : 320 : 27 : 2024 : 4 : $72,000,000 : $18,000,000 : 87.8 : 80.3 : 87.1 : 1089

Jonah Jackson : LG : Rams : 6’4” : 311 : 28 : 2024 : 3 : $51,000,000 : $17,000,000 : 67.5 : 59.3 : 68.8 : 266

Kevin Dotson : RG : Rams : 6’4” : 321 : 29 : 2024 : 3 : $48,000,000 : $16,000,000 : 81.3 : 65.6 : 83.0 : 1023

Damien Lewis : LG : Panthers : 6’3” : 332 : 28 : 2024 : 4 : $53,000,000 : $13,250,000 : 75.5 : 72.0 : 76.9 : 942

Jon Runyan, Jr. : LG : Giants : 6’4” : 307 : 28 : 2024 : 3 : $30,000,000 : $10,000,000 : 56.1 : 62.6 : 52.3 : 842

Ezra Cleveland : LG : Jaguars : 6’6” : 312 : 27 : 2024 : 3 : $24,000,000 : $8,000,000 : 64.9 : 67.8 : 59.7 : 911

Graham Glasgow : RG : Lions : 6’6” : 315 : 33 : 2024 : 3 : $20,000,000 : $6,666,667 : 57.9 : 56.2 : 57.8 : 1080

Kevin Zeitler : RG : Lions : 6’4” : 340 : 35 : 2024 : 1 : $6,000,000 : $6,000,000 : 86.8 : 71.8 : 87.2 : 1047

John Simpson : LG : Jets : 6’4” : 330 : 28 : 2024 : 2 : $12,000,000 : $6,000,000 : 77.3 : 72.3 : 79.2 : 1020

Nick Allegretti : LG : Commanders : 6’4” : 310 : 29 : 2024 : 3 : $16,000,000 : $5,333,333 : 61.7 : 57.5 : 63.9 : 1146

Chris Lindstrom : RG : Falcons : 6’3” : 307 : 28 : 2023 : 5 : $102,500,000 : $20,500,000 : 93.5 : 68.0 : 94.6 : 1099

Zack Martin : RG : Cowboys : 6’4” : 315 : 35 : 2023 : 2 : $36,850,000 : $18,425,000 : 65.6 : 62.0 : 63.3 : 638

Ben Powers : LG : Broncos : 6’4” : 310 : 29 : 2023 : 4 : $52,000,000 : $13,000,000 : 63.9 : 66.6 : 60.7 : 1088

Shaquille Mason : RG : Texans : 6’1” : 310 : 32 : 2023 : 3 : $35,000,000 : $11,666,667 : 62.3 : 65.2 : 57.7 : 931

Cesar Ruiz : RG : Saints : 6’4” : 316 : 26 : 2023 : 4 : $44,000,000 : $11,000,000 : 67.6 : 67.5 : 64.4 : 813

Isaac Seumalo : LG : Steelers : 6’4” : 303 : 32 : 2023 : 3 : $24,000,000 : $8,000,000 : 67.6 : 63.0 : 69.7 : 826

Will Hernandez : RG : Cardinals : 6’2” : 332 : 30 : 2023 : 2 : $9,000,000 : $4,500,000 : 69.3 : 74.2 : 66.0 : 280

Quenton Nelson : LG : Colts : 6’5” : 330 : 29 : 2022 : 4 : $80,000,000 : $20,000,000 : 81.3 : 79.7 : 81.7 : 1083

Elgton Jenkins : LG : Packers : 6’5” : 311 : 30 : 2022 : 3 : $68,000,000 : $17,000,000 : 66.0 : 83.1 : 61.2 : 1069

Brandon Scherff : RG : Jaguars : 6’5” : 315 : 34 : 2022 : 3 : $10,000,000 : $10,000,000 : 64.7 : 74.5 : 57.3 : 1013

James Daniels : RG : Steelers : 6’4” : 327 : 28 : 2022 : 3 : $26,500,000 : $8,833,333 : 92.9 : 66.5 : 92.5 : 209

Alex Cappa : RG : Bengals : 6’6” : 310 : 30 : 2022 : 4 : $35,000,000 : $8,750,000 : 50.5 : 39.7 : 54.9 : 1132

Joel Bitonio : LG : Browns : 6’4” : 320 : 34 : 2021 : 3 : $48,000,000 : $16,000,000 : 63.9 : 70.2 : 59.6 : 1178

Joe Thuney : LG : Chiefs : 6’5” : 304 : 33 : 2021 : 5 : $80,000,000 : $16,000,000 : 79.9 : 81.9 : 73.5 : 1115

Wyatt Teller : RG : Browns : 6’4” : 315 : 31 : 2021 : 4 : $56,800,000 : $14,200,000 : 62.6 : 63.1 : 61.6 : 885

Here is a list of upcoming free agent guards …

2025 NFL Free Agents – OG

RG Trey Smith – KC’s most underrated player. In line to be richest OG.

RG Kevin Zeitler – 35yo dominated in lone Lion season. Will he retire?

RG Brandon Scherff – 33yo ex-1st rounder. Out of spotlight in JAX.

LG Patrick Mekari – 27yo with 685+ career snaps at LT, LG, C, and RT.

LG Teven Jenkins – 27yo ex-2nd rounder was a bright spot on CHI OL.

RG Mekhi Becton – Much better inside in run-heavy PHI system. 26yo.

RG Zack Martin – 34yo 1st-ballot HOF may retire after ankle surgery.

RG Dalton Risner – 30yo 2nd-rounder switched from LG to RG in MIN.

LG Ben Bredeson – Helped to be sandwiched by Wirfs/Barton. 27yo.

LG Aaron Banks – 27yo 2nd-rounder had best run block grade in ‘24.

IOL Lucas Patrick – 32yo with equal snaps at LG, C, RG. LG in NO.

IOL Evan Brown – 29yo UDFA went from LG-C-RG in DET-SEA-ARI.

LG Robert Jones – 26yo UDFA played 1,000 snaps on bad MIA OL.

RG Liam Eichenberg – 27yo ex-2nd rounder struggled on MIA OL.

RG Will Fries – 27yo 2-year starter coming off tibia fracture in IND.

I believe the Chiefs who currently have 11M in cap space will restructure Mahomes 33.35M roster bonus which will give them 38M in cap space according to overhtecap. Trey Smith is their top free agent and only turns 26 on June 16th. I am willing to bet they would at least place the franchise tag on him and then see if they can trade him. I expect they will simply extend him.

The Bears have 69M in cap space according to spotrac and 54M according to overthecap who counts futures contracts now. The Bears top free agent is probably Teven Jenkins. I doubt they will just let him walk in free agency without tagging him first. I expect they extend him too.

What does that leave for those of us fantasizing about a top free agent guard signing here? I think maybe we will see James Daniels, Aaron Banks, or maybe Robert Jones be available in free agency to bid on. But will they be an upgrade over Brandel and Risner if the Vikings bring Risner back? I think Brandel deserves a bit more patience as it was his first full season at guard.

I think the draft will likely be the place where they find a potential upgrade but without many draft picks it is going to be tough. Nice!

Minnesota Vikings News and Links

Kevin O’Connell Hedges on Vikings’ Outlook at QB Heading Into 2025

Last summer, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell gave J.J. McCarthy a ringing endorsement as the team’s quarterback of the future.

“Everyone should be excited that we got our young franchise quarterback in the building,” O’Connell said in August after McCarthy underwent season-ending knee surgery.

But after Sam Darnold’s career rebirth, being selected to his first Pro Bowl to the tune of 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns in the regular season, McCarthy’s path isn’t as clear.

In an end-of-season news conference, O’Connell clarified his “franchise quarterback” statement among questions surrounding who will start next season.

“When I said that in training camp about J.J., I think it was to make sure that everybody knew my perspective on what we had added … which was a guy [who] we all believe in his future. We all believe he had done some things to confirm the special aspects of what J.J. McCarthy had been as a player at the collegiate level,” O’Connell said Jan. 16.

O’Connell did not take sides on whom the team will move forward with next season, reminding reporters he praised Darnold throughout camp as well.

“At the same time, throughout that whole time [training camp], I do remember saying that Sam was having a great training camp and doing a lot of the things that we hoped he would do on his individualized approach to being at his best and playing the best football of his career,” O’Connell said.

“How we put things together as we move into the future will be based upon what gives us the best chance to win, what gives us the best chance to put the best version of the Minnesota Vikings football team on the field,” O’Connell said.

“It’s way too early to — in that process — to really identify exactly what that looks like.”

Vikings QB Options a ‘Golden Question’ & Part of Full Equation

Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, respectively, each was asked about Minnesota’s QB situation during Thursday press conferences with Twin Cities media members.

Adofo-Mensah called it the “golden question.”

Will the Vikings look to retain Darnold? Will they pivot and make McCarthy the Day 1 starter? Will they re-sign Jones and/or Mullens?

All questions will be answered, but in due time.

“As Sam was playing great, as J.J. had started out his career playing great, making moves for Daniel Jones, you know, you’re talking about the most important position in our sport. And I don’t think it’s a bad thing to assemble a lot of talented players in that room who fit your vision, fit how you want to play football, fit from a personal standpoint, what you want to do,” Adofo-Mensah said. “I think that was the mindset we came in with. We got to see Sam play some incredible football for us. Won a lot of big games — at Seattle, at Lambeau. The production that he was able to [have], talking about games where he won for us, there were a lot of games where he was a ‘win because of’ type player.

“I don’t want to give you the stock answer, but it really is, everything we do is about, ‘OK, what’s the team around him going to look like? [How] does this piece fit into our whole championship equation?’ And we’ll do those exercises like we did last offseason and came up with the plan we came up with,” Adofo-Mensah continued. “We’ll have those conversations with Kevin, my staff, everybody in this building, to come [alongside] — because at the end of the day, you’re making decisions under uncertainty. But what happens is, once you find a course of action, it’s about how you implement your plan, how you show up every day and get the best version of whoever you decide to go with at quarterback.

“How does that fit into your long-term picture? The [contract picture]? All those different things will go into our plan,” he added. “I’m excited to have those conversations, because I think we’ve got a lot of good options. And at the most important position in the sport, I think that’s a great thing.”

Adofo-Mensah reiterated confidence in Darnold from the jump, regardless of what outside critics may have said.

“Did I know he was going to be a Pro Bowler? I’m not going to sit here and tell you that, [but] there was some part of us that all believed Sam was going to have a really good season, so when we made that move, that was part of the calculus,” Adofo-Mensah said.

He and O’Connell noted they’ll be evaluating Darnold’s body of work rather than judging the final two outings on an island.

It’s important to recognize that it wasn’t only Darnold who struggled in the Vikings back-to-back losses to the Lions and Rams in Week 18 and the Wild Card Weekend (eerily déjà vu to Weeks 7 and 8), O’Connell reminded, as other players and coaches also hit snags in the critical games.

“I think Sam should be very proud about the season he put together from start to finish,” O’Connell said. “He answered the bell day in and day out with his preparation. And really, I think he learned a lot about what he can be in this league.”

Adofo-Mensah confirmed the almost-22-year-old is now “throwing and training” on the field.

“He looks great. He’s excited,” he said of McCarthy. “Talk about a kid who’s just obsessed with football, loves being around the game. We’re excited about what we have in him. We’re excited for this offseason with him, it’s a big offseason, and then we’ll continue from there.

“We’re really confident in him, his work ethic and his preparation,” Adofo-Mensah said. “But I can’t sit here and tell you I know anything for certain. I know that I’m willing to believe in the person that we have. That position is about talent and preparation. He’s got those things in spades. So if that’s the course of action we decide, we’ll go there confidently.”

Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Kevin O’Connell address their futures

Adofo-Mensah said he’s met with the Wilfs since the season ended, but didn’t have any concrete updates beyond that.

“We did share time after the season, as we always do,” he said. “They expressed to me their appreciation for Kevin and I’s leadership. They’re really supportive of us. I always think back to the unbelievable opportunity that they gave me. I’ve always dreamt of being a general manager in an organization trying to do the thing they haven’t done before (win a Super Bowl). I still have visions, I wake up in the morning and think of what that could be like.”

“I’m always gonna go back to the gratitude that I have for them and that I want to be the general manager going forward,” he added. “I don’t really spend a ton of time thinking about (my contract status). I am unbelievably grateful to be the general manager of the Vikings and I want to continue to be so. … Whatever comes in the future will come.”

When asked if he wants to sign a contract extension this year, O’Connell said “I do.”

“I’ve had great dialogue with our ownership this week, in reflection as the season came to an end,” he said. “Anything beyond that, I’d prefer to keep those discussions internal.”

“What I would say is I love being the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings,” O’Connell said. “I love our ownership, I have a great relationship with our ownership, and feel so fortunate — not only just the way they support us and believe in us, but also the impact they have on our players, on our locker room, and ultimately where we all want to go together. Feel very, very great about that.”

Brian Flores is (again) an extremely unique NFL head coaching candidate | Opinion

One of the most fascinating NFL coaching candidates is Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Fascinating is one way to describe him. Controversial is another. Talented works, too. So does fearless trailblazer.

Flores, according to various reports, has drawn head coaching interest. The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on X that Flores was scheduled to meet with the Jets and Jaguars on Friday and Bears on Saturday.

It all makes sense. Flores is a brilliant tactician who transformed the Vikings’ defense into one of the best units in the league. He deserves another chance to be a head coach.

But would an NFL team really hire Flores as a head coach again? That is the question and there’s an extremely specific reason for asking it: Flores still has an active lawsuit against the NFL for racial discrimination. It’s there. Still there. (Looks again.) Yep, still there.

This moment makes Flores one of the most fascinating head coaching candidates in league history. What happens next with Flores is actually bigger than a coaching search. It goes to a pertinent query: Can NFL owners overlook Flores’ racial discrimination lawsuit against the league? Can the league let things go?

“Obviously, diversity is important to me as well,” Flores said during his introductory news conference. “I’m not going to run away from that. But when I walk in this building, you see diversity, really, across the board in every department. That’s exciting too. So, those are things that are ongoing. Obviously, the lawsuit is ongoing, but I’m where my feet are. Right now, my feet are right here in Eden.”

Perhaps the biggest obstacle for Flores isn’t the lawsuit. Instead, it’s what he did as coach of the Dolphins. Flores was the Miami coach from 2019-2021. His tenure there was, well, rocky. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said on a podcast that Flores was a “terrible person.” Flores later responded: “Look, I’m human. So, that hit me in a way that I wouldn’t say was positive for me. But at the same time, I’ve got to use that and say, ‘Hey, how can I grow from that, or how can I be better?’ And that’s really where I’m at from that standpoint.

“Do I feel like that’s me? No. But how can I grow from that situation and create a world where that’s not the case where anyone says that about Brian Flores?”

Jets’ Aaron Rodgers, Vikings’ Sam Darnold Might Actually Swap Teams

If New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns to the NFL in 2025, he wants to play for a winner.

There’s a reason Rodgers isn’t deciding on his Jets future until New York’s hired a head coach and GM. If the Jets and their staff don’t look up to snuff, Rodgers will either retire or take his talents elsewhere.

And with Vikings future star J.J. McCarthy still just 21 years old (plus recovering from a major injury), Rodgers could be the perfect guy to join the Vikings and keep the wins coming for their competitive roster, all the while serving as a mentor for the heir apparent McCarthy.

Could Rodgers follow in Favre’s footsteps?

Rodgers is still capable of playing at a high level … who says he wouldn’t be able to take this Vikings team deep into the playoffs next season?

I would love this just to see things burn. At the very least Rodgers could counsel JJ on his method of meditating which involves sequestering yourself in some cave for several days and partaking in ayahuasca.

Yore Mock

This mock assume the team is able to sign these free agents …

James Daniels OG

Milton Williams DT

Julian Blackmon S

Paulson Adebo CB

Daniel Jones QB

Aaron Jones RB

Byron Murphy CB

Dalton Risner OG

…

Trades

Trade Partner: Philadelphia Eagles

Sent: Round 1 Pick 24

Received: Round 1 Pick 30, Round 3 Pick 30

…

Trade Partner: New Orleans Saints

Sent: Round 1 Pick 30

Received: Round 2 Pick 8, Round 3 Pick 27

…

Trade Partner: Carolina Panthers

Sent: Round 3 Pick 33

Received: Round 5 Pick 2, Round 4 Pick 12

…

Trade Partner: Baltimore Ravens

Sent: Round 5 Pick 2

Received: Round 5 Pick 35, Round 6 Pick 7

…

40: R2 P8 G Armand Membou – Missouri 6’3” 314

91: R3 P27 RB Dylan Sampson – Tennessee 5’11” 201

94: R3 P30 S Andrew Mukuba – Texas 6’0” 186

113: R4 P12 C Jared Wilson – Georgia 6’3” 310

138: R5 P1 LB Smael Mondon – Georgia 6’3” 235

159: R5 P22 WR Pat Bryant – Illinois 6’3” 200

172: R5 P35 TE Jackson Hawes – Georgia Tech 6’5” 260

182: R6 P7 DL Darius Alexander – Toldeo 6’4” 310

236: R7 P21 CB O’Donnell Fortune – South Carolina 6’1” 185

An alternate completely stupid mock

A couple of head coach trades …

Sean Payton: 2023

The Broncos agreed to trade first- and second-round picks to the Saints in 2023 in exchange for Payton and a third-round draft pick.

Jon Gruden: 2002

The Buccaneers agreed to trade two first-round and two second-round picks plus $8 million to the Raiders in exchange for Gruden in 2002.

Trade Kevin O’Connell and JJ McCarthy to the Raiders for their 2025 1st, 2025 3rd, 2026 1st, 2026 2nd

Flores becomes head coach and maybe promotes McCown.