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ORIGINAL: Mark Anderson

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ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens

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ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

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ORIGINAL: Mark Anderson

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ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes

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ORIGINAL: Mark Anderson

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ORIGINAL: TJSweens

The Vikings can just convert the salaries of JJ, Darrisaw, O'Neil, Hockenson and Greenard to signing bonuses and save up to $65M in cap space. Hargrave will likely be cut to save another $10.45M.

Yep. The doomsdayers will be out in force with "Cap Hell, time to tank, etc... It's been a broken record the last couple years.

But, we find a way and still are big spenders in FA. It worked well in 2024. Not so much in 2025.

With KAM gone, could this be the year we do well in both FA and Draft?

Worked well? Right … because we’ve gotten such great results and put ourselves in such a great place moving forward!

Just keep it rolling. Why change strategies when you can field the worst team in the playoffs every other year!

Woohoo!

I don’t know about tanking … my thing is about picking and choosing better how you spend and structure contracts … and where. Please invest your money on a roughly priority- based system, at qb, in the dl, ol, at cb, etc. Stop making TEs, FBs, RTs the near-highest-paid at their positions.

Not spraying it around every offseason without regard for the following two or three years. And stop structuring the bajeezus out of contracts so it feels like we have to rob ambulances for talent every year.

We are running in a mud to build the 2026 roster that we created two or three years ago.

IMO our coaching and personnel decisions have had way more to do with our mediocrity than our cap and contract mgmt … but gzuz, have a little foresight, the options / choices you make each year are directly tied to contract shenanigans you were orchestrating in previous years. These things go hand in hand.

I'll stick by that we hit it big in FA in 2024. Darnold, Grenard, Van Ginkel, Cashman, Redmond, Jones.

That's not why we are the worst team in the playoffs every other year. It's the drafts. Any competent drafting(to go along with the FA hits we had) and we would be in the hunt every year. But, KAM spent 85% of his drafts on stiffs.

2024 was a very good FA haul. I doubt anybody has said otherwise.

So, improving the roster, check, winning offseason media scorecards, check … a humdinger.

2022,2023, 2025 - not so much … some good ones, some stinkers.

I just prefer to measure the FA success of the team, including the business operation, on the football success of the team. Of course there are a lot of other factors than FA … not just the draft (which is critical).

I get it. Playing with monopoly money as a fan is fun. Instant gratification is fun.

The overriding problem is that free agents are supposed to supplement a core. The Vikings keep having to sign free agents to be the core

Sure, I understand this. And I understand you have to be creative in that situation and find nooks and crannies to hide and defer money to compensate FAs. Of course. I’ts just not an ideal way to operate.

I confess I was really happy with last offseason’s haul. Positionally, IMO it was spot on (except for CB) to where we needed to improve (both lines). None of that worked out (both lines) like I had hoped … I didn’t know the FAs, just that we were addressing positions.

Its like a double whammy if the FA doesnt work out and you used contract sorcery to bring them.

This stuff compounds on itself … it just does. Decisions are affected.

Some people believe there’s always a creative way to deal with it. I think its more of a roller coaster than it needs to be, with a little discipline.

We wouldn't need the FA contract sorcery if we had better success in draft. We would have a good number of solid contributors on cheaper rookie contracts. But, we don't because we drafted a lot of stiffs.

Hopefully that changes this year as we have 4 picks in 1st three rounds. To get back on track with salary cap and avoiding void years contracts, we need a home run draft. Probably two in a row(2026 and 2027).

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ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes


As far as the draft, I’m not sure what to expect. Since I assume the same draft apparatus is in place that provided Kwesi with his options before and during the draft.

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ORIGINAL: Trekgeekscott

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ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes


As far as the draft, I’m not sure what to expect. Since I assume the same draft apparatus is in place that provided Kwesi with his options before and during the draft.

From what I've been hearing, Kwesi didn't really listen to scouts and such and based most of his personnel decisions on Analytics. Including the draft. You know, scouts that have literally watched thousands of players play and can see a good with in the blink of an eye.

But for some people the numbers tell the entire story....blah blah blah bullshit. Success in College does not necessarily translate to the pros. There wss a legitimate debate in 1998 over who was better, Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf. and at the time most people could argue that Leaf would have been better, But some scouts saw things in Leaf they didn't like....and they were right. but I'm betting the analytics would have steered Kwesi to Leaf. And one little thing made all the difference. we ended up with HOFer and a basket case.

Kwesi was the wrong guy for the GM job. He had no clue about player evaluation outside of numbers..

And he didn't listen to anyone.

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ORIGINAL: Trekgeekscott

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ORIGINAL: Tom Sykes


As far as the draft, I’m not sure what to expect. Since I assume the same draft apparatus is in place that provided Kwesi with his options before and during the draft.

From what I've been hearing, Kwesi didn't really listen to scouts and such and based most of his personnel decisions on Analytics. Including the draft. You know, scouts that have literally watched thousands of players play and can see a good with in the blink of an eye.

But for some people the numbers tell the entire story....blah blah blah bullshit. Success in College does not necessarily translate to the pros. There wss a legitimate debate in 1998 over who was better, Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf. and at the time most people could argue that Leaf would have been better, But some scouts saw things in Leaf they didn't like....and they were right. but I'm betting the analytics would have steered Kwesi to Leaf. And one little thing made all the difference. we ended up with HOFer and a basket case.

Kwesi was the wrong guy for the GM job. He had no clue about player evaluation outside of numbers..

And he didn't listen to anyone.

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ORIGINAL: marty

I liked Richardson on draft day, he looked great on film, I didn't realize that like McCarthy he really needs tons of reps.

It's possible that both McCarthy and Richardson have what it takes, they just need lots of repetitions.

I didn't think Sam Darnold had what it takes to win the Super Bowl, but that was also true of Trent Dilfer, Nick Foles and Brad Johnson. I would probably rank Sam higher than those 3, so Sam is probably the 4th worst QB to ever win a Super Bowl. All 4 were carried by their defense, but Sam could win some more Super Bowls before he is done.

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ORIGINAL: Brad H

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ORIGINAL: marty

I liked Richardson on draft day, he looked great on film, I didn't realize that like McCarthy he really needs tons of reps.

It's possible that both McCarthy and Richardson have what it takes, they just need lots of repetitions.

I didn't think Sam Darnold had what it takes to win the Super Bowl, but that was also true of Trent Dilfer, Nick Foles and Brad Johnson. I would probably rank Sam higher than those 3, so Sam is probably the 4th worst QB to ever win a Super Bowl. All 4 were carried by their defense, but Sam could win some more Super Bowls before he is done.

Darnold had the third highest passer rating in playoff history heading into the Super Bowl this post-season.

Again, what does this guy have to do to prove himself to you?

The bottom line is, he is a really good football player. He's a really good leader. He's a really good teammate. At $33-million, he was the steal of free agency in 2025.

Right now if I had to compare careers, Darnold is on a similar path to Terry Bradshaw. Had a rough few seasons to start his career. People hated him and said he'd never make it. Eventually figured out the speed of the game (year 5-6-7) and the Steelers built a machine around his skillsets.

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ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

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ORIGINAL: Brad H

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ORIGINAL: marty

I liked Richardson on draft day, he looked great on film, I didn't realize that like McCarthy he really needs tons of reps.

It's possible that both McCarthy and Richardson have what it takes, they just need lots of repetitions.

I didn't think Sam Darnold had what it takes to win the Super Bowl, but that was also true of Trent Dilfer, Nick Foles and Brad Johnson. I would probably rank Sam higher than those 3, so Sam is probably the 4th worst QB to ever win a Super Bowl. All 4 were carried by their defense, but Sam could win some more Super Bowls before he is done.

Darnold had the third highest passer rating in playoff history heading into the Super Bowl this post-season.

Again, what does this guy have to do to prove himself to you?

The bottom line is, he is a really good football player. He's a really good leader. He's a really good teammate. At $33-million, he was the steal of free agency in 2025.

Right now if I had to compare careers, Darnold is on a similar path to Terry Bradshaw. Had a rough few seasons to start his career. People hated him and said he'd never make it. Eventually figured out the speed of the game (year 5-6-7) and the Steelers built a machine around his skillsets.

Again....not apples to apples.
Seattle needed Sam to play only average in the biggest game....why?

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ORIGINAL: Brad H

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ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

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ORIGINAL: Brad H

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ORIGINAL: marty

I liked Richardson on draft day, he looked great on film, I didn't realize that like McCarthy he really needs tons of reps.

It's possible that both McCarthy and Richardson have what it takes, they just need lots of repetitions.

I didn't think Sam Darnold had what it takes to win the Super Bowl, but that was also true of Trent Dilfer, Nick Foles and Brad Johnson. I would probably rank Sam higher than those 3, so Sam is probably the 4th worst QB to ever win a Super Bowl. All 4 were carried by their defense, but Sam could win some more Super Bowls before he is done.

Darnold had the third highest passer rating in playoff history heading into the Super Bowl this post-season.

Again, what does this guy have to do to prove himself to you?

The bottom line is, he is a really good football player. He's a really good leader. He's a really good teammate. At $33-million, he was the steal of free agency in 2025.

Right now if I had to compare careers, Darnold is on a similar path to Terry Bradshaw. Had a rough few seasons to start his career. People hated him and said he'd never make it. Eventually figured out the speed of the game (year 5-6-7) and the Steelers built a machine around his skillsets.

Again....not apples to apples.
Seattle needed Sam to play only average in the biggest game....why?

That's just silly. Sam Darnold was way above average. That's why they won big.

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ORIGINAL: Brad H

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ORIGINAL: marty

I liked Richardson on draft day, he looked great on film, I didn't realize that like McCarthy he really needs tons of reps.

It's possible that both McCarthy and Richardson have what it takes, they just need lots of repetitions.

I didn't think Sam Darnold had what it takes to win the Super Bowl, but that was also true of Trent Dilfer, Nick Foles and Brad Johnson. I would probably rank Sam higher than those 3, so Sam is probably the 4th worst QB to ever win a Super Bowl. All 4 were carried by their defense, but Sam could win some more Super Bowls before he is done.

Darnold had the third highest passer rating in playoff history heading into the Super Bowl this post-season.

Again, what does this guy have to do to prove himself to you?

The bottom line is, he is a really good football player. He's a really good leader. He's a really good teammate. At $33-million, he was the steal of free agency in 2025.

Right now if I had to compare careers, Darnold is on a similar path to Terry Bradshaw. Had a rough few seasons to start his career. People hated him and said he'd never make it. Eventually figured out the speed of the game (year 5-6-7) and the Steelers built a machine around his skillsets.

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ORIGINAL: Chris Olson

He is as bad as JJ...makes no sense

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ORIGINAL: Chris Olson

He is as bad as JJ...makes no sense

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ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

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ORIGINAL: Chris Olson

He is as bad as JJ...makes no sense

Richardson is as raw as sushi. How many roster spots are we going to allocate for project QB's next season?

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ORIGINAL: Bill Johanesen

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ORIGINAL: Bill Jandro

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ORIGINAL: Chris Olson

He is as bad as JJ...makes no sense

Richardson is as raw as sushi. How many roster spots are we going to allocate for project QB's next season?

Great points from both of you. One prevalent truth is there is no substitute for game experience, so does anyone want to burn two more years seeing if either of these scrubs have it? It would be different if one or both tilted to being a QBOTF instead of a bust.

Generally the QB lineup starts with someone proven/shows fairly consistent promise, backed up by a good veteran, followed by a project to hold the clipboard. We don't need to try to reverse that by making a clipboard holder a starter and then double down on it.

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ORIGINAL: Phil Riewer

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ORIGINAL: Chris Olson

He is as bad as JJ...makes no sense

The problem still is you need a good backup. At worst does he fit that role?

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ORIGINAL: Chris Olson

RIP Rondale Moore

tragic