Questions Answered: Jordan Addison Punishment, Best Trade Idea for Vikings, Duke’s Role
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the July 24th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Jordan Addison Punishment, Best Trade Idea, Duke’s Role
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Q: Is there any way that Jordan Addison escapes a suspension from the NFL?
Answer: Any way? Yes. But we think, generally speaking, that he will be suspended.
The Vikings’ primary leaders struck a supportive tone of Addison at Monday’s training camp press conference, but they also all but confirmed wrongdoing. “We’re disappointed in Jordan. We care about these players. We really do. We want to make sure we’re doing our part for the development on the field,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said at the start of training camp. “The other aspect of that is the off-the-field, the life skills, and the development of decision-making and learning how important it is within our culture — which we’re very proud of — that our players understand personal responsibility and accountability.”
That sure sounds like the commentary of a man who has some kind of punishment on the way. So, yes, we predict a three-game suspension. Addison got off lucky last summer for the reckless driving incident, but that probably won’t happen again.
Q: If you were the Vikings general manager, which summer trade would you fire off before the regular season?
Answer: A deal for Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.
The Commanders drafted Jer’Zhan Newton in April, and he plays the same position as Allen. Newton will eventually take over the spot. Meanwhile, Allen earns $18 million per season but has no new guaranteed money left on the deal.
It makes sense for Washington to trade Allen, especially if that franchise is in love with Newton. Moreover, the Vikings have around $21 million in cap space, able to absorb Allen’s salary.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could probably seal the deal for a 4th- and 5th-Round pick. Maybe a 3rd-Rounder. While draft capital is precious for Minnesota right now — it doesn’t have much in the piggybank for next year — we still support the exploration of an Allen trade.
Q: Do you think Duke Shelley will actually start for the Vikings, or is he more of a camp body?
A: We say competition at training camp and in the preseason.
Shelley only played 76 defensive snaps for the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, and before that, the Las Vegas Raiders cut him during summer roster shavedowns.
Memories of Shelley from 2022 are fantastic, but it’s unlikely that two NFL teams just made huge mistakes by not playing him last year. We’ll hope for the best regarding Shelley — maybe he busts out again like he did in 2022 — but we also won’t be surprised one iota if he fails to make the September roster.
At the very least, it was a sweet depth signing.
Texans Sign Former Vikings Player
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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