Questions Answered: Jordan Addison Trade, Preseason Storyline for Vikings, Dalton Risner
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the August 7th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Jordan Addison Trade, Preseason Storyline for Vikings, Dalton Risner
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: Because he’s been a knucklehead at times, do you think the Vikings will trade Jordan Addison before the season starts?
Answer: No.
That idea has been floated here and there by fringe voices, but the Vikings aren’t going to mail it in on Addison, even if he’s down to his final strike.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell provided thoughts on Addison two weeks ago. “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,” 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.”
O’Connell added, “You wrap your arms around these guys, and you ensure that they know that we care. But at the same time they have to hear those messages and they have to understand things that are not going to be acceptable.”
The Vikings’ leadership believes in accountability, culture, and forgiveness. Offloading Addison now would be strange, considering their comments from the last few weeks. Plus, Addison’s trade value is probably at its lowest point because of back-to-back driving infractions.
We say no way on an Addison trade.
Q: What’s one under-the-radar storyline you’re following for the Vikings’ first preseason game?
Answer: Playing time and performance for Andrew Booth and Lewis Cine.
Booth found his way to CB5 or thereabouts on the team’s first depth chart release this week — also known as the rather emphatic roster bubble location. His defensive back pal and 2022 draft buddy, Cine, is tucked around the sixth safety spot.
Their last best hope to make the 53-man roster could be the next three preseason contests.
So, we want to see if those two stand out during the first preseason game. It’s all on the line — for Cine especially.
Q: Do you think Dalton Risner will actually start the season on the bench?
A: Yes.
He could still score the upset over Ed Ingram at right guard, but it would be a little odd for Minnesota to demote Ingram as he enters a third and pivotal NFL season.
Risner will earn $2.4 million in 2024, compared to $3.16 million for left guard Blake Brandel. Follow the money and observe the depth chart. Brandel is currently listed as the starting left guard, while Risner is behind Ingram at right guard.
Of course, Risner will be the next man up if injuries beset Brandel or Ingram. Yet, with the regular season 4.5 weeks away, it seems the starting guards will be Brandel and Ingram.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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