Questions Answered: Most Concerning Part of Roster, More Offseason Dominoes, Harrison Phillips
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the June 20th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Most Concerning Part of Roster, More Offseason Dominoes, Harrison Phillips
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: In your opinion, what is the most concerning part of the Vikings’ roster?
Answer: Defensive tackle.
These are the combatants as of June 20th:
- Harrison Phillips
- Jerry Tillery
- Jonathan Bullard
- James Lynch
- Jonah Williams
- Jaquelin Roy
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Tyler Manoa
- Taki Taimani
- Jalen Redmond
That’s a whole lot of names but not much guaranteed production. And the problem is that the ship has sailed to improve this spot. The last best hope, Calais Campbell, signed with the Miami Dolphins last week.
So, Minnesota will just have to wait until 2025 to perhaps fortify this roster spot — or fire off a trade for someone like Jonathan Allen in Washington.
Q: What’s the next offseason domino for the Vikings?
Answer: All major offseason dominoes have fallen. Maybe an extension for Camryn Bynum?
Minnesota retained Brian Flores, made free-agent decisions on Kirk Cousins + Danielle Hunter, signed about 15 free agents, drafted its quarterback of the future in J.J. McCarthy, and signed Justin Jefferson for the long haul. That was the entire offseason to-do list.
Christian Darrisaw extension chatter could heat up, but those discussions are more likely a 2025 thing. But just like Jefferson this offseason, Darrisaw’s extension hubbub will be front and center before too long.
Q: Do you think Harrison Phillips will be back in Minnesota, as 2024 is the final year of his contract?
A: Yes.
We just replied to the first question in this edition about the Vikings’ relative weakness at defensive tackle. If the franchise subtracted Phillips with no replacement plan, well, the doldrums would escalate.
Phillips turned 28 this offseason, so he still has plenty of NFL time left on his resume. An extension in Minnesota for three or so years would make sense, especially because Phillips is a leader and quintessential locker room guy.
Whether the extension arrives this summer or next offseason is the big question. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might let this go down the wire, opting to see how Phillips performs in 2024, his third season as a Viking.
Former Viking Released by Packers
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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