Questions Answered: Russell Wilson, Robert Tonyan Making the Team, Another TE for Vikings?
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the August 21st edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Russell Wilson, Robert Tonyan Making the Team, Another TE?
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 it a real thing that Russell Wilson could be traded to the Vikings?
Answer: No — not unless Sam Darnold gets injured (on top of J.J. McCarthy’s torn meniscus last week).
This idea emerged from former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum this week. “A win-win here is to trade Russell Wilson to Minnesota. I think he’s a better quarterback than Sam Darnold. They certainly can battle it out,” Tannenbaum said on ESPN’s Get Up on Wednesday.
Minnesota will showcase Darnold at QB1 this season after the aforementioned McCarthy tore his meniscus during the first preseason game. The Vikings’ coaching staff has spent all summer preparing Darnold for the assignment, so trading for Wilson would certainly be bold and untimely for his theoretical understanding of the offense. Head coach Kevin O’Connell doesn’t necessarily utilize a simple scheme.
Tannenbaum added, “Unfortunately for Minnesota history is repeating itself. We go back to 2016, Teddy Bridgewater had a catastrophic injury at practice. Sam Bradford gets traded from the Eagles to the Vikings.”
A Wilson trade won’t happen unless Darnold falls injured.
Q: Is the trend of Robert Tonyan not making the Vikings’ roster actually real?
Answer: Yes, for better or worse, it seems Tonyan may be on the outside looking in.
Entering the preseason’s final week, some don’t believe Tonyan will make the cut next week. For example, KSTP’s Darren Wolfson said on SKOR North Tuesday, “Tonyan, he got a good chance here, but this to me, signifies that his body might just be done,”
Wolfson added, “It’s a phenomenally tough sport, he’s a big guy, he’s obviously taken a pounding, I wonder if this is the end of the road here. I don’t see a path here.”
We agree with this assessment, though it’s odd that Tonyan is still listed near the top of the Vikings’ depth chart.
Q: Minnesota signed another tight end? Why do they need a ninth TE?
A: Teams cast wide nets during the summer. They may want Neal Johnson for the practice squad.
It is correct that Minnesota’s tight end room is crowded — to the tune of nine players. Johnson is likely a player Minnesota eyed via undrafted free agency in late April, but he landed with the New York Jets.
He’s a fascinating signee, but he probably won’t make the active roster.
Vikings Sign Old Friend for OL
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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