Jan 7, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) rolls out against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the November 12th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
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.
Answer: No.
The only way Minnesota should sign Tannehill is if Darnold gets hurt. He will not be an upgrade to Darnold — and he’s old.
Pro Football Talk created this idea. Mike Florio suggested it Sunday while Darnold was tossing his 3 picks. Florio tweeted during Jaguars-Vikings, “Is it crazy to wonder what Kevin O’Connell could do with Ryan Tannehill down the stretch? Because it really looks like the Sam Darnold chariot has turned back into a pumpkin.”
Then, The Ringer’s Steven Ruiz took the baton this week. “The Vikings have now won two in a row and are just a game back from the Lions in the NFC North, but head coach Kevin O’Connell’s faith in Darnold has to be at an all-time low. That’s certainly true of the Vikings fans, who have begun calling for backup Nick Mullens and wondering whether general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to give free agent Ryan Tannehill a call,” he wrote.
“Tannehill, who is currently a free agent, could be a more viable solution and has previously had success in a similar style of offense in Tennessee. He’s comfortable operating from under center in a play-action-heavy attack (which O’Connell would appreciate), and he’s not afraid to give his talented receivers a chance on 50/50 balls down the field (which Justin Jefferson would appreciate),” Ruiz added.
We say no on Tannehill unless Darnold tears something.
Answer: Turnovers on offense.
Minnesota ranks fourth-worst in the NFL per giveaways. That will doom most NFL teams, and if it weren’t for the Vikings’ defense forcing turnovers, the team would be in trouble.
The moment Minnesota can reduce the interceptions and fumbles, it can morph into a Super Bowl contender. It’s just that no one knows if that’ll happen.
Stop the turnovers, please.
Answer: Because Ed Ingram has played well in the last two games, which coincided precisely with Risner’s activation on the roster.
Ingram’s pass protection has improved in back-to-back games, and the Vikings apparently prefer offensive line continuity.
Risner will just have to wait. Depth is good.
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.