Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the December 20th 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: The Los Angeles Rams.
Matthew Stafford could retire, or Los Angeles could simply decide to move on from the future Hall of Famer. The Rams are the best team to sign Darnold to a “Baker Mayfield contract,” and with Sean McVay as his tutor, Darnold can flourish in Tinseltown as he did with the Vikings.
It just makes too much sense.
Darnold is constructing a monster season, and if the Rams cut ties with Stafford, he can avoid another bridge quarterback situation with Los Angeles. He’ll latch on with McVay as the long-term starter and will just be known as the Rams’ QB1 — like Mayfield in Tampa Bay.
Otherwise, the Seattle Seahawks are also fascinating.
Answer: Those same Rams.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, too, are a strong possibility, but as the math stands at the moment, the Rams represent the likeliest possibility.
And in that showdown, Minnesota could exact revenge on the Rams for a Week 8 loss when the purple team fell at SoFi Stadium, 30-20. You know, the Sam Darnold facemask game.
The San Francisco 49ers have fully crumbled. The Arizona Cardinals encountered a rough patch before beating the New England Patriots last weekend. Then, we think the Vikings will beat the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, handing the advantage to Los Angeles for the NFC West.
At the Rams and at the Buccaneers are the most probable scenarios unless, of course, Minnesota wins the next three games and earns homefield advantage.
Answer: Cornerback Byron Murphy.
He’s one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks this season and is scheduled to hit the open market in March.
Camryn Bynum would be nice to have back, but Minnesota might have a “pick one” situation between Murphy and Bynum.
Right now, Minnesota has Mekhi Blackmon, Dwight McGlothern, and NaJee Thompson under contract for next year at cornerback, and that’s basically it.
Re-sign Murphy.
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.