4 Vikings Theories That Changed in the Last Month
The Minnesota Vikings have less than one more before training camp, about six weeks until preseason, and the regular season commences on September 8th.
The time is nearing.
4 Vikings Theories That Changed in the Last Month
The team and its fans had 5-6 months to contemplate the 7-10 season from 2023 and hope to experience more prosperity in 2024.
Along the way, some offseason theories have changed in the last month. These are those ranked in ascending order of importance (No. 1 = most important).
No. 4
Theory:
Ryan Wright the Favorite to Win the Punter Job
Revision: Seth Vernon may actually win the gig.
Minnesota inked Vernon right after the 2024 NFL Draft, a challenger to Wright. And per dribblings out of minicamp, which wrapped up last week, Vernon may actually push Wright to the limit or steal his job.
Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer said this week on Access Vikings, “Matt Daniels is talking about how there was a big sophomore slump for Ryan Wright. That’s why they bring in this new punter. And that new punter, he’s got a boot.”
Krammer added about Vernon, “He has been nailing it. And Ryan Wright hasn’t looked good in some of the open practices. So punter news.”
Vernon may be the frontrunner in winning the job. Not long ago, Wright’s job security wasn’t questioned.
No. 3
Theory:
The Vikings Would Benefit from Atlanta’s Tampering Sins
Revision: Nope — the Falcons were fined and docked $250,000. That was it. No gifts for the Vikings.
Pro Football Talk led the charge here, suggesting that Minnesota could grab some goodies as a result of the Falcons’ sins, but then the NFL ruled on the matter, and the purple team received nothing. In fact, tampering rarely hands draft picks to other teams, so it was a little odd that PFT kept floating the theory in the first place.
And not for nothing, the Falcons’ punishment was incredibly mild.
No. 2
Theory:
Position Battles — Ed Ingram Would be the RG and TE between Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse
Revision: Ed Ingram must compete for his job with Dalton Risner back in the house, and TE is up in the air because of Robert Tonyan’s addition to the team, plus N’Keal Harry’s position change.
Kevin O’Connelll said about a week a half ago that the Risner re-signing plopped him into a threeway battle with Ed Ingram and Blake Brandel. Three guards for two starting spots. We have ourselves an OG battle.
And until recently, Minnesota was on tap to roll with Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, and Nick Muse at tight end while T.J. Hockenson recovers from a torn ACL. But that was before Robert Tonyan joined the roster, and N’Keal Harry converted from WR to TE.
So, there are two new roster battles.
No. 1
Theory:
Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy Would Battle for QB1 at Training Camp
Revision: Darnold feels like the QB1 no matter what, at least to start the season.
Kevin O’Connell said at minicamp, “We haven’t had to put out a depth chart or anything like that, but I would say Sam would be the guy I would look to based on the spring he’s had and, really, where he’s at in his career and his quarterback journey, and what he’s been able to do coming in and [hitting] the ground running and taking advantage of the competitive situation.”
That, folks, is the nomination for a QB1. McCarthy would have to blow everyone away to take Darnold’s job by Week 1.
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 Vikings 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.