Last Rookie Domino Falls for Vikings
For about five weeks, Minnesota Vikings fans endured a faux mystery about two 1st-Round rookies, quarterback J.J. McCarthy and outside linebacker Dallas Turner. Neither man had signed their contracts, leading to speculation that something was awry.
Last Rookie Domino Falls for Vikings
But training camp arrived Sunday with rookies reporting for duty, and it turned out patience was a virtue.
McCarthy signed his deal on Friday, ending the whispers about a never-was-going-to-happen holdout. Soon after, Turner followed suit. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Sunday, “Minnesota Vikings No. 17 overall pick Dallas Turner signed a four-year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $15.76 million that includes a $8.28 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option.”
Turner was the second-to-last 1st-Rounder left to sign his deal in the NFL on the whole, with Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Amarius Mims as the last man standing. Mims, too, made it official, inking his deal Monday morning.
So, it’s a wrap for all Vikings rookies with training camp underway. The takeaway should involve patience — there was no reason to believe Minnesota’s brass would allow either 1st-Rounder to wallow in uncertainty. The situation just went down to the wire.
Minnesota utilized Round 1 of the draft to select McCarthy of Michigan and Turner from Alabama three months ago. Few figured both men were attainable, as Minnesota was expected to trade his 1st-Round assets for a quarterback of the future. But on draft night, McCarthy tumbled to pick No. 10, where the franchise pulled the trigger on a trade with the New York Jets — while keeping his 23rd overall pick in-house. The purple team then picked Turner after an expensive trade to the 17th spot with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Vikings now showcase tremendous EDGE depth, which is noteworthy because some fans panicked about Hunter’s departure to the Houston Texans in March. The EDGE room will feature Turner, Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jihad Ward, rookie Gabriel Murphy, Patrick Jones II, and Andre Carter II, among others. In fact, the group may be “too deep” that an awkward roster cut could occur later this summer.
Turner should start right away or at least receive substantial defensive snaps as a rookie. McCarthy, on the other hand, might need more time to take the QB1 baton. Minnesota signed Sam Darnold as a bridge quarterback in March, and he’s the frontrunner to lead the squad in Week 1 at the New York Giants.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell will hold a press conference early Monday afternoon to kick off training camp.
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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