“Offseason Grade” for Vikings Is Really Sumthin’
The Minnesota Vikings are essentially done with free agency and have set sights on the 2025 NFL Draft, which kicks off in Green Bay, Wisconsin, in 30 days.
“Offseason Grade” for Vikings Is Really Sumthin’
Vikings faithful have enjoyed the offseason, a 2.5-month period filled with tremendous change and roster fortification.
And according to The 33rd Team, Minnesota deserves an “A’ grade for its offseason.
“The 33rd Team” Says … a Solid A
The 33rd Team‘s Tyler Brooke assigned offseason grades for all NFL teams this week, and — you guessed it — the Vikings pulled down an “A.”
“After boasting such a strong roster in 2024, the Minnesota Vikings decided to take massive swings in free agency to try and build a contender around J.J. McCarthy. Like the Bears, the Vikings built around the trenches, adding key starters on the offensive line in Will Fries and Ryan Kelly and defensive linemen in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave,” Brooke wrote.
“They also managed to keep Byron Murphy in the secondary and Aaron Jones in their backfield. The only reason this free agency period doesn’t get an A+ is that there’s a lingering question about the quarterback position. If McCarthy isn’t fully healthy or ready to lead a team built for Super Bowl contention, then this could all fall apart quickly.”
A team like the New Orleans Saints received an “F” for their troubles.
Brooke concluded, “Still, the Vikings now have a loaded roster on both sides of the ball that should take a lot of pressure off of their first-round quarterback.”
The Los Angeles Rams, the team that nudged Minnesota out of the postseason in January, were the only other franchise to receive an A.
All the Additions
For context, Minnesota added these players since the start of free agency:
- Jonathan Allen (DT, Commanders)
- Bubba Bolden (S)
- Will Fries (G, Colts)
- Javon Hargrave (DT, 49ers)
- Ryan Kelly (C, Colts)
- Jordan Mason (RB, Trade, 49ers)
- Rondale Moore (WR, Falcons)
- Jeff Okudah (CB, Texans)
- Isaiah Rodgers (CB, Eagles)
- Justin Skule (OT, Buccaneers)
- Tavierre Thomas (CB, Buccaneers)
- Eric Wilson (LB, Packers)
Most applauded the moves because fans have begged the Vikings to build the trenches for eons.
They finally did it.
And the Subtractions
These players found new homes:
- Garrett Bradbury (C) to Patriots
- Camryn Bynum (S) to Colts
- Sam Darnold (QB) to Seahawks
- Daniel Jones (QB) to Colts
- Patrick Jones II (OLB) to Panthers
- Nick Mullens (QB) to Jaguars
- Johnny Mundt (TE) to Jaguars
- Cam Robinson (OT) to Texans
- Trent Sherfield (WR) to Broncos
- Jerry Tillery (DT) to Chiefs
The Colts snatched Bynum, and he was the one big mystery. The masses didn’t know if Minnesota would retain him for the long haul or promote from within. Promote from within they did, extending Theo Jackson’s contract, a man on tap to start in Bynum’s place.
Extensions
The Vikings handed out these extensions during their “A” offseason:
- Theo Jackson, S (3 Years, $12.6 Million)
- Aaron Jones, RB (2 Years, $20 Million)
- Byron Murphy Jr., CB (3 Years, $66 Million)
- Harrison Smith, S (1 Year, up to $14 Million)
- Ryan Wright, P (1 Year, $1.75 Million)
What about the Draft?
In 30 days, Minnesota has the luxury of drafting the best player available with its 24th overall pick. That’s the perk of totally fixing the roster in free agency.
In all likelihood, one of these men will represent general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s first pick of the event:
- Trey Amos (CB)
- Grey Zabel (iOL)
- Malaki Starks (S)
- Walter Nolen (DT)
- Tyler Booker (iOL)
- Jahdae Barron (CB)
- Kenneth Grant (DT)
- Nick Emmanwori (S)
- Derrick Harmon (DT)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
- Maxwell Hairston (CB)
Fans will hope the A-grade behavior from Adofo-Mensah translates to the draft.
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 Vikings 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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