Questions Answered: Byron Murphy Prediction, Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford, a DT for Vikings
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the February 19th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Questions Answered: Byron Murphy Prediction, Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford, a DT
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.
Q: Do you think Byron Murphy Jr. will be back in 2025?
Answer: Yes.
We’ll admit — we were more confident about this one month ago, as Murphy’s free-agent asking price has apparently climbed. That’s the outcome of a Pro Bowl season and 6 interceptions.
However, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah originally found Murphy for the Vikings’ roster two offseasons ago, and we believe he’ll want to keep “his guy.” There’s some pride there.
We also refer back to a Murphy interview last summer. In a chat with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson last June, Murphy Jr. explained his intent to remain a Viking for the long haul.
“I don’t think I’m going anywhere. That’s my mindset. I want to stay; I love this place. Since I’ve been here since day one, I have fallen in love. I want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. I love these guys in the locker room and the coaching — everything about this place is great. I’m going to work my ass off to stay here,” Murphy Jr. said.
We think that means something, even if his price tag has soared.
Q: If forced to choose, would you have Aaron Rodgers or Matthew Stafford in 2025 as the Vikings’ QB?
Answer: Neither. We want J.J. McCarthy on the QB1 throne.
So, you know, gross on forcing a selection.
If we had to pick, we’d take Rodgers because he won’t cost anything via trade. The Jets are about to release him. For Stafford, Minnesota would have to serve up a juicy draft pick in a trade. That’s a big no thanks from us on a 37-year-0ld quarterback.
Give us McCarthy, please.
Q: If Kwesi drafts a DT in Round 1, who do you want?
Answer: Walter Nolen of Ole Miss.
Some like the bigger-body-type defensive tackles like Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams. And that’s fine.
Still, we prefer Minnesota to choose a three-technique defensive tackle — like Nolen — someone who terrorizes quarterbacks above all else. The Vikings haven’t employed one of those on the defensive line’s interior since Kevin Williams left in 2013.
Kenneth Grant would be sweet, too. He’s huge and also rushes the passer.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.