5 Things Vikings Fans Want to Happen This Offseason … But Probably Won’t
The Minnesota Vikings’ offseason is here, with free agency six weeks away and the 2025 NFL Draft six weeks after that.
5 Things Vikings Fans Want to Happen This Offseason … But Probably Won’t
Fans have big plans for the team, hoping to open a Super Bowl window with quarterback J.J. McCarthy presumably at the helm as QB1.
And with the offseason underway, these are five things that folks want to happen in the next few months — but probably won’t. They’re listed in no particular order.
1. Signing Free Agent OG Trey Smith
Adding Trey Smith would be sweet for an ailing interior Vikings offensive line. Make no mistake.
However, the man will probably cost about $20 million per season — and roughly 10 NFL teams, at least, will pursue the Super Bowl champion.
Yes, Minnesota has the free-agent funds to get Smith, but investing $20 million annually in a guard is expensive, he’ll have multiple options, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would have to thread the needle to get him.
On the whole, it’s unlikely for Smith to wear purple in 2025.
2. Drafting RB Ashton Jeanty
A couple of credible mock drafts have suggested running back Ashton Jeanty to the Vikings in late April, which would be utterly fantastic.
Still, Jeanty might even be a better RB prospect than Bijan Robinson two years ago, and it just doesn’t seem possible for 23 teams to say no thanks to the dynamic playmaker.
In reality, Jeanty probably won’t fall past the Dallas Cowboys at pick No. 12.
3. Re-Upping with Sam Darnold on a “Team-Friendly” Deal
Some want Minnesota to hedge its bet at quarterback, re-signing Darnold for cheap while preparing J.J. McCarthy for 2025 and beyond.
But this is Darnold’s one big chance to secure a life-changing contract. He won’t return to Minnesota on a discount. He would be stupid to do that.
Of course, fans’ enthusiasm for Darnold plunged after the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, so this might not hurt much.
4. Getting 3 New iOLs
The Rams set an NFL playoff record for sacks, knocking Darnold flat 9 times. Yes, 9. The Rams defeated the Vikings 27-9, ending a 14-3 win season for Minnesota.
Recognizing offensive line porousness was unmistakable, but O’Connell made sure to call out the trenches after the game. “There’s no question that we got to be able to find a way to give a quarterback time. Especially with players like Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, we got to find a way to solidify the interior of the pocket, starting first and foremost,” O’Connell told reporters after the loss.
Interior offensive line woes have been a frequent vexation of Vikings football for over a decade.
O’Connell added, “There can be a thousand excuses made. But, for me, it’s the foundation of the interior of the pocket that we’re going to have to take a long look at.”
It’s quite the undertaking to replace three offensive line starters in one offseason. A realistic expectation might be two new starters, with a player like Blake Brandel sticking around.
5. Trading Sam Darnold via Franchise Tag for a 2nd-Round Pick
Not long ago, all the rage involved franchise tagging-and-trading Darnold to a quarterback-hungry team for a 1st- or 2nd-Round draft pick. Genuine enthusiasm existed for it.
Then, Darnold played dreadfully in two crucial games — in front of national audiences.
Those performances dialed back the trade theories while some Vikings enthusiasts hold out hope that a trade can still fetch something for Darnold. That’s fine and dandy, but it won’t be a 1st- or 2nd-Round pick, not after the losses to the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams.
Minnesota will likely have to weigh trading Darnold for a late-rounder after the theoretical application of the franchise tag, and that’s probably not worth it.
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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