OMG Moments That Shook Vikings Offseason
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell showed up on Vikings.com with a mustache — a fake one — on Friday, and that got us thinking about the most shocking moments of the offseason.
We asked our writers to name an OMG moment apiece from the Vikings offseason. Here’s what they came up with.
So naturally, we asked VikingsTerritory writers soon after to define their top OMG moment of the team’s offseason.
Here’s how they replied.
1. The Jordan Mason Trade
VT Writer: Jack Day
The trade for Jordan Mason — and no draft assets used on the running back position.
First things first, I loved the trade. Mason pairs perfectly with Aaron Jones. It surprised me because of the historically deep running back class in the draft this year. Nonetheless, the Vikings got better in their running back room and have a great one-two punch if all parties can stay healthy.
2. Entertaining the Aaron Rodgers Circus
VT Writer: Wes Johnson
Listen, Rodgers’ pedigree cannot be ignored. In a way, it made some sense to inquire about his availability, but let’s face it, he’s 41 and doesn’t appear to have much left in the tank (hello, Jets). Couple that with the Vikings spending a top 10 pick at the position the year prior, and the hoopla never made sense. This was the eye-roll moment of the Vikings’ offseason, and thankfully, they stuck with their current and long-term vision for a successful franchise.
3. Switching from Garrett Bradbury to Ryan Kelly
VT Writer: Adam New
I hoped the Vikings would make a change at center, but I suspected it might be seen as a matter for next year. The Vikings brass thought otherwise and discarded Garrett Bradbury to bring in Ryan Kelly — a statement of intent from the franchise that they wanted to win this year and knew where they needed to improve.
4. The Entire 2nd Day of Free Agency
VT Writer: Cole Smith
My “OMG” moment was the entire second day of free agency. I work mornings, so I hoped to see Jonathan Allen sign when I was off. When I saw the team was not only signing him, but Javon Hargrave, Will Fries, and Ryan Kelly, too, it showed the team wasn’t doing lip service when saying the trenches needed to he better.
t5. Four Top Linemen Signed
VT Writer: Tony Schultz
Signing not one, but two top players on both the offensive and defensive lines.
We all knew the trenches needed to be strengthened, and O’Connell said as much after the two final losses of the season. Signing Will Fries and Johnathan Allen would have been big enough. But snagging Javon Hargrave and Ryan Kelly was the moment you knew they weren’t messing around this year. They more than complement the players already there and improve both units.
t5. The Reality of Building the Trenches
VT Writer: Ted Schwerzler
The reality is that Minnesota finally went all in on the trenches. Ryan Kelly didn’t seem like a need at center, but Minnesota is done messing around and transformed both units.
t6. The Will Fries Acquisition
VT Writer: Josh Frey
Kevin O’Connell said after the season that the interior offensive line needed to be worked on, but that has been said in Minnesota for 10-plus years at this point. The Will Fries signing (and the ensuing moves after in signing Ryan Kelly and drafting Donovan Jackson) told me — finally — Minnesota is serious about turning their offensive line from a mediocre or just barely acceptable unit into an elite group.
t6. The Will Fries Acquisition
VT Writer: Henrique Gucciardi
Fries became my favorite free agent target after the Chiefs tagged Trey Smith. I was going to take a nap when I saw that Fries was signing in Minnesota, and I screamed so hard that my friend came to check on me.
t6. Major Contract for Will Fries
VT Writer: Kyle Joudry
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s time as the Vikings’ GM always involved going cheap/middle class at C/G: Bradbury, Risner, Brandel, Schlottmann, Ingram, etc. Handing out a five-year contract that’s a hair under $88M is not what I anticipated.
t7. The Javon Hargrave Signing
VT Writer: Janik Eckardt
When everyone celebrated because Minnesota finally got one defensive tackle in Jonathan Allen, and they signed another one — all-in type scenes.
t7. The Javon Hargrave Signing
VT Writer: Ali Siddiqui
There was no speculation that the Vikings were interested in Hargrave, and they had just added Jonathan Allen.
t7. The Javon Hargrave Signing
VT Writer: Dustin Baker
We begged the Vikings to sign an impactful three-technique for 10 years. They ignored us. Then, they signed Jonathan Allen from the Washington Commanders. We rejoiced. They finally listened. Minutes later, the Vikings signed Javon Hargrave out of nowhere. After all these years, it felt like Minnesota became serious that very moment about winning a Super Bowl. OMG.
The Newest Viking Is Official
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