The Vikings Have 5 Unsolved Mysteries
The Minnesota Vikings embarked on the offseason with grand plans of improving the 2025 depth chart.
The Vikings Have 5 Unsolved Mysteries
They haven’t disappointed.
Minnesota has notably signed Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), Jordan Mason (RB, trade), Isaiah Rodgers (CB), and Jeff Okudah (CB) in free agency in addition to extending Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), and Harrison Smith (S).
With that roster clarity, though, five unsolved mysteries remain. These are those, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important).
5. A WR3 Upgrade?
Jalen Nailor has the job as of March 19th, and truth be told, he’ll probably keep it in 2025.
Why? Well, the Vikings could have — or should have — upgraded the spot by now. T.J. Hockenson, a tight end, will be fully healthy in 2025, unlike 2024, and he could be the WR3 by default per target load. Still, numerous WR3 options popped up at the start of free agency, and Minnesota signed none.
Here’s who’s left:
- Nelson Agholor
- D.J. Chark
- Brandin Cooks
- Amari Cooper
- Stefon Diggs
- Diontae Johnson
- Tyler Lockett
- Robert Woods
4. Is LG … Blake Brandel?
After adding Fries, a guard, and Kelly, a center, fans have wondered if the purple team will complete the interior offensive line trifecta — replacing Brandel at left guard.
Brandel played well to start the 2024 campaign, but after Christian Darrisaw succumbed to a torn ACL, his performance dipped, which might be expected. The Vikings have plenty of cap space — more on that later — so will they re-nominate Brandel at left guard or explore one of these men from free agency:
- Will Hernandez
- Teven Jenkins
- Shaq Mason
- Dalton Risner
- Brandon Scherff
3. Who in the Hell Is the QB2?
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero posted to X on Wednesday morning: “The Vikings have rejected multiple trade calls on J.J. McCarthy, telling other teams they’re moving forward with him as their quarterback, sources say. The team plans to add a veteran. But they’re not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time. McCarthy now enters the offseason as QB1.”
“The Vikings continue to explore multiple options for a veteran QB addition, whether through free agency or a trade. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers’ options are now focused on the Steelers and Giants,” Pelissero added.
That ended the Rodgers sweepstakes relating to Minnesota, but Kevin O’Connell still needs a QB2. The options:
- Joe Flacco
- Trey Lance
- Drew Lock
- Ryan Tannehill
- Carson Wentz
- Jameis Winston
The Vikings could also simply roll with Brett Rypien, a current roster member.
2. Why All the Cap Space Left?
Curiously, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has more cap space than most would expect after his initial free-agent bonanza.
With around $33 million, he has ways to spend extravagantly. These are the working theories on how he’ll spend it:
- More Free Agents & a Draft Class
- Roll It over to 2026
- Trade for Denzel Ward (CB)
- Trade for Sauce Gardner
- A Splashy WR Trade like Michael Pittman
- A Sneaky Trade for a Player like Kyle Pitts (TE)
1. The Draft Pick’s Identity
Alas, with the Vikings’ roster deeper than in years past, who will Adofo-Mensah choose with his first pick in the draft?
He has the rare luxury to scoop the Best Player Available and isn’t pigeonholed into, well, anything, really.
These are some draft-pick names to remember for April 24th or 25th if he trades down:
- Jahdae Barron (CB)
- Tyler Booker (iOL)
- Luther Burden III (WR)
- Emeka Egbuka (WR)
- Nick Emmanwori (S)
- Kenneth Grant (DT)
- Derrick Harmon (DT)
- Walter Nolen (DT)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (CB)
- Malaki Starks (S)
- Grey Zabel (iOL)
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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