The 3 Main Takeaways from Vikings Free Agency to Date

The Minnesota Vikings have pounded free agency through five days, bedazzling fans with a humongous spending spree.

The 3 Main Takeaways from Vikings Free Agency to Date

The team positioned itself for a Super Bowl run, assuming quarterback J.J. McCarthy turns into the real deal.

So, these are the three main takeaways from Vikings’ free agency through March 15th. They’re listed in ascending order (No. 1 = best decision).

3. They Trust Theo Jackson at Safety

NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero tweeted before the start of free agency, “The Vikings and safety Theo Jackson agreed to terms on a two-year, $12.615 million extension through 2027, with the first two years fully guaranteed at signing, per source. Deal done by Equity Sports Agency.”

Thereafter, Minnesota did not net Jevon Holland or Talanoa Hufanga this week, so Jackson is just the guy unless general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah selects a safety in Round 1 or 2.

He’ll presumably start alongside Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus, which is a big deal because no one knew two weeks ago if Smith would retire, if Camryn Bynum would re-sign, or if Jackson would be back at all.

2. Vikings Finally Acknowledge the Importance of Trenches

The Vikings have added these four players to the offensive and defensive lines:

• Will Fries (G)
• Ryan Kelly (C)
• Jonathan Allen (DT)
• Javon Hargrave (DT)

And free agency is only a week old. Another offensive trenchman, like Shaq Mason, Brandon Scherff, Will Hernandez, or Teven Jenkins, could be in play.

Heading into the offseason — almost every offseason for the franchise — fans watch and merely hope that Minnesota eventually understood to build the trenches.

This time, they finally obliged and knocked the assignment out of the park with Fries, Kelly, Allen, and Hargrave. Vikings fans can now dream big because they have the talent in the trenches … to do the next thing on this list.

1. It’s Time for a Super Bowl Run

Let’s face it. Everything about Vikings football for the next four years revolves around J.J. McCarthy’s development, maturity, and upside.

If he’s a mid-tier quarterback like Derek Carr, for example, folks will cross fingers and pray that’s enough. However, there’s a great hope he can become Joe Burrow-ish, enabling a continuous Super Bowl window for the Vikings.

For the next two seasons — probably more — Adofo-Mensah has carpentered a roster that can win a Super Bowl if the quarterback is the real deal.

The time is now for the Vikings, and that’s why everyone will hang on McCarthy’s every throw. He’s the meal ticket, with a fantastic roster to support him.

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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.