The team is poised to start stacking wins again!
As all Vikings fans wonder what will the team do before the trade deadline, it appears we will have to wait another week to find out if they do anything. I will say that it takes two to tango and other teams could be trying to fleece Kwesi which may or may not be easy to do.
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Buzz: Vikings could target trades for players who can help beyond 2024
In 2022, the Vikings made a deadline splash when they acquired T.J. Hockenson from the Lions, which was a move that was about much more than that specific season. They needed immediate help at tight end after losing Irv Smith Jr. to injury, yes, but they also viewed Hockenson — who was in the fourth year of his rookie contract — as someone who could become part of their core moving forward. They were right, as they signed him to a four-year extension the following summer.
Goessling’s plugged-in speculation is that the Vikings might do the same thing this year if they make an aggressive move. Why? Because even at 5-2, the team’s main window for contention probably begins next year when quarterback J.J. McCarthy is healthy. Prior to the Vikings’ 5-0 start, this looked like a transition season for a team that has major cap space in 2025. There’s no reason to expect them to suddenly punt on this season and sell, but two losses in five days and a season-ending injury to Christian Darrisaw may have slightly shifted the broader focus back to the future.
Report: Minnesota Vikings Will Wait Another Week to Decide NFL Trade Deadline Plans
Apparently, they’ll be idle this week too. While other NFL teams are moving and grooving, making early trade deadline moves, Kwesi & Co are expected to stand pat. Beat writer Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) writes that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores want another week to evaluate their own team, before the NFL Trade Deadline, on Tuesday (Nov 5).
The NFL’s decision to move its trade deadline back by one week means the Vikings will play once more, at home next Sunday night against the Colts, before deciding how aggressive they want to be in pursuit of upgrades for their 2024 roster.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
NFL picks, score predictions for Week 9: Minnesota Vikings vs. Indianapolis Colts
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Vikings 27, Colts 20
Iyer: “Anthony Richardson is trying to keep the starting job over Joe Flacco, but the only thing he offers is a rushing threat to help Jonathan Taylor’s running out of the backfield. The slumping sophomore QB won’t avoid the pressure and turnover-focused attack of the Vikings. On the flip side, Sam Darnold can attack another secondary that cannot stop Justin Jefferson or any of Minnesota’s downfield receivers.”
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Vikings 27, Colts 19
Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Vikings 27, Colts 16
Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: Vikings 27, Colts 17
Ben Rolfe, Pro Football Network: Vikings 27, Colts 17
NFL Power Rankings have the Vikings continuing to fall after consecutive losses
ESPN’s NFL Nation
Last week: 6
This week: 9
Yahoo! Sports’ Frank Schwab
Last week: 4
This week: 10
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco
Last week: 4
This week: 5
NFL.com’s Eric Edholm
Last week: 4
This week: 7
USA Today’s Nate Davis
Last week: 4
This week: 5
The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer
Last week: 3
This week: 9
Bleacher Report’s NFL Staff
Last week: 2
This week: 3
“The injury to Darrisaw isn’t Minnesota’s only problem coming out of the loss against the Rams, although it may be the most pressing. Sam Darnold has locked onto Justin Jefferson to the point that it may be hurting the Vikings. As great as Jefferson is, Minnesota struggled offensively with almost half of Darnold’s attempts and passing yards going his way.
“The biggest issue, however, remains the Vikings’ leaky pass defense. Matthew Stafford had more touchdown passes Thursday (four) than he had all season preceding that game. The Vikings have the worst pass defense in the NFC.
“It’s going to be awfully hard to catch Detroit when you have no real chance of stopping them.” — Gary Davenport
Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr
Last week: 5
This week: 6
The Ringer’s Diante Lee
Last week: 7
This week: 9
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio
Last week: 4
This week: 10
The Athletic’s Josh Kendall
Last week: 3
This week: 8
Vikings rookie Dallas Turner responds to reporter’s questions about playing time
Turner was on the field for 35 snaps in the season opener. Since then, his snap counts have been 18 against the 49ers, none against the Texans because he missed the game with an injury, 11 versus the Packers, 13 against the Jets, five against the Lions and just three versus the Rams. Is he confused about why he’s not on the field more?
“I mean, just, I don’t know either,” Turner replied Monday when approached by KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson about his limited playing time. “Just working every day in practice, still getting better, still learning from my guys. Whatever works best for the team, I’m not really complaining.”
Turner took the high road and reiterated to Wolfson that he’s all about the team.
“I mean, any way I can help the team go out there and effect the quarterback, impact the game in any type of way, I’m up for it,” Turned said. “Everyday I thank God just to be in the position I am today.”
Jordan Addison clears up trade rumors stemming from ‘Free 3’ caption
Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison generated some noise on social media when he posted a picture on his Instagram story on Saturday with the seemingly cryptic caption “Free 3.”
That specific phrasing led to some speculation about Addison possibly wanting a trade or a bigger role in Minnesota’s offense. Notably, it was a topic of discussion on Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco’s Nightcap podcast.
That led Addison to share on his story on Monday a post from 2020 that includes #free3 in the caption, telling Sharpe and Ochocinco to “do ya homework.”
“Free 3” has apparently been a catchphrase or nickname of Addison’s dating back to his college days at Pittsburgh and USC, if not further. He even wore a “FR3E” chain to the NFL Draft last year.
Shout out to Krauser who had to point this out the other day in one of the threads.
Vikings and Panthers trade proposal offers huge upgrade for Minnesota’s defense
If the Vikings want to rebound and have a chance to win the NFC North, the team must address its inept secondary. There are plenty of options on the open market, but The Draft Network’s Justin Melo believes Minnesota is a feasible landing spot for Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn.
The Vikings are allowing a 30th-ranked 263 passing yards per outing. The aging Stephon Gilmore has a Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 58.8 this season. The opposite boundary starter, Shaquill Griffin, has been even worse (56.5). Flores could definitely use some better depth at boundary corner. The Vikings remain in a wild-card spot with plenty to play for. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should address his team’s biggest weakness at the deadline.
Horn has struggled with injuries in his career, but when he’s on the field, the 24-year-old is one of the most talented cornerbacks in football. The former South Carolina standout has missed 29 games since entering the league in 2021 and has yet to play more than 13 games in a season.
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