https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1YKWkxa...tid=wwXIfr

High of 72 in the mountains today. Continues the next 10 days. This one was bad. Typically I break out the winter jacket for 3 day. This year it’s been nearly 3 months.

One of the nagging things I saw last season was Darnold holding the ball so long.  It's been well chronicled and discussed here.

Sam Darnold had the third-longest time to throw in the NFL last season at 3.08 seconds, as he was also pressured 37.9% of the time.

In his National Champion year at Michigan, J.J. McCarthy had an average time to throw of 2.64 seconds.

With a beefed up OL in front of him, KOC is making sure that last year's leaky OL is not a recurring theme next season for his young QB.  

While I wish Darnold well in Seattle, I think Kwesi and KOC are setting the table for a better long-term outcome. And they're not done yet.

The Vikings are on the front end of a rookie contract that enables an NFL team to spend money like tipsy toddlers. 

The 49ers? Not anymore. 

Any shift in power in the NFC includes the 49ers – or what’s left of them – at the bottom starting over now that former Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, will no longer be toiling for less than $1 million a season. 

At one point Tuesday, the exodus from San Francisco reached a milestone. Eleven of the 22 players who started in Super Bowl LVIII just 13 months ago were gone. 

Among those 11 departing this year are Hargrave, receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., guard Aaron Banks, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Tashaun Gipson. Safety Talanoa Hufanga, who was on injured reserve for that Super Bowl, also is gone. 

Kyle Shanahan had two Super Bowl cracks in five years. He led Patrick Mahomes in the fourth quarter both times. And lost both times. So, tick-tock, Vikings. 

Even if McCarthy is as good as KO the QB Whisperer claims, his contract won’t be team friendly forever.

Startribune

....might not be available until early September in the last cutdowns around the NFL. Not sure I'd want any of what is currently 'available'. And they can't trade for anyone as they don't have any picks. I guess they could consider giving up a 2026 picks for someone, but I don't think that's optimal. Maybe Bradbury can be the trade comp to get a viable and wanted-by-KOC QB2 he's looking for in that role, I don't know. But I do feel KOC feels this is an important position on the team for McCarthy to learn and mentor from AND be viable if needed for a win in a game or two. I think Daniel Jones was taking too long deciding and Minnesota told him shit or get off the pot as they need to move to Plan B if he's moving on. 

What I find interesting is that we haven't heard squat as a rumor about who the team is looking at for this position, other than what the media is throwing against the wall like they always do to fill the 24/7 sports news cycle. If Rodgers wasn't such a douchebag and could finally accept a backup role at his age he'd be perfect, but we know he's not currently entertaining either and he's a diva unfortunately. But I can't rule that option out 100% yet however as maybe KOC is doing some hardcore due diligence there and he trusts his ability to be salesman extraordinaire. Maybe not. I still believe Rodgers is going to the Steelers as a starter and that's what he prefers. 

I'm very interested to see what happens here. I say all this knowing nothing, just conjecture. The only player I'd half heartedly consider is Jameis Winston. He's light hearted, fun and is very much a team guy. He's a big goofball which has its charms. I bet he'd embrace being in that role with the Vikings. I've said this yesterday but I'd love Marcus Mariota, but I believe Washington likes him very much right where he's at which I get.

How are we liking the looks of things after a big free agency period?

QB: McCarthy
RB: Jones
TE: Hockenson
WR: Jefferson, Addison, Nailor
LT: Darrisaw
LG: Brandel
C: Kelly
RG: Fries
RT: ONeill

OLB: Greenard
DE: Allen
NT: Phillips
DE: Hargrave
OLB: Van Ginkel
MLB: Cashman
MLB: Pace
CB: Blackmon, Murphy
S: Jackson, Mattelus (Harrison Smith?)

Looking at needs filled and how the draft stacks up:

- Corner is still a need
- We could take a guard if we wanted to upgrade Brandel
- Running back is a very strong possibility. There are going to be some very good players at those positions on the board at #24.

The Vikings have received one compensatory draft pick — the 97th overall selection of the 2025 NFL Draft — as an offset for Kirk Cousins' departure during 2024 free agency.