Good stuff here from the Athletic on Kyler Murray, NFL stuff

[StickierBuns]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7174220...a-raiders/

Interesting stuff, mentions how the Viking GM job is hot because of the ability to work with O'Connell. Also how Kyler is going to positively impact potentially KOC's offense, expect some exotic Pistol (that's what she said). Like I've said many times, I can't deny being intrigued with Murray in Minnesota. Gotta see it manifest itself in wins, the only barometer that's meaningful for kicking JJ's developmental can WAY down the road.

[purplefaithful]

Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell erred on the side of diplomacy in any public comments about his quarterbacks room, which now includes 2019 No. 1 pick Kyler Murray and backup Carson Wentz, along with 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy and backup Max Brosmer. But curiosity is building around the league about what Murray will do in O’Connell’s creative, quarterback-friendly system.

O’Connell, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown may develop more experimental looks out of both pistol and shotgun formations as organized team activities begin, and they’ll get to troubleshoot how those concepts affect a veteran defense and defensive coordinator in Brian Flores.

O’Connell’s offense (and especially his run game) currently flows out from a quarterback most frequently aligned under center, and it’s important that play action is first established from there. Yet when used judiciously, the pistol and shotgun can really open up a playbook.

Teams that predominantly use shotgun lose a lot of their play action passing game but do have the advantage of seeing more of the defense or using formations like “empty” that force a defense to declare its pressure; teams that predominantly run pistol without the threat of a running quarterback might initially keep a play action game but can’t hold any run/pass disguise against a defense for long. But with a quarterback who has Murray’s mobility, the pistol especially can be incredibly effective. The quarterback can see the defense as if he’s in shotgun, with a full menu of motions at his disposal, while he is able to disguise the run direction and whether he or the running back will keep the ball. He can also keep the play action passing game as if from under center; the offensive line will have to block out of initial contact a little longer in this case (the running back is aligned further away from the line of scrimmage).

Pistol may be a nice compromise between the shotgun that Murray has predominantly played from (84.8 percent of his snaps since 2020 were in shotgun, per TruMedia) and the under-center playbook O’Connell has used. The Vikings had the eighth-highest under-center rate last season, but with a quarterback who presents a real run/pass conflict, the shotgun and pistol frequency should increase.

O’Connell was a key voice in installing a new offense with Rams coach Sean McVay in 2021 for quarterback Matthew Stafford. It featured significantly more shotgun plays than McVay had ever previously utilized. I’d expect O’Connell to revisit that playbook, among others.

The last GM opening

Rob Brzezinski, the Vikings’ interim general manager, will lead their draft before the team is expected to formally open its search. Brzezinski was at the annual meetings but didn’t take a spot in the GM photo. My impression is that Brzezinski, who has worked for the team since 1999, has no small amount of internal support for the full-time job. Candidates around the league have an eye on the opening because they’d like to work with O’Connell and for an organization that has state-of-the-art facilities and support staff. The search will be thorough and undoubtedly interesting, especially because it’s happening so late in the offseason.

[NorseFeathers]

If Brez isn't offered the Vikings permanent GM job, I hope that doesn't open him up to the rest of the league for other GM jobs in the future.  His long history with the Vikings suggests that he is a loyal guy, but you never know. I'd hate to lose him.

[Zanary]

If Brez isn't offered the Vikings permanent GM job, I hope that doesn't open him up to the rest of the league for other GM jobs in the future.  His long history with the Vikings suggests that he is a loyal guy, but you never know. I'd hate to lose him.

Agreed on that.

I find it interesting that potential GMs are wanting to work with KOC, as other reports have him on a VERY hot seat heading into this season.

[MaroonBells]

Agreed on that.

I find it interesting that potential GMs are wanting to work with KOC, as other reports have him on a VERY hot seat heading into this season.

I've not heard any serious person say that KOC is on the hot seat.

[medaille]

I've not heard any serious person say that KOC is on the hot seat.

I'm serious and I'll say that KOC is on the hot seat.

But on a more serious note, has any serious person said that our QB situation is settled and that it's not a competition?  Kind of feels like only unserious people think Kyler is just the default starter.

[MaroonBells]

I'm serious and I'll say that KOC is on the hot seat.

But on a more serious note, has any serious person said that our QB situation is settled and that it's not a competition?  Kind of feels like only unserious people think Kyler is just the default starter.

There’s no “default starter,” but barring injury, Murray will be the starter. The sooner we all get used to that idea, the better. In fact, I’d even say it’s more likely that Carson Wentz is our QB2 than McCarthy is our QB1. 

And no, KOC is not currently on the hot seat, despite what the big forehead guy on Twitter might say. Is it possible he could end up there given a bad season, some internal conflict, a couple of late nights with Addison's dog, and a new GM who wants to blow everything up? Sure, anything’s possible, but he’s not there now.

[purplefaithful]

There’s no “default starter,” but barring injury, Murray will be the starter. The sooner we all get used to that idea, the better. In fact, I’d even say it’s more likely that Carson Wentz is our QB2 than McCarthy is our QB1. 

And no, KOC is not currently on the hot seat, despite what the big forehead guy on Twitter might say. Is it possible he could end up there given a bad season, some internal conflict, a couple of late nights with Addison's dog, and a new GM who wants to blow everything up? Sure, anything’s possible, but he’s not there now.

I dont know if he's on the hot seat? But I do imagine he himself professionally is in need of a post-season run and I sure would like to see one too...

The new GM is just an complete and unknown wild card in all this...If they have a hella year? His job will be to not F it up. If not? yah it could be come in and blow it all up.

I'm coming around to the smart $$ might be on Brez at this point. But I also know the Wilfs get enamored with shiny new objects who speak articulately, so who knows?

[JimmyinSD]

I dont know if he's on the hot seat? But I do imagine he himself professionally is in need of a post-season run and I sure would like to see one too...

The new GM is just an complete and unknown wild card in all this...If they have a hella year? His job will be to not F it up. If not? yah it could be come in and blow it all up.

I'm coming around to the smart $$ might be on Brez at this point. But I also know the Wilfs get enamored with shiny new objects who speak articulately, so who knows?

not really sure on that shiny new object thought process,  they hung with Chilly to long,  they then just rolled to  Les is Less,  obviously kept Zimmer around post his expiration date, and well KAM should have been gone after his first attempt at a draft,  I think they are more best described as to comfortable with the status quo.

[kmillard]

I dont know if he's on the hot seat? But I do imagine he himself professionally is in need of a post-season run and I sure would like to see one too...

The new GM is just an complete and unknown wild card in all this...If they have a hella year? His job will be to not F it up. If not? yah it could be come in and blow it all up.

I'm coming around to the smart $$ might be on Brez at this point. But I also know the Wilfs get enamored with shiny new objects who speak articulately, so who knows?

I just don't think you have to worry about a new GM. After years of watching the Wilfs, I am convinced what you see now is what you're gonna get. The same front office is mostly intact since Spielman and I doubt they want too much change. I am thinking shortly after the draft they announce Brez as their GM after an extensive, exhaustive search.