Forum The Longship Jared Allen has an honest opinion of our QB

Jared Allen has an honest opinion of our QB

Montana Tom
Joined May 2013
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HOF #69 on what the Vikings should do about JJM...

"I think that's the problem, he's young and from a Vikings fan standpoint, you're looking at one of the best receiving corps in the league," continued Allen. "How long can we sustain (that)? We got a defense that finished the (season) red hot, but everybody's getting older. Every year they get older and those pieces start to fall off. So if you're waiting for J.J. to mature by year five, six, seven, you know, all of a sudden Justin Jefferson is 10, 12 years in. The whole dynamic changes. I'm not one on like fire selling and that kind of stuff but there's a lot of questions that were raised. If you can't stay healthy, you can't stay the starter."

As for who is the right answer to come in, Allen, like everybody else, has his opinions on the best fit for Minnesota. He said not bringing in Aaron Rodgers last year was the correct decision, questioning if another bridge year would have been the right answer for the "long-term success of J.J. (McCarthy)."

Another popular name that has been thrown out in recent weeks is former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins. The current Atlanta QB is likely to be released by the Falcons this offseason just two years into his four-year, $180 million deal he signed in 2024. Cousins didn't shoot down the idea of a return during numerous interviews on Radio Row last week. However, for Allen, that's a no-go.

"No. In his prime we weren't winning championships with him," Allen said.

Allen did say he thinks Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa would be an interesting option. That's probably highly unlikely, though, considering Tua's past criticism of current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores from their time together in Miami. Another name that seemed to interest Allen was current 49ers QB Mac Jones.

"I like what Mac (Jones) did when he stepped in for Brock Purdy," continued Allen. "I think he did a great job in San Francisco. So I like Mac Jones. I think he's talented."

#1 · Feb 12, 4:22 AM
purplefaithful
Joined May 2013
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I dont think Mac Jones is going to be let loose, unless a team offers too much for him.

I hope last year was the lumpy, ugly one with McCarthy and its smoother sailing ahead.

That said, we need to improve the QB room w/out a doubt.

So right back to where we were. Always interesting to hear from a player though, especially someone of Allens stature.

Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger! 

#2 · Feb 12, 4:34 AM
MaroonBells
Joined Jan 2014
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I think Jared should stick to riding horses and sacking quarterbacks.

#3 · Feb 12, 4:38 AM
Zanary
Joined May 2013
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How many championships did we win with Jared?

With Favre, for that matter?

His point has some relevance, but as we're talking about out QB2 (hopefully...BEEF UP, JJM) who'd see limited field time, age is less of a factor. For that matter, several QBs have shown it to be less of a factor each year.

KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....

#4 · Feb 13, 4:55 AM
JR44
Joined Aug 2017
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I can't think of worse option than Tua, basically another QB who can't stay on the field and with even less mobility than Cousins and a weaker arm than Mac Jones. Fortunately, the presence of Flores on the team will never allow for that happen.

#5 · Feb 13, 6:52 AM
FLVike
Joined Jul 2017
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Zanary wrote:
How many championships did we win with Jared?

With Favre, for that matter?

His point has some relevance, but as we're talking about out QB2 (hopefully...BEEF UP, JJM) who'd see limited field time, age is less of a factor. For that matter, several QBs have shown it to be less of a factor each year.

In 2009 we had the best team and would have won the championship if the Saints didn't cheat.

#6 · Feb 13, 7:42 AM
JR44
Joined Aug 2017
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FLVike wrote:

In 2009 we had the best team and would have won the championship if the Saints didn't cheat.

In 1998 we had far and away the best team.  In 2009 we had a good team that got hot during the season and then limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 5 games.  We did not lose, because of any cheating or bad calls, but because our selfish QB passed up a gimme 10 yard pass that would have secured a winning FG to play hero ball and throw the most risky type of pass across the field that was easily intercepted.

#7 · Feb 14, 2:07 AM
DE
Joined Jul 2013
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JR44 wrote:

In 1998 we had far and away the best team.  In 2009 we had a good team that got hot during the season and then limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 5 games.  We did not lose, because of any cheating or bad calls, but because our selfish QB passed up a gimme 10 yard pass that would have secured a winning FG to play hero ball and throw the most risky type of pass across the field that was easily intercepted.

He may have meant the best team remaining out of all the other playoff teams. The interception by Favre should never have happened due to the 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty. With the game tied at 28 and only 19 seconds left in regulation, the Vikings were in field goal range at around the 33-yard line. Favre called a timeout, but then the penalty occurred, taking the Vikings out of field goal range. This led to Favre's interception. In overtime, the Vikings had no chance with the officials taking over and helping out the Saints. 

Vikings at 0:46.

#8 · Feb 14, 3:35 AM
Zanary
Joined May 2013
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JR44 wrote:

In 1998 we had far and away the best team.  In 2009 we had a good team that got hot during the season and then limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 5 games.  We did not lose, because of any cheating or bad calls, but because our selfish QB passed up a gimme 10 yard pass that would have secured a winning FG to play hero ball and throw the most risky type of pass across the field that was easily intercepted.

Beat me to it.

The 1998 team is still the most dominant Vikings team I remember witnessing, as names like Moss and Randle, Carter and Cunningham, and more were all on their A Game. A series of coaching and player mistakes cost us against Atlanta (plus a few key injuries), but 15-1 and getting better almost every week was a helluva thing to see.

KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....

#9 · Feb 14, 5:07 AM
comet52
Joined Sep 2013
683 posts
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A couple more interviews like that and the Wilfs will probably hire him to be their next g.m.  

Those fellers are always thinking outside the box.

#10 · Feb 14, 1:24 PM
FLVike
Joined Jul 2017
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JR44 wrote:

In 1998 we had far and away the best team.  In 2009 we had a good team that got hot during the season and then limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 5 games.  We did not lose, because of any cheating or bad calls, but because our selfish QB passed up a gimme 10 yard pass that would have secured a winning FG to play hero ball and throw the most risky type of pass across the field that was easily intercepted.

I agree the 1998 team was better. But 2009 vs Saints in OT there were 3 of the worst calls ever. The 4th down play went to review and was ruled a first down. If anyone actually believes that rule was correct then they need glasses, very think glasses. 

Also, think about this, the Saints needed about 4 turnovers to take us to OT. We were, hands down, the better team.

And they did cheat. They broke NFL rules. Two of their coaches were suspended for CHEATING!

edited Feb 14, 2026 3:40 PM
#11 · Feb 14, 3:37 PM
Vanguard83
Joined May 2013
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The '86-'87 run was fun. Damn "strike team" lost every game otherwise we would have probably hosted the playoffs.
AC lit it up at Candlestick.

Anyone remember the AC poster put out by Nike where it shows AC catching a pass HORIZONTAL !?! (Wish I still had it)

edited Feb 15, 2026 6:33 AM
#12 · Feb 15, 6:32 AM
greediron
greediron
Mod
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FLVike wrote:

I agree the 1998 team was better. But 2009 vs Saints in OT there were 3 of the worst calls ever. The 4th down play went to review and was ruled a first down. If anyone actually believes that rule was correct then they need glasses, very think glasses. 

Also, think about this, the Saints needed about 4 turnovers to take us to OT. We were, hands down, the better team.

And they did cheat. They broke NFL rules. Two of their coaches were suspended for CHEATING!

Leber's "interference"

#13 · Feb 15, 11:00 AM
FLVike
Joined Jul 2017
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DeepFreeze05 wrote:

He may have meant the best team remaining out of all the other playoff teams. The interception by Favre should never have happened due to the 12-men-in-the-huddle penalty. With the game tied at 28 and only 19 seconds left in regulation, the Vikings were in field goal range at around the 33-yard line. Favre called a timeout, but then the penalty occurred, taking the Vikings out of field goal range. This led to Favre's interception. In overtime, the Vikings had no chance with the officials taking over and helping out the Saints. 

Vikings at 0:46.

How could any new fan to the NFL continue as a fan after watching the pathetic refs in the Saints/Vikings highlights in OT?

#14 · Feb 16, 3:22 AM
MaroonBells
Joined Jan 2014
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FLVike wrote:

How could any new fan to the NFL continue as a fan after watching the pathetic refs in the Saints/Vikings highlights in OT?

I didn't see the OT period. Still haven't. I call that game the "Peroni game" because I somehow consumed 8 Peronis during that one. Worst part was that due to a glitch in the recording, the DVR stopped recording at the time allotted, precisely 3 hours. I saw the OT coin flip and then was immediate taken to real time where the Saints were on the podium. Absolutely brutal.

#15 · Feb 16, 3:35 AM
kmillard
Joined Aug 2013
157 posts
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Vanguard83 wrote:
The '86-'87 run was fun. Damn "strike team" lost every game otherwise we would have probably hosted the playoffs. AC lit it up at Candlestick. 

Anyone remember the AC poster put out by Nike where it shows AC catching a pass HORIZONTAL !?! (Wish I still had it)

That was my favorite team I have watched as a Viking fan. Part of it goes back to being a teen and that time in life. I still have a sports Illustrated Anthony Carter poster that is framed and a few other odds and ends from that team (Millard , Doleman). Sadly they have not had a run that good since 87-88.
One stat that is overlooked from those playoffs is AC had 642 all purpose yards, a record that still stands as of 2026.

JR44 wrote:

In 1998 we had far and away the best team.  In 2009 we had a good team that got hot during the season and then limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 5 games.  We did not lose, because of any cheating or bad calls, but because our selfish QB passed up a gimme 10 yard pass that would have secured a winning FG to play hero ball and throw the most risky type of pass across the field that was easily intercepted.

and 5 turnovers in general. That Peterson fumble at the goal line before the end of the first half really hurt. Score shouldn't have been as close as it was.

edited Feb 16, 2026 8:19 AM
#16 · Feb 16, 7:32 AM
pattersaur
Joined Jul 2017
722 posts
Rep: 720

Vikes 2009 team WAS the best team that year and would have rolled the Colts in the Super Bowl, much like the Saints did. 1998 we also had the best team but that Super Bowl is harder to pencil in a win. Should've been there with the chance though. Sad!

On Jared Allen's take- He's mostly right.

#17 · Feb 17, 3:12 AM
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Forum The Longship Jared Allen has an honest opinion of our QB

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