Tag: Vikings

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) under center against the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to ‘hit the ground running’ in offseason workouts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

After missing his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is all systems go for offseason workouts this month, according to his coach.

Kevin O’Connell told reporters Monday that McCarthy has no restrictions this spring. He said McCarthy is at an advantage from having learned the Vikings’ systems “in a classroom setting” up to this point.

“That’s the beauty of the year we’ve had with him, albeit without the physical reps since the injury,” O’Connell said. “But there’s been a lot of time on task and just once again want to credit J.J. for how he’s handled these last two, 2 1/2, three months or so where I think he’s ready to hit the ground running as of today.”

Now that McCarthy is healthy and without limitations, the next step is to enter the more competitive environment of OTAs and minicamp, with live reps aplenty.

“All of it is going to kind of be systematically planned out for him,” O’Connell said, “and I think he’s ready to attack it.”

The Vikings moved on from 2024 starting quarterback Sam Darnold, who signed with the Seattle Seahawks in free agency after a surprise season in Minnesota.

The only other quarterback besides the 22-year-old McCarthy on the roster is Brett Rypien, and although the Vikings had talks with Aaron Rodgers, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told reporters in late March that the team is “headed toward” dubbing McCarthy QB1.

That doesn’t mean Minnesota won’t add at least one more quarterback this offseason.

“We’ve been patient and really evaluated a lot of different ways we could potentially do that,” O’Connell said. “There’s potential trades and free agency and still the draft. We’re going through a process of just figuring out who is the player that we want to solidify that room with knowing that J.J. and Brett are here working, starting today, and eventually we’ll complete that room and still have a competitive situation in there, however you look at it.”

The Vikings drafted McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 draft after he won a national championship at Michigan. He underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in mid-August after paying in the Vikings’ preseason opener.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers tees off on the first hole during the Phoenix Open Annexus Pro-Am at TPC Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.

Aaron Rodgers: ‘Dealing with a lot off the field’

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Aaron Rodgers said he has not committed to a new team — or even to continuing his career — because he is dealing with “difficult stuff” in his personal life.

The four-time MVP quarterback discussed his abrupt departure from the Jets, his meetings with the Vikings and Steelers, the possibility of retirement and other topics during an appearance Thursday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“I’ll set it all straight,” Rodgers said. “From the jump, I’m in a different phase of my life, I’m 41 years old, I’m in a serious relationship, I have personal commitments I’ve made … and people in my inner circle battling difficult stuff. To make a commitment to a team is a big thing.”

Rodgers said he’s not “stringing anybody along” or holding out for more money from Minnesota, Pittsburgh or any other teams that have expressed interest in his services this offseason.

“I told every single one of the teams, it ain’t about the money,” he said. “I said I’ll play for $10 million. Whatever.”

“… I don’t think it’s fair to the Steelers or anyone while I’m dealing with a lot off the field. I want to keep the lines of communication open. The people who need to know, know.”

After 20 seasons and 248 regular-season games, Rodgers said walking away from the game is also an option.

“I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. Retirement could still be a possibility. Focus on personal life,” he said.

Coming back from a torn Achilles last season, Rodgers completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts (5-12 record) for the Jets.

Rodgers said he was somewhat taken by surprise when the Jets opted to release him in March.

“I figured when I flew across country to meet with the Jets there was gonna be a conversation,” he said. “We sat down in the office and 20 seconds in, the coach (Aaron Glenn) said we’re going in a different direction. That’s totally fine, but they could have just told me that on the phone.

“… I was literally there for maybe 40 minutes. I wasn’t upset about it but I was just surprised. I’m still thankful for my time with the Jets.”

Rodgers, who spent his first 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, ranks fifth all-time in passing touchdowns (503) and seventh in passing yards (62,952).

–Field Level Media

Jun 18, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings first round draft pick J.J. McCarthy throws out the ceremonial first pitch in a game between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Vikings HC: QB1 role not yet earned; vetting Aaron Rodgers was no-brainer

Posted on | by Field Level Media

When the 2025 regular season begins, the Minnesota Vikings envision J.J. McCarthy as their QB1.

But as head coach Kevin O’Connell said at the NFL’s annual spring meeting on Monday in West Palm Beach, Fla., that prominent distinction has yet to be earned.

“I feel really, really positive about the path we’re going to take with J.J. from a development standpoint, from an acceleration of reps,” O’Connell said. “And he’s going to benefit from an offseason worth of reps from the offseason program to obviously training camp and being in a competitive situation when our quarterback room is all finalized.”

Even as the Vikings entertained signing free agent Aaron Rodgers, O’Connell was in touch with McCarthy in “borderline real time” to apprise him of any developments. Rodgers, who remains unsigned, has maintained contact with O’Connell since their playing days and made the initial contact with Minnesota after he was released by the New York Jets.

O’Connell said the Vikings have high expectations for McCarthy but decided, as a franchise, they didn’t want to resist vetting Rodgers as an option to safeguard McCarthy.

“… Aaron Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and somebody who, not just myself, but we’ve all had so much respect for competing against him,” O’Connell explained. “And he happened to be at a point in time in his career where he was free to have some real dialogue about what his future may look like. And we happened to be one of those teams that he reached out to.”

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made it clear the preferred outcome of the offseason shuffling at the quarterback position would be McCarthy stepping into the starting role. He was essentially a professional redshirt in 2024 after being drafted 10th overall because of a post-draft knee surgery, and Sam Darnold went 14-3 to put the Vikings in the NFC playoffs as a wild card.

McCarthy took mostly “visual reps” but was in quarterback meetings and game-planning sessions to become intricately familiar with O’Connell’s communication style, expectations and vast offensive playbook.

“I think it’s a responsibility for me as the playcaller to make sure I’m building rapport in addition to demanding a standard of the position from a very early time here with J.J. that I think he’s going to meet, and challenge himself to meet, on a daily basis,” O’Connell said. “Very much excited to see him do that.”

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) smiles after throwing his fourth touchdown pass of the day, Sunday January 5, 2025, in East Rutherford.

Reports: Vikings not signing QB Aaron Rodgers

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The Minnesota Vikings are content to proceed with J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback and don’t plan to sign free agent Aaron Rodgers at this time, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

Rodgers reportedly has offers from the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants but had been waiting for word from Minnesota before making a decision to continue playing or retire.

The Vikings selected McCarthy with the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft when he was fresh off of leading Michigan to the College Football Playoff championship. He missed the entire season following surgery to repair his torn right meniscus.

Sam Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record in the regular season but chose to let him walk in free agency, and he signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Vikings are a team with sights on the Super Bowl and have decided the 22-year-old McCarthy, for now, is a better all-around option than the 41-year-old Rodgers.

For starters, McCarthy still is on his rookie deal and will earn a base salary of $960,000. Rodgers would have commanded millions, leaving the Vikings with money they already have used in free agency.

The Athletic reported the Vikings could revisit the Rodgers situation as they watch McCarthy’s progression this spring and understand Rodgers might not be available down the road.

Minnesota has rejected trade discussions with other teams about McCarthy, per reports.

Now, the clock is on Rodgers to tell the Steelers and the Giants of his plans.

One Steelers player, veteran captain Cameron Heyward, said he’s tired of waiting on Rodgers, a four-time NFL Most Valuable Player.

“Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t,” he said Tuesday on his “Not Just Football” podcast. “It’s that simple. That’s the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that’s the recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers. If you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don’t, no skin off my back.”

Rodgers is coming off a 2024 season in which he led the New York Jets to a 5-12 record. He completed 368 passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Jul 29, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Jeff Okudah (11) during training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Report: Vikings, CB Jeff Okudah agree to 1-year deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Minnesota Vikings and cornerback Jeff Okudah, a former first-round pick, agreed to a one-year contract on Tuesday.

That’s according to agent Kevin Conner, the CEO of Universal Sports and Management, ESPN reported. No financial terms were disclosed.

Okudah, 26, is returning to the NFC North, where he started his career with the Detroit Lions, who selected him No. 3 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Due to multiple injuries, he appeared in just 25 games (22 starts) over three seasons in Detroit. He followed that tenure with one year with the Atlanta Falcons (13 games, nine starts) and one with the Houston Texans (six games, no starts).

Over his career, Okudah has two interceptions for 56 yards and a touchdown, as well as 177 tackles and 14 passes defensed.

–Field Level Media

Richmond native Paul Flatley was the NFL's Rookie of the Year in 1963 for the Minnesota Vikings and an All-Pro in 1966. A week before that game, Flatley attended the first Super Bowl in Los Angeles. Rchbrd 02 07 2016 Rch 1 D006 2016 02 06 Img Flatley Vikings Jpg 1 1 Jidcjogv L756380738 Img Flatley Vikings Jpg 1 1 Jidcjogv

Ex-Rookie of the Year Paul Flatley dies at 84

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Former NFL Rookie of the Year Paul Flatley of the Minnesota Vikings has died, the team said Sunday. He was 84.

Flatley died on Saturday, according to the team.

Flatley played the first five of his eight NFL seasons (1963-70) with the Vikings before finishing up with the Atlanta Falcons. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 1966.

He burst on the scene with a then-franchise record 51 catches for 867 yards and four touchdowns in a 14-game season in 1963.

Flatley caught 50 passes two other times for the Vikings. He established career bests of 896 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches in 1965.

Overall, Flatley caught 306 passes for 4,905 yards and 24 touchdowns in 106 NFL games (96 starts).

Flatley played college football at Northwestern. He was a fourth-round pick in the 1963 draft.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason (24) avoids a tackle by Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas (31) in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Vikings trade with 49ers for RB Jordan Mason

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Minnesota Vikings acquired running back Jordan Mason from the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night for a 2026 sixth-round selection and a pick swap in next month’s draft, according to multiple reports.

The 49ers will get the Vikings’ pick at No. 160, and Minnesota will drop back to No. 187.

Mason, 25, was a restricted free agent who goes to Minnesota after agreeing to a new contract for two years, $7 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $12 million, according to the reports.

The Vikings are bolstering depth at running back after bringing back starter Aaron Jones, 30, on a two-year, $20 million extension reportedly agreed to last week.

An undrafted free agent in 2022, Mason played three seasons for the 49ers. He started for the first time last season in six games of the 12 that he played before going on injured reserve (high ankle sprain) in early December and missing the final five games. He rushed 153 times for 789 yards (both team highs) and three touchdowns and also caught 11 passes for 91 yards.

He got off to a fast start as a replacement for star Christian McCaffrey (Achilles injury), rushing for 100 or more yards in three of his first four games.

Mason has 236 career carries for 1,253 yards and seven TDs, and 14 catches for 122 yards.

McCaffrey returns to the top of the depth chart for the 49ers, ahead of Isaac Guerendo, who also is coming off an injury, and Patrick Taylor Jr.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2024; Watford, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings guard Ed Ingram (67) during practice at The Grove. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Report: Vikings trading G Ed Ingram to Texans

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The Minnesota Vikings are trading guard Ed Ingram to the Houston Texans, NFL Network reported Thursday.

The Vikings will receive a 2026 sixth-round draft pick from Houston in exchange for the three-year veteran.

Ingram, 26, has started 41 of his 48 games since Minnesota made him the 59th overall pick in 2022.

The Vikings signed former Indianapolis Colts guard Will Fries to a reported five-year, $88 million deal earlier this week.

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones (13) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Reports: QB Daniel Jones to sign 1-year, $14M deal with Colts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Free agent quarterback Daniel Jones is finalizing a one-year, $14 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts to compete with third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Jones reportedly was mulling offers between the Colts and the Minnesota Vikings. NFL Network reported the contract can be worth over $17 million for the 2025 season if Jones reaches performance-related escalators.

The former first-round pick would have to earn the starting job in Indianapolis, where coach Shane Steichen has said he will hold an open competition at quarterback. Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 draft, has been plagued by injuries, inaccuracy and inconsistency in his first two seasons.

Jones was waived by the New York Giants at his request last November after being benched. He quickly signed as a free agent with the Vikings for the rest of the season but didn’t appear in any games.

The Vikings have identified 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy as the quarterback of the future, replacing Sam Darnold as QB1 in Minnesota. Darnold was offered a chance to return and compete for the job, but signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.

The No. 10 overall pick last April, McCarthy spent the season recovering from knee surgery and is set to participate fully in the offseason program, coach Kevin O’Connell said at the recent NFL Scouting Combine.

Jones, 27, was the No. 6 overall pick by the Giants in the 2019 draft. He suffered a season-ending ACL tear in 2023 but returned in time to start the 2024 season as the No. 1 quarterback. He was benched after a 2-8 start to the season by New York and was replaced by Tommy DeVito.

Jones has 14,582 passing yards, 70 touchdown passes and 47 interceptions in 70 career games (69 starts). He has 2,179 rushing yards with 15 TDs.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (93) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Vikings adding DT Jonathan Allen, G Will Fries

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Minnesota Vikings worked overtime to rebuild in the trenches, adding two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and guard Will Fries on multi-year deals.

The Vikings announced the agreement with Allen. His agent, Blake Baratz of Team IFA, shared financial details and told outlets the deal is three years and $60 million.

ESPN reported that the agreement between Fries and the Vikings has a value of $88 million over five years.

Allen was released by the Commanders last week in a cost-cutting move after unsuccessfully attempting to trade him.

Allen was entering the final season of a four-year, $72 million contract but had no guaranteed money remaining on the deal. The move saved Washington $16.35 million toward the salary cap.

Allen, 30, was limited to eight games in 2024 because of a torn left pectoral muscle.

A Pro Bowl selection in 2021 and 2022, Allen totaled 401 career tackles, 42 sacks and 118 quarterback hits in 109 career games (108 starts). He was selected by Washington with the 17th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Fries, 26, spent his first four NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, who selected him in the seventh round of the 2021 draft.

He was limited to five games last season because of a serious leg injury suffered in Week 5 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has played in 41 games (31 starts) and in his 22 starts in 2023-24, he allowed five sacks.

In Minnesota, he’ll be reunited with center Ryan Kelly, who was a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the Colts. Multiple outlets reported Monday that Kelly, 31, was joining the Vikings on a two-year, $18 million contract.

–Field Level Media