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Vikings | J.J. McCarthy Worked Through Expected Ups And Downs In OTAs Tue Jun 18, 04:26 PM
In sum, J.J. McCarthy looked like a quarterback with the talent to be a top-10 pick but with the inexperience of a 21-year-old. In other words: Exactly what should have been expected.
Footballguys view: As ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert reported, at times during OTAs, the newcomer fit darts into small windows against aggressive coverage. On other occasions, McCarthy bounced passes to receivers with no defenders in the drill. The QB kept the appropriate perspective throughout and didn't let the up and (more importantly) down moments weigh on him. His work in training camp will determine whether McCarthy is ready to open the season as the starter or if the team will go with veteran Sam Darnold under center. |
Free-agent DT Jalen Redmond (Panthers) signed an undisclosed contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday, June 18. WR Devron Harper was waived to make room for him on the roster.
Link to storyFree-agent DT Jalen Redmond (Panthers) agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings Monday, June 17, according to a source. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings WR Devron Harper was waived Monday, June 17.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold is the leading candidate for the starting quarterback job at this point, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell.
Footballguys view: All roads lead to JJ McCarthy at some point. Darnold is a veteran with plenty of starting experience, but as soon as McCarthy is ready he's likely to be the top quarterback. |
Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy had his 'most efficient day' of minicamp on Thursday, June 6, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic.
Footballguys view: McCarthy had a bit of a rough start to minicamp, but had his best day yet on Thursday. The Vikings are bringing McCarthy along slowly, as he's learning new concepts and footwork with new teammates, so don't read anything into his struggles. His improvement day-to-day is more meaningful than his starting point. It doesn't sound like McCarthy is close to forcing a quarterback controversy yet. |
Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold's 'consistency' stood out during the three days of OTAs, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic.
Footballguys view: The Vikings are probably hoping that Darnold is good enough to keep first round pick JJ McCarthy off of the field until they are out of the playoff contention - if that even happens before late December. Darnold merely needs to be competent to do that, although a conservative approach - as opposed to Nick Mullens and Joshua Dobbs mindset last year - might not be best for the bottom line passing game production. |
The San Francisco 49ers, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts reportedly expressed interest in trading for Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson before the 2024 NFL Draft. However, all of the clubs that contacted Minnesota were told that he was not being traded. Jefferson wound up agreeing to a contract extension with the Vikings Monday, June 3.
Footballguys view: There was a rumor floating around that the Vikings tried to trade up to #6 and take LSU (now Giants) WR Malik Nabers, which would have them precipitated the need to trade Jefferson, but this item contradicts that far-fetched possibility. The Vikings willingness to reset the wide receiver market with this contract also seems to go against the idea that they were open to trading Jefferson. |
Minnesota Vikings LB Andrew Van Ginkel (foot) is making progress in his recovery but does not have a timetable for his return to the field.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings TE Nick Muse (undisclosed) and CB Khyree Jackson (illness) did not participate in practice Thursday, June 6.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings WR Jalen Nailor (illness) has been sidelined for the first two days of the mandatory minicamp this week because of an illness.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings WR N'Keal Harry will transition from wide receiver to tight end this summer, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell.
Link to storyUpdating a previous report, Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson's four-year, $140 million deal has $88.7 million guaranteed at signing and a signing bonus of $36.9 million. Jefferson will account for cap hits of $15.3 million in 2025, $39.1 million in 2026, $43.3 million in 2027 and $47.3 million in 2028. The deal includes a void year in 2029 that costs $6 million.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson agreed to a four-year $140 million extension Monday, June 3. The deal includes $110 million guaranteed and makes him the highest-paid player outside of quarterbacks.
Footballguys view: Jefferson's historic contract comes after an equally historic four-year run in which he compiled 392 catches, 5,899 receiving yards, 30 touchdowns, and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. As ESPN's Adam Schefter pointed out, Jefferson's average of 98.3 yards per game is the most in NFL history for any career span, and his average of 6.5 catches per game is the second-highest of any receiver in his first four seasons. Jefferson is WR3 on the Footballguys 2024 redraft rankings but remains WR1 on our Dynasty rankings. The short-term ranking (and his current WR4 Average Draft Position in Underdog best-ball drafts) make sense, with the Vikings deciding between rookie J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold. Remember, Jefferson posted a WR3 per-week scoring average down the stretch last season, working with Josh Dobbs, Jaren Hall, and Nick Mullens. |
Updating a previous report, free-agent OG Dalton Risner (Vikings) signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Friday, May 31. Financial terms were not immediately disclosed. OL Matthew Cindric was waived to make room for him on the roster.
Link to storyFree-agent OG Dalton Risner (Vikings) agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings Wednesday, May 29, according to a source. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings fourth-round draft choice CB Khyree Jackson signed a four-year contract with the Vikings Tuesday, May 28. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyThe Minnesota Vikings appear unlikely to add a third wide receiver via free agency to go alongside WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, in the opinion of ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert.
Footballguys view: That means a ton of passes are going to both - and TE TJ Hockenson when he's healthy. The Vikings will have guys like Brandon Powell, Jailen Nailor, and Trent Sherfield battle for the no.3 receiver spot on the depth chart. |
Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson was absent for the start of voluntary OTAs as he negotiates a contract extension, according to sources Monday, May 20.
Footballguys view: Jefferson is looking for a new contract that will likely reset the market at the position. He also skipped the first two phases of OTAs as the two sides continue to discuss an extension. The star wideout, who became eligible for such a deal last year, took this same approach to voluntary sessions. Jefferson rejoined the team for their mandatory workouts last summer, and the Vikings have a mandatory minicamp in June. We'll follow this situation through resolution, but those drafting now shouldn't overthink it. Jefferson is our WR3 due more to questions at QB than contract concerns. |
Minnesota Vikings CB Andrew Booth Jr. and S Lewis Cine are candidates to be released before the start of the 2024 season, in the opinion of The Pioneer Press' Charley Walters.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) said he does not have a timetable for his return but has been making good progress in his recovery.
Footballguys view: We'll keep getting updates on Hockenson as the summer months get here. With a torn ACL and MCL in Week 16 last year, there's a good chance Hockenson will be on the PUP list to begin the 2024 regular season. The Vikings just signed Robert Tonyan to go with guys like Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt. |
Free-agent TE Robert Tonyan (Bears) signed an undisclosed contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, May 16. LB Donovan Manuel was waived to make room for him on the roster.
Footballguys view: With TJ Hockenson (ACL, MCL) coming back from a late-season knee injury, the Vikings needed more depth in the tight end room. Hockenson will compete with guys like Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt while Hockenson continues on his road to recovery. |
The Minnesota Vikings hosted free-agent CB Jerry Jacobs (Lions) for a workout on Wednesday, May 15.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings sixth-round draft choice OT Walter Rouse signed a four-year contract with the Vikings Tuesday, May 14. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent CB Jerry Jacobs (Lions) is scheduled to meet with the Minnesota Vikings in the next few days, according to a source.
Link to storyFree-agent DE James Lynch (Vikings) signed with the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday, May 14. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings CB Joejuan Williams was released on Tuesday, May 14.
Link to storyFree-agent TE Sammis Reyes (Jaguars) signed an undisclosed deal with the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced Monday, May 13.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy's rookie minicamp debut 'went smoothly,' ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote on Friday, May 10. McCarthy had a few incompletions and an interception during 7-on-7 drills but was good otherwise.
Footballguys view: Ideally for the Vikings Sam Darnold will stay healthy and play well enough to start most, if not all of the season, which will give McCarthy time to develop in the incubator. The main concern in his draft profile was a lack of experience, so the more time they can give him to prepare for his first NFL start, the better. |
Minnesota Vikings sixth-round draft choice PK Will Reichard (Alabama), seventh-round draft choice OL Michael Jurgens (Wake Forest) and seventh-round draft choice DL Levi Drake Rodriguez (Texas A&M - Commerce) signed four-year contracts on Friday, May 10. Financial terms of the deals were not immediately disclosed.
Footballguys view: Reichard is the all-time leading scoring in college football history, and he was the first kicker drafted in April. He only has to beat out 2023 all-XFL kicker John Parker Romo to start for the Vikings this season. |
Minnesota Vikings WR Daylen Baldwin was waived on Tuesday, May 7.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from his torn anterior cruciate ligament, according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis.
Footballguys view: While he's ahead of schedule, there's no benefit to Hockenson rushing back and not being the player the team expects him to be or pays him to be. As USA Today reminded readers, the Vikings aren't in a "win now" scenario. Fantasy managers should expect a cautious approach. Instead, 2024 could have some shining moments, but 2025 will be full steam ahead. |
Minnesota Vikings LB Ivan Pace Jr. led all rookie inside linebackers with 102 tackles in 2023, and he recorded at least nine tackles in six of his last seven games.
Link to storyFree-agent TE Sammis Reyes (Jaguars) is scheduled to participate in the Minnesota Vikings rookie minicamp on a tryout basis, according to a source.
Link to storyFree-agent P Seth Vernon (Falcons) signed with the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday, April 30. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings OT Christian Darrisaw will have his fifth-year option exercised, according to sources Monday, April 29.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Ty James (Mercer) agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, April 27. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Devron Harper (Mercer) agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, April 27. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent WR Jeshaun Jones (Maryland) agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, April 27. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyUndrafted free-agent TE Trey Knox (South Carolina) agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, April 27, per source.
Link to storyAlabama DE Dallas Turner was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Link to storyMichigan QB J.J. McCarthy was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 10th overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Link to storyUniversity of Texas DT Byron Murphy II may be the selection for the Minnesota Vikings with the 11th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft if he is available and the team's attempts to move up and select a quarterback continue to get rebuffed, according to Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings OT Coy Cronk (undisclosed) was waived Thursday, April 18, with a Non-Football Injury designation.
Link to storyLSU QB Jayden Daniels will meet with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, April 18.
Link to storyOregon CB Khyree Jackson is having an official visit with the Minnesota Vikings Monday, April 15.
Link to storyMinnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson was not in attendance for the start of voluntary offseason workouts Monday, April 15.
Footballguys view: It's not a surprise that Jefferson isn't on hand for the start of offseason workouts, which are voluntary. Of course, Jefferson is looking for a contract extension that is likely to set records for a receiver and perhaps any non-quarterback. It's likely his absence from offseason workouts is related to that. |
Updating a previous report, UCLA DE Gabriel Murphy will visit the Minnesota Vikings Monday, April 15.
Link to storyLouisiana State University QB Jayden Daniels is scheduled for a private meeting with the Minnesota Vikings in the near future, according to a source.
Footballguys view: Daniels is arguably the best quarterback in this draft class. He had 90 explosive plays (both as a passer and a runner) last year at LSU, and the Lamar Jackson comparisons are easy to see. The Vikings may fall in love with Daniels (everyone should) but we think they have their sights set on moving up for Drake Maye. |
UCLA DE Laiatu Latu is having an official visit with the Minnesota Vikings Tuesday, April 9, a sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Link to story