The season starts in 6 days when the Patriots take on the Seahawks. We are still debating the QB position as I expected and I figure it is going to continue all season long. Gotta love it though! No matter what player you favor, the debates show passion, intelligence, idiocy (in my case), and frustration most of all. It is the bane of our existence as Vikings fans!
I do like our new GM, Nolan Teasley. I like the way he comports himself in interviews. I believe he is putting in place his process and
is bringing in players that he and his personnel people like. The two offensive linemen are very interesting. I am most excited (I guess you can say that) about Naquan Jones being added to the practice squad. These are his measurements and numbers for his career …
Height: 6 ft 3 3/8 in
Weight: 313 lbs
Arm Length: 33 in
Hand Size: 9 7/8 in
SEASON | TEAM |GAMES | SNAPS | TACKLES | SACKS | PRESSURES | PFF GRADE
2021 | TEN | 13 | 331 | 29 | 2.5 | 11 | 63.8
2022 | TEN | 11 | 264 | 16 | 1.0 | 6 | 55.4
2023 | TEN / ARI | 12 | 215 | 17 | 0.0 | 4 | 48.7
2024 | ARI | 12 | 280 | 27 | 3.0 | 9 | 59.1
2025 | LAC / HOU | 12 |182 | 8 | 0.0 | 1 | 34.3
TOTALS | 5 SEASONS |60 |1272 | 97 | 6.5 | 31 | N/A
…
I learned from AI that the Texans didn’t want to lose him: He turned down a practice squad offer from Houston to seek an opportunity with more exposure in Minnesota. He was reportedly, “one of #Texans more difficult cuts” after a strong preseason. He had to split time between the Chargers and Texans resulting in his lowest utilization and lowest PFF efficiency. According to his official PFF Profile, his limited 182 snaps led to a difficult 34.3 overall defensive grade. However, his 59.3 pass-rush grade that season showed he still retained some pocket-pushing upside. Jones could prove to be a sneaky good signing. (note: watch him get released after this kiss of death)
I think the Vikings have hired a really good GM!
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Nolan Teasley on Vikings Roster Build, Kyler Murray’s Trajectory & J.J. McCarthy’s Role
https://www.vikings.com/news/nolan-teasley-on-roster-build-kyler-murray-jj-mccarthy
The NFL’s roster reduction line came and went Sunday, but new Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley said “there’s no finish line” when it comes to roster evolution.
“It never stops,” Teasley told Twin Cities media members Wednesday at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. “This is just really us trying to establish a landscape, an initial iteration of the Minnesota Vikings for this season. And then we’re going to continue to build as often as possible to try to combine the elite talent to build a deep, talented roster as much as we can.
“We really view this as 70 [rather than] 53. And so, we used some roster mechanisms and some tools in our toolbox to build that holistic roster that we believed can be competitive in this league. And that’s always the goal,” Teasley added. “There are some hard conversations that come through that process.”
…
The Vikings continued to make moves on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, most recently adding veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and running back DeeJay Dallas to the practice squad. Minnesota also brought back QB Max Brosmer and WR Dillon Bell via the practice squad. Both made the initial 53-man roster but were placed on waivers Monday when the Vikings claimed G Trevor Keegan and C Nick Samac.
“It’s a constant assessment. … There’s an element of, you want the best players available, and it’s another way of acquiring talent, but you have to balance your numbers, too, and insulate your roster,” Teasley said. “It’s just constant conversation with the staff and, ‘How do we go about that?’ And then there’s constant change, too, because there’s multiple waivers through the last couple of days and assessing who’s available.
“I’m really proud of the process that we have,” he added. “I told this to the staff the other night, and that kind of extends to what I was telling you guys in the opener. I’m sitting there Sunday night looking at all the ability and the talent and the perspective that we have in that room and just felt really grateful that we just got here on June 1st and we have this process and the skill sets in this room that allows us to constantly acquire and improve.”
Teasley summarized the evaluation process, explaining the team goes all the way back to when a scout evaluated that player in college, the information gained during the pre-draft process, further input from the pro scouting department, the vision the coaching staff has for each player, insights from the Vikings FQM (Football Quantitative Methods) department and onboarding.
“All that is to say everybody has a role that allows us to build this football team,” Teasley said. “It started a long time ago, and it’s never going to stop.”
…
Teasley’s emphasis on the practice squad aligns with the appreciation Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and the coaching staff have shown in their commitments to developing players.
“We talk about 70 because it really is what you’re going to need,” Teasley said. “And in all honesty, it’s more than 70 because the NFL season is a war of attrition. So that’s why you handle them with care. It’s encouragement, it’s appreciation and helping them to understand, ‘Maybe it’s not really how you envisioned to begin, but there’s going to be a lot of opportunity moving forward.’ “
…
McCarthy’s role in Minnesota
Asked if he expects J.J. McCarthy to be on the Vikings roster Week 1, Teasley responded, “I do.”
“J.J. McCarthy’s role is to continue to develop, to improve and to support his teammates,” Teasley said. “And he’s done an excellent job of that from the moment that I’ve been here and, from my understanding, since he walked through the door.”
McCarthy did not play in the Vikings final preseason game due to an ankle injury that O’Connell said would not be long-term. Teasley was asked about the QB’s current health and confirmed he “practiced in full” the past two days.
How does Teasley view McCarthy’s “big-picture” future with the Vikings?
“He’s really talented. I think I said that from the jump,” Teasley said. “He was picked in the first round for a reason. Really good arm strength, underrated athlete, and looking forward to how he continues to develop in this system.
“I think the thing you need to keep in mind with J.J. is that he has the hardest job in sports,” Teasley continued. “He’s only started 10 games, and his story’s not written.”
…
Adding a vet in Van Noy
Elaborating on the signing of Van Noy, Teasley expressed excitement about adding an experienced player “at a premium position” who will be a good fit in Minnesota’s defensive system. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Van Noy overlapped with Brian Flores in New England and Miami, either.
“That’s always a component of it,” Teasley said of Van Noy’s familiarity weighing into the decision. “But really, at the foundation, it’s just that he’s a good player.”
…
Banks on the right track
Teasley also gave his assessment of Vikings first-round pick Caleb Banks and the rookie’s progression through the spring and summer.
“He’s a talented young man whose best football is ahead of him,” Teasley said. “He’s in a room with [Defensive Running Game Coordinator] Ryan Nielsen, who’s a developer of young men, and he’s the right man for the job.”
Added Teasley: “We’re excited about the direction Caleb’s headed.”
General Manager Nolan Teasley on Setting the Vikings 53-Man Roster
https://www.vikings.com/video/general-manager-nolan-teasley-setting-53-man-roster
Vikings GM Speaks On J.J. McCarthy: He’s Part Of The Present Version Of The Minnesota Vikings
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-gm-speaks-j-j-110040291.html
New Vikings GM Nolan Teasley stepped to the podium and offered updates on various players and situations, but his comments about McCarthy and how he fits into the current plans for the Vikings were interesting.
“I wouldn’t really necessarily comment on depth immediately, but I’m pleased that he’s part of the present version of the Minnesota Vikings and excited about his future,” Teasley said.
The “present” version of the Minnesota Vikings is doing the heavy lifting here.
Analyst Throws Cold Water on Vikings QB Situation
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/kyler-murray-jj-mccarthy-carson-wentz/
Brett Favre, Warren Moon, Randall Cunningham and more recently Sam Darnold and Case Keenum are among the many quarterbacks who have enjoyed success in Minneapolis. Kyler Murray looks to be next, but The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf is tamping that down, naming the Vikings 9th for the league’s worst quarterback situations.
“Murray’s recent history on the field doesn’t inspire much confidence, but with the way things are run in Arizona, it’s fair to wonder if the change in scenery will unlock Murray’s full potential,” Yousuf wrote. “Playing in Kevin O’Connell’s system and with a supporting cast featuring Justin Jefferson, Jauan Jennings and Jordan Addison should help, too. Murray is squarely in the middle of Tier 3, but his upside could take him to the top of that tier.”
“Minnesota’s backup situation is fairly deep. McCarthy is fine as a No. 2 and last year’s No. 2 for the Vikings, Carson Wentz, profiles as one of the better No. 3 quarterbacks in the league,” Yousuf added. “If Wentz ends up being the No. 2, either because McCarthy is no longer on the roster or even over McCarthy, the floor of Minnesota’s offense should remain solid.”
Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley believes his team found a steal in Murray. The team signed him for a one-year, $1.3 million deal, and Murray is already displaying the qualities Teasley was looking for.
“We started to see the legs as we got to more realistic football… the anticipatory throwing ability, the ability to fit the football into tight windows and be a spot thrower,” Teasley told reporters on Wednesday.
Murray isn’t far removed from one of his best seasons. In 2024, he completed 68.8% of his passes for 3,851 yards and 21 touchdowns versus 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 572 yards and five touchdowns on 78 carries.
Patrick Reusse of the Star Tribune is confident that Murray “will be fine” with the Vikings, a team that “has the talent to make a deep playoff run” this season.
Reusse recently wrote about that in his column and that the team’s “margin for error” that hinges on health. That was the case with the quarterback room in particular last season when McCarthy and Wentz both went down with injuries.
Kyler Murray’s Work Ethic Is Already Being Questioned With Minnesota Vikings
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/kyler-murray-work-ethic-florio/
Kyler Murray’s Former Teammate Has Some Honest Feedback About Him
https://purpleptsd.com/2026/vikings/top_news/kyler-murray-chris-streveler/
Vikings Get Candid Kyle Van Noy Message Ahead of Packers Game
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/kyle-van-noy-message-packers-game/
Max Brosmer’s discipline separates him from J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota
https://thevikingage.com/max-brosmer-discipline-separates-him-from-jj-mccarthy-minnesota-vikings
The Vikings Nailed Their Waiver Claims
https://zonecoverage.com/2026/minnesota-vikings-news/the-vikings-nailed-their-waiver-claims/
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get into why Nolan Teasley nailed this round of waiver claims in his first year at the helm in Minnesota.
Samac was a standout preseason performer for the Carolina Panthers and posted an impressive 81.4-overall grade. That rating was top among centers in the preseason. Before he landed in Carolina, the Baltimore Ravens took him in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, where he spent time on their practice squad.
…
Like Samac, Trevor Keegan was a standout this preseason, posting an 85.6-overall grade with the Dallas Cowboys. Keegan primarily plays guard, but has also seen action at center. His versatility is a welcome addition to Minnesota’s offensive line room, which had to ask players, including Brandel, to switch positions due to injuries last season.
The Vikings Have Wisely Thrown Up the Harrison Smith Bat Signal
https://zonecoverage.com/2026/minnesota-vikings-news/the-vikings-have-wisely-thrown-up-the-harrison-smith-bat-signal/
The Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy Plan Shouldn’t Be A Mystery
https://zonecoverage.com/2026/minnesota-vikings-news/the-vikings-j-j-mccarthy-plan-shouldnt-be-a-mystery/
Kyler Murray’s Route To 4,000 Yards Starts With One Condition
https://zonecoverage.com/2026/minnesota-vikings-news/kyler-murrays-route-to-4000-yards-starts-with-one-condition/
The Dead Money Has Levelled Off, So the Vikings Can Proceed into Uncertain 2026
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/dead-money-the-vikings-2026
Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:
While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm
No discussion of politics or religion
No feeding of the trolls
Leave the gender hatred at the door
Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)
Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags
No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer
If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away
