The team had their first loss and the consensus opinion appears to that it is all Kyler Murray’s fault. Even though he led the team in rushing, he still did not do enough in the passing game to extend drives and give the defense more rest. Fair enough. I said and will repeat, I doubt any defender is happy about giving up 164 rushing yards in the second half to the Lions. You cannot be a top defense and do that no matter how long you are out there. They were on the field for 16:56 seconds in the second half.
The entire team had a 10 minute break at the start o the 4th quarter due to the unfortunate injury to Jack Campbell. Prayers up to Campbell. I hope he recovers well. So there really is no excuse to say they were tired. They just did not tackle well and I thought they kept trying to punch the ball out rather than getting the runner down.
It was a tough loss for sure but the team is still 6-1 but you would not know it based on stories, tweets, comments, etc. You would think this team is the Chargers right now. Sheesh! It is all centered around Kyler Murray too. I do not think he is ever going to get a fair shake because he is not JJ McCarthy and is the reason they traded McCarthy. That is just how I am reading the tea leaves.
Kurt Warner does a great job going over the Lions film reviewing Kyler Murray and some of the play designs and where he may have gone with the throw. It really is interesting and unbiased. He does say he is not a big fan of the progression read system (or something along those lines) because he said it is very difficult on QBs. If you watch this video, you will see that the play design is not the issue. He asks why is Kyler not throwing it sooner or to another location but says that may be due to how he is being told to do it.
This ties in with the comments from Cousins and Darnold about the offense taking them about half the season to get a good grip on. It also ties in with the offensive players making comments along the lines of we are almost there.
I think they could modify some things and, if it were me, I would want to bring Warner in to consult for a little bit. He made a comment about the defensive coverage/alignment where if he saw that then he would immediately look to the other side of the field.
Call it an excuse or whatever but I do not see any trade or QB change coming unless Kyler truly is unable to go. I doubt his hammy is that sore since he was able to finish out the game although it was just one more short drive (3 and out if I am not mistaken).
I have been wrong many times before especially when it comes to QBs but I just do not see a change making too much of a difference. Wentz could come in and complete more throws “on time” but he ain’t scrambling and they ain’t calling no roll outs for him. Those players Kyler made with his legs would be sacks for Wentz. Of course, then the discourse will be about the team not investing in the offensive line which is complete rubbish. They invested but you just may not like the players they invested in.
Another video here with Matthew Coller is talking to Jeremiah Sirles about benching Murray. Sirles is not a fan unless he is injured. He said you should not rotate QBs in and out for various reasons which make sense.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVmbMQp75F0
But, having said all of this, KOC an interview with Paul Allen here …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FMk3uXTbyU
… he said something I found revealing and may be signs of his patience running out …
When O’Connell talked about flipping the calendar to November, his emphasis on “starting to execute at a higher level” and “getting the ball where it needs to go” was widely interpreted by analysts as a direct, albeit measured, challenge to Murray.
I do not think there is a lot of time left for Murray to start letting it go. KOC is really going to have to do something to make that happen otherwise he will more than likely go with Wentz which changes things a lot as far as the QB being a threat to move in the pocket.
This brings me to the trade deadline. I kind of thought something would have happened by now if they wanted to get a player and have him be able to play on Monday. If it does not happen today then they probably do it after the Sunday games because that is one more weekly check they do not have to pay.
Murray is likely on a short leash now.
I will repeat this about trading for Taylor (or any running back like Hall or Henry).
Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are both free agents in 2027.
The 2027 RB free agent class is average at best to below average.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/available/_/year/2027/position/rb
There are some folks who are already believing that Teasley needs to keep his first round pick to draft a rookie QB or to package with future picks presumedly which likely could be another first if you are coming up from at least #20.
You have teams like the Cardinals, Titans, Jets, Browns, and Steelers all possibly looking for a young QB. The current draft class is starting to not look as many predicted earlier (or last year during the draft cycle). Manning and Moore probably need to stay. Chambliss has no more eligibility. Mestemaker, Carr, Mensah, and Simmons all have eligibility left and it is unknown if they will come out. I am thinking that not many will come out with the amount of NIL money they could get. There are a lot of other factors as well but the Vikings are playing too well to be in position to get a QB without giving up more draft capital.
The NFL free agent QBs do not look very good right now either. You will have Murray, Mac Jones, Rodgers (retiring), Justin Fields, Jacoby Brissett, Deshaun Watson, Anthony Richardson, and others.
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/available/_/year/2027/position/qb
That could mean the team will need to use a high draft pick on a running back in the next draft. How many draftees will be as good as Taylor?
There are reports now of other teams getting involved as well. What if the Giants offer their 2nd, Cam Skattebo, and some other picks. That could beat the Vikings offer. That would not be good for the Vikings but great for the Giants and JJ. If they get Taylor and he comes in and JJ continues to play well, this place will explode.
My new offer that would surely get me fired is …
Vikings send:
2027 1st Round Pick
2027 2nd Round Pick
2027 5th Round Pick
2028 3rd Round Pick
Vikings receive:
Jonathan Taylor
Colts’ 2027 2nd Round Pick
Colts’ 2028 5th Round Pick
… Obviously, this will be summarily be dismissed by many due to the first round pick. I think it could beat other offers though. If the Vikings are picking in the 20’s which means they make the playoffs and the Colts continue to slide, you are talking about dropping down 10-15 spots. You would still have the early 2nd and two thirds. If you do not trade for a back then running back is more than likely going to be high on the draft needs next year. How many folks would be OK drafting a back in the first and is that back going to be as good as Taylor.
I would trade for Breece Hall as well. The Derrick Henry trade idea is interesting but he does not do that well out of the shotgun I think.
The salary cap being an issue that is floating around is nonsense.
The team currently has 35M in cap space and that is before getting the cap credits for Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave which equals 12M. This gives them 47M in cap space. If they cut Fires, Metellus, and Theo Jackson they would be at 68M in cap space. Odds are that they extend AVG, Hockenson, and Cashman. They have cap hits right now of 8.8M, 7.1M, and 3.1M respectively. It will probably cost about 5 or 6M more to get them all signed to fair deals. They can also extend Addison and lower his 18M cap hit some. If they did get Taylor, they can ask him to restructure his deal or give him another year and add a void year two on it.
If they re-sign Murray or sign Mac Jones they can work their contract number into the remaining 60M in cap space.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson Sends Strong Message on Struggling Offense
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/tj-hockenson-nfl-news-offense-lions-loss/
It’s hard to think of a more maligned 6-1 team in NFL history. The Minnesota Vikings were the last squad to lose a game this season, and yet, they have received as much criticism as anybody in the NFC North.
Granted, it’s the NFL’s toughest division, and the Vikings offense has given pundits plenty to be critical about early this season. On Sunday, the team couldn’t move the ball against one of the statistically worst defenses in the league.
Yet, veteran tight end T.J. Hockenson remains optimistic. The tight end explained why to reporters after Sunday’s 19-15 loss.
“Yeah, it’s frustrating,” Hockenson said, via The Athletic’s Alec Lewis. “But we know how close we are, and I never waver with this team or this offense. We have some of the best players in the world at their position.”
Kevin O’Connell Updates Vikings Injuries & Recaps Offense After Week 8
https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-oconnell-updates-injuries-recaps-offense-after-week-8
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday afternoon that Kyler Murray was still experiencing soreness in his hamstring. Christian Darrisaw is dealing with shoulder soreness, as well, and Theo Jackson left the Week 8 game with a quad injury.
“We’re still in the process of evaluating,” O’Connell told Twin Cities media members. “We’re going through a full eval of [Murray’s hamstring] as we work through the day today. I’ll be able to update you on that as we get into the work week, as well as C.D. and Theo. Really, it’s some soreness there and figuring out exactly what’s going on and then what their practice weeks look like.”
O’Connell said it’s “still early enough” to wait to determine Murray’s availability for the upcoming game. Asked if he’s still committed to Murray as the team’s starter should he physically be ready to go, O’Connell said, “Yes.”
Regarding the head coach-quarterback relationship and responding to adversity both during and following a game, O’Connell responded with the following:
“It’s one thing to be totally comfortable with the game plan, but there’s nuances to it that you kind of learn sometimes on game day, the comfort level that you’re trying to do things,” O’Connell said. “He’s in the gun a lot. We’re marrying that up as creatively and as effectively as we can.
“I didn’t think we ran the ball great yesterday. I thought we had some opportunities — the play called back, maybe on our longest run of the day, called back on a holding call,” O’Connell continued. “I did think Kyler used his legs on some designed things to move the football. He also had a nice scramble there, kind of setting us up right there at midfield. And then we turned it over late in the half, which led to them getting three points.
“I think it’s just continuing to build that rapport of the plans, the comfort level, continuing to implore some input from him on things he likes,” he added.
O’Connell noted he did like the offense’s performance late in the game, with Murray’s 51-yard completion to Jordan Addison and short touchdown pass to T.J. Hockenson.
“That kind of response that we felt in the game. Now, it didn’t ultimately lead to us keeping that lead, but that kind of response is what we need our whole team to have here this week, coming off our first loss of the season,” O’Connell said.
No 1. Jefferson an ‘ultra-competitor’
O’Connell was asked about Justin Jefferson’s demeanor and disposition a day removed from the receiver declining to speak with media members.
“Justin came in today and was great,” O’Connell said. “Listen, Justin is the ultra-competitor, and I think it’s been well-documented, just the leadership of Justin and how he’s really grown and really sets the standard. Justin wanted to win the football game, and we wanted him to have a big impact on the football game.
“You go back and see just the amount of attention, especially on some of those known passing downs, where there’s an immediate two defenders responsible to play man-to-man, double-team coverage on him,” O’Connell continued. “That’s when some other guys have to make some plays. T.J. made some plays against some of those looks. Though, we had a chance to score on one of them and we ended up going to the ground on that. But we’ve got to make people pay when they play those coverages with some of the other guys.”
He added: “Those guys (Murray and Jefferson) continuing to work together and play together and feeling those things out, in addition to the on-schedule plays, I think [it will] show up off-schedule, as well.”
No 2. Run game woes in Detroit
The Vikings had a couple decent runs against the Lions, but a 29-yarder by Jordan Mason was called back because of a holding penalty on Will Fries, and Minnesota overall didn’t see much success on the ground. Take away Murray’s four attempts for 35 yards, and the RB trio of Aaron Jones, Sr., Mason and DeeJay Dallas averaged just 3.3 yards per carry.
O’Connell noted the team has stayed committed to the run through the season’s first half.
“Yesterday, we only had 50 snaps,” he reminded. “You take into account some of those are get-back-on-track downs, some of the run-pass options where we were taking the pass opportunity when it presented itself. I thought there were some more opportunities to do so in the game, and we’ll continue to build things where we can do that effectively.
“But we still want to run the football, and we still want to have the ability for our run game to not only set up the pass and the play-action and the movement game like it did on the first play of the game, but we also want to have the run game have an impact on that front,” O’Connell added.
Vikings Defense Laments Final 2 Drives by Lions
https://www.vikings.com/news/defense-laments-final-2-drives-by-lions-week-8
Detroit got its run game going in the second half, and Minnesota ultimately couldn’t find an answer for an attack led by Jahmyr Gibbs. He racked up 23 carries for 153 yards and a touchdown, while Sione Vaki added 65 yards on 11 attempts.
The Vikings defense struggled with missed tackles down the stretch, and several players were asked if a lopsided time of possession (the Lions offense was on the field for 35:43) had an impact.
Harrison Smith acknowledged it likely did play some role but emphasized the importance of not making any excuses.
“If you watch it and look at it, I think that would be the natural conclusion,” Smith said. “But as a football player, that’s just something you’ve got to deal with.”
Metellus reiterated Smith’s sentiments of not blaming workload.
“I think it’s more about mindset, will. They made a couple more plays because they wanted to in those situations and we didn’t,” Metellus said. “So that’s something, we’re going to have to look ourselves in the mirror as a defense. As high as our standard is in the room, those last two drives really aren’t the standard.”
The Vikings struggled offensively, but similar to not leaning on excuses for missed execution, defensive players will not point fingers at anyone but themselves.
“We’ve got to be better getting off the field, and we gave up some silly penalties that kept the game going, kept the drives going,” Van Ginkel said. “We’ve got to be better prepared and get off the field faster.”
Smith stressed “just doing your job” individually and relying on teammates to do the same. The 15-year veteran also noted this is the time to focus on making improvements and small changes and not hitting the panic button.
“Stay positive,” Smith said. “Tell us we’re 6-1 at this point in the season … we’re probably going to take that. It’s not saying there’s anything good about today and about losing, but it’s the reality of the NFL.
“It’s a good team over there. A lot of good players,” he added. “The defense could have done more.”
Lunchbreak: The Athletic Updates Big Board Ahead of NFL Trade Deadline
https://www.vikings.com/news/lunchbreak-the-athletic-big-board-ahead-of-nfl-trade-deadline
PFF recognizes Blake Brandel
The Pro Football Focus grading system has taken its lumps in recent years, and especially this one, but it’s still a widely used analytics website, so we’re noting the love they gave to a Viking this week.
Center Blake Brandel made PFF’s Team of the Week for his performance against the Lions.
Brandel earned a 76.8 offensive grade, which tied for the third highest single-game grade in his career. He also received a solid 72.8 pass-blocking grade, allowing zero pressures on 33 reps, and a robust 77.3 run-blocking grade. His marks were an improvement from Week 7 (51.7; 39.8; 61.1).
Vikings Insider Reveals Big Hurdle for Potential Jonathan Taylor Trade
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-insider-reveals-big-hurdle-132220825.html
Alec Lewis, The Athletic’s Vikings reporter, noted that what could prevent Minnesota from making a blockbuster move for Taylor is the money. Taylor is under contract through the 2028 season after signing a two-year contract extension worth $44 million.
Minnesota has other pending free agents this offseason and other players needing contract extensions. As a result, the Vikings will need to analyze whether a Taylor trade makes financial sense.
“The complexity with Jonathan Taylor that I don’t think that many people have talked about, and it’s not the sexiest discussion point, but it dovetails exactly with what I’m just talking about as far as the amount of money that the Vikings are potentially going to have to spend to maintain some of their core players, potentially pay some kind of quarterback—extensions for Jordan Addison, Dallas Turner,” Lewis said on the Nov. 2 edition of “The Alec Lewis Show.”
“There are just a lot of players that are going to need to be paid, and Jonathan Taylor is owed upwards of $16 million if he’s on a team’s roster in 2027. Then that bumps up to around $17 million if he’s on the roster in 2028. Now, you might be saying, ‘Well, you could just rent him and cut him,’ but you’re not going to rent him for a second-round pick plus and then just cut him a year later. That’s not serviceable.”
Minnesota Vikings potential trade for RB Jonathan Taylor creates salary cap issues, but not in the way you believe
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/minnesota-vikings-potential-trade-for-rb-jonathan-taylor-creates-salary-cap-issues-but-not-in-the-way-you-believe/
Kyler Murray has the Minnesota Vikings in a difficult conundrum, and the real issue lies with Kevin O’Connell
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/kyler-murray-has-the-minnesota-vikings-in-a-difficult-conundrum-and-the-real-issue-lies-with-kevin-oconnell/
Vikings Have New Potential QB Trade Target Amid Kyler Murray Struggles
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/jacoby-brissett-nfl-trade-rumors-news-kyler-murray/
Ian Rapoport sheds light on Vikings quarterback uncertainty ahead of trade deadline
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/ian-rapoport-sheds-light-on-vikings-quarterback-uncertainty-ahead-of-trade-deadline
Vikings Trade Pivot Abandons Jonathan Taylor for NFL Rushing Leader
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/derrick-henry-ravens-trade-jonathan-taylor-nfl-news/
Vikings trade deadline buzz: Jonathan Taylor, Breece Hall and the Justin Herbert pipe dream
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/vikings-trade-deadline-buzz-jonathan-taylor-breece-hall-and-the-justin-herbert-pipe-dream
NFL Analyst Predicts Eagles to Trade TE to Vikings
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nfl-analyst-predicts-eagles-trade-201456457.html
Vikings mentioned among ‘dream trades’ for new DL
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-mentioned-among-dream-trades-044050525.html
15 players to watch amid NFL trade deadline buzz
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/15-players-to-watch-amid-nfl-trade-deadline-buzz-033058936.html
NFL Week 8 Sunday aftermath: Ravens’ season on the brink; can Vikings trust Kyler Murray?
https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-week-8-sunday-aftermath-ravens-cowboys-vikings
Vikings’ roster moves on Tuesday raise eyebrows for something bigger
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/vikings-roster-moves-on-tuesday-raise-eyebrows-for-something-bigger
Vic Fangio: J.J. McCarthy was a “steal” for the Giants
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vic-fangio-j-j-mccarthy-025246470.html
With Check Engine Light On, the Vikings Will Soon Tell Us Much about Team Direction
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/check-eng-light-the-vikings
Mike Florio Suggests Vikings Are Quietly Benching Kyler Murray vs. Bills?
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mike-florio-suggests-vikings-quietly-040000014.html
‘It’s Just Tough,’ ‘Is Justin Jefferson Still That Guy?’ — Maxx Crosby Dissects Vikings’ Most Pressing Problem as Frustration Grows for $140 Million WR
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/just-tough-justin-jefferson-still-063331300.html
‘Until You Start To Blitz Him’ — Eagles Legend Expresses Reservations About J.J. McCarthy’s Hype With Giants
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/eagles-legend-jj-mccarthy-giants-hype/
Eagles legend Donovan McNabb has some serious reservations about the young QB.
During Monday’s edition of FanDuel’s “Up & Adams Show,” host Kay Adams asked McNabb whether he believes McCarthy is “the real deal.” The former Eagles QB shook his head and explained why he still has reservations about the Giants’ young starter.
“Where he was drafted (10th overall), I thought it was a stretch,” McNabb began. “It’s the same stretch that the Giants went with Daniel Jones in drafting him so high (6th overall).”
McNabb then pointed to McCarthy’s time at Michigan, where he played in a system that didn’t ask him to do too much.
“[McCarthy] was in a system, kind of a West Coast system, where he was asked to manage the game at Michigan. He had a great running game, utilized the quick game, intermediate game, and then the thing that kinda boosted him is his mobility. His ability to get outside the pocket and scramble when needed. He’s not Lamar Jackson, but he’s serviceable to be able to get outside the pocket,” added the former QB.
“What you’re seeing is the type of offense that he ran under Jim Harbaugh that John has incorporated into what he’s doing with the Giants,” McNabb explained. “It’s a run-the-football, downhill in the mid zone, mid and inside zone. It’s the quick game, and you’re running some boots and nakeds to get him outside the pocket. Now he looks efficient when he’s connecting on slants or hitches or maybe quick outs or curls, and occasionally might get a deep ball up the middle versus Cover 2 or something like that.”
“There are plays where he’s rolling,” McNabb admitted. “But until you start to blitz him and stop the run. When you stop the run and start blitzing him, now you force the ball to be in his hands for decisions to be made. That’s when you’ll see the J.J. McCarthy that we’ve seen throughout his first couple of years in Minnesota.”
Whoa! McNabb with the shade!
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