I've had a couple weeks now to digest the Vikings draft performance and (slightly) get over the passing on Dillon Thieneman (don't ask Siri to spell it, because she thinks I have a lisp and want cinnamon). But now we have to face him twice a year in a Bears uniform, and I hope he doesn't carry a grudge. Speaking of which, how is Caleb Banks doing in his recovery? Can the stellar training staff at TCO Performance Center not only get him healthy, but do they have a plan to help him learn to avoid another injury?
In other news, I'm guessing all the cost cutting since the new league year started must've helped, since we picked up a few free agents. Granted, Kyler Murray was a bargain, but he is just a "one-year rental," because I doubt we can afford to sign him to a new contract next year.
How Cincinnati could afford Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with their contracts, no wonder they had to say goodbye to Trey Hendrickson. But can the Vikings afford such extravagance, with Jefferson tied down and Addison in line for his payday? And will Dallas Turner be closing in on a new deal as well?
Can the Vikings afford to get in another "kick the can down the road" salary cap quagmire again next year? And what about Gink'? And has Hitman Harry made his decision yet on retirement or another go around? So many pieces on that stellar defense to extend.
That means Murray will probably suit up for another team in 2027. And what will this mean for J.J. McCarthy's future? Will he show enough growth and development this season, or will the team cut their losses and start over in 2027? I may joke about it, but the Vikings do often embody the image of being the elephant graveyard of the NFL, where "quarterbacks go to die" at the end of their careers.
And speaking of one-year rentals, will that be the case with Jauan Jennings? And will whoever is under center be able to feed him enough that he doesn't feel like the stepchild? Though based on his on-field reputation, I'd be more curious to look back at the 2026 season and tally up the number of flags, fines and/or suspensions he accrued. It would have been interesting if the team had signed DeAndre Hopkins instead.
So whether it's [Executive Vice President of Football Operations] Rob Brzezinski or someone else who's hired as GM, I do hope they move away from the penchant of signing expensive free agents only to have to release or trade them when the salary cap rears its ugly head. That breeds instability and undermines cohesion.
Sincerely,
— David A. (from the North Shore but stuck in the South)
OK, lot of ground to cover here, so I'll try to efficiently close things out for today's edition.
O'Connell included in his comments Friday that the team "got some more positive information" as Banks reported.
"Very much looking forward to him establishing a real great plan with our medical staff and the coaching staff," O'Connell said. "Obviously, on the medical side getting healthy and on the coaching staff side, how can we push Caleb from an above-the-neck standpoint to be that much more comfortable when he does get healthy? But he gets a great chance this spring and summer to get strong and build himself up for the multiple aspects we think he can help our team in the fall."
If the Vikings projected Banks' impact correctly, it could work out quite well for the team.
The trading of Jonathan Greenard resulted in a third-round pick this year (Jakobe Thomas), a third-round pick next year and quite a bit of cap flexibility for this year and next, which then enabled the Vikings to add Jennings. It remains to be seen how the 2027 cap flexibility is applied, but it could come in handy in a variety of ways.
The OTA practices for the Vikings won't start this year until May 26. I'm sure the quarterback activity will be focused on quite a bit with Murray taking his first team snaps as a Viking and McCarthy set to progress after his first full, healthy NFL offseason.
In watching Jennings highlights, the tape shows a big-bodied receiver who doesn't shrink when it's time to make a contested catch, as well as a player who has some wiggle once he gets the ball. It also shows a determined blocker in the run game to go along with his productivity as a receiver (210 career receptions for 2,581 yards and 22 TDs in 75 regular-season games).