Questions Answered: Beginning of End for Irv, Trade Deadline, Commanders

Questions Answered: Beginning of End for Irv, Trade Deadline, Commanders
Oct 2, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports.

The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the November 1st edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.


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Q: With the acquisition of T.J. Hockenson, is Irv Smith pretty much done with the Vikings?

Questions Answered: Injuries Arrive, Plan B at TE, Patrick Peterson
Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings tight end Irv Smith Jr. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports.

A: Well, he’s a lame duck — so, yes, pretty much.

Smith will miss the next 6 to 10 weeks with a high ankle sprain, all but ending his regular season. Plus, 2022 is the final year of his contract, and there’s virtually no way imaginable the Vikings can financially keep Smith and Hockenson.

If you’re a Smith superfan, today is rough, as the Hockenson trade signifies the end of Smith in purple. However, Minnesota could enjoy both in the same offense if Smith is ready for the postseason. The Vikings are 6-1 — you can talk about that kind of stuff.

Q: Are you surprised the Vikings made no other moves at the trade deadline aside from Hockenson?

Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK.

A: The Hockenson deal was mammoth, so it was difficult not to be surprised, in general.

Adding a cornerback would’ve been nice, but the Vikings coaching staff evidently has trust in Andrew Booth and Akayleb Evans. Now, you must hope for no injuries to Patrick Peterson and Cameron Dantzler. Depth at corner is a weakness for Minnesota, and they didn’t address the issue via trade.

Q: Are you worried about the Commanders at all this weekend?

Oct 23, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) talks with Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports.

A: No.

They’ve won three straight, and they’re waiting to be humbled. Also, they aren’t very good.

While the Vikings have a history of disappointing let-down games — and that has to be on the brain of every Vikings fan always — the 2022 Vikings, led by this new coaching staff, should have the team prepared to take care of business.

Kirk Cousins and Kevin O’Connell used to work for the Commanders. It is unlikely that those two very visible leaders get complacent heading back to their old stomping grounds.




Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

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