Questions Answered: Hockenson Trade Best in Franchise History, Bradbury, Packers Elimination
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the December 28th 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.
Questions Answered: Hockenson Trade Best in Franchise History, Bradbury, Packers Elimination
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Q: Do you believe the T.J. Hockenson trade is the best in Vikings history?
A: No. The Stefon Diggs trade that netted Justin Jefferson or Jared Allen deal in 2008 would take the cake.
Our usual mantra applies at times like these — you must wait until years down the road to adjudicate a sports trade, especially in the NFL. Hockenson is phenomenal and will likely perform wonderfully for years to come, but it’s simply too early to declare the transaction as the top dog.
Give us the Diggs trade and Allen trade — by a mile — as of December 2022.
Q: Is Garrett Bradbury going to return this season?
A: Probably, but we’re beginning to assume it won’t be until the postseason.
That assumption is not based on a tip or insider intel, but it just seems sensical that Bradbury may be on ice until January 14th, 15th, or 16th. Why risk it? The Vikings have wrapped up no worse than the No. 3 seed. The worst that can occur is a drop from #2 to #3. Plus, this brand of Vikings has proved it can win on the road, so a trip to San Francisco doesn’t have to be deadly.
Bradbury is dealing with a back injury — never fun. Our guess is he’ll be done until Round 1 of the playoffs.
Q: Can the Vikings eliminate the Packers from the postseason on Sunday?
A: No.
If the Packers defeat the Vikings on Sunday, their playoff probability rises to 55%. If Green Bay loses, the same chances dip to 3%.
It is essentially a playoff game for Green Bay, but there are bizarre scenarios where the Packers can lose to the Vikings and still get in.
A Packers loss and win or tie by the Washington Commanders would end Green Bay’s season.
RGIII is a Vikings Believer
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).