Questions Answered: New GM “Nervous” about QB, Hitman’s Age, CB to Injury List
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the July 26th 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: Is it true that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is “nervous” about not tearing it down at the quarterback position?
A: Yes, generally speaking, he spoke about rebuilds and why not starting over at quarterback is risky.
Specifically, Adofo-Mensah told USA Today last weekend, “The one asset where you get nervous about not burning it down is quarterback.”
He clarified on Tuesday that it wasn’t a shot at his existing QB1, but it is risky business to possess a license to rebuild — and then not do it.
Therefore, the Vikings roster is largely similar to last year, which spooks some. In the same interview, Adofo-Mensah also mentioned that Tom Bradys and Patrick Mahomeses don’t grow on trees. Drafting rookie quarterbacks solely because “that’s what you’re supposed to do” is silly in a certain draft — probably why he didn’t select on in April’s draft.
Q: Do you expect a performance decline from Harrison Smith at age 33?
A: Probably a little bit.
Thirty-three years old isn’t young, and Smith will have to slow down soon. However, and thankfully for the Vikings, Smith at 85% or so is still a wonderful commodity.
Smith can’t play forever, and 33 is a reasonable age to lose a step. It’s coming. But perhaps he can delay it a year or two with a clean bill of health.
Q: Is free-agent signee Nate Hairston hitting the injured list a big deal?
A: Only if you want it to be.
The Vikings didn’t disclose the nature of the injury. But, let’s face it. Hairston is competing to make the team, not anchor the defense. Minnesota would be fine even if Hairston wasn’t on the team.
The hope is that he’ll experience a career year with the Vikings, but that’s all a bunch of wishful thinking. Hairston isn’t supposed to be lost of the season or anything, and when he gets back, he’ll battle Andrew Booth, Chandon Sullivan, Akayleb Evans, and Harrison Hand for playing time.
No need to freak out over this one.
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 Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
