The View from VT: The Vikings’ New LG, Adding a Pass Rusher, & Hometown Hero

Oct 13, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) can’t hold on to a pass against New York Jets linebacker Blake Cashman (53) who is called for interference in the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings Territory works in partnership with PurplePTSD, similarly doing their utmost to put forth excellent Minnesota Vikings content. As a result, we promote what they have to offer in “The View from VT,” a weekly piece. Take a look at five of their articles from the past week.

The View from VT: March 16th, 2024

1) Looks Like the Vikings Have a New Starting LG: In the NFL, money always tells the truth. Blake Brandel snagged a pretty good pay day, suggesting that he may become more than just depth. The former tackle made the switch to guard last season but slid in along the right side after Ed Ingram got hurt. Does he snag the open LG position?

Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel (64) during the NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

2) Vikings Add Another Starting Pass Rusher: Last season, the Vikings’ pass rush wasn’t good enough. Much of the issue arrived due to injury; Marcus Davenport missed most of the season and D.J. Wonnum missed the final few games. Adding a pair of starters in free agency is a prudent decision, but expect Minnesota to add someone else in the 2024 NFL Draft.

3) A New Vikings Free Agent Target Surfaces: One way the team can really amp up the pass rush is to get more penetration along the defensive line. The veteran defensive lineman — Arik Armstead — is one of the best in the business, but the possibility of adding him got undermined by the deal in Jacksonville.

NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers
Dec 11, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) reacts after the 49ers made a defensive stop on third down against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

4) Vikings Sign Hometown Hero: The front seven overhaul meant there was a need for at least one more off ball linebacker. Blake Cashman is younger than Jordan Hicks and coming off of a promising season down in Houston. He’ll partner with Ivan Pace and Brian Asamoah to form the top trio of LBs in Minnesota.

5) Unpopular Vikings Free Agent Joins Detroit Lions: The turnaround in Detroit has been very impressive. No doubt, I didn’t foresee Dan Campbell working out so well. One of their recent roster additions was for a very talented but injury prone pass rusher who didn’t live up to expectations in his single season in Minnesota.

Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Marcus Davenport (0) pressures Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Enjoy the extra reading, Vikings fans.


K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.

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