The View from VT: Cutting an RB, a Rim-Rattling Trade, and J.J. McCarthy Plot Twist

Sep 16, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws against the Bowling Green Falcons in the first half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-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: July 13th, 2024

1) The Vikings are Going to Cut an RB … Again: We’ll see on the running back cut. Minnesota is currently looking to move in the opposite direction, beefing up the depth rather than subtracting the depth. Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler is a good spot to be at RB1 & RB2, but a stronger RB3 would be nice.

NFL: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) celebrates his touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

2) Bleacher Report Urges Vikings to Make Rim-Rattling Trade: No doubt, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah loves to pull off trades. The likelihood of this one occurring, though, is quite low. Not zero, but low.

3) There’s a J.J. McCarthy Plot Twist: Minnesota is making the young guy earn it. And, to be sure, there’s a lot of merit in that approach. The goal is to have an excellent QB from 2025 onward, not in time for Week 1 of 2024. Don’t forget that.

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws a pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first half in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

4) The Vikings’ Largest Cap Hit is Going Toward Someone who Isn’t in Minnesota: A parting gift from Mr. Cousins? In fairness, a lot of the reason why the dead money charge is so monstrous is because Kwesi Adofo-Mensah decided to lean on void years to kick money down the road. Even still, a discouraging reality.

5) ESPN Displeased with Vikings’ Young Guns: The Vikings have plenty of youth, but some of it gets excluded by a (relatively arbitrary) age limit by ESPN. In the end, we’ll need to wait and see. If some of the recent picks fulfill their potential, Minnesota will be just fine.

NFL: NFL Draft
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner poses after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-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.