5 Vikings Free Agency Takeaways
The Minnesota Vikings have been among the teams most willing to spend in the first week of free agency. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the most pressing needs and can now prepare for the draft, knowing he isn’t forced to select any specific position.
5 Vikings Free Agency Takeaways
These are the five takeaways from free agency.
1. Focus on the Running Game
The Vikings are clearly unhappy with how little success the team has had rushing the ball since Kevin O’Connell was hired in 2022. Last year, there was some improvement, but the team was still one of the least efficient teams on the ground.
Aaron Jones was re-signed, and Jordan Mason was a trade acquisition. The duo should be able to do some damage, especially behind new interior blockers Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, who are massive upgrades over their predecessors. Their strength could lead to more duo runs being used in the upcoming season.
2. J.J. McCarthy Is the Guy
The Vikings lost three quarterbacks in one offseason. Sam Darnold joined the Seahawks, and Minnesota hasn’t signed any other starting-caliber player. The Aaron Rodgers rumor mill is ongoing, but if the front office was really interested, he likely would’ve already been announced as the new quarterback for the purple team because the Vikings are clearly the most attractive QB opening for the future Hall of Famer.
No, it sure looks like McCarthy’s team for years to come. The sophomore missed an entire season due to a meniscus injury but has drawn a ton of praise ever since arriving in the Twin Cities. It will be fun to watch him in Minnesota’s talented offense.
3. Looking for More Interior Pressure
Just a few weeks ago, Adofo-Mensah emphasized the importance of an interior pass rush.
“To play January football, there’s a certain way you’ve got to play. You’ve got to be able to control the ball, and be able to get after the passer with just four. We need to get better and will,” Adofo-Mensah told the media at the annual draft combine.
And he delivered, adding former Pro Bowlers Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They aren’t getting any younger and struggled with injuries last season, but they should still provide a huge boost to Brian Flores’ defensive line.
4. KOC Gets His Wish
Adofo-Mensah’s words indicated action would be taken, and so did O’Connell’s comments after the season-ender against the Rams. After the disappointing playoff loss, he suggested that the offensive line would be a point of emphasis:
“There’s no question we’ve got to find a way to be able to give a quarterback, especially with players like Justin (Jefferson), Jordan (Addison), T.J. (Hockenson), we’ve got to find a way to solidify just the interior of the pocket. There can be a thousand excuses made, whether it’s losing [Christian Darrisaw], or even midway through the game losing [Brian O’Neill] tonight, but for me, it’s the foundation of the interior of the pocket that we’re going to have to take a long look at.”
About two months later, the Vikings signed the aforementioned ex-Colts blockers Kelly and Fries for over $100 million. Kelly is a four-time Pro Bowler and should provide some more stability than the ousted Bradbury. Fries hasn’t been to a Pro Bowl but is a strong first-time candidate in 2025.
McCarthy’s pass protection should be fine.
5. Special Teams Focus
The club acquired a bunch of starters but also made sure to lure backups with special teams prowess to Eagan, Minnesota.
Eric Wilson, a former Vikings linebacker who has spent a few years away, returns to where it all began in 2017. He is a fantastic addition to Matt Daniels’ special teams crew. Tavierre Thomas is a cornerback and will provide depth there, but he is in the league to hunt returners.
The special teams haven’t been a plus unit in the last few years; it’s time to change that.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt