Purple Headlines of the Week: Vikings Offseason Week 8
The offseason is in full swing for the Minnesota Vikings, a team that overachieved in last year’s regular season but disappointed in the playoffs. Eight weeks of that offseason have already passed. The head coaching positions have been filled, and free agency is right around the corner.
Purple Headlines of the Week: Vikings Offseason Week 8
Here’s what transpired in Week 8.
1. The Sam Darnold Chapter
Everything revolved around quarterback Sam Darnold. The passer experienced a career breakout season in 2024 and is now the top QB on the market. The Vikings first declined the franchise tag after mentioning multiple times that he “has earned the right to be a free agent.”
Then, reports surfaced suggesting the Vikings would love him back on a discount and would try to negotiate a deal ahead of free agency.
Finally, the big reporters noted that, in all likelihood, Darnold would depart in free agency. Geno Smith’s trade from the Seahawks to the Raiders put Seattle in a prime position to sign the one-year wonder.
A true roller-coaster for all involved will likely result in one of the most enjoyable one-and-done seasons in franchise history.
2. The New Grant Udinski
The Vikings lost assistant QB coach and assistant OC Grant Udinski when he was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars to climb the coaching ladder, becoming their OC under new head coach Liam Coen.
To replace him, the club hired Saints offensive assistant Jordan Traylor as their new assistant OC and assistant QB coach.
The man is 31 years old and hopes to make a jump like Udinski.
3. More Theo Jackson
It was the first roster move in almost seven weeks when the Vikings announced that they had re-signed Theo Jackson to a new three-year contract. The safety is a three-year reserve in the Twin Cities, but his new salary north of $4 million per season suggests that he will be part of the safety rotation next season.
Jackson has always earned praise in the summer but was buried on the depth chart come September. Whenever he has been asked to play, however, he has delivered. His extension could also mean that either Cam Bynum will leave in free agency or Harrison Smith will retire.
4. Aaron Jones Re-Signed
Just like Jackson, the Vikings made sure running back Aaron Jones was taken care of ahead of free agency. The top rusher is coming off a season with 1,500 scrimmage yards, and in addition to his skills on the ground, he is one of the best pass-catchers and pass-protectors out of the backfield, making him the perfect guy for Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
Jones signed a two-year contract worth $20 million with $13 million guaranteed. He is 30 years old and was banged up a few times last season. The Vikings are expected to sign or draft another running back to form a committee with Jones rather than running him into the ground like last year.
5. The Punter Stays
Late Sunday night, Tom Pelissero reported the news that punter Ryan Wright would stay for another season.
“Punter news: The Vikings and Ryan Wright agreed to terms on one-year, $1.75 million deal, per source. Wright, who was scheduled to be a restricted free agent, can earn up to $2M with incentives.”
Wright was pretty much average in most categories last season, which can be considered a bounceback after a slower sophomore season.
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