The Minnesota Vikings’ season opener against the New York Giants is just nine days away. Next Sunday, we’ll see Sam Darnold, Aaron Jones, and a revamped Brian Flores defense take the field for the first time. After that, we’ll have our first chance to overreact to the results of the game in the Big Apple.
If the Vikings’ defense dominates Daniel Jones and Darnold performs well, it will feel like redemption for the 2022 playoffs (and maybe even a nod to the 41-0 loss in the 2000 NFC Championship Game). Fans might start dreaming of Super Bowl tickets in Las Vegas. But if the Vikings lose and start 0-1, there will be immediate calls to tank, and Sam Darnold will be dismissed as the bust many expected him to be. Attention may then shift to the countdown for JJ McCarthy.
There’s no middle ground here, especially with the tough three-week schedule that follows the Giants game (against the Niners, Texans, and at the Packers). However, in the days leading up to next Sunday, the Vikings are still tweaking their roster. On Thursday, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah named Myles Gaskin as the team’s kick returner, though he’s currently on the practice squad. Reports also indicate that the Vikings are unhappy with Ed Ingram at right guard and are searching for an upgrade. Additionally, less than 24 hours after finalizing the initial 53-man roster, Minnesota cut second-year quarterback Jaren Hall and signed former LA Rams QB Brett Rypien as their new QB3 — for now.
According to Darren “Doogie” Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP), head coach Kevin O’Connell isn’t committed to Rypien as the Vikings’ QB3. Doogie has heard that over the next few weeks — as quarterbacks are shuffled around the league due to injuries and other unforeseen circumstances, and with the in-season NFL trade deadline approaching — Minnesota will be actively seeking more young quarterback talent. One name KOC might be particularly interested in is Cleveland Browns’ project, Dorian Thompson-Robinson. With Kevin Stefanski opting for Jameis Winston as the Browns’ QB2 behind Deshaun Watson, Thompson-Robinson could be available for the right price.
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