Minnesota Vikings Q&A: Tag & Trade Darnold? If Flores Leaves? Draft Crushes?

[@Shotty-Beer]

I’m in Glendale AZ for the Vikings game! I do have to say there are lots of rams fans here and more than I expected. Let’s hope I see more purple as the day goes on! Skol!

[@worldclassact1389]

Az is California Jr. You have alot of Cali transplants in az. I'm surprised that there are so many rams fans though. Most folks in Az are "Raider Nation" fans.

[@vkaap6480]

I’ve seen ALOT of purple today hoping it stays that way at the game

[@maldomaldoboy]

@Shotty-Beer have fun brotha! SKOL!

[@coreyczech]

Andy nailed it. We should revamp guard positions in Free agency rather than via draft. We've been so bad at drafting guards and its not easy. Let's get a sure thing at OG and draft DT, CB, and RB

[@SkolVikings18-cv9ph]

I think we should let Darnold Walk in free agency and keep McCarthy. If Kevin O’Connell can make Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold look like MVPs, he can make McCarthy into our franchise Qb. McCarthy has a lot of talent and he is only 22. We can use the cap space from not resigning Darnold to upgrade the O Line and save draft picks for DT and CB

[@SkolVikings18-cv9ph]

I am fine with Tagging and trading him too, we have plenty of cap space and we will be fine as long as we resign Cam Bynum and Byron Murphy

[@jayramsey690]

We have what we want in Sam Darnold, in hand right now. No “taking chances” with an unknown. We have what we want in JJ right now in DARNY.

[@SkolVikings18-cv9ph]

There is no point wasting 30M in cap space when we have a just as talented Qb on a rookie deal

[@Tom-ut6ky]

@@jayramsey690 So you think a guy who beats bad teams by a FG (Jags), goes deer in headlights in pressure games (Lions), and holds the ball more than 4 seconds (Every game) is what we want? Well, maybe YOU do, but I'll take the 22 year old with a huge future. Whatever the hell DARNY means.

[@jayramsey690]

@ We have had INCREDIBLE success this season with Darnold (sometimes nicknamed “DARNY”, if you have a hard time connecting the dots). Darnold looked good this season and struggled, like any quarterback, but he recovered from bad play by regrouping and getting better. THATS what you should expect from a veteran, while some rookies flounder and stay in a slump. Which rookies you ask? That’s the problem, you don’t know which rookie is which until you see them in actual games. I guess 14-3 isn’t good enough, let’s throw away the best QB we’ve had in years for a chance JJ (that’s a nickname too, for McCarthy. Btw) might be just as good. Just silly!!!

[@marcjohn9404]

You have to at least challenge McCarthy in the preseason with someone like Jones. If he beats out a multiyear starter, playoff game winner, and former rookie of the year candidate, it's so much better than if he just takes the job uncontested. You have to make it a real challenge, and it has to happen organically.

[@albertdehaven5285]

Got the bills game on now kind of want bills vikings with vikings winning

[@chandlerthoma8503]

Same. Cuz one of the organizations will get there first

[@colinjames8278]

Been saying it’s for months bills vikes Super Bowl bb lfggg

[@derekbaker3279]

FWIW, I would MUCH prefer finding a couple of studs for the iOL via free agency. O-linemen need more time to adjust to the NFL than guys for the iDL....and CB is another position where experience is extremely important. So, I'd rather use the draft for iDL and adding depth at RB or other positions. Besides, if the Vikes tag & trade Darnold, they'll have plenty of cap space to re-sign a few key players AND go after some really good free agents. Great points Andy regarding KOC & the OC role: I feel that some of the joy that motivates KOC is being an offensive guru....well, a guru of offensive football. ;) So, I doubt he would ever totally give up his OC/play-calling role while continuing to be a excellent HC. I agree regarding playing man-on-man will be risky in the 4th quarter. Unless the D-line & other rushers are getting a ton of presure/sacks in the game, sticking with zone defence would be preferred (..this is one of the main reasons why the Vikes need to get out to an early lead...ideally up by two scores or more before half-time..)

[@williammullins2852]

Tag trade Darnold for something, Resign Murphy and Bynum. FA sign Trey Smith Tevin Jenkins backup plan and DJ Reed and Asante Samuel backup plan. Najee Harris is interesting because he doesn’t fumble lol or draft another RB even if we resign Aaron Jones.

[@vikingsnewstoday]

Skol! 🏈💜💛

[@WW3_Soon]

If Darnold is tagged, another team would be stupid to trade for him.

[@weelgunny]

If RB Judkins is still on the board, GRAB HIM!

[@ilikesteak65]

Hopefully someone has been learning under Flores while he has been with the Vikes, and then they can hire them.

[@wildrice-h5d]

I don’t understand the complaints about KOC calling the games. He’s successfully doing it for many yrs! Please just enjoy the winning season!

[@chandlerthoma8503]

I think the lack of a run game is a main reason ppl talk smack

[@everlastinglife5978]

He's one of the better play callers in the NFL too. It's crazy to me people don't want him calling plays.

[@Tom-ut6ky]

@@chandlerthoma8503 Why would KOC call lots of runs when the OLine can't create holes?

[@chandlerthoma8503]

@Tom-ut6ky because the threat of the run is needed for play action. Perfect example was cam Akers 58 yard run. :)

[@Tom-ut6ky]

@@chandlerthoma8503 Yeah but the threat of a run demands your run is a threat, and the Vikings run isn't. Vikings need a huge upgrade of the OL. Watch the Eagles to see what a good OL can do for your pass AND run game.

[@michaelstusiak5902]

A tag and trade will have Darnold input.

[@ethangriffith6856]

I would be totally fine with Brandon Staley as defensive coordinator and actually think that’s likely given their history!

[@wadekaplan9379]

Can we keep Flores

[@peterthompson9027]

Yes

[@forthewin2021]

Let's say Harry the Hitman retires. Does he have D Coordinator interest?

[@JohnnyNutt-m8v]

Sean Payton has done it again Dirty dirty dirty dirty dirty Go bills Bills viking Superbowl Let the best team win

[@Tom-ut6ky]

Sean Payton IS done it again. Bills 31-7.

[@jprovorse4159]

I’ve been saying tag and trade Darnold since day one

[@craigweimer9480]

Yes, tag and trade, revamp that o line for Mccarthy and possibly get a good RB. We do need young talent in CB position too.

[@Phaedrus5015]

We need a running back like Jahmyr Gibbs or Derrick Henry that can provide a real threat as a complement to our passing game, a better interior line to protect JJ, and a younger defensive backfield. Much of this is not possible if we pay Darnold. Tag and trade, baby.

[@geeleeskolvikes]

Rush 4 or 5, play zone and keep everything in front of you. All out blitz when they least expect it... SKOL!!

[@Christopher-oh2di]

QB coach for the Bangle's? Or offensive coach?

[@hankshistory9486]

We need a runningback

[@geoffreysaign364]

KOCs play calling is not good--leaves the team in problems and doesn't problem solve during games

[@MNspikegrow]

If i was the bears id go with wes Phillips. By osmosis he would have learned from koc

[@masonjewett8308]

Trade up for Ashton jenty

[@ryanhellander1619]

Tough sell when this season proved you can get 3-5 top rb’s for basically nothing in free agency.

[@Oni1975]

It's pointless to talk about Darnold's future until we see him play in an actual playoff game. I trust his regular-season chops; the only question is how he can handle the win-or-go-home pressure of the post-season. If we do eventually tag and trade him though, I would prefer he be sent to a good organization (in the other conference), rather than a desperate, perpetually dysfunctional one.

[@Tom-ut6ky]

I'd prefer he ges to the worst team in the league for the higher pick. He got paid 10 million bucks for his perfromance. It's called a business, and both parties in that deal got what they wanted. Vikings owe him nothing.

[@Ttay438]

Why waste the cap tho

[@KD-bd9rc]

Can skattebo ‼️ nick emmewri safety for South Carolina I love those picks

[@johnzdrazil2140]

If Flores leaves, and Steelers let Tomlin go, possibility?

[@brandonblock288]

Tomlin would be a HC somewhere else before a DC.

[@robbk1]

Our young, budding Nose Tackle/general DT's surname name is NOT "Tai-AH-Meee"! It is Taimani (Tai-MAH-Neeeee). !!!

[@benjaminsmith6521]

I like the tag and trade idea, but let's remember that it's a business decision when we call players "mercenary" and money grubbing.

[@nickkruger6380]

Mike tomlin!

[@Party0nGarth]

Man…. Unless Sam balls out this playoffs and leads us to promise land… I still feels like McCarthy is the guys and we tag/trade Sam with jones as backup to McCarthy

[@jerimyfrosch3789]

Ashton Jeanty Running Back Boise State Ollie Gordon Running Back Oklahoma State Devin Neal Running Back Kansas Kaleb Johnson Running Back Iowa Cooper Mays Center Tennessee Eli Cox Center Kentucky Maurice Smith Center Florida State Logan Parr Guard SMU Tyler Cooper Guard Minnesota Deon Walker Defensive Tackle Kentucky Jay Toia Nose Tackle UCLA Jamaree Caldwell Nose Tackle Oregon Xavier Restrepo Wide Receiver Miami Tetairoa McMillan Wide Receiver Arizona Jack Bech Wide Receiver TCU Mitchell Evans Tight End Notre Dame Luke Lachey Tight End Iowa Oronde Gadsden II Tight End Syracuse Terrance Ferguson Tight End Oregon Xavier Watts Safety Notre Dame Hunter Wohler Safety Wisconsin Cam Ward Quarter Back Miami Dillon Gabriel Quarter Back Oregon Riley Leonard Quarter Back Notre Dame Will Howard Quarter Back Ohio State Charles Grant Offensive Tackle William &Mary Jack Nelson Offensive Tackle Wisconsin Tosh Baker Offensive Tackle Notre Dame Quinn Carroll Offensive Tackle Minnesota Jack Kiser Line Backer Notre Dame Carson Schwesinger Line Backer UCLA Shaun Dolac Line Backer Buffalo J.J. Weaver Line Backer Kentucky Jason Henderson Line Backer Old Dominion Reid Carrico Line Backer West Virginia

[@terrymulholland71]

We only have three picks

[@sy2532]

You know the business, but I disagree, Darnold is not going anywhere at this point. There is too much that can go wrong until JJ shows what he can do next year. We have Darnold he is the best until he isn't.

[@jayramsey690]

No. Keep Sam. 1. He won’t be as successful elsewhere. 2. We won’t be as successful without him. Join the DARNY Army!! We are having great success with him……why trade it for an unknown in McCarthy? Even if we were sure JJ was the future, that doesn’t mean he’s going to be better than Darnold out of the box.

[@vikingsnewstoday]

Skol! 🏈💜💛

[@bradhagen5060]

They know what they have in McCarthy. I’m Ok with whatever the brain trust decides

[@jayramsey690]

@ what level of quarterback play are we waiting for?

[@Momma_MC]

Brandon Staley lol, no thanks

[@edlyli7166]

Trade

[@ryanhellander1619]

If Flores leaves Harrison smith is my choice if he wants to coach.

[@kevsol7665]

So you want a guy with no coaching experience whatsoever to be our defensive coordinator I love Harrison Smith, but that sounds pretty hopeful

[@ryanhellander1619]

@ I think he’s been coaching for 5-7 years.

[@forthewin2021]

Dude i just had the same thought. I like it.

[@jack-2781]

NFL is rigged

[@fiopodcast9085]

Playing a southern California team in the playoffs and you’re wearing a USC jersey

[@gman6485]

Darnold could certainly use the kind of support Chargers HC, Harbaugh, gave to Herbert after his 4 interception day. He played like a, “complete beast.” Darnold, needs to move on….