The Vikings selected their pass rusher to replace Danielle Hunter and their quarterback to replace Kirk Cousins in the NFL draft. They’ll see how it all goes now.
J.J. McCarthy talks on Friday at an opening press conference in Eagan. When the Vikings get together next month, one of the main concerns will be the new quarterback’s appearance.
Following a hectic period of free agency during which they acquired fourteen new players, the Vikings selected their pass rusher to replace Danielle Hunter and their quarterback to replace Kirk Cousins in the first round of the draft. They’ll see how it all goes now.
With 38 new players on the roster, they will get together for organized team practices on May 20. This might result in one of the most intense competitions for starting positions and roster spots in recent memory. Here are the five questions the 2024 Vikings still have as they get ready to test-drive their new-look squad later:
1. How does J.J. appear?
This harkens back to the days when Teddy Bridgewater was a rookie quarterback and Vikings beat journalists would frequently ask, “How’s Teddy looking?” ten years ago. With J.J. McCarthy about to start his Viking indoctrination this spring, it’s probably going to be a hot topic of discussion as well.The Vikings’ sessions during OTAs are usually less demanding than some of the training camp work (particularly during joint practices), which could offer a better insight into McCarthy’s trajectory. Coach Kevin O’Connell sees the first part of the offseason as a teaching phase. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to hear coaches discuss McCarthy’s development in the classroom and on the field this spring. The Vikings aren’t in a hurry to start him, but it also doesn’t appear probable that they’ll hold him back until he proves he’s prepared for the position.
2. When will J.J. become J.J.?
Since Justin Jefferson does not currently have a long-term deal, he was not in Minnesota at the beginning of the Vikings’ offseason. However, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stated on Saturday that the Vikings would “keep working” on a trade for Jefferson, noting that now that the draft is over, things might resume. William Morris Endeavor represents both Jefferson and McCarthy. Adofo-Mensah said that he thought the two had spoken after the Vikings selected McCarthy and that they most likely already knew one another. It appears like a matter of time till Jefferson’s agreement is fulfilled and the two are playing together.
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3. As a cornerback, who will step forward?
In order to favor man coverage and cornerbacks who can go physical with receivers, the Vikings added Shaquill Griffin this offseason. Khyree Jackson, a fourth-round pick, brings some of the same qualities to Minnesota. The Vikings’ cornerback position opposite Griffin appears to be vacant because second-year CB Mekhi Blackmon still has opportunity to develop and Kayleb Evans was benched at the end of the 2023 campaign. Whether it’s Evans, Jackson, Blackmon, or Andrew Booth Jr., the team would want to start Byron Murphy Jr. back in the slot, so having a cornerback emerge before the 2024 season begins would be extremely helpful.
4. How will the front seven of the Vikings be arranged?
The Vikings made significant additions to their pass-rushing corps this summer, selecting Dallas Turner with the 17th overall pick after signing Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to replace Danielle Hunter, D.J. Wonnum, and Marcus Davenport. In the Vikings base defense, Greenard and Van Ginkel might be positioned next to Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr., but Turner is expected to be engaged as soon as he proves he’s ready. Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard are back on the defensive line, but others like Jonah Williams and Jerry Tillery will be competing for playing time. In coordinator Brian Flores’ defense, the team may adopt alternative lineups because they have a larger collection of veterans than the Vikings did the previous season.
5. Who is the kicker for the Vikings?
The last two times the Vikings selected a kicker from the Southeastern Conference, things didn’t go as planned: in 2015, Blair Walsh’s infamous wild-card round miss set off the downfall that ended his career with the Vikings, and after three Week 2 misses in his rookie season at Lambeau Field, Daniel Carlson was cut by the Vikings (before Carlson went on to become an All-Pro player with the Raiders). With Alabama kicker Will Reichard, who finished his college career as the all-time leading FBS scorer, they’ll be hoping for better outcomes. Although Reichard will face competition from John Parker Romo, Reichard is the front-runner for the position because the Vikings selected him with their fifth-round pick. In 2023, he made 22 of his 25 field goals, including all five of his efforts from 50 yards or more, and he didn’t miss an extra point. One of the few NFL kickers with familiarity with the new kickoff format, which the NFL adopted from the XFL this spring, is Romo, an XFL player. It will be intriguing to see how the new rule’s numerous strategic adjustments impact the Vikings’ kicking competition, or even whether, in light of Romo’s experience, they decide to keep both kickers.
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