<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-kwesi-adofo-mensah-gives-april-update-jj-mccarthy');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gives April update on JJ McCarthy');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Kwesi-Adofo-Mensah-gives-April-update-on-JJ-McCarthy.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gives April update on JJ McCarthy</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-04-02T21:04:33-07:00">April 2nd, 9:04pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-04-02T21:08:11-07:00">April 2nd, 9:08pm</time><address><a>Derek Hryn</a>Derek Hryn is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints specializing in NFL and NCAA Football coverage. Derek was previously a fantasy football expert at DK and SB Nation, and he has been featured at FanSided, USA Today, NBC Sports, The New York Post, and others.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings received <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-j-j-mccarthy-sales-pitch-fans">a positive update on JJ McCarthy</a> as the offseason inches closer to the NFL Draft.</p><p>Vikings general manager discussed McCarthy’s progression since his injury, and is optimistic about where things currently <a href="https://x.com/TomPelissero/status/1907587875996139773" rel="noopener">stand with the young quarterback</a>, via NFL Network on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>“We’re excited about JJ McCarthy,” Adofo-Mensah told Tom Pelissero on Wednesday. “Somebody that we identified in the draft process last year. Somebody, not just from an arm talent, athleticism, just the work ethic. We talk a lot about leadership, and having your quarterback embody what your culture is. He’s somebody from a positive attitude. The way he cares about his teammates. All those different things that we want to be our starting quarterback for a long time. I want to chase this thing with Kev, him, myself, the alignment we have together. So we’re excited about him, and what he’s brought. Obviously he had an injury and a setback, but we’re excited about everything that he’s done from that point. We’re going to go forward with that. We’re going to look to always add depth to that room to upgrade it, but we’ve set out to build the type of team that’s very quarterback friendly to a young player from a running game and defensive standpoint. A lot of the moves we made was with that in mind.”</p><p>The Vikings are looking to make McCarthy their starting quarterback of the future, so fans should be encouraged by his status this early into the offseason.</p><h2><b>JJ McCarthy set to return for start of Vikings’ 2025-26 season</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/JJ-McCarthy.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Rempel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>After quietly <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-reveals-aaron-rodgers-message-jj-mccarthy">considering Aaron Rodgers in free agency</a>, it appears that the Vikings are beginning to wrap their head around McCarthy going forward.</p><p>“He looks great right now,” Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said. “Obviously there were some struggles with the injury, that a lot of players can have. With something that you love that much, it almost shows what you loved about the player. How much he loves the game, and how much it matters to his life.. But he approached everything with a can-do, and unbelievable mentality to be the best version of himself. That’s why he’s somebody we want to embody our leadership and our culture.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gives April update on JJ McCarthy

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-aaron-rodgers-rumors-draw-matt-lafleur-mic-drop');   ga('set', 'title', 'Aaron Rodgers-Vikings rumors draw Matt LaFleur mic drop');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Aaron-Rodgers-rumors-draw-Matt-LaFleur-mic-drop.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Aaron Rodgers-Vikings rumors draw Matt LaFleur mic drop</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-04-01T09:24:15-07:00">April 1st, 9:24am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-04-01T09:24:15-07:00">April 1st, 9:24am</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Green Bay Packers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur responded Tuesday to swirling <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-news-aaron-rodgers-former-teammate-weighs-in-on-vikings-gms-recent-cryptic-comments">speculation linking former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to the Minnesota Vikings</a>, offering a candid reaction during the NFL league meetings.</p><p>“It would be a helluva story, wouldn’t it?” LaFleur said when asked about the possibility of Rodgers joining Green Bay’s NFC North rival.</p><p>LaFleur added that while he <a href="https://x.com/mattschneidman/status/1907049569331888299" rel="noopener">acknowledged the intrigue</a> surrounding the rumors, it’s not something he dwells on outside of preparing for games.</p><p>“I mean, there are great players on every team. So if it works out, it works out,” LaFleur said. “That’s not something I’ll sit here and constantly think about. Sure, you think about the week of when you’re playing somebody. If it works out, great for them.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Matt LaFleur on Aaron Rodgers potentially playing for the Vikings:</p><p>“It would be a hell of a story, wouldn’t it?” <a href="https://t.co/t7uCPralUe">pic.twitter.com/t7uCPralUe</a></p><p>— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattschneidman/status/1907049569331888299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><p>Rodgers, 41, spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and played under LaFleur from 2019 to 2022, winning back-to-back NFL MVP honors in 2020 and 2021. During their four-year partnership, the Packers consistently remained contenders, with LaFleur helping guide Rodgers through one of the most efficient stretches of his career.</p><p>After a prolonged offseason saga in 2023, the Packers traded Rodgers to the New York Jets. However, the four-time MVP tore his Achilles just four snaps into his debut, ending his season. He returned for a full campaign in 2024, but the Jets struggled to a 5-12 record.</p><p>New York released Rodgers in early March, making him a free agent for the first time in his 20-year NFL career.</p><h2><b>Aaron Rodgers-Vikings buzz mirrors Brett Favre’s path but interest remains unclear</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Aaron-Rodgers_232103.jpg"><figcaption>© Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Rodgers has reportedly reached out to the Minnesota Vikings, fueling speculation about a potential move that would mirror Brett Favre’s late-career path. The Vikings lost quarterback Sam Darnold in free agency and are expected to turn to rookie J.J. McCarthy, who is recovering from a torn meniscus. Rodgers has been discussed as a potential bridge option for the 2025 season as McCarthy develops.</p><p>Despite the rumors, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-reveals-aaron-rodgers-message-jj-mccarthy">Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell appeared to temper expectations</a> regarding the team’s interest in Rodgers. In a conversation with The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, O’Connell said he addressed the speculation directly with McCarthy.</p><p>“I do see him every day throughout the week, and I thought it was important that he was hearing it from me,” O’Connell said.</p><p>Rodgers potentially joining the Vikings would mark a full-circle moment in NFC North history. Favre, another former Packers quarterback, departed Green Bay for the Jets in 2008 before finishing his career with the Vikings from 2009 to 2010.</p><p>While the Vikings have not confirmed any official interest in Rodgers, the possibility of another former Packers star suiting up for a division rival continues to generate attention around the league.</p><p>LaFleur, now focused on developing quarterback Jordan Love, offered his remarks with measured confidence, choosing not to add further fuel to the speculation.</p><p>Rodgers’ next move remains uncertain, but with free agency ongoing and quarterback-needy teams evaluating options, his future in the NFL could soon come into focus.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Aaron Rodgers-Vikings rumors draw Matt LaFleur mic drop

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-7-round-2025-nfl-mock-draft-pff-simulator');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft, per PFF simulator');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Minnesota-Vikings-7-round-2025-NFL-mock-draft-per-PFF-simulator.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft, per PFF simulator</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-04-01T08:00:37-07:00">April 1st, 8:00am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-04-01T08:00:37-07:00">April 1st, 8:00am</time><address><a href="https://matthew516sports.substack.com/">Douglas Fritz</a>Douglas Fritz has been writing about sports for almost four decades and publishes a Christian sports newsletter and podcast on Substack at Matthew516Sports. He started as a reporter for the student newspaper at East Tennessee State University, worked his way up to Editor-In-Chief, and began his sports writing career at the Johnson City Press daily newspaper while still in college. During 30-plus years at the Press, he covered University of Tennessee football, men's and women's basketball, ETSU athletics, and high school athletics. Among the people he has interviewed are Dale Murphy, Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, and Bruce Smith. He is also a Christian-based screenwriter (five feature-length and one short), book writer (three completed manuscripts and one novel), and songwriter.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/washington-commanders/commanders-news-2-time-pro-bowler-reveals-why-left-vikings">Minnesota Vikings had a home for Jonathan Allen</a>, but will the same <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-reveals-aaron-rodgers-message-jj-mccarthy">be true for Aaron Rodgers</a>? And what impact would it have on the draft? Regardless, here is the Vikings’ <a href="https://www.pff.com/draft/nfl-mock-draft-simulator?ref=93927ac5-d612-422f-ad2c-261bdcaf2a5e&amp;complete=7&amp;draft_grade=B-&amp;multi=false" rel="noopener">seven-round 2025</a> NFL mock draft, according to the Pro Football Focus simulator.</p><p>The Vikings have enjoyed a good offseason. If they hit the right notes in the draft, they might be dancing to a fun tune in the 2025 season. But they need to make good picks and smooth out the edges of their roster.</p><p>Entering the draft, the Vikings have needs at running back, defensive line, and defensive back. Here is what the PFF simulator delivered.</p><h2><b>Vikings get OT Kelvin Banks Jr. in Round 1</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/University-of-Texas-OT-Kelvin-Banks-Jr.-with-a-Vikings-logo-beside-him.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Improving the offensive line is never a bad idea. But the Vikings ignored their needs with this pick. The most notable pass came at the running back position, where Omarion Hampton of North Carolina remained on the board.</p><p>Banks would have to be a big-time player to justify passing on a top-flight running back. And the report from nfl.com suggests he <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/kelvin-banks-jr./32004241-4e67-3432-7372-ee2dfd2cbf64" rel="noopener">could be a starter</a> soon in the league.</p><p>“Banks will come into the league as an early starter but his run blocking is more pro-ready than his pass protection,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “He’s technically sound and scrappy in the ground game, with the quickness and athleticism to get to all move blocks.</p><p>“(Also,) he has the leverage and strain to hold his own at the point. Banks has the slide quickness to deal with speed, but he must become more proactive in attacking power rushers and long-limbed attackers to prevent them from dictating the terms. He needs to improve his anchor and hand placement but he should become a long-time NFL starter at either tackle or guard.”</p><p>Adding a lineman could be a help for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Head coach Kevin O’Connell <a href="https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-o-connell-jj-mccarthy-confidence-aaron-rodgers" rel="noopener">has high hopes</a> for the second-year player, according to vikings.com.</p><p>“(McCarthy) knows a lot of the core principles of our offense now,” O’Connell said. “There’s going to be some areas where we look to improve as a team, as an offense, as a defense, special teams. And J.J. gets to hit the ground running as a big part of that with our whole team, when we get going in the spring.”</p><p>That sounds pretty good, but Hampton grades out as a plus starter. He would have been the better pick here. And it’s especially risky since the Vikings don’t pick again until the third round.</p><h2><b>Vikings get RB in Round 3</b></h2><p>It’s a big step down from Hampton to D.J. Giddens of Kansas State. That’s the compromise for the surprise first-round pick.</p><p>Giddens projects as an average backup or <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/dj-giddens/32004749-4427-1611-d63e-c26d3e507e94" rel="noopener">special-teams player</a>.</p><p>“A productive runner with good size, Giddens lacks explosive elements in his game,” Zierlein wrote. “He defies expectations as a big back who doesn’t run with heavy power. He’s a long-strider with wiggle between the tackles.</p><p>“(Giddens is) patient behind his blocks and quickly processes run-lane development. He’s not sudden and lacks the burst to outflank defenses, so running behind his pads and picking up the tough yardage inside might have to be his ticket into a rotation.”</p><h2><b>Another lineman lands in Round 5</b></h2><p>An interior defensive lineman or defensive back should have been the pick here. However, the simulator got fascinated with the offensive line again and selected Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, a tackle out of Florida.</p><p>He looks like little more than <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/brandon-crenshaw-dickson/32004352-4558-2702-40b8-e782ec28784b" rel="noopener">a practice-squad guy</a> or a roster fill-in.</p><p>“Big tackle with a broad frame, long arms and 46 starts to his name,” Zierlein wrote. “He can find run-block connections provided they’re in front of him and uses his size to create movement on double teams and down blocks.</p><p>“However, he’s simply not quick enough to expand very far beyond the batter’s box as a run blocker. He will struggle to mirror and anchor as a pro due to his lack of bend, but he’s crafty with his hands and does a nice job of sticking rushers with well-timed punches to slow their rush plan. Crenshaw-Dickson is scheme-limited and will need to use all the tricks up his sleeve to overcome his athletic limitations.”</p><p>Ick. The Vikings draft isn’t going well. And there’s only one pick remaining.</p><h2><b>Vikings finally get defensive lineman</b></h2><p>All things considered, this may be the Vikings’ best pick. But that’s mainly because the other selections came out so poorly.</p><p>Utah’s Junior Tafuna <a href="https://www.nfl.com/prospects/junior-tafuna/32005441-4662-7023-89f1-e34da8069daa" rel="noopener">isn’t a total wash</a> for this late in the draft.</p><p>“Tafuna lacks the traits and production teams look for from interior defenders, but his athletic flashes might be enough to create intrigue,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s gritty at the point of attack, fighting to neutralize double-teams and down blocks but has a smaller margin for error.</p><p>“(Tafuna) gets around with fluidity and good change of direction when he’s twisting and stunting. He can chase plays down the line. Tafuna is an early-down-only player with some rush qualities that could be developed, but his ceiling is limited.”</p><p><i>Overall, the Vikings didn’t make solid contact in their swings to fill needs on the team. None of the picks brought excitement. Grade: F.</i></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft, per PFF simulator

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-reveals-aaron-rodgers-message-jj-mccarthy');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell reveals Aaron Rodgers message to J.J. McCarthy');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Kevin-OConnell-reveals-Aaron-Rodgers-message-to-J.J.-McCarthy.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell reveals Aaron Rodgers message to J.J. McCarthy</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-31T10:04:14-07:00">March 31st, 10:04am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-31T14:47:39-07:00">March 31st, 2:47pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings have always been <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-j-j-mccarthy-sales-pitch-fans">enamored with J.J. McCarthy</a>, but since the young quarterback is coming off a torn meniscus, and 2024 Pro Bowl selection Sam Darnold is no longer on the roster, it is good to consider all options. A future Hall of Fame quarterback could make for a fine insurance policy.</p><p>Aaron Rodgers’ first choice in free agency was and still might be the Vikings. He knows the NFC North and is surely fond of an offense that features Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and former teammate Aaron Jones.</p><p>He reached out to the squad, and speculation rose about him serving as a bridge option to McCarthy. Minnesota is not interested in such a union at this time, however.</p><p>The franchise is committed to McCarthy and may not want to bring in a veteran who could threaten his position as the immediate starting QB. Before a decision was reached, head coach Kevin O’Connell made sure to keep the 2023-24 national champion <a href="https://x.com/alec_lewis/status/1906731842880905394" rel="noopener">in the loop</a> about a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-gm-breaks-silence-aaron-rodgers-rumors">possible Rodgers pursuit</a>.</p><p>“I do see him every day throughout the week, and I thought it was important that he was hearing it from me,” he said, per The Athletic’s Alec Lewis. The reigning NFL Coach of the Year cares deeply about building a strong relationship with the man tapped to be the organization’s long-term quarterback.</p><h2><b>J.J. McCarthy has the Vikings behind him</b></h2><p>The Vikings traded up from the No. 11 pick to No. 10 in the 2024 NFL Draft to ensure that neither the Denver Broncos nor any other team would jump them and select the former Michigan man.</p><p>They believe McCarthy’s skill set and tutelage under Jim Harbaugh will enable him to smoothly transition to the NFL and effectively operate O’Connell’s offense. Though, a key part of sound execution is instilling confidence in the QB.</p><p>Minnesota’s transparency with J.J. McCarthy should optimally give him a crucial mental boost as he prepares to take snaps under center in NFL competition for the first time in his career. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/nfl-rumors-how-vikings-aaron-rodgers-decision-impacts-free-agency-timeline">Rebuffing Aaron Rodgers’ advances</a>, at least temporarily so, tells the rest of the NFC that the Vikings trust the 21-year-old to lead them to towering heights.</p><p>How high his ascent will reach is obviously unknown, but McCarthy seemingly has clearance to begin the climb next season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell reveals Aaron Rodgers message to J.J. McCarthy

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-kevin-oconnell-j-j-mccarthy-sales-pitch-fans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell makes J.J. McCarthy sales pitch to fans');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Vikings-news-Kevin-OConnell-makes-JJ-McCarthy-sales-pitch-to-fans.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell makes J.J. McCarthy sales pitch to fans</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-30T14:15:57-07:00">March 30th, 2:15pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-30T14:16:42-07:00">March 30th, 2:16pm</time><address><a>Jaren Kawada</a>Jaren Kawada is a former full-time sports bettor and is now a NFL, College Football and Betting Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. Kawada was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, but now resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, after graduating from Butler University with a B.A. in sports media. Aside from football, Kawada is an avid combat sports and basketball bettor.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings are fully prepared to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-minnesota-quarterback-situation-after-free-agency-departures">give J.J. McCarthy the keys to their franchise</a> as soon as 2025. Despite the Michigan product coming off a torn meniscus, Kevin O’Connell is confident in him as the Vikings’ franchise quarterback.</p><p>With the Vikings expected to officially hand McCarthy the starting job, O’Connell gushed over his new quarterback’s potential in the league. When asked what he would tell a skeptic fan, O’Connell <a href="https://x.com/bykevinclark/status/1906437867091402942" rel="noopener">spewed a list of reasons</a> why he believes McCarthy will be successful right away.</p><p>“[J.J. McCarthy] didn’t throw a lot of bubble screens, he didn’t throw a lot of RPOs [in college],” O’Connell said to Kevin Clark on ‘This is Football.’ “He was in a pro-style offense where they were running the football. They needed some high-quality execution on some of those weighty downs that’s really what we’d like to be with our offense.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">I asked Kevin O’Connell what he’d say to a Vikings fan who asked to be sold on JJ McCarthy. Awesome answer on what JJ does well. </p><p>“I’m really confident and really excited to see him hit the ground running. He’s had a great offseason.” </p><p>Great This Is Football drops tonight. <a href="https://t.co/lA2aUBIiQD">pic.twitter.com/lA2aUBIiQD</a></p><p>— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) <a href="https://twitter.com/bykevinclark/status/1906437867091402942?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>O’Connell continued with his reasons why Vikings fans should put their full faith in McCarthy. The credentialed head coach said the former No. 10 overall pick sitting out his official rookie year only improved his development and has him more prepared for his regular season debut.</p><p>“The other thing I’ll say is he’s had a year now of being around a guy like Sam Darnold through his journey,” O’Connell said. “He got to watch it [and] see what meetings were like; what’s it like when I install third-down plays… He’s not a rookie. He’s had that pseudo-redshirt year — albeit without the reps we would’ve wanted — but I’m really confident, really excited to see him hit the ground running.”</p><h2><b>J.J. McCarthy prepared to start for Vikings in 2025</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Minnesota-Vikings-QB-JJ-McCarthy-1.jpg"><figcaption>Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The Vikings all but confirmed McCarthy would be their starting quarterback in 2025 when they chose <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-rumors-sam-darnold-not-expected-return-vikings">not to re-sign Sam Darnold</a> in free agency. By letting Darnold walk, Minnesota essentially confirmed its plans to have McCarthy take over, especially considering its roster contains no other quarterback.</p><p>While McCarthy remains mostly unproven, he impressed in the 2024 preseason before suffering the torn meniscus. His return from injury furthers the questions surrounding him, but O’Connell’s confident testimony gives no reason anyone should doubt him.</p><p>Once McCarthy officially takes the field, it will be his first game since leading Michigan to a win in the 2024 National Championship game. In his three years in Ann Arbor, McCarthy led the Wolverines to a 27-1 record as a starter, making him one of the most successful quarterbacks in college football history.</p><p>The Vikings made a considerable effort to give McCarthy the best possible situation to return to. With an already elite skill position group, Minnesota bolstered its offensive line in free agency. The team signed Ryan Kelly and Will Fries while extending Blake Brandel to compose what should be a top-10 offensive line in 2025.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell makes J.J. McCarthy sales pitch to fans

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/washington-commanders/commanders-news-2-time-pro-bowler-reveals-why-left-vikings');   ga('set', 'title', 'Commanders’ 2-time Pro Bowler reveals why he left for Vikings');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Commanders-news-2-time-Pro-Bowler-reveals-why-he-left-for-Vikings.jpg"></figure><h1>Commanders’ 2-time Pro Bowler reveals why he left for Vikings</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-30T13:08:56-07:00">March 30th, 1:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-30T13:10:11-07:00">March 30th, 1:10pm</time><address><a>Dakota Zientek</a>Dakota Zientek graduated from the University of Iowa in 2020 and has been writing about the NFL ever since. As a die-hard NFL fan, Dakota's fandom rides with the Chicago Bears through thick and thin -- regardless of how much pain it has caused his heart throughout the years. One day, he believes he will celebrate the Bears winning a Super Bowl. Maybe even... a few?</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Jonathan Allen spent eight seasons with the Washington Commanders, earning two Pro Bowls while with the team. However, following their <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/washington-commanders/commanders-news-washington-preparing-major-front-office-shake-up">front-office rebuild</a> in Ashburn, VA, after the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/washington-commanders/commanders-news-daniel-snyders-6-05-billion-sale-josh-harris-final-vote-owners">purchase of the Commanders in 2023</a>, the team’s new ownership has come with a new vision in place. And in their new vision, their two-time Pro Bowler defensive lineman didn’t seem to be a part of their process, causing the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/washington-commanders/commanders-news-washington-releasing-pro-bowl-defensive-tackle">Commanders to release Allen</a>. Upon getting released, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-minnesota-lands-ex-commanders-2-time-pro-bowler-60-million-contract">Jonathan Allen signed with the Minnesota Vikings</a>, setting his sights on success alongside former Commanders offensive coordinator and current Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell.</p><p>In an appearance on<i> The Rich Eisen Show</i> on Saturday, Allen <a href="https://x.com/jaydanielsmvp/status/1905757001709507066" rel="noopener">gave an inside peek</a> at how his release came to fruition, along with showing his excitement about the new journey with Minnesota.</p><p>“In the NFL, it’s very hard to play your entire career on one [team], you know,” Allen said via JayDanielsMVP on X. “A new regime came in. They had a path that they wanted to follow, and I wasn’t a part of that. So, I mean, I gotta give them a lot of credit for doing me a favor of releasing me when they did, but you know, things just didn’t work out for whatever reason.</p><p>“But, super excited,” Allen added. “Super, super excited to be part of this new team and reunite with coach O’Connell.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Commanders?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Commanders</a> DE Jonathan Allen on why he left for the Vikings:</p><p>“New regime came in, they had a path they wanted to follow and I wasn’t a part of that so I mean gotta give them a lot of credit for doing me a favor by releasing me…” </p><p>(🎥:<a href="https://twitter.com/RichEisenShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RichEisenShow</a>) <a href="https://t.co/CF2scOQGWd">pic.twitter.com/CF2scOQGWd</a></p><p>— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayDanielsMVP/status/1905757001709507066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Now, Allen is spot on with his first statement. It’s nearly impossible to stay on one team throughout one’s career, and it’s only getting tougher. With the amount of money players can gain by exercising the right to explore other teams, it’s not easy for NFL players to stick with one team throughout their entire career, especially when it starts getting close to 10 years.</p><p>Even in the traditional workplace, spending a decade at a job is impressive. It’s not an even one-to-one comparison, but it’s there.</p><p>So, although Allen has produced well throughout his career, it appeared Adam Peters had different plans with the defensive line, as the Commanders are only one year separated from <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/washington-commanders/best-moves-commanders-2024-nfl-draft">drafting Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton in the second round</a> of the 2024 NFL Draft.</p><p>If they plan on getting him more involved on the defensive line, allowing an aging veteran to test free agency makes sense. It opens the lane for a younger player, Newton, to develop into a potentially better player than Allen. Sure, it’s a gamble, but they were seemingly willing to take it.</p><p>So, although Allen was a staple of the Commanders — and all of their other names throughout franchise history — over the last eight seasons, there’s no ill will towards Washington. In fact, he appreciated how they handled a situation that had the potential to get sticky.</p><p>Now, the two-time Pro Bowler is ready to suit up in the Purple and Gold with the Vikings and make his new home in Eagan, MI.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Commanders’ 2-time Pro Bowler reveals why he left for Vikings

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/buffalo-bills/nfl-rumors-bills-trade-up-scenario-vikings-outlined-draft-expert');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL rumors: Bills trade up scenario with Vikings outlined by draft expert');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Bills-trade-up-scenario-with-Vikings-outlined-by-draft-expert.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL rumors: Bills trade up scenario with Vikings outlined by draft expert</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-30T12:45:44-07:00">March 30th, 12:45pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-30T12:45:44-07:00">March 30th, 12:45pm</time><address><a>Jaren Kawada</a>Jaren Kawada is a former full-time sports bettor and is now a NFL, College Football and Betting Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. Kawada was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, but now resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, after graduating from Butler University with a B.A. in sports media. Aside from football, Kawada is an avid combat sports and basketball bettor.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Buffalo Bills</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>While no team has multiple picks in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, a single trade could change that. As one of the most aggressive draft night teams in recent years, some see the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/perfect-trade-buffalo-bills-2025-nfl-free-agency-frenzy">Buffalo Bills as the most likely team</a> to do so, potentially with the draft capital-deprived Minnesota Vikings.</p><p>The Bills and Vikings would be <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/2025-nfl-draft-six-win-win-first-round-trades-teams-should-make" rel="noopener">ideal trade partners</a>, according to NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter. In Reuter’s hypothetical scenario, Buffalo acquires Minnesota’s No. 24 pick in exchange for No. 30, No. 109 and No. 132 selections.</p><p>“The Bills have been aggressive in the first round in recent years, trading up for Josh Allen, tight end Dalton Kincaid and cornerback Kaiir Elam,” Reuter wrote. “They have seven Day Three picks to use to jump up the board for a game-changing talent — one who might get them over the hump and into the Super Bowl. In this scenario, I could see them targeting a receiver (Isaiah Horton or Emeka Egbuka), defensive tackle (Kenneth Grant or Derrick Harmon) or secondary help (Nick Emmanwori or Azareye’h Thomas).”</p><p>Reuter noted that the Vikings might be open to trading down to gain more picks due to owning just four selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. Minnesota used most of its draft capital in previous trades, giving it the fewest picks in the league.</p><p>The Bills wrapped up a modest free agency without adding much talent to its roster. Buffalo had a much clearer focus during the offseason on re-signing its own talent by <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/bills-news-josh-allen-buffalo-agree-record-330m-contract-extension">extending Josh Allen</a>, Christian Benford, Khalil Shakir, Greg Rousseau and Terrel Bernard.</p><h2><b>Bills’ biggest roster needs ahead of 2025 NFL Draft</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sean-McDermott.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>As one of the premier teams in the league, the Bills hardly have any holes in their current roster. However, their team is far from perfect. Despite five consecutive AFC East titles, Buffalo continues to suffer early exits in the playoffs and has not been back to the Super Bowl since 1993.</p><p>When healthy, Buffalo’s ceiling is clearly a Super Bowl. Yet, untimely injuries and late-game collapses continue to prevent them from reaching that goal.</p><p>On paper, the Bills’ linebacker trio of Matt Milano, Baylon Spector and Bernard is one of the best in the league. Yet, keeping all three healthy at one time has proven more difficult than it should be, routinely limiting the group’s effectiveness late in the year. Buffalo would be wise to address the position in the draft, especially without any depth.</p><p>The Bills could also use depth at defensive tackle, safety and receiver. Since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/texans-news-houston-acquires-stefon-diggs-blockbuster-bills-trade">trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans</a>, Buffalo has not had a true alpha wideout for Allen to work with. Cornerback could also be a position of interest, given the lack of depth behind Taron Johnson, Dane Jackson and Benford.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL rumors: Bills trade up scenario with Vikings outlined by draft expert

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/vikings-news-aaron-rodgers-former-teammate-weighs-in-on-vikings-gms-recent-cryptic-comments');   ga('set', 'title', 'Aaron Rodgers’ former teammate weighs in on Vikings GM’s recent cryptic comments');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Aaron-Rodgers-former-teammate-weighs-in-on-GMs-recent-cryptic-comments.jpg"><figcaption>3/28/25</figcaption></figure><h1>Aaron Rodgers’ former teammate weighs in on Vikings GM’s recent cryptic comments</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-28T15:18:46-07:00">March 28th, 3:18pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-28T15:19:18-07:00">March 28th, 3:19pm</time><address><a>Steve Silverman</a>Steve Silverman has been covering the NFL for more than 35 years, and his writing has appeared in ESPN Magazine, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly, and Forbes.com. He has written 10 books, including "Who's Better, Who's Best in the NFL." He has won multiple awards from the Pro Football Writers of America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-news-gm-reveals-jj-mccarthy-outcome-minnesota-wants-aaron-rodgers-rumors">Minnesota Vikings have not</a> slammed the door shut on Aaron Rodgers just yet. It seems that they would like to turn their quarterback responsibilities over to J.J. McCarthy for the coming season and that’s just what they will do if last year’s first-round selection is healthy and able to handle the responsibilities that head coach Kevin O’Connell will require of him.</p><p>But while <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-news-gm-breaks-silence-aaron-rodgers-rumors">the Vikings</a> have plenty of confidence — at least outwardly — that McCarthy will be up for the task at hand, they don’t know for sure. It seems fairly likely that he will be healthy enough since he has passed all his benchmarks to this point. He also was in a good position prior to suffering a torn meniscus last year when it came to understanding the Vikings offense.</p><p>It’s one thing to have made the first few steps, it’s quite another to master them. That’s why the door has to remain open for Rodgers. Even if McCarthy has all the ability in the world, if he does not master a high-level offense before the season kicks off — or is at least on track to do so early in the year — it would not make sense to put him in the starting lineup.</p><p>Former Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk was a guest on Pat McAfee’s ESPN show and he said the Vikings may still have a belief that they could need Rodgers at one point or another.  “The Vikings had the opportunity to completely close the door on Aaron Rodgers and they didn’t,” <a href="https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1905666925666972101">Hawk said</a>. “I know that Aaron Rodgers loves everybody in that Pittsburgh Steelers building.”</p><h2><b>Vikings don’t appear to be looking at Rodgers as insurance policy</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Aaron-Rodgers-played-against-the-Vikings-for-the-majority-of-his-career.jpg"><figcaption>William Glasheen / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption></figure><p>Hawk’s assessment would seem to be a warning to the Vikings that if they think they might need Rodgers for the coming season they need to make a move quickly. That’s because Rodgers believes he would be happy to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and raise that team’s level of play.</p><p>However, the Vikings don’t seem likely to make a move in Rodgers’ direction until they are convinced that McCarthy is not on track to be the team’s QB1 by the start of the season.</p><p>Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-gm-breaks-silence-aaron-rodgers-rumors">spoke earlier</a> in the week about his team’s quarterback room. “Obviously things can change, but right now, we’re really happy with our [quarterback] room, and we’re going to look to upgrade it in different ways.”</p><p>Rodgers comes with a lot of baggage in addition to being a 41-year-old quarterback who is no longer at the peak of his powers. How well Rodgers and O’Connell would get along has not been determined, but it seems clear that the last thing the Vikings coach wants is for his locker room to undergo any kind of upheaval. Bringing Rodgers could have a negative impact on team chemistry in Minnesota.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Aaron Rodgers’ former teammate weighs in on Vikings GM’s recent cryptic comments

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/perfect-trade-minnesota-vikings-complete-2025-nfl-free-agency-frenzy');   ga('set', 'title', 'Perfect trade Minnesota Vikings must complete after 2025 NFL free agency frenzy');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Perfect-trade-Minnesota-Vikings-must-complete-after-2025-NFL-free-agency-frenzy.jpg"></figure><h1>Perfect trade Minnesota Vikings must complete after 2025 NFL free agency frenzy</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-27T17:47:41-07:00">March 27th, 5:47pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-27T17:47:41-07:00">March 27th, 5:47pm</time><address><a href="http://hoopnut.blogspot.com/">Enzo Flojo</a>Enzo Flojo is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a columnist for Asian basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He is also currently an Assistant Coach on Scouting &amp; Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings have made their intentions crystal clear—they are fully committed to building for the future. After years of searching for a franchise quarterback, they finally have their answer in JJ McCarthy. However, there’s still one critical move left on the table. To ensure they are fully prepared for any scenario, the Vikings must acquire a proven veteran backup quarterback. Two prime candidates stand out as ideal trade targets: Seattle Seahawks’ Sam Howell and Las Vegas Raiders’ Aidan O’Connell.</p><h2>Minnesota’s Free Agency Recap: A New Era Begins</h2><p>Heading into the 2025 offseason, the Vikings faced major uncertainties at quarterback. Ultimately, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/seahawks-rumors-the-eye-opening-truth-behind-sam-darnolds-100-5-million-contract">they made the right call</a> by allowing Sam Darnold to walk. This redirected their available cap space toward <a href="https://www.espn.ph/nfl/team/depth/_/name/min/minnesota-vikings">other key roster needs</a>. Sure, some of their moves carried inherent risks. However, the team’s overall approach was commendable.</p><p>Minnesota’s aggressive spending raised some concerns. The roster was already loaded with talent and had only a few key holes. Some of these might have been better addressed through the draft. Yes, bolstering both the offensive and defensive lines was a necessary step. That said, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/49ers-news-release-javon-hargrave-but-theres-catch">the decision to overspend</a> on Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen—two aging veterans who have shown signs of regression—was questionable. Of course, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has a track record of maximizing talent. We’ll see how that goes.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Javon-Hargrave.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>On the offensive line, Minnesota could see significant improvement if Ryan Kelly and Will Fries remain healthy throughout the season. However, a more prudent approach might have been to target a young running back in the draft rather than re-signing the 30-year-old Aaron Jones and trading for Jorsan Mason. Still, despite these minor missteps, the Vikings have positioned themselves well for the upcoming season. That’s assuming they shore up their quarterback depth before Week 1.</p><p>Here we’ll try to look at the perfect trade that the Minnesota Vikings must complete after the 2025 NFL free agency frenzy.</p><h2>The Need for a Reliable Backup</h2><p>JJ McCarthy <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-news-gm-reveals-jj-mccarthy-outcome-minnesota-wants-aaron-rodgers-rumors">may be the Vikings’ future</a>, but even the most promising young quarterbacks require solid support. Minnesota cannot afford to leave its season hinging on any unproven or ineffective backup. That’s why securing a capable second-string quarterback should be the final piece of their offseason puzzle.</p><p>Right now, the Vikings’ depth behind McCarthy is a major concern. In fact, it doesn’t seem like they have anyone legitimately positioned at QB2. With the departures of Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones this offseason, the quarterback room is practically empty outside of McCarthy. History has shown that every contending team needs a reliable backup. Just last season, multiple teams saw their playoff hopes dashed when their starting quarterbacks went down. If the Vikings want to be serious contenders in 2025, they must take proactive steps to bring in a veteran presence behind McCarthy.</p><p>Two quarterbacks stand out as ideal trade targets for Minnesota: Sam Howell of the Seattle Seahawks and Aidan O’Connell of the Las Vegas Raiders. Both have starting experience, have flashed potential, and would provide a significant upgrade over the Vikings’ current backup options.</p><h2>Sam Howell: A High-Upside Option</h2><p>Howell was once viewed as a future top-10 draft pick coming out of North Carolina before his stock dropped in his final college season. After starting for the Washington Commanders, he was traded to the Seahawks in 2024. However, he has since found himself on the outside looking in. With Seattle moving forward with its own quarterback plans, Howell is now an expendable asset. That makes him a strong trade candidate for Minnesota.</p><p>His mobility, arm strength, and ability to execute within a structured offense make him an excellent fit in Kevin O’Connell’s system. Howell has shown he can push the ball downfield and extend plays when needed. If the Vikings can acquire him for a mid-to-late-round draft pick, it would be a smart, low-risk move.</p><h2>Aidan O’Connell: A Dependable Game Manager</h2><p>O’Connell, meanwhile, offers a different but equally valuable skill set. The former Raiders starter nearly had a breakthrough moment in 2024 against the Chiefs on Black Friday. However, a late-game miscue cost his team a chance at victory. Sure, he lacks Howell’s dynamic playmaking ability. That said, O’Connell has proven that he can efficiently manage an offense.</p><p>With Las Vegas undergoing major changes, the new regime should be inclined to move on from O’Connell.. If that’s the case, the Vikings should be ready to strike. O’Connell’s experience handling high-pressure situations in the AFC West would make him a valuable insurance policy for Minnesota.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Antonio-Pierce-talking-to-Aidan-OConnell.jpg"><figcaption>Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h2>What It Would Take</h2><p>Acquiring either Howell or O’Connell wouldn’t require a major investment. A conditional fifth- or sixth-round pick would likely be enough to land one of them, considering their current standing with their respective teams. For the Vikings, that’s a small price to pay for added security at the most important position in football.</p><p>Neither Howell nor O’Connell is a long-term franchise quarterback, but that’s not what Minnesota needs right now. They need someone who can step in and keep the offense afloat if McCarthy is sidelined. Both Howell and O’Connell fit that profile.</p><h2>Final Thoughts</h2><p>The Minnesota Vikings have made significant strides this offseason, solidifying their roster with key free-agent acquisitions and placing their faith in JJ McCarthy as the future of the franchise. However, to truly complete their championship blueprint, they must address the final missing piece—a reliable backup quarterback. Whether it’s Sam Howell’s dynamic playmaking ability or Aidan O’Connell’s steady presence, acquiring a proven second-string signal-caller would provide crucial insurance for a team with high aspirations. The 2025 NFL season is shaping up to be a defining one for the Vikings, and by securing a quality backup, they can ensure they’re ready for any challenge that comes their way. If Minnesota truly wants to contend, making this trade isn’t just a smart move—it’s a necessary one.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Perfect trade Minnesota Vikings must complete after 2025 NFL free agency frenzy

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-gm-reveals-jj-mccarthy-outcome-minnesota-wants-aaron-rodgers-rumors');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings GM reveals desired JJ McCarthy outcome amid Aaron Rodgers rumors');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Vikings-news-GM-reveals-JJ-McCarthy-outcome-that-Minnesota-wants-amid-Aaron-Rodgers-rumors.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings GM reveals desired JJ McCarthy outcome amid Aaron Rodgers rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-26T21:52:04-07:00">March 26th, 9:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-26T21:52:04-07:00">March 26th, 9:52pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor and College Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Arguably the biggest storyline that is still unsolved this offseason is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-news-gm-breaks-silence-aaron-rodgers-rumors">surrounding Aaron Rodgers</a> and the quarterback situations in both Pittsburgh and Minnesota. Rodgers is the most high-profile free agent still left on the market, and the Vikings and the Steelers seem like the most likely destinations.</p><p>Of course, if the Vikings end up being the landing spot, the question becomes what happens to JJ McCarthy. Is he the backup? do they have a competition in camp? <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-rumors-jj-mccarthy-trade-sam-darnold-long-term-deal">Could McCarthy request a trade</a>?</p><p>As of now, it seems like McCarthy is still the favorite to be the starter in Minnesota. General manager Kewsi Adofo-Mensah is still <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44418571/vikings-want-mccarthy-qb1-rule-more-rodgers-talks" rel="noopener">hoping that’s the case</a>, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.</p><p>“Naming J.J. McCarthy the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback is ‘the outcome we want’ and ‘the outcome we’re headed towards,’ general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Wednesday in the first comments from an organizational decision-maker since the team embarked on a $300 million offseason shopping spree that included direct conversations with free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers,” Seifert wrote.</p><p>While Kwesi Adofo-Mensah wouldn’t commit to McCarthy with 100% certainty, he did shed some light on the young quarterback and the things that he has been impressed with in the Michigan product this offseason.</p><p>“At every checkpoint, whether it been the draft process or practice until the injury and really the offseason now, he’s met the bar,” Adofo-Mensah said, per Seifert. “He’s exceeded our expectations at every point. So I don’t have the ability to tell you what the future is, but I can tell you what I expect to be the outcome this offseason from the competition. But it’s also our job to set up a quarterback room that’s going to have to … provide insurance in case somebody needs to come in for a couple of games. And that’s our job as a personnel department to look at all the options out there and make sure we’re setting ourselves up for the best case we can.”</p><p>The Vikings seem to be out of the Rodgers business, as do the New York Giants after <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/giants-news-russell-wilson-real-playing-for-brian-daboll">signing both Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson</a> to contracts in the last week. Unless Minnesota has a change of heart when it comes to the veteran Hall-of-Famer, it looks like McCarthy will be taking the snaps with the first team when he fully recovers from his knee injury that kept him out for his entire rookie season.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings GM reveals desired JJ McCarthy outcome amid Aaron Rodgers rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-gm-breaks-silence-aaron-rodgers-rumors');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings GM breaks silence on Aaron Rodgers rumors');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GM-breaks-silence-on-Aaron-Rodgers-rumors.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings GM breaks silence on Aaron Rodgers rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-26T13:44:29-07:00">March 26th, 1:44pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-26T14:35:14-07:00">March 26th, 2:35pm</time><address><a>Malik Brown</a>Malik Brown is a multimedia reporter based in Atlanta who covers the Hawks and Dream for ClutchPoints. Malik has worked in entertainment and sports, and he specializes in the NBA and NFL.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings look to be <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-news-j-j-mccarthy-bombshell-revelation-kay-adams">ready to hand J.J. McCarthy the keys</a> as the starting quarterback, but there’s still a voice in the background that’s saying Aaron Rodgers could sign with them.</p><p>Rodgers has had a few options on the table on where he could sign, and with the New York Giants recently agreeing to terms with Russell Wilson, his last two options seem to be the Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers.</p><p>In a recent interview, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was asked about their interest in Rodgers and <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44418571/vikings-want-mccarthy-qb1-rule-more-rodgers-talks" rel="noopener">didn’t rule out</a> the possibility of them signing him.</p><p>“For me to sit here and say that anything’s 100 percent forever, that’s just not the job,” Adofo-Mensah said via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “We’re responding to scenarios and different information as it comes. So obviously things can change, but right now, we’re really happy with our [quarterback] room, and we’re going to look to upgrade it in different ways.”</p><p>Though there have been rumors that McCarthy was not told that he would be the starting quarterback, he is supposed to take first-team reps when they get back on the field. Though McCarthy is setting up to be the future of the Vikings, getting a veteran like Rodgers wouldn’t be a bad idea, and he could take their team to the next level.</p><h2><b>Could the Vikings sign Aaron Rodgers?</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Aaron-Rodgers_ea9e05.jpg"><figcaption>© Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>At this point, the Vikings seem to be committed to McCarthy. He’s been cleared for offseason activities after he had to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-second-knee-surgery">recover from a torn meniscus</a> in his right knee before the start of last season, and now he’s working to regain weight after losing more than 20 pounds throughout recovery.</p><p>“Whether it been the draft process or practice until the injury and really the offseason now, he’s met the bar,” Adofo-Mensah said. “He’s exceeded our expectations at every point. So I don’t have the ability to tell you what the future is, but I can tell you what I expect to be the outcome this offseason from the competition.</p><p>“But it’s also our job to set up a quarterback room that’s going to have to … provide insurance in case somebody needs to come in for a couple of games.”</p><p>Adofo-Mensah knows the relationship that Rodgers and Kevin O’Connell have, but he’s only worried about <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/vikings-gm-kwesi-odofo-mensah-discusses-talks-with-aaron-rodgers-j-j-mccarthy-s-path-to-starting" rel="noopener">what he can control</a>.</p><p>“I know Kevin (O’Connell) and (Aaron Rodgers) have a great relationship still; they’ll still have a relationship and keep talking, but right now I’m focused on the two players that are in our room right now,” Adofo-Mensah said.</p><p>Though the Vikings know they have a young quarterback ready to play, their roster is built to win now, and Rodgers gives them that ability. It will be interesting where Rodgers ends up signing, and it shouldn’t be a surprise if he chooses the Vikings.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings GM breaks silence on Aaron Rodgers rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-harrison-smiths-aaron-rodgers-comments-will-draw-attention-amid-rumors');   ga('set', 'title', 'Harrison Smith’s Aaron Rodgers comments will draw attention amid Vikings rumors');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Harrison-Smiths-Aaron-Rodgers-comments-will-draw-attention-amid-rumors.jpg"></figure><h1>Harrison Smith’s Aaron Rodgers comments will draw attention amid Vikings rumors</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-25T12:11:11-07:00">March 25th, 12:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-25T15:54:26-07:00">March 25th, 3:54pm</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings have already had an exciting offseason. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/seahawks-news-seattle-sam-darnold-agree-massive-100-million-contract">Minnesota lost out on QB Sam Darnold, who left to join Seattle</a> in free agency. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-2-more-big-splashes-trenches-jonathan-allen-deal">Vikings instead decided to upgrade the trenches</a>, adding Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Will Fries on big contracts. Now rumors are swirling about possibly adding Aaron Rodgers as well.</p><p>Vikings safety Harrison Smith <a href="https://x.com/UpAndAdamsShow/status/1904555764099748184" rel="noopener">shared his thoughts</a> on Aaron Rodgers during a recent interview with Kay Adams.</p><p>“I will say, Rodgers has been- I’ve played against him my whole career,” Harrison said via Up and Adams with Kay Adams on Tuesday. “He’s always my favorite quarterback to watch and also my least favorite quarterback because he’s very tough to defend.”</p><p>The Vikings have recently stated that they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/nfl-rumors-how-vikings-aaron-rodgers-decision-impacts-free-agency-timeline">plan to move forward with JJ McCarthy at quarterback</a> in 2025. However, some still think Rodgers could become a Viking.</p><p>“I’m not going to speculate on that,” Harrison continued. “But I have a very great appreciation for him and his talent and how he… some of the throws he would make, I was just like ‘well, what do you want us to do?’ ”</p><p>Adams then asked Smith about what his verbal interactions with Rodgers have been on the football field.</p><p>“There’s a lot of eye contact honestly,” Harrison said. “Like pre-snap. I would say the funniest one was like the COVID year so it would get quiet. He knew I was trying to disguise something, and I was going to come closer to the line of scrimmage. He was under center and took his hands out and [waved at me to come forward]. He was kind of disrespecting me, I guess.”</p><h2><b>Dianna Russini ‘guesses’ Aaron Rodgers will still be a Viking</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Former-Jets-quarterback-Aaron-Rodgers.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Some NFL figures are not ready to get up on the idea of Rodgers joining the Vikings. Dianna Russini speculated that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-rumors-insider-guesses-aaron-rodgers-will-still-be-a-viking">Rodgers could still end up becoming a Viking</a> despite the team’s recent lack of interest in him.</p><p>“This is a guess! This is a guess! I feel like we just need to emphasize this. I think Aaron Rodgers is going to be a Minnesota Viking,” Russini said Thursday via The Dan Patrick Show. Russini pointed to some people within the organization wanting Rodgers as part of the rationale for her gut feeling.</p><p>She is not alone in her belief. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk explained in a recent article that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-rumors-how-aaron-rodgers-could-join-minnesota-despite-jj-mccarthy-stance">Rodgers could be the “emergency option”</a> for Minnesota if JJ McCarthy struggles during the team’s offseason program.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-injury-update">McCarthy is coming off a season-ending injury</a>, so it stands to reason that he may not be ready to lead the team right away this summer.</p><p>It will be interesting to see where Aaron Rodgers eventually lands this offseason.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Harrison Smith’s Aaron Rodgers comments will draw attention amid Vikings rumors

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-j-j-mccarthy-bombshell-revelation-kay-adams');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy drops bombshell revelation to Kay Adams');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/J.J.-McCarthy-drops-bombshell-revelation-to-Kay-Adams.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy drops bombshell revelation to Kay Adams</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-25T11:54:25-07:00">March 25th, 11:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-25T11:54:25-07:00">March 25th, 11:54am</time><address><a href="https://matthew516sports.substack.com/">Douglas Fritz</a>Douglas Fritz has been writing about sports for almost four decades and publishes a Christian sports newsletter and podcast on Substack at Matthew516Sports. He started as a reporter for the student newspaper at East Tennessee State University, worked his way up to Editor-In-Chief, and began his sports writing career at the Johnson City Press daily newspaper while still in college. During 30-plus years at the Press, he covered University of Tennessee football, men's and women's basketball, ETSU athletics, and high school athletics. Among the people he has interviewed are Dale Murphy, Bobby Cox, John Smoltz, and Bruce Smith. He is also a Christian-based screenwriter (five feature-length and one short), book writer (three completed manuscripts and one novel), and songwriter.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Would the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-rumors-ryan-tannehill-move-amid-aaron-rodgers-saga">Minnesota Vikings turn to Ryan Tannehill</a>? Is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-rumors-insider-guesses-aaron-rodgers-will-still-be-a-viking">Aaron Rodgers still in the picture</a>? Whatever the case in the quarterback drama, J.J. McCarthy <a href="https://x.com/UpAndAdamsShow/status/1904526183158464544" rel="noopener">dropped a bombshell</a> revelation to Kay Adams, according to a post on X by the Up &amp; Adams Show.</p><p><i>J.J. McCarthy reveals the Minnesota Vikings haven’t told him he’s the No. 1 QB, and he’s “happy they didn’t.”</i></p><p>OK, let’s get real here for a minute. Adams loves a clicky story just like the next 21st-century “journalist.” But the Vikings currently have two quarterbacks on the roster. One is Brett Rypien. The other is McCarthy. So, McCarthy saying he hasn’t been told he’s the starting quarterback is silly. Like Rypien is going to push him? What are the Vikings doing? Don’t they trust McCarthy?</p><h2><b>Vikings J.J. McCarthy trying to find motivation</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Minnesota-Vikings-QB-J.J.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Rempel-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Perhaps McCarthy wants to feel like he’s under pressure.</p><p>“And I’m happy they didn’t,” McCarthy said of not being informed of something so obvious at this point. “Because I try to earn it every single day. And I never want that to be given to me. It’s such a privilege and opportunity to give me that chance and I’m just going to make the most of it every single day.”</p><p>There’s nothing wrong with McCarthy wanting to earn the starting position. But the Vikings have structured their team in a way that there’s literally no other realistic option.</p><p>Fast forward and the Vikings do a 180 and sign Aaron Rodgers. Then McCarthy’s comments would have teeth. It would make sense for him to feel pressure to earn the job. After all, that’s a Hall of Famer in the building.</p><p>As for Tannehill, he’ll turn 37 years old this summer. And he hasn’t played since 2023. There’s no heat coming there. If McCarthy can’t beat out Tannehill, he doesn’t deserve to be an NFL starter.</p><p>Sure, the Vikings can dangle these washed-up quarterbacks in front of McCarthy. But why should they? McCarthy is their guy, and they should tell him such. They should trust him. And that trust should be enough motivation.</p><p>Bouncing back from his 2024 injury should be more motivation. McCarthy became the first NFL quarterback in the modern draft era to miss his entire rookie season because of an injury after tearing the meniscus in his right knee last August, according to ESPN. He underwent a second surgery in November to investigate the cause of swelling, after which doctors gave him a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy drops bombshell revelation to Kay Adams

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-rumors-insider-ex-pro-bowl-qb-jj-mccarthy-insurance-policy');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings rumors: Insider names ex-Pro Bowl QB as possible J.J. McCarthy ‘insurance policy’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Insider-names-ex-Pro-Bowl-QB-as-possible-J.J.-McCarthy-insurance-policy.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings rumors: Insider names ex-Pro Bowl QB as possible J.J. McCarthy ‘insurance policy’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-24T14:59:49-07:00">March 24th, 2:59pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-24T15:39:03-07:00">March 24th, 3:39pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings lost Sam Darnold in free agency but have J.J. McCarthy entering his official rookie season. However, Minnesota <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/aaron-rodgers-longs-for-nostalgia-takeaways" rel="noopener">might be targeting</a> Ryan Tannehill as an insurance policy for McCarthy.</p><p>This was first reported by Albert Breer of SI. The move would make sense and could give the Vikings some flexibility. While <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-j-j-mccarthy-recently-turned-a-corner-knee-injury-rehab">McCarthy has made quality progress on his rehab</a>, having a quality backup is essential.</p><p>Not to mention, Tannehill is more than capable of starting if he needs to do so. Also, in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system, every quarterback has thrived. It wouldn’t be surprising to add Tannehill to the list.</p><p>Either way, the former Tennessee Titans quarterback hasn’t made an official start since the 2023 season. That year, he and rookie Will Levis were competing for the job.</p><p>Meanwhile, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/titans-news-ryan-tannehill-losing-starting-quarterback-job-will-levis">Tannehill lost the battle to Levis</a> and has since been a free agent. It might be a bit risky but there’s a high floor with the former Pro Bowler.</p><p>He played alongside an elite wide receiver in AJ Brown and a running back in Derrick Henry. He’ll have a more explosive and dynamic offense to work with under O’Connell. The writing might be on the wall.</p><h2><b>Would the Vikings target Ryan Tannehill?</b></h2><p>It’s likely that the latter still has some gas left in the tank. One rough season shouldn’t justify not being on an NFL roster. However, the game is evolving.</p><p>It’s moving away from pocket passers to dual-threat quarterbacks. Although Tannehill has shown some speed with his legs, it’s not a strong suit.</p><p>Going back to Darnold though, the two quarterbacks have similar skill sets. Tannehill is more of an accurate thrower while Darnold has more power.</p><p>Regardless of the differences, having an elite backup is essential. McCarthy’s status is truly unknown despite his progress going well.</p><p>Minnesota wouldn’t want to start the season scrambling for a quarterback. Although the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-rumors-insider-guesses-aaron-rodgers-will-still-be-a-viking">Vikings have been linked to Aaron Rodgers</a>, it seems less and less likely.</p><p>Going with a certified backup quarterback could be the move too. McCarthy could mentally and physically be ready for the adjustment.</p><p>At the end of the day, there are a plethora of options to go. However, the future is with the former national champion. Anything the franchise can do to prepare him for the NFL, they will take.</p><p>Although Tannehill had an issue with Levis, he’ll know and understand his role this time around.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings rumors: Insider names ex-Pro Bowl QB as possible J.J. McCarthy ‘insurance policy’

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-rumors-ryan-tannehill-move-amid-aaron-rodgers-saga');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings rumors: Minnesota mulling Ryan Tannehill move amid Aaron Rodgers saga');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Vikings-rumors-Minnesota-mulling-Ryan-Tannehill-move-amid-Aaron-Rodgers-saga.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings rumors: Minnesota mulling Ryan Tannehill move amid Aaron Rodgers saga</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-21T16:50:09-07:00">March 21st, 4:50pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-21T16:50:09-07:00">March 21st, 4:50pm</time><address><a>Dakota Zientek</a>Dakota Zientek graduated from the University of Iowa in 2020 and has been writing about the NFL ever since. As a die-hard NFL fan, Dakota's fandom rides with the Chicago Bears through thick and thin -- regardless of how much pain it has caused his heart throughout the years. One day, he believes he will celebrate the Bears winning a Super Bowl. Maybe even... a few?</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/seahawks-news-seattle-sam-darnold-agree-massive-100-million-contract">moving on from Sam Darnold</a>, the Minnesota Vikings could be in the market for a veteran quarterback to add to the roster. Although <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/steelers-rumors-aaron-rodgers-pittsburgh-contract-parameters-in-place">Aaron Rodgers has been associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers</a> during free agency, the Minnesota Vikings haven’t been completely written off as a possibility. Along with Rodgers, the Vikings are <a href="https://x.com/Schultz_Report/status/1903214983120630182" rel="noopener">rumored to be in talks</a> with Ryan Tannehill, per Jordan Schultz on X.</p><p>“Sources: The Vikings have had discussions with former Titans QB Ryan Tannehill about a potential deal,” Schultz wrote. “Talks are ongoing and nothing is imminent as of right now, sources tell NFL on FOX.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sources: The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vikings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Vikings</a> have had discussions with former <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Titans</a> QB Ryan Tannehill about a potential deal. Talks are ongoing and nothing is imminent as of right now, sources tell <a href="https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NFLonFOX</a>. <a href="https://t.co/yF71IYo9Pg">pic.twitter.com/yF71IYo9Pg</a></p><p>— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) <a href="https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1903214983120630182?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 21, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>This would be quite the move by Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings, given that Tannehill hasn’t thrown a pass in the NFL since January 7, 2024 — Week 18 of the 2023 regular season.</p><p>Now, over 62 weeks later, Tannhill is rumored to potentially join the Vikings, working under their quarterback whisperer of a head coach.</p><p>2025 should look different from the Vikings’ perspective, as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/nfl-rumors-what-vikings-telling-j-j-mccarthy-trade-suitors">JJ McCarthy is the presumed starter</a> — barring any significant setbacks from his knee injury.</p><p>However, he was potentially starting for the Vikings in 2024, too. Instead, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-injury-timeline">McCarthy suffered a severe knee injury</a>, forcing Sam Darnold to step in and lead the Vikings to the playoffs.</p><p>So, it appears that Minnesota wants to have their emergency veteran quarterback for 2025, just in case.</p><p>In this instance, it’s Ryan Tannehill — allegedly.</p><p>As the No. 8 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Tannehill began his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, where he’d stay for the next six seasons before <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/titans-news-mike-vrabel-reiterates-ryan-tannehill-is-backup-qb">signing with the Tennessee Titans as Marcus Mariota’s backup</a> in 2019. However, Tannehill would eventually take over as the Titans’ starter for the next four seasons.</p><p>And throughout his career, he’s fit the mold of “good, not great.”</p><p>Tannehill’s most notable season came in 2019 when he was invited to the Pro Bowl and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/titans-news-ryan-tannehill-wins-comeback-player-of-the-year">won Comeback Player of the Year</a>.</p><p>However, besides that, he’s done enough to win most of the games he played in, though not necessarily carrying a team to a championship.</p><p>But — for those who forgot — Darnold’s career looked bleak before his seemingly out-of-nowhere resurgence.</p><p>With that, Tannehill’s situation seems a bit different, as he’s 36, whereas Darnold was a decade younger when the Vikings called upon him in the 2024 season.</p><p>While this remains just a rumor for the Vikings, Tannehill could see himself rocking the purple and gold in 2025, as could Aaron Rodgers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings rumors: Minnesota mulling Ryan Tannehill move amid Aaron Rodgers saga

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/minnesota-vikings-5-round-post-free-agency-frenzy-2025-nfl-mock-draft-per-pfn-simulator');   ga('set', 'title', 'Minnesota Vikings 5-round post-free agency frenzy 2025 NFL mock draft, per PFN simulator');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Vikings-5-round-post-free-agency-frenzy-2025-NFL-mock-draft-per-PFN-simulator.jpg"></figure><h1>Minnesota Vikings 5-round post-free agency frenzy 2025 NFL mock draft, per PFN simulator</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-20T17:40:03-07:00">March 20th, 5:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-20T17:40:03-07:00">March 20th, 5:40pm</time><address><a href="http://hoopnut.blogspot.com/">Enzo Flojo</a>Enzo Flojo is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints and a columnist for Asian basketball at FIBA. He brings a dynamic spirit and background, having expertise that spans writing, analytics, coaching, and broadcasting. He is also currently an Assistant Coach on Scouting &amp; Analytics for the Philippine national youth basketball team.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota Vikings have taken an aggressive approach this offseason. They have reshaped their roster with a clear goal—to compete at the highest level in 2025. With a revamped lineup and a refined strategy, the team now shifts its focus to the NFL Draft to address key positions and lay the groundwork for sustained success. <a href="https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mockdraft">Using the Pro Football Network (PFN) simulator</a>, we put together a five-round mock draft following an eventful free agency period. We project thatthey will prioritize defensive upgrades and strengthen both lines. Minnesota aims to blend immediate impact players with promising prospects who can develop into future stars.</p><h2>A Strategic and Impactful Offseason</h2><p>The Vikings’ free agency got off to a slow start. However, they quickly turned things around. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-news-minnesota-byron-murphy-agree-terms-66-million-contract">retained top cornerback</a> Byron Murphy Jr. They also bolstered the offensive line by signing former Indianapolis Colts Will Fries and Ryan Kelly. The defensive front received a major boost <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/49ers-news-release-javon-hargrave-but-theres-catch">with the additions of veterans</a> Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. This reinforced the team’s physical presence in the trenches.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Vikings-news-jim-Harbaugh-drops-JJ-McCarthy-guarantee-for-Minnesota-fans.jpg"></figure><p>The Vikings also made a savvy trade with the San Francisco 49ers for running back Jordan Mason. He provides a solid complement to Aaron Jones. This should ensure durability as he enters his early 30s. Meanwhile, with Daniel Jones now in Indianapolis and Sam Darnold in Seattle, all signs point to JJ McCarthy <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/vikings-news-jim-harbaugh-jj-mccarthy-guarantee-minnesota">stepping in as Minnesota’s QB1</a>. The pressure will be on the first-round pick to prove he’s ready. That said, the Vikings are surrounding him with a well-constructed roster. Their plan was clear: build a dominant, physical team capable of controlling games. With veteran reinforcements in place, the upcoming draft presents an opportunity to inject young, dynamic talent into the mix.</p><p>Here we’ll try to look at the Minnesota Vikings 5-round post-free agency frenzy 2025 NFL mock draft, per PFN simulator.</p><h2>Round 1, Pick 24: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina</h2><p>The Vikings should waste no time reinforcing their secondary, selecting South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori with their first-round pick. A high-upside prospect, Emmanwori’s draft stock comes with some risk. However, his elite athleticism and playmaking ability hint at a ceiling comparable to Kerby Joseph. Of course, his inconsistent box play and raw technique raise concerns, drawing comparisons to Isaiah Simmons. He is a former first-rounder who has struggled to find a defined role in the NFL. What sets Emmanwori apart is his closing speed and natural instincts. These allow him to make plays all over the field. With the ability to function as a defensive chess piece, he gives Minnesota a versatile weapon to counter the NFC’s top-tier passing attacks.</p><h2>Round 3, Pick 97: Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville</h2><p>Minnesota should continue its defensive overhaul by adding Louisville pass rusher Ashton Gillotte in the third round. The Vikings have long needed a consistent edge presence. This is where Gillotte offers value. His relentless motor and physicality should fill that void. He wins with leverage and leg drive, though his lack of ideal length could pose challenges when disengaging from blockers. Despite this, Gillotte’s tenacity and high-energy playing style make him a coach’s favorite. He is capable of lining up as a stand-up rusher. In addition, with his hand in the dirt, Gillotte’s versatility ensures he’ll be an immediate contributor in Minnesota’s defensive rotation.</p><h2>Round 5, Pick 139: Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Washington</h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Oregon-defensive-back-Jabbar-Muhammad-participates-in-drills-during-the-2025-NFL-Combine.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Vikings should double down on their secondary in the fifth round. They will select Washington cornerback Jabbar Muhammad. A quick-twitch defender, Muhammad possesses the flexibility to play both outside and in the slot. His aggressive mindset—especially in run support—paired with impressive ball skills makes him a valuable addition. Sure he is undersized. However, he compensates with sharp instincts, fluid hips, and excellent footwork. These allow him to stick with receivers in coverage. As Minnesota prepares to face some of the league’s most explosive offenses, Muhammad’s competitive edge and high football IQ will be key assets in the secondary.</p><p>Final Thoughts</p><p>With a well-executed free agency period setting the stage, the Minnesota Vikings’ five-round haul in this mock draft reinforces their commitment to building a balanced and competitive roster for 2025. By securing a dynamic safety in Nick Emmanwori, an aggressive pass rusher in Ashton Gillotte, and a versatile cornerback in Jabbar Muhammad, the Vikings continue to reshape their defense with young, high-upside talent. These additions complement the veteran acquisitions made in free agency, ensuring the team is equipped to challenge the NFC’s best. While questions remain—particularly at quarterback with JJ McCarthy expected to take the reins—the Vikings have positioned themselves for long-term success. If these selections pan out, Minnesota could emerge as a legitimate contender in the conference, proving that their bold offseason strategy was worth the gamble.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Minnesota Vikings 5-round post-free agency frenzy 2025 NFL mock draft, per PFN simulator

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-rumors-insider-guesses-aaron-rodgers-will-still-be-a-viking');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL rumors: Insider ‘guesses’ Aaron Rodgers will still be a Viking');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/NFL-rumors-Insider-guesses-Aaron-Rodgers-will-still-be-a-Viking.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL rumors: Insider ‘guesses’ Aaron Rodgers will still be a Viking</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-20T12:59:11-07:00">March 20th, 12:59pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-20T12:59:11-07:00">March 20th, 12:59pm</time><address><a>Ben Strauss</a>Ben Strauss is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a die-hard NFL fan who cheers for the Detroit Lions. He has previously written fantasy football content for IDPGuys and ImportantNonsense.com.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The current <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-rumors-jay-glazer-fires-back-hating-aaron-rodgers-free-agency-decision">quarterback market in the NFL seems to be held up one quarterback</a>. Aaron Rodgers has yet to decide where he will play during the 2025 NFL season. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-rumors-steelers-giants-stand-aaron-rodgers-pursuit-vikings-out">Rodgers has received interest from multiple teams</a>, though one NFL insider believes she knows where he’ll eventually end up.</p><p>Dianna Russini speculated that Rodgers <a href="https://youtu.be/kF_5a3ZlKEU?t=904" rel="noopener">will still end up with his preferred team</a>, the Minnesota Vikings. Russini went out of her way to make it clear that she is guessing and not reporting.</p><p>“This is a guess! This is a guess! I feel like we just need to emphasize this. I think Aaron Rodgers is going to be a Minnesota Viking,” Russini said Thursday via The Dan Patrick Show.</p><p>Russini said earlier that she believes Rodgers is still holding out hope that Minnesota will change their mind on him.</p><p>“The Minnesota Vikings have spent, I’d say the last week and a half or so, having really serious discussions about what this would mean for this team moving forward if they were to bring Aaron Rodgers on,” Russini continued. “You had a lot of people in that building in favor of Rodgers. After watching some film of him and those guys know a lot about him, they have good relationships with Rodgers. So there were certainly many people with Minnesota that believed that bringing Aaron Rodgers in this season was the best thing for the Minnesota Vikings.”</p><p>Russini is not alone to caution that Rodgers to the Vikings is still a remote possibility. Mike Florio also explained that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-rumors-how-aaron-rodgers-could-join-minnesota-despite-jj-mccarthy-stance">Rodgers could still be an “emergency option”</a> if JJ McCarthy struggles during Minnesota’s offseason program.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-news-jj-mccarthy-injury-update">McCarthy is also coming off a season-ending injury</a>, which makes health an important question as well.</p><p>“The fact that the Vikings have made the decision to table this. To say okay we want to give JJ McCarthy an opportunity this spring, tells me that Kevin O’Connell has hitched his wagon to JJ McCarthy and believes that this player is the future o the Minnesota Vikings,” Russini concluded. “That he is the absolute best option over a hall of famer in Aaron Rodgers.”</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/nfl-rumors-aaron-rodgers-has-standing-offers-from-steelers-giants-as-vikings-sit-on-periphery">Rodgers is rumored to have standing offers from the Steelers and Giants</a>. It could make sense that he has not signed a contract with those teams yet because he is holding out hope of a deal with Minnesota.</p><p>It will be interesting to see where Rodgers eventually lands. All of the teams involved must be hopeful that he makes his decision before the 2025 NFL Draft.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL rumors: Insider ‘guesses’ Aaron Rodgers will still be a Viking

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-rumors-steelers-giants-stand-aaron-rodgers-pursuit-vikings-out');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL rumors: Where Steelers, Giants stand in Aaron Rodgers pursuit with Vikings likely out');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Where-Steelers-Giants-stand-in-Aaron-Rodgers-pursuit-with-Vikings-likely-out.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL rumors: Where Steelers, Giants stand in Aaron Rodgers pursuit with Vikings likely out</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-19T16:05:31-07:00">March 19th, 4:05pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-19T16:42:49-07:00">March 19th, 4:42pm</time><address><a>Mike Gianakos</a>Mike Gianakos is the former editor-in-chief of High Times magazine, where he also spearheaded the video department and event production. He is a longtime podcaster and even longer suffering NY Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers are vying for the services of Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Famer has <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/nfl-rumors-aaron-rodgers-has-standing-offers-from-steelers-giants-as-vikings-sit-on-periphery">standing offers from the Giants and Steelers</a>, but he’s taken his time choosing his next NFL home. While Rodgers is contemplative by nature, the lengthy free agency decision is partly due to the Minnesota Vikings.</p><p>Rodgers would prefer to join the Vikings as they present the best opportunity to win a Super Bowl. But now that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-stories/nfl-rumors-aaron-rodgers-down-to-steelers-giants-with-vikings-out">Vikings are out of the Rodgers sweepstakes</a>, he’s back to picking between Pittsburgh and New York. However, it’s still unclear when he’ll make up his mind.</p><p>Despite being stuck in a <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-confidential-inside-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-leverage-play-bengals" rel="noopener">holding pattern</a>, the Steelers don’t have an issue with waiting on Rodgers’ decision, according to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. Additionally, money hasn’t been an issue in the team’s negotiations with the veteran passer.</p><p>New York is also in this for the long haul as the team remains interested in adding Rodgers this offseason, per Schultz. But the Giants could add a backup QB to better position themselves for a pivot if necessary.</p><h2><b>The Giants and Steelers are willing to wait for Aaron Rodgers</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Aaron-Rodgers_9bcf08.jpg"><figcaption>Brad Penner-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/steelers-news-pittsburgh-reunites-mason-rudolph-aaron-rodgers-buzz">Steelers signed former backup Mason Rudolph</a> to a one-year deal as they wait out free agency. The Giants may look to make a similar move as Tommy DeVito is currently the only quarterback under contract with the team. New York met with Jameis Winson this week and could bring him in on a short-term deal.</p><p>While Rodgers’ drawn-out process has <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/nfl-news-insiders-frustrated-drawn-out-aaron-rodgers-saga">frustrated NFL insiders</a> and other observers, both teams interested in landing him have seemingly resigned themselves to a long wait. The Steelers and Giants have both also expressed interest in Russell Wilson, and either team could simply change course and aggressively pursue the veteran. But it’s become clear that Rodgers is the top choice in Pittsburgh and New York with Wilson being viewed as the consolation prize.</p><p>The Giants have the third pick in the upcoming draft and could choose to take a quarterback. However, they may not be able to land the passer of their choice in their current position. Originally the Tennessee Titans were expected to pass on a QB with the first overall selection, creating the potential for a move up the board for New York. But now the Titans appear poised to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/titans-rumors-mounting-consensus-emerges-cam-ward-tennessee">draft Cam Ward with the first pick</a>.</p><p>The Browns are also badly in need of a quarterback. But it’s unclear if Cleveland would take Shedeur Sanders second overall. If Rodgers remains undecided by the time the draft rolls around and Sanders falls to the Giants, New York would be faced with a difficult decision.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

NFL rumors: Where Steelers, Giants stand in Aaron Rodgers pursuit with Vikings likely out

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-rumors-qb-plan-revealed-aaron-rodgers-signing-unlikely');   ga('set', 'title', 'Vikings rumors: What Minnesota’s QB plan is with Aaron Rodgers signing unlikely');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Vikings-rumors-What-Minnesotas-QB-plan-is-with-Aaron-Rodgers-signing-unlikely.jpg"></figure><h1>Vikings rumors: What Minnesota’s QB plan is with Aaron Rodgers signing unlikely</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-19T15:40:18-07:00">March 19th, 3:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-19T16:17:12-07:00">March 19th, 4:17pm</time><address><a>Benedetto Vitale</a>Benedetto Vitale is an avid sports writer who is an expert at covering the NFL, college football, NBA, and UFC. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 with a film degree but has since dedicated his career to sports writing.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Minnesota <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/nfl-rumors-what-vikings-telling-j-j-mccarthy-trade-suitors">Vikings have been hot in the rumor mil</a>l lately as they’ve been linked with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, with free agency dwindling down and the NFL Draft around the corner, the organization’s plans at quarterback might becoming more clear.</p><p>Rodgers signing with the Vikings is becoming more unlikely, however, it sounds like the franchise <a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-confidential-inside-jamarr-chase-tee-higgins-leverage-play-bengals" rel="noopener">still wants to sign</a> a veteran quarterback, according to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. After losing Daniel Jones in free agency to the Indianapolis Colts, a veteran is very much in play, but it doesn’t sound like it will be Rodgers.</p><p>“Minnesota still plans to add a veteran backup to push and mentor [JJ] McCarthy,” Schultz reported. “They wanted Daniel Jones back, but he saw a better opportunity to start in Indianapolis. But make no mistake — the Vikings will bring in another QB. As I’ve discussed before, it just won’t be Rodgers at this time.”</p><p>Schultz claims that Minnesota believes that McCarthy is ready for the starting role after missing all of last season due to a knee injury. The former Michigan Wolverine star had two surgeries but he’s expected to be ready to go by the time the 2025 season begins. After trading up to the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, rumors suggest the Vikings are all-in on McCarthy.</p><p>As for Aaron Rodgers, Schultz hints that both the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants remained interested. Pittsburgh might be the most patient with the 41-year-old quarterback, as Schultz claims the team is willing to wait for Rodgers to decide on whether he wants to play or retire.</p><p>“Sources have indicated that the Pittsburgh Steelers are fine waiting for Rodgers to make a decision — on whether he’s ultimately playing in 2025, and if so, where — and money has not been an issue,” Schultz wrote. “Meanwhile, the New York Giants remain interested, though I could see them adding a backup-type very soon, similar to Pittsburgh signing Mason Rudolph.”</p><p>Notable free agent quarterbacks that are still available include Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Joe Flacco. If the rumors are true that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/nfl-rumors-how-vikings-aaron-rodgers-decision-impacts-free-agency-timeline">Vikings are ready for McCarthy</a> to take the reigns, then whoever they sign in free agency would likely take on a backup role to mentor the 22-year-old rookie.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Vikings rumors: What Minnesota’s QB plan is with Aaron Rodgers signing unlikely

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-rumors-how-aaron-rodgers-could-join-minnesota-despite-jj-mccarthy-stance');   ga('set', 'title', 'NFL rumors: How Aaron Rodgers could still join Vikings despite JJ McCarthy stance');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/How-Aaron-Rodgers-could-still-join-Minnesota-despite-JJ-McCarthy-stance.jpg"></figure><h1>NFL rumors: How Aaron Rodgers could still join Vikings despite JJ McCarthy stance</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-19T14:53:35-07:00">March 19th, 2:53pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-19T14:53:35-07:00">March 19th, 2:53pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University senior from Atlanta on track to graduate with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Minnesota Vikings</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/nfl-rumors-how-vikings-aaron-rodgers-decision-impacts-free-agency-timeline">Minnesota Vikings are currently</a> in the middle of a highly important offseason for the future direction of the franchise. Minnesota has already <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/seattle-seahawks/seahawks-news-sam-darnold-gets-100-real-frustrating-end-vikings-2024-season">let quarterback Sam Darnold walk</a> in free agency after his disastrous performance in the playoffs vs the Los Angeles Rams, and the general thought is that the team will hand the reigns to former Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy this year.</p><p>Of course, that isn’t stopping the Vikings’ brass from exploring any and all options in this free agency period, which includes Aaron Rodgers, who was recently released by the New York Jets.</p><p>Recently, NFL insider Mike Florio of NBC Sports’ Pro Football talk broke down the Vikings’ stance <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/vikings-havent-completely-closed-the-door-on-aaron-rodgers" rel="noopener">on the situation.</a></p><p>“The Vikings are not pursuing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers “at this time… Given that many reacted to the news as a closing of the door on Rodgers, the Vikings have leaked clarification. They could revisit Rodgers later in the offseason,” reported Florio.</p><p>Florio then clarified that “second-year first-rounder J.J. McCarthy will lead the offense in the offseason program. If he checks the boxes and looks to be the best option, he’ll continue to be the QB1. If things go sideways, Rodgers could become the emergency option.”</p><h2><b>An important decision for the Vikings</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Rodgers-on-the-Jets.jpg"><figcaption>Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Sam Darnold took many by surprise this past season after he was inserted into the starting lineup following McCarthy’s injury and led the Vikings to having one of the most productive offenses in the entire NFL landscape.</p><p>However, all the while there were questions about just how much of Minnesota’s success could be attributed to Darnold’s play, and how much was a result of the team’s impressive skill positional talent and well-designed system. With Darnold’s poor performance in the playoffs, it was probably a bit easier for the team to watch him walk in free agency.</p><p>Aaron Rodgers didn’t appear to have much left in the tank during the Jets’ disastrous 2024 season, although he would certainly benefit from playing alongside a talent like Justin Jefferson.</p><p>At this point, however, the more likely scenario appears to be that the starting job will be McCarthy’s.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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