VikingsTerritory Breakdown - A Minnesota Vikings Radio Show

With the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror (and the mock drafts for 2027 already coming out), it is time for the teams to finish their post-draft work and start preparing for their OTAs (Organized Team Activities). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Vikings had nine picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They made three trades, took five defensive players and four offensive players—including four linemen, two running backs, two in the secondary and no wide receivers (although grabbed four undrafted wideouts). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The 2026 NFL Draft starts on Thursday, April 23, but so does the future of the Minnesota Vikings. It could be argued that this is the most consequential draft for the team in the past decade or two, but then they are all fairly consequential, particularly if you miss on your picks. The Vikings come into this draft having done their share of pick-missing during the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah era, so the pressure is on hit on all nine of the Purple Picks in this draft. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will they trade up or back in the draft (as former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did in the past); will they stand pat and take the BPA (best player available); will they surprise fans and take a QB (very doubtful, but you never know); or will they strengthen the offensive and defensive lines, which will rank low on the “wow” meter? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NFL draft nears like some ominous apparition quietly flapping its ratty black wings through a rising mist toward a stalled Vikings ship in still and murky waters. Too much? Maybe not. It should be an exciting time, but for Vikings fans, dread always attends the draft until that first trade of their top pick for a later-round selection or it’s retained and a player such as Troy Williamson is selected. And then the handwringing and self-recriminations (for believing, once more) begin. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NFL owners and coaches met in Arizona this past week for the annual league meetings, and that means media access to some of the teams’ top personnel. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke and intimated his plans for the Purple’s 2026 quarterbacks Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

But for now, during the offseason, the Wentz signing raises a number of questions. Certainly, it makes sense for Wentz (on the back nine of his career) to resign with the team he grew up following and rooting for. But what does it mean for the Vikings—and in particular one third-year QB names J.J. McCarthy? There are those who believe his days are numbered in Minnesota (we, here, are not among them). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s the offseason in the NFL, where speculation trickles down from the sky (or internet) and lands like so much wet, March snow, becoming frozen and as slippery a slope as any Purple prediction. It often means little and is gone in a trifling, yet sometimes that speculation holds and the Vikings get their guy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The biggest potential free agent for the Purple, however, is quarterback Kyler Murray, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday. Most observers have the Vikings as the odds-on-favorite to land him. (But, at press time, Murray was scheduled for a visit and a physical at TCO Performance Center, and no signing had yet been announced.) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reports from ESPN surfaced this week that the first two cuts/trades are imminent: defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and running back Aaron Jones. Both are old (33 and 31, respectively and expensive ($21,453,382 and $14,550,000 in cap hits, respectively). That is a start, but there is plenty more to do. While the Vikings are known to be over the cap, potential trade partners, if they exist at all, will be more likely to wait until March 11, when teams have to be under the cap, and see which players are cut and become more affordable. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

During the NFL offseason, it is time to look forward, backward and sideways (and in this case we look at the Minnesota Vikings). There is always plenty to look forward to, as this is the season of speculation designed specifically for Purple prognostication. And, as far as the Vikings are concerned, there is a great history of individual performances, near misses and more than an odd or exceptional win/loss to discuss. The Vikings are an infinitely fascinating franchise if not ultimately a successful one (where success is often only defined by winning the Super Bowl). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Congratulations to Sam Darnold—let’s just get that out here right away before too much lamenting and self-loathing over what could have been cloud one of the best football reclamation stories in league history. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kwesi was relieved of his duties on January 30. And while the disappointing 2025 campaign was not all his fault, by any stretch of this imagination, plenty of blame can be laid at his feet. Since becoming the GM in 2022, Kwesi has produced uneven drafts at best and woefully unproductive ones annually. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Vikings are out of the Super Bowl this season. We have known this for some time as they were eliminated long before the regular season ended. But some former Vikings made it: former Vikings quarterback and current Seattle Seahawk Sam Darnold will face off against New England Patriots Garrett Bradbury (C) and (WR) Stephon Diggs (the first two players were Vikings last season, the latter, Diggs, stills holds a spot in the recent memory of Vikings fans with his TD catch of the Minneapolis Miracle). So, what does Purple Nation think of this? Who will they cheer for? They can’t all lose. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With a winning record of 9-8 this season, the Minnesota Vikings finished just one-half game out of the playoffs this season. (The Green Bay Packers made it ahead of them thanks to their tie in Dallas.) But you would hardly know it given the wailing and gnashing of teeth regarding how the 2025 season went for the Purple. Injuries derailed them and spotty quarterback play cemented an early end to their season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vikings need to get a more veteran QB in house to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job next season. So, who could it possibly be? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The good news: The Minnesota Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers 16-3 in the season finale; they finish the season on a five-game winning streak and outside the basement of the NFC North Division; and quarterback J.J. McCarthy returns from injury to get the win and help finish off a 9-8 season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said before the game against that Detroit Lions that he wanted his team to be the Grim Reapers and wield a death knell to the visiting Lions’ playoffs hopes. And while they did that with a 23-10 victory, a more appropriate guise would have been The Grinch (in the first act of that famous holiday program), as the Vikings defense took away all the Lions’ holiday cheer by creating six turnovers—and giving none of them back. Quarterback Max Brosmer, filling in for the injured J.J. McCarthy, suffered seven sacks in the game but did not turnover the ball on his way to his first victory as an NFL signal caller. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The low-scoring, injury-riddled slugfest aside, the Vikings find themselves at another inflection point of their season, awaiting (on Monday) news on the severity of McCarthy’s injury. It’s important he finishes the season on the field for both his own development and the organization’s ability to evaluate him. Thus far, complete evaluation of the second-year QB has proved difficult, as he missed his rookie campaign with a knee injury and missed 6.5 games in 2025 (due to ankle, concussion and hand injuries) compiling just 8.5 games in his career.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

J.J. gets the headlines, but there should be plenty conversation about the Vikings defense, which had another great performance (coming on the heels of a shutout last week against Washington). They balled out once again, this time stifling the league’s number one offense in Dallas. McCarthy also got some help from his place kicker, Will Reichard, who hit two field goals, including a 53-yarder late to give the Vikings a two-score lead and essentially put the game on ice.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Turnabout is fair play. After going two games (23 possessions) without a touchdown, the Vikings took the ball down the field in the opening drive of the game against the Washington Commanders and scored on a bullet from J.J. McCarthy to tight end Josh Oliver (his first of two touchdown receptions on the day). And that was enough to defeat the hapless Commanders (eventually 31-0), who just took another step toward a high pick in next year’s draft. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The difficult loss cannot all be laid at the feet (arm) of the former Golden Gopher quarterback: the offensive line did him no favors, giving up four sacks in protection and offering little in run blocking, needed to take pressure off the young signal caller. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Minnesota Vikings lost 23-6 to the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field on Sunday, dropping to 4-7 on the season and safely mired in the NFC North cellar. It was their second game without scoring a touchdown this year, putting their season on life support—and the EMT’s aren’t coming. (EMT, in this case, stands for Easily Made Touchdowns.) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Minnesota Vikings suffered their third loss at U.S. Bank Stadium this season (by a score of 27-19 to the Baltimore Ravens) to go to 4-5 and remain in the basement of the NFC North. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Vikings went into Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday as 9-point underdogs. They were coming off, perhaps, the worst loss in Kevin O’Connell’s tenure in a 37-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

McCarthy returns to the helm in the wake of a valiant but fruitless effort by Carson Wentz, who, in obvious pain, stayed in the game. Joe Oberle and Mark Craig talk about next weeks game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wentz and the Vikings had a chance to beat the Eagles, who have not looked like the defending Super Champions that they are. But scoring a touchdown in just 1 of 6 forays into the Red Zone (due to a number of different and infuriating reasons: bad snap, holding penalty, an intentional grounding penalty, one overruled by review and then a TD pass called back by a penalty), the Vikings have been mulling over a change throughout its short week to Thursday night against the San Diego Chargers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And nowhere is that injury report more important than in the quarterback room. Right now, this season’s starter at quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, is trying to return from a high ankle sprain that took place in the second game of the season; his backup Carson Wentz, who secured a 2-1 record from the bullpen, injured his left shoulder last game and since the team is on a bye, we know little more of his condition; and practice squad-er (and former Golden Gopher) Max Brosmer, who did see his first NFL action in replace of Wentz, is ready and eager to step in where needed. This is the biggest question of the bye week, but certainly not the only injury-related one for the Vikings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The unpredictable 2025 Minnesota Vikings season continues with another comeback victory and sound play from unlikely sources. The Vikings beat the Cleveland Browns 21-17 in London, leaving their European tour with a split and climbing back above .500 thanks to the performance of a makeshift offensive line that thwarted one of the best defensive fronts in the league. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After the win last week, things were bright on the Purple horizon, but the view darkened quickly. Two winnable games in the early part of a tough schedule have been lost, two new offensive linemen have joined others already on the injured list and the defense is suddenly not the world beaters we imagined. There is so much to discuss. And we at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast (Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com) are here to do just that. Tune in and check it out. Skol! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rodgers, actually, nearly took care of the Bengals on his own, forcing two fumbles and scoring two defensive scores in a game (the first player to do so in league history)—accomplishing it in the first half to bury them. Still, we at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast (Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com), will certainly offer our opinion on that question and all things from Sunday’s game. Tune in and check out our discussion of the 2-1 Vikings, who are in a tie for first place in the NFC North. Skol! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Sunday night, Vikings fans were still warming themselves from the embers of last Monday night’s memories of the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bears game (in which their quarterback of the future, J.J. McCarthy, put on a display for the ages with three scores in fifteen minutes to secure the win in his NFL debut) when they were doused with the cold, wet reality of a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. McCarthy played like he had for the first three quarters against the Bears, and suddenly joy over the NFC Player of the Week turned to fear and loathing of a season quickly on the brink. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To everybody watching, the Vikings looked dead in the water after the third quarter, but then momentum changed—and the Bears could not stem the tide. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

McCarthy will be surrounded on offense by a new offensive line, is joined in the backfield by Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones, and a healthy T.J. Hockenson fortifies the pass-catching crew of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison (in game four) to give the second-year Viking signal caller plenty of assistance in the first season as a starting NFL quarterback. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Vikings first traded defensive lineman Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets for some draft capital, then traded QB Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles for more picks, signed Carson Wentz to take Howell’s spot in the quarterback room and then shipped CB Mekhi Blackmon off to Indianapolis to play for the Colts for yet another draft pick next offseason. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The spotlight remains on the QB position and in particular the Vikings second-year signal caller J.J. McCarthy (who didn’t play in the preseason game), and he did not disappoint this week in practice. The first joint practice for JJ was up and down but the second one featured a period during which he completed 13 consecutive passes and threw four TD passes—plenty to get Purple Nation excited for the coming NFL regular season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brosmer completed five of eight passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, compiling a rating of 118.2 against many of the Houston Texans’ reserves Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The preseason got serious this week, as the Minnesota Vikings held their annual night practice (which used to be a scrimmage) on Monday to prepare for their first exhibition against the Houston Texans on Saturday, August 9. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who was announced as the starter in the Texans game, was featured in the night practice, where are all the anxious eyes of Purple Nation were focused Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The injury has been called a mild strain, and the Vikings are taking no chances. But that means it opens up opportunities for a young and eager wide receiver group to take advantage of the additional reps in practice. And when you consider that wideout Jordan Addison will be watching from the sidelines as the season begins (due to an off-field incident that will likely result in a suspension by the league), players such as Jalen Nailor and rookie Tai Felton have a chance to shine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Vikings returned to TCO Performance Center for the 2025 Training Camp this week, and, thus far, it is mostly good news coming out of Eagan, Minn. Where many feared the Vikings’ offensive line would be missing two players fans are counting on this season, both veteran left tackle Christan Darrisaw and recent free agent addition right Matt Fries will not start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Fries will be ready to go at camp, while the team will bring back Darrisaw slowly from his major knee injury—but he is expected to be ready to go for week one. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There is a little news trickling out of TCO Performance Center, such as the fact that Swiss Army knife-like defender Josh Metellus is still not signed and wide receiver Jordan Addison had a court date this week. Hopefully there will be resolution on both accounts, and everyone will report to Eagan on time for camp. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Training camp is coming—and it could be one of most consequential in Minnesota Vikings history. The powers that be (general manager Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell) have spent the offseason upgrading the roster to put the best team possible around second year pro (and first year starter) quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s July in Minnesota, where it has been alternately rainy and blistering hot—which always make for some sweltering Vikings football practices. But the Vikings aren’t in camp—in fact they aren’t even in that summer furnace of Mankato (as in days gone by), either. There are a couple more weeks before camp begins in Eagan, and the roster change speculation persists amidst Viking Nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And so we shall, first with a recap of what we learned at minicamp. Who shined, who rusted and, most importantly, how did starting quarterback JJ McCarthy do? Once again, there are some undrafted rookies to talk about (particularly this year, as the Vikings only had five draft picks), so those names are worth a look as the camp nears and ultimately, the roster begins to be trimmed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It all begins in earnest. The Vikings mandatory minicamp commenced at TCO Performance Center this week, and the news is already spilling out regarding who is there and who is there but not practicing. Thus far, the Vikings have good numbers in attendance, including left tackle Christian Darrisaw (who injured his knee last season) taking part in individual drills. Certainly, TE Josh Oliver is there, as he inked a contract extension and becomes an important cog in the development of the Purple’s young quarterback. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

NFL organized team activities (yes, that’s what OTA stands for—not offseason training actions—which they are—or over-technical assessments—which may happen--or overtly tubular algorithms—which won’t, since we don’t think they are a thing) began this week. The Vikings players assembled at TCO Performance to reacquaint with each other and get to know the new faces while trying to orient to the Purple way of life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Minnesota was the epicenter of the NFL this week! Why? Did the Vikings win the Super Bowl or secure the first overall pick of the next NFL Draft? No, neither of those things happened. Rather, Minneapolis hosted the NFL Meetings this week in which the owners voted on a few issues. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The state of Minnesota experienced temperatures north of 90 degrees this past week, so that must mean it is the dead days of August and training camp begins, right? Well, not exactly. It is May and has been unseasonably warm and the Vikings have assembled—but it’s just the rookies and their minicamp at TCO Performance Center. Still, the new football year has begun. We haven’t had too many headlines yet as the Rookie Minicamp is just a way for the newbies to come to town, meet their prospective teammates and Vikings staff and get oriented to the way Minnesota does things. There are a few tidbits that have surfaced—such as undrafted rookie CB Zemaiah Vaughn picking off undrafted QB Max Brosmer along the sidelines and rookie linebacker Kobe King making another pick. But we aren’t yet hanging any banners nor making any proclamations about who will be Mr. Eagan (nee Mankato). Still, we will talk about it. The fellas at Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—are here to report from minicamp with stories of who stepped up, who stood out or who said something interesting (or, perhaps, out of the ordinary). Plus, we’ll cover all the latest news of the Purple. Tune into the podcast and catch it all. Skol! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The NFL sent an email explaining that the schedule release is “almost here!” Not that it was released, but that it is almost released. (It’s almost like the email saying the Draft was almost here.) You can register and “be the first to know when the 2025-26 schedule drops.” Well, this NFL observer is all atwitter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With an eye toward protecting their sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings put a major emphasis on the offensive line during free agency (Matt Fries and Ryab Kelly) and continued that with the Jackson pick. There will likely be a competition at left guard, but the versatile and intelligent Jackson could step in and start and solidify a formerly middling line. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.