Reports of the Vikings taking apart some of the older, expensive parts of the roster continue. Can they fill those spots with younger players or cheaper free agents?
Never liked the Allen and Hargrave signings because they were old, expensive, coming off injuries, and had already declined before the injuries. They weren’t full Rams moves, but they were definitely make bad signings to try and win now moves. I know we were all kind of holding out hope that they would find a flash in the pan QB and make another surprising 2017-esque playoff run, but at the end of the day we should probably be happy they are being responsible in a year where we are going to be watching JJ or Murray or Geno Smith at QB. If I’m wrong, and they are actually clearing cap for a big Daniel Jones signing, then just launch me into the sun.
In fairness, the Rams mostly traded their no. 1s for guys who were still on their rookie Ks (2 for Ramsey, Cooks, and obviously Goff). Stafford cost two no. 1s and wasn't young, but naturally it's a different valuation when talking about QBs.
The overall point is a good one: big-ticket UFAs are usually a mug's game, but the odds are best when it's a guy coming off his rookie deal and coming from a team with a logjam at the position (e.g. Milt Williams this past year, or old friend Linval when he joined the Vikes). If signing an older guy, it needs to be a value purchase.
For the last several years, the front office/coaching staff (under both regimes) and the Wilfs have seemed to operate under the Tobias from Arrested Development meme: "But it might work for us." That they could somehow cheat the fact that they haven't had a comprehensively good draft in a decade through a combo of free agents and high grades from the NFLPA. It only really worked in '24, thanks to Darnold, Greenard, Cashman and AVG being generally awesome (and way better than anticipated). From Brezinski's recent comments and these latest moves/potential moves, it appears they could be snapping out of that. Get more picks, stick to your board and develop, and supplement with undervalued FAs.
Dang it sucks when dad takes the credit card away! Hopefully the Wilfs are OK financially and are just putting their foot down over the crazy spending that has gone on for years.
Great article Mathew 👏 Only thing I will say is a Greenard trade shouldn't be for anything less than a 2nd round pick. Hopefully in 2027 when it's a lot deeper draft. If it's not a 2nd it has to be extension time.
Never liked the Allen and Hargrave signings because they were old, expensive, coming off injuries, and had already declined before the injuries. They weren’t full Rams moves, but they were definitely make bad signings to try and win now moves. I know we were all kind of holding out hope that they would find a flash in the pan QB and make another surprising 2017-esque playoff run, but at the end of the day we should probably be happy they are being responsible in a year where we are going to be watching JJ or Murray or Geno Smith at QB. If I’m wrong, and they are actually clearing cap for a big Daniel Jones signing, then just launch me into the sun.
In fairness, the Rams mostly traded their no. 1s for guys who were still on their rookie Ks (2 for Ramsey, Cooks, and obviously Goff). Stafford cost two no. 1s and wasn't young, but naturally it's a different valuation when talking about QBs.
The overall point is a good one: big-ticket UFAs are usually a mug's game, but the odds are best when it's a guy coming off his rookie deal and coming from a team with a logjam at the position (e.g. Milt Williams this past year, or old friend Linval when he joined the Vikes). If signing an older guy, it needs to be a value purchase.
For the last several years, the front office/coaching staff (under both regimes) and the Wilfs have seemed to operate under the Tobias from Arrested Development meme: "But it might work for us." That they could somehow cheat the fact that they haven't had a comprehensively good draft in a decade through a combo of free agents and high grades from the NFLPA. It only really worked in '24, thanks to Darnold, Greenard, Cashman and AVG being generally awesome (and way better than anticipated). From Brezinski's recent comments and these latest moves/potential moves, it appears they could be snapping out of that. Get more picks, stick to your board and develop, and supplement with undervalued FAs.
Dang it sucks when dad takes the credit card away! Hopefully the Wilfs are OK financially and are just putting their foot down over the crazy spending that has gone on for years.
Great article Mathew 👏 Only thing I will say is a Greenard trade shouldn't be for anything less than a 2nd round pick. Hopefully in 2027 when it's a lot deeper draft. If it's not a 2nd it has to be extension time.
Elijah Williams stan here... Hoping he takes a big ump this year.