Vikings Mailbag: Trade Scenarios? An extension of Kirk Cousins? Offensive linemen? Could Arizona safety Budda Baker be a trade target for the Vikings? Could Arizona safety Budda Baker be a trade target for the Vikings? -Alex Brandon, Associated Press
Thanks for your questions about this week and the Vikings mailbag. You can always send questions to @Andrew_Krammer or andrew.krammer@startribune.com. Listen to the answers on the weekly Access Vikings Podcast or find them here on Friday mornings. Let’s get to work.
Q: If the Vikings beat Green Bay, would they consider becoming a buyer instead of a seller at the trade deadline? — Gordon
AK: Weand#039; saw general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah bolster the roster during the season, from 28-year-old guard Dalton Risner to 24-year-old coach Cam Akers. Both players fit the organization and competitive restructuring. philosophy as possible short-term and long-term effects. When it comes to acquiring talent, I expect the Vikings to continue to look for players with many NFL years. Why isn’t 27-year-old safety Budda Baker hitting? Baker requested a trade last season and could be a long-term replacement for Harrison Smith. Cheaper additions can have interior defensive line help. Titansand#039; Teair Tart, thrown out for this summer’s Vikings-Titans scrimmage, may not be a cultural fit, but he can empty the pocket. The Vakersand#039; Neville Gallimore is a member of Vikingsand#039. former defensive staff loved the 2020 draft. Maybe Dallas is willing to move on with Gallimore in a contract year. Former Chargers first-round pick Kenneth Murray Jr. am 24 and could start again; Murray also praised his coach for his 10-save game against the Vikings in Week 3. The Vikings need another long-term option at linebacker, with Jordan Hicks set to become a free agent in March.
Q: What does a Kirk Cousins extension look like? That seems like the most likely scenario for a QB. We can’t waste 3-4 years on a combination of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Mark Craigand’s Week 8 NFL picks: Upheaval ahead in the NFC North? A fan of Vikings choreography? Thank you Team “Party Coordinator”
AC: Negotiations stalled last season because Cousins wanted financial guarantees until 2025, a three-year commitment the Vikings were unwilling to make. Will Cousinsand#039; change the performance and vision of the team this season? Or would the front office prefer to find a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal? Cousins aren’t getting any cheaper or any younger. Twelve quarterbacks make at least $40 million per season, including the Giantsand#039; Daniel Jones. That creates a potential floor for Cousins, who clearly outperformed Jones. Because of this year and the move, Cousins has a cap hit of $28.5 million next year without a contract, which means more creative accounting is needed to land a contract. Like adding the void years to a fully guaranteed two-year, $84 million contract if Cousins is willing to sign for less than three years. That would put Cousins in 10th place at an average of $42 million next year at age 36. —
Q: Have you heard if Dalton Risner will stay in the starting lineup now that Ezra Cleveland is back to quality? — Anthony
AK: Cleveland was in limited practice this week, showing he has a chance to come in after his 45-game starting streak was snapped by a midfoot strain. The Vikingsand#039; pass blocking improved against Cleveland, but Risner continued to improve against the 49ers. Risner hit to left field next to Christian Darrisaw on Friday and during a practice open to reporters, suggesting he could remain in the lineup. Cleveland continued to be limited and is listed as questionable Sunday against Green Bay. –
Q: Not to deflate a balloon after a big win, but what happened to K.J. Osborn this year? I don’t remember him ever dropping that many balls. – Rick
AK: Osborn has never been this low before. His hands were reliable. He had just two first downs in his 178-career NFL career, according to Pro Football Focus. According to Pro Football Focus, that percentage is probably a better representation of who he is than his last four drops on his last 34 targets — a percentage of nearly 12 percent. Heand is still there, even with the return of Justin Jefferson, while having a rough start to the season. Seedling#039; it’s not just Osborn. Running back Alexander Mattison (5) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (4) is also among 10 NFL players with at least four sacks this season; The Vikings, with three players, are the only team with more than one. The good news is Monday night and the win was the second time this season nobody threw a pass.
A fan of Vikings choreography? Thanks to the team and #039;party coordinators#039;
He didn’t get on the field Monday night and was upset by the 49ers, but the undrafted rookie had some of the most memorable moments on the field. Andrew Krammer covers the Vikings for the Star Tribune and is entering his sixth NFL season. From the Metrodome to USA Bank Stadium, he covered everything from Case Keenumand’s Minneapolis Miracle, the offensive line and the Kangaroo backcourt to Adrian Peterson and the suspension of #039.
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