The Vikings questions aren’t hard to come by after an up-and-down five weeks entering the Week 6 bye.
The 3-2 Minnesota Vikings inhabit a playoff spot, a position within the conference hierarchy that’s sitting on a knife’s edge. Kevin O’Connell’s crew would get into the tournament presently but there’s still a long way to go. What kind of riddles, conundrums, and issues rest in front of these Vikings?
Ten Vikings Questions
10 | Can You Offer the Details on the NFL Trade Deadline?
Circle the date on your calendars: the deals need to get across the finish line by November 4th. More specifically, there’s the 3 p.m. CT deadline.
In other words, the Vikings can rest up during the bye. The team can then venture into what is a difficult schedule to see how they do. Evidence will be gleaned from those games to better decide whether to buy, sell, or do nothing.
9 | There’s Chatter Out There About the Schedule. Is it Actually Going to be Tough?
Well, that’s somewhat difficult to answer. Or, at least, the answer can vary based on the eye of the beholder. Check out the next five games:
- Week 7: Eagles, Sunday at Noon
- Week 8: at Chargers, TNF
- Week 9: at Lions, Sunday at Noon
- Week 10: Ravens, Sunday at Noon
- Week 11: Bears, Sunday at Noon
The curious crowd can get the full schedule on the team’s website. To my eye, simply replicating the current record — going 3-2 across these next five games — would be a win. Minnesota would be sitting at 6-4 going into the stretch run.
8 | Do the Vikings Make In-Season Trades?
Sure do. In fact, Mr. Adofo-Mensah has never worked through a season without pulling off at least a single trade. Consider the examples:
- T.J. Hockenson (2022)
- Cam Akers (2023)
- Joshua Dobbs (2023)
- Ezra Cleveland (2023)
- Cam Akers (2024)
- Cam Robinson (2024)
Seeing another move in 2025 won’t be a surprise. Quite the opposite is true. Deals are going to be out there, so it would be more surprising if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t pull off at least a single swap (perhaps for a corner or a center).
Consider all of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s trades since becoming the GM on PurplePTSD.
7 | What of Cap Space? Any Money to Work With in 2025?
Per Over the Cap, the Vikings are sitting on just below $15.6 million. More than enough to get frisky if there’s a desire to add talent.
6 | Has Anything Changed about the Vikings’ QB Depth Chart?
Yes and no.
J.J. McCarthy is still the starter. Carson Wentz is the main backup and Max Brosmer the third option. All of that has remained consistent.
What has changed is the subtraction of Desmond Ridder, a temporary fill-in due to McCarthy’s ankle injury. There has also been the revelation about Cam Akers being the emergency fill-in if all the passers were to succumb to injury.
5 | Will the O-Line Be Hurt Forever?
The obvious answer is yes. The other obvious answer is no. It’s complicated.
Essentially, the offensive line is going to contain players who always have bumps and bruises. Some are able to continue playing while others need time off.
Christian Darrisaw is trending positively and Donovan Jackson should get back, restoring the full left side.
Meanwhile, Will Fries is working alongside some combination of Brian O’Neill, Justin Skule, and Walter Rouse. Mr. O’Neill is (obviously) the preferred option, but Skule has been solid as the RT2.
Ryan Kelly is sitting on the IR, meaning he’s done for a minimum of three more games. The good news is that Michael Jurgens is getting better and Blake Brandel did reasonably well jumping into the opening at center.
4 | Got Any Notable Numbers?
Consider some very basic ones.
The Vikings have the NFL’s 15th-best offense by averaging 24.6 points per game. The Vikings have the 5th-best defense by allowing an average of 19.4 points against per game.
The defense needs to maintain things. The offense needs to improve.
Don’t ever miss a simple reality: the offense and defense are interconnected. If the offense improves, then the defense’s job becomes considerably easier. Field position, possessing the football, making the other side predictable, and other factors all come into play if KOC gets his side of the ball cooking.
3 | Who is Going to Breakout After the Bye?
Jordan Addison needs to get out of his own way. Take care of the off-the-field issues so he can thrive on the field. If successful, Mr. Addison is going to shred the NFL.
2 | Will the Vikings Make the Playoffs?
Yes.
(I think).
1 | Is J.J. McCarthy the Promised Passer?
Nothing within Minnesota’s orbit comes particularly close: the development of J.J. McCarthy is the top story surrounding the Vikings.
Much remains to be determined when it comes to Mr. McCarthy. He has a work ethic and talent. Can he translate those promising attributes into promising on-field play? If so, then the Vikings will prove to be a difficult team to corral.
J.J. McCarthy, 22, is working through the bye with the aim of starting against the defending Super Bowl champions in Week 7.
I believe he’ll become Minnesota’s franchise passer.
