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1 week ago | 
zonecoverage.com | Nelson Thielen |Cole Smith |Joshua Badroos |Wyatt Wade
What’s your favorite NFL draft “character concern” story? I’m not talking about something genuinely horrific, like domestic violence or drunk driving. I’m talking about the weird stuff. Robert Nkemdiche out of the window. Laremy Tunsil’s gas mask bong. Will Levis putting mayo in his coffee and eating bananas with the peel on. The reality of the NFL draft is that these franchises spend a lot of time and money trying to vet and learn everything they possibly can about these guys.
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2 weeks ago | 
zonecoverage.com | Cole Smith |Joshua Badroos |Wyatt Wade |Matt Fries
The Minnesota Vikings attacked free agency when the league year began in March. They addressed holes on the offensive and defensive lines, added secondary help, and returned three key veterans: Aaron Jones, Harrison Smith, and Byron Murphy, Jr.Their approach erased many glaring, immediate holes across the roster. If the Vikings can have as much success with their new free-agent additions as they did last season, they can take a massive step towards contending for the NFC Championship next year.
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3 weeks ago | 
zonecoverage.com | Cole Smith |Tony Abbott |Wyatt Wade |Chris Schad
The Minnesota Vikings were aggressive in free agency, addressing holes across the roster. They signed linemen on both sides of the ball, traded for Jordan Mason to bolster the running game, and added Isaiah Rodgers to the secondary. But one move stood above the rest, even if it involves a familiar face. Harrison Smith decided to return and play his 14th NFL season, agreeing to a reworked $10 million contract.
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3 weeks ago | 
zonecoverage.com | John Boyd |Nelson Thielen |Preet Mukesh Shah |Cole Smith
With the brunt of free agency in the rearview, the NFL world’s collective gaze has shifted to April’s draft. The Minnesota Vikings currently hold a league-low four picks. While they may acquire more, their half-empty war chest is less of an issue than it would be for most teams. Minnesota’s front office navigated free agency in such a way that they can now approach the draft with an open mind.
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3 weeks ago | 
zonecoverage.com | Nelson Thielen |Preet Mukesh Shah |Cole Smith |Wyatt Wade
Every draft season, being the absolute lunatic that I am, I have a ritual the week before the draft. I watch the 2014 Kevin Costner instant classic Draft Day. Draft Day is one of my favorite bad movies of all time. Its plot is nonsense, and most of the movie feels like bad NFL GM cosplay, but man, I love it.
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4 weeks ago | 
zonecoverage.com | Cole Smith |Wyatt Wade |Tony Abbott |Preet Mukesh Shah
Earlier this week, J.J. McCarthy revealed on Kay Adams’ Up & Adams podcast that the Minnesota Vikings haven’t informed him that he will be the team’s starting quarterback yet in 2025. “I’m happy they didn’t [name me the starter yet] because I try to earn it every single day,” McCarthy told Adams. “I never want that to be given to me.”There’s uncertainty that comes with a first-time starting quarterback.
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1 month ago | 
zonecoverage.com | Tony Abbott |Chris Schad |Preet Mukesh Shah |Cole Smith
“Competitive Rebuild” is the phrase that’s followed Kwesi Adofo-Mensah ever since he took the GM’s chair. There was to be no tearing it down, and it’d be difficult to do, anyway, with stars like Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw in the fold. Still, the Minnesota Vikings would try to win while keeping an eye on the future. Well, the future is here. After a 14-3 season, the Vikings see themselves as Super Bowl contenders. And why shouldn’t they?
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1 month ago | 
zonecoverage.com | Chris Schad |Preet Mukesh Shah |Cole Smith |Joshua Badroos
Imagine, if you will:After weeks of speculation, it came down to this. In the shadow of the stadium where he had some of his biggest victories, Aaron Rodgers stood on the stage at the NFL Draft. Flanked by Dianna Russini, Michael Silver, and Chase Daniel, he demanded an answer from Kevin O’Connell regarding his interest in playing for the Minnesota Vikings. “I want to be your quarterback,” Rodgers said. “I can make your dreams come true. I can win the Super Bowl.
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1 month ago | 
zonecoverage.com | Preet Mukesh Shah |Cole Smith |Joshua Badroos |Tom Schreier
The Minnesota Vikings made a subtle but significant change to their offensive philosophy this season regarding how they treated the running game. In 2023, the Vikings ran the ball on 36.7% of their plays, the third-fewest in the NFL. Given how the offense underperformed two years ago, especially their running backs, the team prioritized the position last season.
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1 month ago | 
zonecoverage.com | Nelson Thielen |Tony Abbott |Matt Fries |Cole Smith
One thing the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff doesn’t get enough credit for, despite all the praise heaped on them for turning the 2024 squad into a 14-win team, is how well they managed to mask one of their biggest flaws with a mirage of exotic and effective schemes. Brian Flores produced one of the best defenses in the league, fifth in points per game and second in rushing defense.
