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Vikings GM & Coach: What to Make of Their Job Security

Posted on February 6, 2024February 6, 2024 by David Shama

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell are each two years into their four-year contracts. Will ownership extend those deals this offseason?

“No, I don’t think they will,” a former executive in the NFL told Sports Headliners while speaking on condition of anonymity.

In the first season of the new regime, 2022, the Vikings finished 13-4, won the NFC North Division title and advanced to the playoffs before being eliminated in their first game. With quarterback Kirk Cousins lost for the season after his Achilles injury in late October, Minnesota limped to the finish line with a 7-10 record and four game losing streak.

If 2023 had been more like 2022, contract extensions could have materialized but probably not now. “I would say there is a medium amount of pressure on them (the GM and head coach) to get back to the playoffs and get back on the track they were (on) the first year,” said the source who has years of experience working in pro front offices.

A really bad season in 2024 could land O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah “in big trouble” regarding job security, the source said. He added that the coach is probably safer because of the 13-win season and the many injuries that held back team performance in 2023.

The authority mentioned above said the “jury is out” on the GM’s acumen for drafting players and signing free agents.

The 2022 draft was particularly problematic for Adofo-Mensah who chose to give up his No. 12 selection in the first round in a trade with the Lions. Defensive backs Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth (first and second round picks) have not done much while the Vikings could have drafted safety Kyle Hamilton or cornerback Trent McDuffie, both of whom have become all-pros. Last season the secondary was underwhelming.

There have been successes like 2023 first-round selection Jordan Addison at wide receiver and undrafted linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. who also became a first-year starter. RB Ty Chandler, taken on the fifth round of the 2022 draft, was a winning move, too.

But in the last two years the Vikings haven’t acquired enough talent and depth, and part of the issue is the free agent report card. Signing linebacker Marcus Davenport turned “into a fiasco when they gave him $13 million bucks and he plays in three games,” said the source who pointed out Davenport missed part of the prior season with the Saints.

Cornerback Byron Murphy, who missed games in 2022 with the Cardinals because of a back issue, signed with the Vikings in the offseason last year but then was unable to take the field in the last three games of the season when the secondary was collapsing, and Minnesota was competing for a playoff spot. Defensive lineman Dean Lowry, another free agent signee, suffered a pectoral tear in late November and missed the rest of the season.

“I think when you’re signing free agents, you gotta sign guys who have been healthy,” the authority said.

Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips was a successful performer last season as a newly signed free agent but overall, the source and Vikings fans have reservations about Adofo-Mensah’s work in adding talent through the draft and free agency. “They’ve had more misses than hits, let’s put it that way,” he said about the Minnesota organization he watches throughout the year.

To Adofo-Mensah’s credit, one of his better moves was the 2022 in-season trade with the Lions for tight end T.J. Hockenson. His presence gave Minnesota another quality receiver for their highly productive offense, a player who despite his size at 6-5, 248 pounds can be a deep threat.

There is conjecture about whether the Vikings will embrace a “competitive rebuild” to remain a playoff contender or use a start over philosophy of reducing payroll and letting key players go while concentrating on high draft choices and player development for a few years.

“No, I don’t see them wanting to tear it down,” said the source. “I think that they feel like they’re close enough (to the playoffs). That they did win the division in 2022 and then the injuries hit last year.”

The first indication of ownership’s intention will be the decision on whether to bring back their free agent starting quarterback Cousins. The authority is on board. “He was the third ranked quarterback in the league when he got hurt (late in game 8) and was playing really well. And they had won three straight games at that point. It’s obvious to me that if he hadn’t gotten hurt, they would have won at least two or three more games (and made the playoffs).”

The source has no doubt the Vikings can return to double-digit wins and the postseason. To do so means making moves in adding quality personnel and keeping their best players. He said using maneuvers like paying bonuses and deferring money in contracts the Vikings can work within the NFL salary cap to acquire key players and re-sign Cousins, wide receiver Justin Jefferson and linebacker Danielle Hunter.

All three players will be expensive starting with Cousins who figures to be the first domino to fall. “I think that’s going to come in around $45 million a year,” said the authority. “I think they’re going to have to probably give hm at least two years guaranteed at $90 million. And then maybe give a third year at just kind of window dressing on the contract.”

Jefferson, the source believes, could command a five-year contract at $175 million to replace his rookie year deal that ends after the 2025 season. Jefferson reportedly wants to be the highest paid non-quarterback in the NFL and currently 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has that honor with a five-year $170 million deal.

“All these rumors about trading Jefferson are just ridiculous,” the authority said. “You don’t trade the best player in the league at his position.”

He believes Hunter could sign a three or four-year deal at $25 million per year. Linebacker D.J. Wonnum has played well and is also a free agent who the source could see receiving $10 to $13 million on a three-year contract. He added the Vikings have other free agents they likely will keep, mentioning defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard, linebacker Jordan Hicks and kicker Greg Joseph.

“Yeah, I think they can keep all the guys they want and still have the capability of going out and signing a couple of free agents,” the source said. “I absolutely do.”

NFL free agency begins March 17. The Vikings have 28 players, including multiple starters like Cousins and Hunter, who will be free agents. The most likely of the starters not to return is probably Davenport.

Meanwhile, Adofo-Mensah and his staff are also preparing for the April 25-27 NFL Draft. The Vikings hold the No. 11 pick in the first round and the authority believes they will select a quarterback in either the first or second rounds to groom behind Cousins.

Speculation is the top three available college quarterbacks taken will be Caleb Williams, Drake May and Jayden Daniels. The source believes the Vikings would have to make a trade and move up to the No. 4 or 5 spot to land one of them. “The quarterbacks, the top guys, are always gone early. You gotta figure they’re going to be gone certainly in the top five.”

He believes moving up higher in the draft order could demand giving another team Minnesota’s first pick in 2025 and second selection in 2024. “I just don’t know if they’re going to want to do that.”

If the Vikings stay at No. 11, they could choose a top pass rusher or cornerback and fill a need that way. Then target a best remaining quarterback in the second round, possibly seeing a J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix or Michael Penix available.

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Golden Gophers Get Tournament Resume-Building Win

Posted on February 4, 2024February 4, 2024 by David Shama

The Gophers earned a resume-building win yesterday defeating Northwestern 75-66 in overtime at Williams Arena. Minnesota, 14-7 overall and 5-5 in Big Ten games, enhanced its goal of receiving the school’s first NCAA Tournament invite since 2019 with the victory. “That was a significant win for the program,” former Gophers head coach Jim Dutcher told Sports Headliners.

Northwestern, 15-7 overall and 6-5 in conference games, went into Saturday as part of the projected 68-team tournament field posted on ESPN.com by bracketologist Joe Lunardi. He had the Wildcats, who hold one win and an overtime loss against national title favorite Purdue, as a No. 7 seed.

The Gophers have won two straight games to reach the halfway mark of the Big Ten schedule. They outscored Penn State by 23 points in the second half to win on the road last weekend. Yesterday the Gophers trailed most of the second half but were clearly the better team than the Wildcats who turned over the ball an uncharacteristic 17 times.

Coach Ben Johnson, talking on the KFAN postgame radio show, said his team is improving and growing more confident. “We’re really good (in) second halves. We just have like a calmness to us. We have a belief. …They don’t get rattled. They don’t get flustered. …When it’s on the line and we gotta get a win they found ways to win games, and that’s a great sign of a team that’s maturing as the season progresses.”

The Gophers also have a win over Nebraska who Lunardi has as one of his last four teams making the tournament field that will be announced March 17. Minnesota can keep the resume building Tuesday night at Williams Arena against Michigan State. Lunardi has the Spartans, who defeated the Gophers 76-66 in East Lansing last month, as a No. 8 seed. They are 14-8 overall, 6-5 in league games.

Dutcher is clearly on board with how the Gophers helped themselves yesterday beating the Wildcats. “Yeah, absolutely. You know if you beat some of the lower teams it doesn’t mean as much. But when you beat a team as good as they are—not only this game but they had a really good shot at winning the Wisconsin game (lost 61-59 to the Big Ten’s second best team). …They played them (the Badgers) even pretty much all night.”

Wolves Could Trade for PG They Should Have Kept

Gersson Rosas made savvy moves when he was the Timberwolves president of basketball operations. It was a mistake, though, during the 2019 offseason when the club let hometown hero Tyus Jones move on via free agency to the Grizzlies.

The Rosas regime hired Chris Finch as head coach and his 2024 Wolves have a 34-15 record, tied with the Thunder for best in the NBA Western Conference. Personnel acquired by Rosas includes multiple contributors to the current Wolves starting with NBA All-Star shooting guard Anthony Edwards and another talented lineup regular in small forward Jaden McDaniels. Also, still with the Wolves and contributing off the bench are power forward Naz Reid and playmaking guard Jordan McLaughlin.

But oh, how the Wolves could use Jones, now playing point guard for the Wizards and a possible Minnesota target before the NBA tradeline of Thursday afternoon. Rosas, who parted ways with the Wolves in September of 2021, apparently didn’t believe Jones, then a reserve, fit in his personnel and pay roll plan.

The Wolves are a talented bunch but need help off the bench including for scoring and decision making. Jones is an exceptional offensive leader able to help others score and is averaging a career high 12.1 points per game. His presence with the Wolves would significantly help a roster short on basketball IQ and ability to make the best decisions in clutch situations.

When the Wolves face some of the biggest moments in the playoffs this spring, they will need basketball smarts to do important and subtle things on the court. Mike Conley Jr., the team’s 36-year-old starting point guard, aces the role but help is needed. If Jones were on the team, he could even play clutch moments with Conley and help direct the team. If Conley needs rest, is in foul trouble or not able to play because of injury, Jones becomes even more valuable.

Some players just know how to play the game and that’s been the profile on Jones dating back to Apple Valley High School, Duke and the NBA. The 27-year-old has led the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio in each of the past three seasons, including a league-record 6.96-to-1 figure in 2018-19.

To make the salary cap numbers work, Wolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly will likely have to send a player like guard Shake Milton to the Wizards. But what will be of more interest to the Wizards is having the Wolves offer a high future draft choice—perhaps multiple picks.

That’s giving up a lot but it’s likely a safe assumption Connelly and ownership see a window now to contend for an NBA title. They have to aggressively sort out possibilities this week as the trade deadline nears.

Minnesota’s options could also include Tyus’ brother Tre from the Spurs. Like the Wizards, the Spurs are building for future seasons and presumably interested in draft choices. Tre, at reported salary of almost $9 million, earns an estimated $5 million less than his older brother. Tre has that Jones DNA of playing with intelligence and poise. The 24-year-old might be a lesser offensive point guard than Tyus but he’s probably better defensively.

Worth Noting

Right now, it looks like Finch is in a two-man race for NBA Coach of the Year with the Thunder’s Mark Daigneault whose roster includes Minneapolis native Chet Holmgren. The former Minnehaha Academy superstar is in his own two-man race, vying with the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama for Rookie of the Year.

The Wolves are the No. 1 NBA team defensively, giving up the fewest points per game. A lot of that success is because of center Rudy Gobert who looks like a favorite to be the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Connelly will draw major interest for NBA Executive of the Year. Sam Presti of the Thunder and Brad Stevens from the Celtics look like Connelly’s major rivals.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the Twins also make trade news this week. Starting pitching help seems likely between now and the start of the season.

Veteran right fielder Max Kepler, rumored to be an offseason roster casualty, is a favorite of Twins management but might have been part of trade talks with the Mariners before a deal was finalized last week sending second baseman Jorge Polanco to Seattle.

Burnsville native Shawn Schlechter will be the St. Paul Saints hitting coach in 2024. He had that role for High-A Cedar Rapids in 2022 and Double-A Wichita in 2023 but now returns to Minnesota to work for the Twins’ Triple-A farm team.

Toby Gardenhire, son of Twins Hall of Fame manager Ron Gardenhire, returns for his fourth consecutive season leading the Saints.

Jonathan Mekonnen from Eastview, and Kyle Jorgensen from Washburn, plan to be roommates at Colorado State next summer when they start their college basketball careers. They are two of four scholarship Rams in the class of 2024 and have formed a friendship after being recruited by Colorado State head coach Niko Medved, the Roseville native and former Gopher student manager.

Mekonnen, a wing averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds as of late last week, is expected to be a top 10 candidate for Minnesota’s Mr. Basketball Award. Jorgensen entered this season as a lower profile college prospect, but the Washburn center has been impressive. Eastview coach Danny Olsen, whose team lost to the Millers in December, told Sports Headliners Jorgensen has skills and a playing style that reminds him of NBA superstar center Nikola Nikola Jokić. Olsen said Jorgensen can “score on anyone” and is a “great passer.”

Norwood Teague’s tenure as Gopher athletic director didn’t end well but it’s interesting that two administrators who he hired at Minnesota are now athletic directors at prominent schools: David Benedict, Connecticut; and Beth Goetz, Iowa.

Remember when Nevada (the site of this year’s Super Bowl) was the only state where you could legally wager on the outcome of sports events? Now such gambling is legal in 38 states, with others including Minnesota likely to soon join the ranks. With the gambling fun comes financial setbacks and addiction but who would wager sports betting will be in decline anytime soon?

Because of a labor agreement signed years ago between the NHL and its players, salaries pale in comparison to other major sports leagues. Wild star Kirill Kaprizov, the team’s lone representative in Saturday’s NHL All-Star Game, is compensated at an annual value of $9 million while so-so Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy reportedly earns nearly as much.

Mark Whicker, writing for The Morning After, detailed the NHL compensation situation in a recent article. He pointed out NBA Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reportedly makes $15 million, a figure that exceeds many NHL players including Kaprizov.

Word from a valued hockey source is if the Wild don’t start fast after the All-Star break, there will be personnel changes by GM Bill Guerin that include parting ways with Marc-André Fleury. Near untouchables, the source said, are Karprizov, Joel Eriksson Ek and Brock Faber.

A former NFL team executive, asking that his name not be published, predicts the Chiefs will beat the 49ers in Sunday’s Super Bowl. He told Sports Headliners the Chiefs’ defense has been consistent and effective, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is “so good on that big stage.”

One in six American service veterans and their families are hungry and not receiving minimum nutritional requirements to live healthy, contributive lives, according to promoters of the “Chefs for Vets” initiative going on now through Super Bowl Sunday February 11. Edina-based Heritage Gear is stepping up to help. During the campaign every purchase of a bag, accessory or any item found at the Heritage Gear website (http://heritagegear.com) raises money to feed veterans and their families.

Minnesota hockey icon Natalie Darwitz, general manager of the Minnesota team in the startup Professional Women’s Hockey League, speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers February 15. Minnesota drew a record professional women’s hockey crowd of over 13,000 at its first game in early January and the league has been averaging close to 5,000 fans per game, according to a recent online report by The Hockey News.

The eighth annual Guns-N-Hoses game benefiting the Front Line Foundation will be February 23 at the Blaine Super Rink, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. The hockey game matches Minnesota police and firefighters who entertain to help the Foundation that monetarily supports dependents of fallen heroes from law enforcement, fire departments, EMS and the National Guard. Admission is free but sponsorships, donations and other support is welcome, with more information available at the Guns-N-Hoses website.

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Don’t Bet Against Kirk Cousins Comeback

Posted on January 30, 2024 by David Shama

Kirk Cousins had serious but successful surgery on his right Achilles tendon almost three months ago. At age 35, there is reason to be concerned about future performance by the Vikings’ soon to be free agent quarterback regardless of who he plays for next season.

How will his on-field mobility be? Hardly a turf-field dancer during his 12 season NFL career, a more limited Cousins could be a stationary target and easy prey in the pocket next fall. That status would make Cousins less productive and potentially prone to injuries including a concussion. Best case scenario might be okay maneuverability next season, with improvement the year after.

There is also a possibility of re-injury to the Achilles. That development would almost assuredly end Cousins’ career which other than last fall has been one of good fortune and durability. Even a less than stable right leg could lessen Cousins’ trademark arm strength.

Advances in surgery and rehabilitation have changed the outcomes of serious lower leg injuries for NFL players. The greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, recovered from ACL knee surgery in 2008 and played 14 more seasons. Adrian Peterson, the Vikings GOAT RB, injured his left knee in late 2011 and recovered from ACL surgery to have one of his best seasons in 2012.

However, Achilles tendon surgery is generally considered more problematic than ACL knee surgery for a football player. Rams’ running back Cam Akers, though, made a recovery in less than six months a couple of years ago, shaving multiple months off his scheduled return to the field. Reports now on the recovery by Jets’ quarterback Aaron Rodgers after his 2023 Achilles tendon surgery are cheery and basketball players like Kevin Durant also have success stories following the potential career-threatening injury.

Cousins is a high character athlete who will follow advice and instruction at a GOAT level. He will use intelligence, common sense, work ethic and determination to provide himself with the best possible recovery outcome. He told NBC a while ago he expects to go from walking to jogging by February 1.

Cousins built his reputation as a top-twelve NFL quarterback on his strong arm, accuracy and football intelligence. Never considered a scrambling or running threat, Cousins does need to achieve mobility and lower body strength similar to the past to make his comeback successful. It’s reasonable–with no guarantees—to think of a recovery timeline that allows him to be on the field when the NFL schedule starts up next September.

Don’t bet against him regardless of where he calls home later in 2024.

Worth Noting

NFC North Division rivals Detroit and Green Bay are reminding Vikings fans of the alternatives in building quarterback success.

The division champion Lions have an eight-year career veteran in Jared Goff. He is similar in experience, league quarterback reputation and skill set to Cousins. The Lions have built an impressive total team and coaching support around Goff that could lead them to a Super Bowl in 2025. The Vikings? Much more of a long shot, although a healthy Cousins and significantly improved defensive personnel would shorten the odds.

The Packers have employed three starting quarterbacks in the last 31 years. The GB way is to identify quarterback potential and develop it. Aaron Rodgers sat for three seasons behind starter Brett Favre. After Rodgers left for the Jets in the 2023 off-season, the Packers turned to Jordan Love who had also been in development for three seasons. Love’s hot finish in his first year as a starter almost got the Packers to the NFC championship game this month.

It’s looking like much-admired Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will not be hired away for a head coaching job. Flores, the Dolphins former head coach, has a discrimination lawsuit against the NFL and three of its teams that remains unsettled. His return for at least one more season will be a major plus for Minnesota.

Gabriel Gonzalez, 20, the outfielder who the Twins acquired from the Mariners yesterday as one of four players coming to Minneapolis in return for second baseman Jorge Polanco is only 5-10 and 165-pounds, but he has surprising power and could turn out to be the gem of the trade for Minnesota. In 477 at bats in the low minors last year he hit 18 home runs.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, speaking before a gathering of more than 300 at the Minnesota Breakfast Club in Naples, Florida this month, talked candidly about his disappointing team. The Wild currently has 47 points, the second lowest total in the eight-team Central Division and is 5-9 this month including a two-game losing streak.

In the fall Minnesota had been forecast as a solid bet for the playoffs but prospects are iffy now. Breakfast attendee Marshall Tanick emailed Sports Headliners that Guerin said his in-season head coaching hire John Hynes (who replaced Dean Evason) is a “very detailed, very organized guy” who will help players in their preparations and performances.

Positives this season, per Guerin, include 39-year-old Marc-Andre Fleury becoming the second winningest all-time NHL goalie and the play of former Gopher defenseman Brock Faber who is impressing after joining the Wild for two games last spring.

Entertaining storyteller Bob Hagan, who for many years headed the Vikings’ public relations department, is the latest guest on Behind the Game with co-host Patrick Klinger and Dave Boden. Hagan, whose well-known quip at news conferences was “time for two more,” talks on the show about a career that made him one of the NFL’s well-known team communications leaders. https://youtu.be/maTN5BM4c4o.

Condolences to the family and friends of Phil Frerk who passed away from congestive heart failure earlier this month. He coached St. Louis Park girls’ basketball teams to state championships in 1986 and 1990. In retirement, the mild-mannered Frerk helped lead the CORES organization that hosted prominent speakers at luncheon gatherings in Bloomington. CORES is an acronym for coaches, officials, reporters, educators and sports fans.

Birthday club: Former Gophers All-American tight end and 1970s Viking Doug Kingsriter turned 74 yesterday, January 29. Authoritative Star Tribune Gopher basketball beat reporter Marcus Fuller celebrated his 45^th birthday last week.

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