In 2024, the vikings had the oldest roster in the nfc. That is going to be a given when a team consistently misses in the draft and is forced to fill holes in free agency. Still, with the "oldest roster", its not like the were fielding that yesteryear redskin team nick amed the "over the hill gang". I think the viking 2024 team averaged 28.7. Mainly it was Gilmore & Harry Smith being on the roster that contributed to the purple gaining the dubious distinction. Yet, those 2 players were more than solid.

Speaking of solid db's. Ive started rewatching the season. This morning taking in the 1st game.
A 28-6 beatdown of the Danny Jones Giants. More on jones in a few....
The db that stands out in purple? Cam Bynum!
He's one if the best safeties in the current league. Sure tackler in run support. And maybe the best cb the Vikings had the past 2 years. The knock on him is his lack of top speed. Which is why he was converted from Cal Bears cb to nfl safety. He is a free agent, looking for his 2nd contract. If the Vikings dont pay him as a top 5 safety, sonebody will. Replacing his versatility in the Flores scheme would be very hard. Of all the viking FA's- id say- ino- he is priority 1 to keep. The #2 priority, again. Just my opinion. Is OT Cam Robinson. He is a top 20 nfl starting tackle. The knocks being his age, and a history of minor injuries that consistently kept him from being dominant. The Viking do have 2 good tackles already in O'Neal & Darrisaw. Having a 3 rd is a luxury. Unless. One of those 3 moves inside to the RG position. Robinson & Oneal manning that rught side changes the O-line in a big way- pardon the pun. That also opens up the competition at lg to all the remaining rostered players- including Walter Rouse. If those 4 become the 4 starters alongside a center. Probably the zone blocking scheme needs to be run less often in lieu of the old school power scheme. I think Brandel & Ingram birh fit the power scheme better as well, giving the team both increased beef & depth. It does however turn the current center into an absolute miss fit. And what a misfit Bradburry has been. He never developed into the player the team hoped for. On top of that, his line calls are mostly miserable with the line consistently duped by stunts & blitzes. The zone scheme the team runs. It was once an innovation that created big run game advantages. Not so much anymore as we see the majority of teams turn to lighter faster lateral quickness lbers. The result of that is now an opportunity for teams to return to power blocking schemes and become road grader offenses that shove the lighter defensive fronts backwards. Weve already witnessed teams like Philly, Baltimore, Detroit & KC go that direction. The Chargers under Harbaugh too will be going more to the power run scheme. Its an advantage for the offenses that do so now before defenses figure out that skinny fast lbers cant take on a 1750lb O-line. It's right there for the taking if the Vikings wish to change things up. Will they?
I do think its the smart move. But I doubt KOC even considers it. Tis a shame.

Back to Danny Jones. Man, that dude is some kind of accuracy challenged qb! Especially from the pocket! When he's on the move. His accuracy improves. He is a free agent. But ya gotta think, KOC added him late last season with thoughts of a job wearing purple in 2025. Addnl- I think Jones foitball IQ leaves much to be desired. Hes now played enough games to have developed the abiliry to read/ anticipate coverages. It didnt happen for him. Hes often late on reads as well as committing to early on throws that proper reading would not allow. Perhaps, JOC the perceived qb miracle worker can pull a rabbit out of that hat. But I sincerely doubt it. I think DJ Dimes is, at this point, the qb we see on tape in 2024. An average backup caliber qb. At similar money, assuming a Darnold type $10m 1 year deal. Id much rather see Zac Wilson brought in for a try.
One of the rumors out there is Jimmy G might be a target if Darnold is not retained. I especially do not like that plan. Assuming the Viking O-line is similar to previous seasons. Carapolo will get killed-alo.
Zac Wilson has a very talented arm and some slippery pocket escapability. His character is the big concern. His country club schtick wont fit on most teams. But the vikings, as alluded to in the giant broadcast. Have developed a team culture the announcers dubbed- " new age nfl culture". If Wilson could excel anywhere- i think his best shot would be on the JJ Jefferson new age KOC lockeroom.

If they were to sign the country club kid- id like to see a 2 year deal this time, maybe even 3. So, if KOC can work the reclamation project into a similar Sam Darnold success story. The Vikings can then flip the success story for some trading day pocket money. Theres no such thing as a guarantee with such an endeavor. Yet, you can bet the Vikings wish now that they had put 2 years of ink on the Darnold deal, or at least a team option clause added in with an extra million or 2 up front.

Smart thinking starts with anticipation.
Wouldnt that be a nice addition to the Vikings "new age culture". I think so.