Flacco as a savior?
Hmm?

Newsflash- its JJ Mac or bust. It just is.
A-rod, rusty wilson, flacco, wentz et-al.
They are hold the fort for a week or 3 types.

Gotta have gas in the tank to start 17 nfl games.
Im ok with JJ/Bart simpson Rypien as a 2 headed qb. I like flacco as a mentor, maybe mop up a game. Start 1 or 2 games- type role.

Those other guys? They are self deluded in their own thoughts that they can play like a 30 yr old.
They are 40- brittle- slow- athritic.

Yes, the vikings improved their O-line. But they didnt improve it to the point its going to be confused with the eagles line. And even the eagles line. The qb still takes a beating.

State of the nfl in 2025.
Offensive lineman is no longer a college position guys want to play. Theres more money playing d-line. That has resulted in a 6-8 year trend of o-line quality coming from colleges has taken a severe down tick.

Nfl qb play. If youre not mobil or escapable in this era? Every game is bounty gate bruise time.
Even with all the qb rule protections in place.
A step slower than your prime. A 1/2 second slower on the release. The stuff that shows up on all players +35 years old. Its a problem.

We have it in our minds. Brady won a superbowl at 41. Nobody in the current nfl is Tom Brady.
Sure, plenty of qb's with different skill sets are perhaps capable of brady-esque victory rates.

Brady had 1 very special skill that he leaned on post knee injury. I dont see anybody else with that skill. When bradys back foot planted his final step. His throwing morion was already initiated. He was the king of 1,2,3- plant- ball gone. Lots of passes sailed high oob. Or were missles 2 yards short into the turf. Brady was the king of leaning on his run game. Checking into screens when he id-ed a corner blitz. The king of frustrating the pass rush. And if he did take a hit. He was the Michael Jordan of the nfl. Almost always drawing the foul.

Back in the day. Tarkenton was that guy. He almost never took a hit. And if he did. He curled up like an armadillo and protected himself.

One of the reasons I admired Kirko & Darnold so much in their viking tenure. Both of them took a beating. Like a mike tyson spar partner. And- they didnt miss time. I do not believe JJ Mac will hold up to the punishment Darnold endured. Or kirko the year before.

Last I saw JJ. That dude had teddy B toothpick legs. We should be very concerned on how he's gonna hold up. We gotta believe/hope. O'Connell, who watched the brady show from the front row. Is pounding JJ over the head with that brady rythmic dance plan. 1-2-3 plant- ball gone. As well. Far more hb screen passes as the #1 audible. As well, a heavy, heavy lean on the ground game.

Go back & watch darnold 2024. Kirko 2022. Both sacked near 60x. Plus another 80-90 qb hits.
That offense will not work anymore. It is that 1978? moment at nebraska when somebody realized the wishbone offense is a thing of the past.
No more play action kevin. Use rpo/ read option as the replacement.
We'll know in the 1st game of preseason if the vikings understand what year it is. If the KOC scheme remains stuck in play action?
It wont matter who the qb is. Everyone they sign will land on IR. The qb playing in week 14 will be a guy plucked off somebodys practice squad.

If on the other hand, its JJ Mac & Rypien?
Isnt KOC forced to adapt in order to keep his guy healthy.
Trial by fire for JJ & KOC. No training wheels. No security blanket. I for 1 like it. Flacco as another backup. Im good with that as well. Flacco wont be there with the idea of starting 5-10 games. If signed, he's there to finish a game here or there. Maybe start 1 or 2.

On the other hand. Signing a-rod, or wilson. Signing wentz. They dont have to keep focus on protecting JJ at all costs.