Minnesota Vikings News and Links, 25 November 2023

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” – Marcus Aurelius

I hope your Thanksgiving was kind to your pants. Looking ahead, this feels like a must win game to me. They simply have to beat a team like the Bears if they want to be a contenda!

I wonder if Kwesi could swoop in and sign Shaq Leonard to a deal? I imagine it would have to be long term deal. Would a 3 year 24M deal be too much? Would it be too little? Either way, I think the Vikings would have to offer a longer deal with some guaranteed money.

Since yore last open thread …

2023 NFL Week 12: Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

Checking in on the NFC North: the final stretch ahead

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings: Initial injury reports for both teams

Previewing Bears/Vikings Round 2 with Bears Talk Underground

Round 2: Chicago Bears Vs Minnesota Vikings

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings: Interim injury reports

Other Vikings News

Justin Jefferson Provides Progress Report for Week 12, Thoughts on Social Media

“We still have more days to practice and really evaluate everything, weigh the options correctly, making sure that I’m feeling well and prepared to play a game,” Jefferson said. “If I’m feeling good, I will play.

“If I miss this one, it will be my seventh game, so it’s definitely frustrating,” Jefferson added. “It’s tough to be patient and try and make sure an injury heals properly, it’s definitely not something that I want to do, but it just comes with the game, trying to be healthy, trying to be 100 percent and just [taking] the safe route.”

“It’s honestly crazy, the amount of people that really criticize you and talk very bad about you, calling you different names,” Jefferson said. “You’re just trying to be healthy and trying to be your best on the field. Other people have other things going on that it’s a little different than your situation. At the end of the day, it is what it is. I’m more worried about my team and being healthy on the field. All that other stuff is going to come.”

Regarding the critical comments, Jefferson said he was “tired of it.”

“It’s frustrating. It’s draining to want to be out there on the field, wanting to play and all these other sources are saying different things that are not true on how you’re feeling,” Jefferson said. “It’s a crazy situation. I’m more focused on being back on that field and playing.”

Jefferson scoffed once again at the notion that his timeline has been affected by wanting to have a long-term contract signed with the team.

“I don’t really care too much because everyone is going to have their own opinions of what they think I’m thinking or what I’m doing, so it is what it is. At the end of the day, I know my position. I know what I’m doing, and I know it’s not for the contract,” Jefferson said. “I said that from the beginning of the season, that it wasn’t my main priority, so my main priority at this moment is to be back on the field, playing with my teammates and to compete for a Super Bowl. That’s what I’m mostly focused on. I’ve been saying plenty of times that the contract will come whenever it comes.”

Justin Jefferson shuts down his Twitter and Instagram accounts

Vikings’ $8 Million Starter Put on Notice After Coach’s Statement

In his Wednesday news conference, O’Connell was asked if Mattison’s second-half fumble that was key in a 21-20 loss to the Broncos last week would impact his touches going forward.

“It’s very important that our guys understand how important it is to possess the football,” O’Connell said on November 22, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “We have to be critical and make sure there is an accountability factor there.”

Vikings Eyeing $98 Million All-Pro Ahead of Playoffs: Report

“Leonard spent the last few seasons in Indy after signing a five-year, $98.25 million contract extension in 2021, but then injuries held him back. Now teams still in contention like the Eagles, Cowboys, Vikings and others are ‘collecting information’ on him,” Russini wrote. “A league source said Leonard may take his time making a decision.”

Since his return, Leonard has seen a diminished role on the Colts defense.

“It’s just different this year,” Leonard said earlier this month, per the IndyStar. “Either I’m hammering the ball back to Zaire or spilling it into the safety. I’m not as free as I once was in the defense before.”

The 28-year-old hasn’t been given the same opportunities his former defensive coordinator Matt Eberfleus once afforded him. According to Pro Football Focus, Leonard averaged 59.8 pass-rushing snaps a season through the 2021 season. Under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, Leonard has rushed the passer just nine times across 454 defensive snaps.

NFL News

NFL offensive line rankings ahead of Week 12

5. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (NO CHANGE)

Projected Week 12 starters:

LT Christian Darrisaw

LG Dalton Risner

C Garrett Bradbury

RG Ed Ingram

RT Brian O’Neill

Minnesota right guard Ed Ingram earned a negative grade on 10 run snaps against the Broncos — tied for the second-most downgrades on runs by any offensive lineman in Week 11.

Center Garrett Bradbury is allowing pressure on 1.9% of pass plays this season, by far the lowest rate of his career. His previous best was 5.0% during his rookie season in 2019.

Best player: Christian Darrisaw

Darrisaw’s 86.1 overall grade leads all offensive tackles this season.

Shaquille Leonard landing spots: Cowboys contact ex-Colts LB but Jerry Jones says team ‘needs to do homework’

No mention of the Vikings. Sigh.

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