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Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling is joined by Michael Rand for an analysis of the Vikings' schedule, which was released Wednesday. Goessling and Rand try to find a good time for rookie QB J.J. McCarthy to make his debut given the various challenges of Minnesota's schedule, speculate on how likely it is that McCarthy will face Kirk Cousins when the Vikings and Falcons play in December and...

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions about how the 2024 NFL Draft unfolded at quarterback, the team's 2025 resources in projected draft picks and cap space, receivers, O-linemen and more. Then Krammer shares a 12-minute clip of a chat with former Vikings receiver Adam Thielen, who discussed his new perspective, his Vikings exit, giving back to Minneso...

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap the Vikings' 2024 draft, which included some insight into how Kevin O'Connell plans to bring along new franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy. They also discuss one position that was not addressed, the new kicker, defensive reinforcements, and some great personal stories from incoming rookies.

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap the NFL Draft's first round, in which the Vikings had to wait and watch four quarterbacks get drafted before they traded up for Michigan's J.J. McCarthy. The NFL's arms race on offense seemed to impact their ability to move up farther. How did the night unfold at TCO Performance Center? What about the other trade up for Alabama's Dallas Turner, who was freque...

The Star Tribune's Andrew Krammer and Purple Insider's Matthew Coller discuss coordinator Brian Flores' offseason, starting with a quiet head coaching cycle and continuing with personnel changes in Minnesota. How do the Vikings want to play defense in 2024? Do they have the players or will they need more help in the draft? Kevin O'Connell addressed reporters Monday about the upcoming NFL Draft; wh...

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's pre-draft press conference dominated by the upcoming decision at quarterback. This QB class has been on the team's radar for a couple years. There are "multiple guys we're in love with," Adofo-Mensah said. Which player do they really want? What are the possibilities if they can't trade up high enough? What about this suppo...

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the Vikings' crossroads at quarterback, where they've signaled through trades and free-agent acquisitions that they're all in on finding the next franchise passer in April's first round. What does the acquisition of another first-round pick mean? What about Sam Darnold? And why did the Kirk Cousins breakup happen now instead of two years ago?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the suspenseful closing minutes (or not?) between the Vikings and quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was given a hefty bag containing four years and $180 million ($100 million guaranteed) by the Falcons. What's Cousins' legacy in Minnesota after six seasons? What's next for the Vikings at quarterback? And they recap a busy day on defense, where thr...

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview NFL free agency through the Vikings' perspective, starting with whether they'll jump into the deep end of a talented RB pool in free agency? Kirk Cousins will make the most of his free agency, that much is guaranteed. Plus, who stays and who goes? They discuss pending free agents from Danielle Hunter and K.J. Osborn to Jordan Hicks and Greg Jo...

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer come to you from a corner of a convention center in Indianapolis, where the NFL world resides for one week every year. So, what's the Vikings' plan at quarterback? When's the deadline for a Kirk Cousins deal? What about Justin Jefferson, Danielle Hunter, Brian Flores and the most recent NFLPA survey?

Andrew Krammer is joined by Star Tribune NFL writer and Hall of Fame voter Mark Craig to discuss former Vikings defensive end Jared Allen being left out of the Hall for the fourth straight year. They get into former Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer's reported return as Cowboys defensive coordinator. Craig, a Cleveland native and NFL Honors voter, also answers for the Browns sweeping top awards. Plus...

Andrew Krammer is joined by Star Tribune NFL writer Mark Craig, who is the Minneapolis-St. Paul market's voter for the Hall of Fame, NFL honors, and All-Pro selections. What does he make of the Lions in the NFC Championship? What are the challenges facing the Vikings this offseason? Mark also discusses his All-Pro ballot, which included just one Viking, and safety Harrison Smith's Hall of Fame cas...

Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune and Matthew Coller of Purple Insider discuss the first round of the NFL playoffs and the Vikings' place in the NFC North. How close is the Vikings roster to being relevant again in the division? Or relevant in February? Which young players can they count on? What position is absolutely barren right now? Finally, the year in Stefon Diggs tweets.

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer react to the season-ending press conferences from GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and HC Kevin O'Connell, and they set the stage for what is a pivotal offseason for both of them. What are the factors at play in Kirk Cousins' potential return? Would they still draft a quarterback even if Cousins re-signs? What about the defensive depth chart and decisions to be made? And that...

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Jim Souhan recap the Vikings' 30-20 loss from Ford Field, where safety Harrison Smith may have played his last game in the NFL. They look back on Smith's 12-year career, receiver Justin Jefferson's dominance and frustration, and Akayleb Evans' tough end in this episode.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions about the defensive collapse, coordinator Brian Flores' head coaching candidacy, a former top draft pick, and who they got making the Super Bowl this year.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the Vikings' pivot back to quarterback Nick Mullens, who will make his second start against the Lions in the past three weeks. The conversation quickly moves to the long-term outlook with Kirk Cousins, the 2024 NFL Draft class and Justin Jefferson's recent comments about that uncertainty. Finally, what are you looking for from Sunday's game?

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions about safety Harrison Smith's future, the outlook at quarterback between Kirk Cousins' free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft, reasons to keep caring (or not) and more.

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer dig through the wreckage of the Vikings' 30-24 loss to the Lions, which included tight end T.J. Hockenson suffering two torn ligaments in his right knee. How do they move forward? And with which quarterback? Goessling said the Vikings could turn to Jaren Hall, the fifth-round rookie, after Nick Mullens threw four picks against Detroit.

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions about quarterback Kirk Cousins' value among many injured quarterbacks, edge rusher Marcus Davenport, playoff scenarios and rooting interests.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Sunday's Vikings-Lions meeting, the first this season but possibly the first of many with high stakes in the NFC North. How do the Vikings in Year 2 under Kevin O'Connell stack up with the Lions in Year 3 under Dan Campbell? Which roster is better built for long-term success?

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer come to you from a random radio booth at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, where the Vikings lost 27-24 to the Bengals in overtime. Former Vikings quarterback Jake Browning became just the second passer to top 300 yards on Brian Flores this year. What happened on those big plays to Bengals receivers? What about quarterback Nick Mullens' first Vikings start? And Kevin O...

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer discuss Nick Mullens as the Vikings' fourth starting quarterback this season. What are the expectations heading into Saturday's game in Cincinnati? Who else could be out of the lineup? What about Brian Flores' candidacy for AP Assistant Coach of the Year? And how many Pro Bowlers do you think this top 10 defense will get?

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap the Vikings' 3-0 win in Las Vegas -- the NFL's first such final score since 2007 -- and how head coach Kevin O'Connell got the the point of benching Joshua Dobbs for Nick Mullens. Is this Mullens' job for the next week? What happened with Dobbs? How about linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and this defense?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss Kevin O'Connell's decision to stick with Dobbs and how coaches play a role in crafting a plan around what he does well. They also discuss Sunday's game against the Raiders in context of a defining five-game stretch, as well as the 2022 draft class and roster depth compared to the NFC North.