From One Year Ago Today

 My Verdict: The Vikings' brain trust fumbled with the decision to go all in on McCarthy. It is clear that in the 2025 season and into the foreseeable future, Darnold will be a top QB in the league. I trusted them to do the right thing, and they blew it.

The Vikes got outcoached badly in their final two games. It is hard for me to feel too bad about the outcome. KOC is a great coach but has a lot to learn. I am not going to jump on the kick Sam when he is down bandwagon for it is for fools. Super Sam is still in there. And now it is quite possible that he can be resigned for a reasonable amount, think Baker Mayfield type contract. Kwesi and KOC know what they have in Sam. I will be shocked if they let him leave. If he does leave I think it will be to the 49ers or Rams. That would suck!

What To Do With Uncle Sam?

 Honestly, I'm not very worried about what the Vikings brain trust decided to do. They have earned my trust by putting together this season's roster. They know what they have in-house better than anybody. I doubt they let him walk. His skill set is too elite. He and KOC have proved to be a perfect match for each other. The guy has won 14 games with a shot at 15. He is tough, cold-blooded, and puts in the work. I'm sure they will figure something out that works for Uncle Sam and the team. It will shock me if that isn't the case. Uncle Sam knows he's got a good thing going here, and his priorities will dictate what the Vikings organization will do. If Sam chooses to chase the $ like Kirk, the Viking's brain trust will be forced into some hard decisions. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that, and they can work something out where everybody wins, and Sam stays for multiple successful seasons. If the team is forced to go another way because the asking price doesn't meet the budget, I wish Uncle Sam well. Business is business.  

What To Do? What To Do? (Vikes)

 After an unbelievable start, AstroDobbs crashed as his performance got shakier with each start.  There is only so much you can drink from a firehouse before you drown. What Josh Dobbs accomplished while drinking from the fire hose was amazing, but almost certainly wasn't sustainable. Thankfully, with the bye this week, the Vikings Coaching Staff and Management can take extra time to evaluate where things stand and come up with the best plan of action for how to attack the stretch run, with contingencies if things go awry. It is possible that all hope for the Vikes was lost when Kirk went down. Maybe Dobbs is the best option at quarterback, but maybe not. That is why Kwesi and KOC get paid big bucks. Their job is to work on the problem and find solutions. Bringing in Dobbs worked, but maybe a change or QB by committee is in order. Has that ever been tried? Why not dress three QBs and use them all according to their strengths. If it blows up, it blows up. What do they have to lose? Nothing! I didn't expect Dobb's to win a single game, but after the first one, I knew he gave us a chance. With the D playing as well as they are, this team has a chance in all of the remaining games. The Vikes just have to get a handle on those turnovers.

Historical Note: The team's defensive play really fell off coming down the stretch.