“Sound the Gjallarhorn!” - A Minnesota Vikings Franchise

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QUARTERBACK TURMOIL AROUND THE LEAGUE

Storyline a plenty around the league this off-season that sees plenty of alleged disgruntled or unwanted high profile quarterbacks potentiality on the move. The San Francisco 49ers drafted their future at quarterback last year in Trey Lance, and though not ready, the team appears ready to throw him to the wolves which leaves Jimmy G without a home. Since the destruction of the Legion of Boom, Russell Wilson has struggled to consistently get the Seattle Seahawks deep into the playoffs. Baker Mayfield has suffered from.. something.

Where will these quarterbacks, along with Aaron Rodgers, Jameis Winston, and others, call home next season?

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RUMOR: TEAMS INQUIRE ABOUT COUSINS

With rumors of friction between the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins leaking out, quarterback needy teams have allegedly began reaching out to the team to get feelers. A source close to the team said that they highly covet Cousins and believes the team wants a first round pick in return. While many scoff at the notion of a first round pick being given up for him, desperation does a lot to the human mind.

The source has stated that the Steelers, with whom quarterback Ben Roethlisberger retired this off-season, the Saints, unsure of how much it will cost to keep Jameis Winston, and the Texans, who are looking to move disgruntled star Deshaun Watson, have all inquired. There is also speculation that the Vikings would consider swapping quarterbacks with other teams. One relationship to look out for is Kevin Stefanski's relationship with Cousins.

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SPIELMAN ACCEPTS ADVISORY ROLE, VIKINGS HIRE ADOFO-MENSAH AS GM

The Minnesota Vikings made their mind on their General Manager position. Former GM Rick Spielman, well respected within the organization, has accepted a move to an advisory role as the team decides on Cleveland Browns' Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as their new GM. Adofo-Mensah is very analytical and is believed to be one of the hot, up-and-coming front office people in the league.

With the hire, let the Kirk Cousins-for-Baker Mayfield rumors begin.

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VIKINGS HIRE CHIEFS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR BIENIEMY AS NEW HEAD COACH

The Minnesota Vikings have named Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieniemy as their new Head Coach. Bieniemy has spent the last four years as the Chiefs offensive coordinator (eight years total), helping develop young Patrick Mahomes into a top five quarterback in the league.

Bieniemy is expected to promote Vikings Wide Receivers Coach Keenan McCardell to Offensive Coordinator due to his superb work with the Vikings receivers. He is also rumored to have poached back former Vikings Defensive Line Coach Andre Patterson as his Defensive Coordinator. Patterson just recently signed with the New York Giants after former Head Coach Mike Zimmer was fired.

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VIKINGS RESIGNING PERIOD

The Minnesota Vikings have announced the resigning of the following unrestricted free agents:

S Xavier Woods, 3 years, 12.5m
TE Ty Conklin, 4 years, 19.3m
K Greg Joseph, 1 year, 1.29m
C Mason Cole, 1 year, 2.3m

The Vikings have let the following players walk without offering a new contract:

P Jordan Berry
DE Kenny Willekes
TE Chris Herndon IV
G Dakota Dozier

The following players have decided they want to test free agency:

LB Anthony Barr
DE Everson Griffen
CB Patrick Peterson
DL Sheldon Richardson
CB Mackensie Alexander
WR Dede Westbrook
LB Nick Vigil
OT Rashod Hill

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VIKINGS SHIP COUSINS TO SAINTS

The Minnesota Vikings have shipped quarterback Kirk Cousins, tight end Ty Conklin, and a 2022 fourth round pick to the New Orleans Saints for a 2022 first round pick, 2022 second round pick, and defensive tackle David Onyemata.

The Saints paid a premium as the quarterback market was slim this year as the top names, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Deshaun Watson, have all stayed home.

The Vikings are adamant that they are not rebuilding.

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VIKINGS MAKE TE GESICKI HIGHEST PAID TIGHT END

The Minnesota Vikings have made free agent tight end Mike Gesicki the highest paid tight end, tied with San Francisco 49ers tight end Greg Kittle, with a four year, $60 million contract.

The team also came to terms with defensive end Everson Griffen (one year contract) and linebacker Anthony Barr (two year contract).

Also, after time away from the team, cornerback Xavier Rhodes (two years) made the decision to sign with the Vikings after a sour ending years ago.

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VIKINGS' DRAFT SHOWS BRIGHT FUTURE FOR TEAM
(Forewarning: My bias got the best of me. I will not need to explain.)

Round 1
CB Andrew Booth Jr., Clemson (Pick 15)
QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (Pick 19)

Round 2
WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State (Pick 12)
LE Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State (Pick 18)

Round 3
OLB Brandon Smith, Penn State (Pick 12)
CB Josh Jobe, Alabama (Pick 13)
LT Rasheed Walker, Penn State (Pick 15)
SS Leon O'Neal Jr., Texas A&M (Pick 19)

Round 6
CB Tariq Castro-Fields, Penn State (Pick 12)
P Matt Araiza, San Diego State (Pick 15)
DT D.J. Davidson, Arizona State (Pick 30)