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One of the most common questions I field from people is "What do you do in the offseason?"

I don't mind the question, and I usually explain there are waves of busy weeks sprinkled in with some time to work on some longer-term projects.

There's a right level of busy (and fun work that doesn't feel like work), and that's what Minnesota's opening two weeks of free agency have provided.

Since last week's edition of the Mailbag, the Vikings officially completed the following business items:

Hosted and agreed to terms with CB Jeff Okudah & WR Rondale Moore

Hosted and signed WR Tim Jones

Announced the additions of Jordan Traylor & Charlie Frye to the coaching staff

Finalized the trade with San Francisco for running back Jordan Mason

Introduced signees Ryan Kelly and Will Fries on the offensive line, Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen on the defensive line, cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and Mason

The Vikings also announced the release of center Garrett Bradbury, who started all 88 regular-season games played for Minnesota over the course of six seasons. Bradbury quickly joined the Patriots, and I wish nothing but the best for him and his family.

Last Tuesday, I had the opportunity to cover J.J. McCarthy helping the Vikings Table food truck powered by Xcel Energy deliver the 100,000^th meal through a signature initiative of the Minnesota Vikings Foundation. McCarthy marked the milestone by creating special memories for YouthLink clients.

I also wanted to mention another fantastic feature by Lindsey Young that shined a light on the positive relationships that Walter Rouse has developed at GiGi's Playhouse in honor of his late aunt.

It's great to see McCarthy and Rouse, a pair of 2024 draft picks, already doing so much in this community.

Lastly, I'd like to thank everyone for staying so connected to the offseason happenings. I also explain to people in the question mentioned above that I get to do this full-time year-round in large part because the Vikings fanbase is so passionate about following the team.

It seems the Vikings have clearly indicated that they are 'all in' on McCarthy and he'll be the guy for 2025. I'm excited to finally see what he can do on the field in regular-season play. This is all well and good, but 'all in' does not mean ignore reality and obvious risk. McCarthy is coming off a serious injury and has not played a down of NFL football. With recent season fiascos when Kirk Cousins went down, or in San Francisco when Brock Purdy was injured, it's pretty obvious that contender teams these days simply MUST have two viable QBs at a minimum. While Brett Rypien has potential, he's not a proven NFL starter. We let all our QBs go in free agency, probably by design, but now we're stuck in a very precarious position that all the viable free agent QBs are now gone. We're passing on Aaron Rodgers (which I'm OK with). Russell Wilson and Joe Flacco will likely only go somewhere they can compete to start. Jameis Winston is an INT machine. Look at the PFF list. There's literally no one viable left.

I'm hoping Kwesi has a trade offer up his sleeve that nobody knows about. Otherwise, he's been killing it in free agency but missed on the one position that could make or break our season.

Thanks and Skol!

— Eric Moorehead in Austin, Texas

Surprise, surprise! We'll start today's questions with the QB situation.

NFL Media's Tom Pelissero posted his report about the topic on Wednesday, noting the Vikings rejected calls from teams asking if they had any interest in trading McCarthy. He also reported that Minnesota is "not pursuing Aaron Rodgers at this time."

Pelissero joined The Rich Eisen Show on Friday and further discussed the topic. It's worth a listen.

There's plenty of Vikings coaches on staff who are cognizant of the QB scramble drill that occurred after Cousins' injury in 2023, as well as what San Francisco went through in the 2022 NFC Championship Game.

Pelissero even reminded Eisen of 2016 when Teddy Bridgewater suffered his knee dislocation at a late August practice. In addition to providing a scary day and one of the toughest in nearly 11 years on the job, the injury toppled a series of dominoes for Minnesota and across the league for the next several years.

There appears to be time to continue to evaluate options to add depth at QB. The Vikings have even shown in 2022 that they don't mind executing a trade to acquire a backup, even after the preseason opens. Minnesota acquired Nick Mullens from Las Vegas after playing him to open that year's preseason slate.

The Vikings have done a great job in free agency this year. O-line upgrades, d-line upgrades, the Hitman coming back and an outstanding young RB to work with Aaron Jones, Sr. I predict we will have two RBs with 1,000 yards rushing this year. As fans, we couldn't ask for more.

There are two UFA QBs available that nobody is talking about and just by coincidence they are both from the same college. Carson Wentz and Trey Lance from NDSU (Go Bison!!). They both have National Championship-winning histories, and let's not forget that Carson was one of the main reasons the Eagles made it to the Super Bowl a few years ago. I don't feel that SF or Dallas was the right place for Trey Lance, and I think he would do awesome in the Vikings system with the QB whisperer, Coach O'Connell. Would love to hear your thoughts.

— Jonathan Dittmer

There's plenty to be excited about so far with the way the Vikings have addressed the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and fielding a legitimate roster that includes Harrison Smith for his 14^th NFL season, as well as Mason, who posted 100 yards against Minnesota in Week 2 last season.

It might be tough to have two 1,000-yard rushers. Detroit in 2023 came close with David Montgomery (1,015 on 219 carries) and Jahmyr Gibbs (945 on 182), but it's exciting to think about the 1-2 punch that could exist between Jones and Mason and how the differences in each other's game could lead to a robust rushing attack and boost an effort that has totaled 16 touchdowns on the ground since 2023.

As for the two QBs mentioned by Jonathan, Wentz, 32, has started 94 regular-season games, including all 17 in the 2021 season (teaming with Kelly & Fries in Indy) before joining Washington (2022), the L.A. Rams (2023) and Kansas City (2024) in the past three seasons. He's a cheat code waiting to happen for pro-football-reference.com's Immaculate Grid game.

I still remember the robust reception Lance, the former Marshall High School star, received at 2022 Vikings Training Camp as a second-year pro with the 49ers as San Francisco visited for joint practices. It didn't work out for Lance in San Fran, however. He wound up starting four games for the team that selected him with the No. 3 overall pick of 2021 and made one start for Dallas in 2024. Lance won't turn 25 until May, so it could still be early in his developmental curve.

Really like the free agents signing to address o-line, d-line and secondary. Really like the trade for Jordan Mason from the Niners and the trade of Ed Ingram to Texans. GM did a great job! And the cap god worked his magic with the free agent contracts. Now we need a backup QB. I definitely DO NOT want Rodgers! Pickings are slim, but Joe Flacco or Ryan Tannehill will do. Maybe draft a developmental QB late in the draft. Should use our draft picks to fill out roster/best player available. We have a VERY tough schedule this season. Ton of good playoff teams. Could be a tough year! As you know, I'm a long-suffering fan for over 50 years!! Want Vikings to win a Super Bowl in MY lifetime.

Cautiously optimistic,

— Frankie from Connecticut

The Vikings navigated the trade waters, first to create flexibility in the deal that sent Ingram to the Texans and then to use some of that flexibility to add a player who is expected to be a significant contributor to the offense via a subsequent trade.

I mentioned the added flexibility in last week's Mailbag, and more for 2026 is expected, according to early projections for that year's compensatory picks formula.

Frankie is correct that the 2025 schedule isn't easy. Beyond what is expected to be tough division battles, the Vikings host the Eagles, Commanders, Ravens, Bengals and Falcons and visit the Cowboys, Giants, Steelers, Browns, Seahawks and Chargers.

I saw the Vikings/49ers game with RB Jordan Mason playing. He looked very good against Minnesota. I think he was a great selection. Hope they give Levi Drake Rodriguez more playing time. He is being wasted sitting on the bench. Others I would like to see get action are Bo Richter and Walter Rouse.

— William, Florida (fan since '68)

There were quite a few runs by Mason in his first few games as the starter in place of Christian McCaffrey that jump off the film. His missed tackles forced percentage, according to Next Gen Stats, led players who rushed at least 150 times in 2024.

I mentioned Rouse above for the great work he's doing in the community. He, Rodriguez (a seventh-round pick) and Richter (joined Minnesota as an undrafted free agent) are among the young players who can take a jump in their second seasons.

Why isn't anybody talking about Asante Samuel, Jr.?!?

Not only would he be exciting to see in Purple, but our CB pool is wide but shallow. A player of this caliber could move two players to the practice squad, freeing up a roster spot.

— Stever in Minneapolis

The Vikings have retained Byron Murphy, Jr., and added Isaiah Rodgers and Okudah in free agency. They'll continue to evaluate the entirety of the roster.

There are a few waves of signings across the NFL before and after the draft.

Samuel has started 47 of the 50 regular-season games he's played for the Chargers and is a free agent.

What ever happened to Dallas Turner, a No. 1 pick last year for the Vikings? Why is he so silent?

— Thanks and SKOL from "The Bumper" from the 419

This question from a Northwest Ohio area code revisits a topic I've covered before. I noted Adofo-Mensah has referred to the "dark art of pass rushing" as being part of the development of young edge defenders and something that takes time on task. Turner is poised to have more playing time in a rotation that includes 2024 Pro Bowlers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel after the departure of Pat Jones II in free agency.

The Vikings are excited about the future for Turner.

I was thinking to select Nick Emmanwori at 24. We are set at most positions for the next two years. However, Hitman is in the twilight of his career. We have secured all defensive needs except safety. His height and speed would fill this position for years to come. What do you think? I know I pounded the table for Kenneth Grant, but after grabbing two defensive tackles in free agency this postseason, this position is locked down for at least the next two years.

— Rodger in Sacramento, California

Emmanwori has been projected to the Vikings in a few mock drafts so far. We'll put together Version 5.0 this week now that some of the dust has settled from free agency and see the latest projections.

When a team is picking at 24, it's never a bad thing to have the flexibility that Minnesota has created.

Kwesi and Co. have done such a great job moving players off waivers and other rosters throughout the offseason and over the free agency period, especially over this week and during his stewardship of the team. But I believe even they'd admit they've fallen short of their own goals when it comes to the draft. Have they identified the metrics and measures that they may use to successfully evaluate free agent talent may not be the same formula for collegiate level talent? Without giving away the secret sauce, how does their analysis and decision making differ from something they're so good at, (free agency) to drafting where they're objectively underperforming (data point — draft picks starting)?

Thanks to all the Vikings members for making it such a great organization. You all make it such a great experience to be a fan.

With much reverence,

— Brandon Gualtiere

I don't want to claim to be a definitive expert on this, but free agents can be evaluated in NFL systems against other NFL players. Evaluating college prospects requires a bit more of a projection.

There has been a difference in the hit rate so far for acquired free agents compared to draft results in the first three seasons. An important thing to note, however, is that it is still too early to draw conclusions about the 2024 class, especially since players were behind such a talented roster.

The Vikings only made six selections in 2023 and landed Jordan Addison in the first round. He's been a difference maker for sure. Third-round pick Mekhi Blackmon showed promise as a rookie before missing all of last season. Jay Ward has added depth and help on special teams. The Vikings moved on from later picks Jaquelin Roy, Jaren Hall and DeWayne McBride, but have three of the six from 2023 in line to continue contributing to the team.

View the Vikings Free Agency Tracker.

View the Vikings 2025 Draft Picks.

View the Vikings 2025 Opponents.