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Another offseason month is winding down today, and there are only 24 days before the 2025 NFL Draft's opener.

Teams are cycling through college pro day workouts, adding another layer to their evaluations of prospects and gearing up for their final meetings.

Representatives of teams also have descended on South Florida for the Annual League Meeting, including Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett is scheduled to interview both men, as well as Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf.

We'll have another round of content heading your way from the meeting.

Lastly, be warned for April's start and anyone who might take advantage of April Fool's Day with posts on social media. Now that my PSA is out of the way, let's get to the questions.

I have noticed over the last couple of weeks that many other Vikings fans have expressed concern for our team's QB room, which is obviously the biggest question mark going into this new season. And the only response you have are random stats, etc., which doesn't answer any question or concern at all. Like why are the big wigs sitting on their hands and watching every single available QB go away? Are we really going to let our backup be Brett Rypien? Like wow. I thought this organization had a handle on what our weak points are. If this isn't one of them, I don't know what is?

— Cyrus Sutherland

I am happy to relay some fresh quotes about the quarterback situation from Adofo-Mensah's media session last week at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center where most questions centered around the quarterback position. This week, we'll also hear from O'Connell during multiple scheduled media sessions. It's likely that QB will be a talker, but until then, here's an excerpt from Adofo-Mensah's session.

"Right now, given our scenario planning, we're happy with our [quarterbacks] room," Adofo-Mensah said. "And you know, obviously we're going to talk a lot about J.J. McCarthy, but Brett Rypien, who is somebody we brought in last offseason, we thought, you know, made a lot of great decisions, quick decision-making, processing, a better athlete than people give him credit for, accurate passer, so we're excited about him, and we're always going to keep looking to see if we can upgrade that position, just like every other position."

He later added the team is "looking at all our options, but there's a lot of good players out there still."

The regular season is still five months away. The draft will shape the next wave of free agency that generates less buzz but can still become important, and happenings in offseason programs around the league could continue to impact availabilities of players and opportunities with teams.

The Vikings credited Rypien at the end of last season for his effectiveness in leading the scout team offense. The team enjoyed working with him last season, and he boosted his familiarity with the system after joining the team in late August.

I think there's a solid argument that the moves Minnesota made so far illustrate an honest assessment of a 14-3 team that fell shy of the ultimate goal and a focused attempt to try to improve targeted areas.

I'm sure I'm not the only one curious to why all the QBs have been waived that have experience in the NFL and understand the Vikings offense putting all the marbles in one basket with McCarthy, especially with having strength in other positions?

— Tim Brandenburg in Blue Grass, Iowa

A brief clarification: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Daniel Jones were all free agents as opposed to being placed on waivers. Each evaluated his options and made decisions. Darnold headed to Seattle to be a starter for the Seahawks, Mullens went to Jacksonville as a backup to Trevor Lawrence and Jones departed for Indianapolis to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting gig.

Mullens, folks may remember, didn't join Minnesota until August of 2022 when the Vikings executed a trade with the Raiders after playing against him in the preseason opener. I bring that up to remind people there's still plenty of time if things somehow don't go as envisioned with McCarthy this offseason.

If things progress as planned, then a first-year quarterback will have the benefit of what appears to be a solid team with plenty of experience.

I think Viking fans are wringing their hands and pulling out their hair this offseason. Why?

The QB everybody wanted in the 2024 draft is in line to start. And the only other QB on the roster is Brett Rypien.

I've even read in the Monday Mailbag some suggesting the team sign Trey Lance. That is some crazy panic right there! Get over Trey Lance please.

There's a far better option from the very same [North Dakota State] Bison program available on draft day. Cam Miller. Unlike Lance, Miller started 50-plus games for the Bison, playing in four FCS Championship Games.

I'm sure many in the area know what I'm talking about. The Vikings should be looking to FCS this year to draft a QB insurance policy. Miller just might be the best college QB to come out of the Dakota/Iowa/Minnesota quad-state area ever!

Please Viking scouts. Plant this kid's name in Mr. Adofo-Mensah's ear! Let's paint some horns on the Iowa son's future!

— "Vic King" in Idaho

How quickly some have forgotten about the excitement level when Minnesota made McCarthy the highest-picked QB in franchise history. That decision was arrived at with conviction after undergoing an extensive evaluation process and trading up a spot in the 2024 NFL Draft.

While much focus and conversation will evolve around veterans, the Vikings may also supplement the position with a young player through the draft or by signing an undrafted free agent to open the offseason program with three or four quarterbacks.

Miller hails from Solon, Iowa, about four-and-a-half hours south of the Twin Cities.

The Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Year finished second in voting for the Walter Payton Award (OPOY in FCS). He and the Bison went 14-2 in 2024, claiming a second title together to go along with 2021.

Miller completed 759 of 1,094 passes for 9,721 yards with 81 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in 67 games with the Bison.

Kwesi and Kevin, pick Tommy Mellott as a QB. He's got the heart and drive to be the next Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes.

— DL Schomisch

Staying in FCS, Mellott edged out Miller for the Walter Payton Award, becoming Montana State's first recipient. The Butte, Montana, native completed 353 of 551 passes for 4,745 yards with 39 touchdowns against six interceptions in 39 games. While heart and drive can be hard to quantify, it's tough for anyone trying to be the next Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes because of the bars that each of those players have set while combining for nine Pro Bowls and three NFL MVP Awards.

I just don't understand where people think that a meniscus disc repair is a serious injury. When I was 36 years old (I'm 69 now), I had my left meniscus disc repaired along with two old ligament tears. They told me at that time it was a pretty minor surgery. Anyway, I was 36, had surgery done, rehabbed at the clinic two times a week and was back hanging sheetrock and working full eight-hour days in 6-8 weeks. J.J. is 22? Has the best doctors & trainers available to man and the best of the best rehab equipment. And rehabs every day. Some of these people comment like he got his leg ripped off and sewn back on. Can you address the fact that meniscus disc surgery is a minor routine surgery and it's not career-ending like some of these people talk like.

— Bud Minke in New Richmond, Wisconsin

I broke each arm (in back-to-back years) growing up, but knock on wood, I never suffered a knee or leg problem, so I'm not able to speak first-hand, but it sounds like Bud did quite well in his recovery effort, and there have been so many advancements in rehabilitation.

The Vikings are positioned to offer players some of the very best medical and athletic training/recovery professionals, and that has helped McCarthy's recovery (among other players). I'll be unlikely to refer to any surgery as minor, but I can happily report that McCarthy's recovery went well.

Time is running out, and the Vikings can use a veteran QB to mentor and backup J.J. We lost [Sam] Darnold, [Daniel] Jones and [Nick] Mullens. J.J. is still unproven. Why not pick up Aaron Rodgers on a 1-2-year deal? I think Rodgers would be a great fit for the VIKES, and I believe he wants to sign with the Vikings. Hurry up before he signs with the Steelers.

— John Martinez

At this point last year, Darnold with the Vikings was unproven, and he was viewed as someone who would have to overcome prior career lows. Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick of 2024 who dazzled on his way to winning 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns, also was unproven in the NFL.

Rodgers has a long pro track record, built with more than a decade of successes in Green Bay, but the Vikings offensive system is different than what he's led for so much of his career. In that regard, Rodgers — or any other veteran who has not played in this style of system — is a bit of an unknown.

Adofo-Mensah was asked if he can see enough from McCarthy this spring and summer to know if he's ready to be a starting NFL QB.

"All you can do is look at the information you're given at the time you've been given it, and I would tell you that at this exact moment, he's passed every test with flying colors," Adofo-Mensah said. "This is a position where people want to see it first. You don't always get that opportunity. And so you have to go on what you know. And I know we're betting on his preparation, the person, the talent. It's shown in every single instance.

"There's a lot of other people out there involved in that, but it's me, specifically, yes, Kevin, specifically, yes," he added. "These are things we talked about when we first got into a conference room in L.A. [for O'Connell's job interview]. We talked about how we evaluate quarterbacks, how we develop them. That came from his personal experience and things that he believes that have become my belief. I think we're excited about where he is and that development, and we'll keep learning the information we get as it comes. And then we'll make the decision we can at the time."

Remember a guy named Chad Greenway? Very first part of rookie season blew an ACL. Done for the year. Why did we waste that pick? Well for about 12 years, Greenway was unreal good. My whole point, let's play J.J. McCarthy and grab Ryan Tannehill or who cares with our new two-headed running back monster. Dex knows.

And

Does anyone else think the Vikings are solid enough at every position that they just draft the best available player with every pick they have?

— James Dexter

When the injury was confirmed, after thinking of McCarthy and for those closest to him, one of the first people I thought of was Greenway.

The 2006 first-round pick (17^th overall) tore his ACL in his first NFL preseason game, which happened against the Raiders on Aug. 14, 2006. Coincidentally, McCarthy's injury also occurred against the Raiders on Aug. 10, 2024.

Greenway bounced back nicely, applying lessons from observing as a rehabbing rookie. He went on to start 144 of 156 games played and made two trips to the Pro Bowl while also becoming a pillar of supporting the community.

McCarthy was able to learn by observation and has already been getting involved in community initiatives. He's also been building relationships with teammates since his arrival.

The Vikings have had a multiyear plan and have put together ideas for what can help a quarterback of any experience level.

As for the second question, it seems like the team is set up well for a flexible opening night of the draft.

Why don't we trade down in the draft? We filled all needs in free agency. Also, can we get highlights of J.J. McCarthy just to get us hyped? Some offseason workouts, anything.

— W. Warren

We published Version 5.0 of the Vikings Mock Draft Tracker last week, and there were a few scenarios that had Minnesota moving down but staying in the first round and a couple of others that involved trading out of the first round.

The team offseason program dates have not been announced yet, but I'm sure talented colleagues will be capturing action later this spring. Until then, this link is handy to bookmark because it has past coverage of McCarthy's activities, including some throws from that preseason opener. Future content involving him will wind up there.

Also wanted to let you know that Pete Bercich and crew have been in the "Film Room" breaking down highlights of some of the newest Vikings, so keep your eyes out for those features. I was able to see the Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave episodes last week.

The Vikings really nailed free agency. I think our team has improved with the additions we made. I do not know how the draft will play out. It really can be best player available. I could see them moving back in the first round, getting an extra pick or two and still getting an impactful player. What do you think will happen or would like to see happen?

And

How can you not cheer for Walter Rouse? I just read a story about him and GiGi's Playhouse. He could have spent a few minutes there for the photographers. He spent the whole day dancing and playing with Down Syndrome children. He is the real deal. I hope he makes the team and contributes.

— Gerald Goblirsch

In a year with only four picks at this point, the Vikings have used free agency moves to create some versatility and can approach the first round as best player/best value or trade down if they have a dance partner to add more picks. The way the board shakes out in the draft's first couple of hours could affect how far down the team is willing to go.

Rouse, a sixth-round pick a year ago, is a big man with a bigger heart for connecting with others. Per usual, Lindsey Young did a fantastic job of storytelling in the feature that Gerald mentioned. Rouse's authentic connection with GiGi's Playhouse has been shaped by the relationship he enjoyed with his late aunt Therese, whom he called T.T.

Rouse also recently joined Viktor the Viking and a crew of VEN colleagues in visiting Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. You can see the whole video here or on the Vikings YouTube channel.

The Vikings front office in signing and bringing back experienced players did a great job, in bolstering the OL with the signing of T Justin Skule, G Will Fries and C Ryan Kelly. That will help J.J. McCarthy, giving him time in the pocket. Then signing back Aaron Jones, Sr., and trading for Jordan Mason, they should be a good 1-2 punch out of the backfield. Then they did the signing of Rondale Moore, competing with Jalen Nailor for the WR3 spot. They still need to sign a QB2. I've seen reports of them looking at Drew Lock, Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson. I'm wondering if they would look at Tyler Huntley. I know he's a mobile QB. I don't know if he has the experience to help J.J. McCarthy grow.

On defense they bolstered the DL with Jonathan Allen and Jovan Hargrave, then in the CB position they brought back Byron Murphy, Jr., and signed Isaiah Rogers, Jeff Okudah, Tavierre Thomas. In the S spot they brought back Theo Jackson, and Harrison Smith came back, then they signed Bubba Bolden. I've read that they might use him on special teams.

Now that free agency is basically over, we're looking toward the draft. Even though they signed four CBs, and Harrison Smith came back, I think they need a CB, S, RB, OL and DL player. They also need to sign or draft a TE. They only have two or three on their roster right now.

— Matt from Iowa (Let's Go Vikings!)

Note: Russell Wilson signed with the Giants after Matt's email came through, but I still wanted to include since he recaps so many of the moves that Minnesota has executed to strengthen the core, including the Vikings additions on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Adofo-Mensah's opening comments included the following:

"We wanted to build the type of team that could support a young quarterback who we're excited about being here, competing every day. We wanted to build the type of team that you know, you don't know what January football is going to be like. You want to build the type of team that could win any type of game, and that's what we set out to do, and we'll continue to do so as the draft comes."

Adofo-Mensah knows the work is not finished in continuing to build out the roster through the draft and by trying to continue to mine success with undrafted rookie free agents.

I've got a concept for overtime that could make it much easier.

This concept would get rid of having to do a coin flip and having to worry about whether both teams get possession in overtime.

If the game is tied at the end of four quarters, let the game just continue until someone scores or a designated time passes.

— Craig in Boston, Massachusetts

In case you missed it, on Friday we published a preview of this week’s Annual League Meeting that covers the bylaw, playing rule and resolution proposals presented by teams.

Philadelphia submitted a proposal to align regular-season overtime rules with those that are now used in postseason games. The proposal would change regular-season overtime from 10 to 15 minutes and provide the kicking team the opportunity to possess the football even if the receiving team scores a touchdown.

Craig's proposal is interesting. I'm not sure if the team on defense would get a chance to possess the ball if it allows a field goal or touchdown. Currently a kicking team does get the chance to possess the ball as long as it does not allow a touchdown.

The suggestion by Craig could influence strategy at the end of regulation in multiple ways. Perhaps the first would be a reduction in the attempts of long field goals in the waning seconds of tie games. A team with the ball might be inclined to continue advancing it to boost the likelihood of the kick's success.

Play selection and pace by the offense also could be dramatically different if it knew it would keep possession of the football beyond regulation. Defenses might not use as much "prevent defense."

We'll see what happens with Philadelphia's proposal and several others by teams. If passed, it would be interesting to see if strategy at the coin toss is altered by deferring. I do, however, think most teams would continue to opt to receive when winning an overtime coin toss.

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