Do you have a comment or question? Send it to the Vikings.com Mailbag! Every Monday we'll post several comments and/or questions as part of the Vikings.com Monday Morning Mailbag. Although we can't post every comment or question, we will reply to every question submitted.

Click here to submit a comment or question to the Mailbag. Remember to include your name and town in the email. If Twitter is your jam, you can send a question to me that way as well.

We're less than three weeks from the 2025 NFL Draft, two weeks from Vikings players reporting for the start of the voluntary offseason program and recently into the women's flag football college season (a jamboree and press conference was held Saturday).

It's really cool that the Vikings and NFL have contributed $140,000 to support the seven-team league featuring Augustana University, Augsburg University, Concordia College Moorhead, Gustavus Adolphus College, Bethel University, the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and the University of Wisconsin, Stout.

Last week was filled with plenty of talkers about the Vikings, thanks to the Annual League Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida, where Minnesota's leadership reiterated its confidence in proceeding with J.J. McCarthy, and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell provided more clarity on the discussion process that took place when Aaron Rodgers reached out to the team.

In addition to that prime takeaway, Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf also confirmed that the team is working on an extension with General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who is keeping his focus on draft preparation.

Owners were able to reach consensus on multiple rule changes, including a new spot location of the football (all the way to the 35!) after kickoffs that result in touchbacks, another change designed to increase the number of returns.

We'll start this week with a rule change that was discussed and tabled.

I'd like to put some thoughts on the record regarding a play I choose to refer to as "the scrum" a.k.a. "tush push." I despise that popularized term even more than the ugly action that results from the play itself.

I remember a pamphlet I had as a kid showing and explaining referee signals for various penalties. One of the diagrams showed an official with his hands at his sides, arms straight and palms facing forward with arrows showing the arms and hands pushing forward as the penalty signal for "aiding the runner" as it was known at the time.

I vividly recall the famous clip of the Bart Starr QB goal-line sneak in the Ice Bowl against Dallas. Only Starr and the center knew the ball was not going to the tailback as the play was called in the huddle. So when Starr took the ball forward himself, the surprised and charging tailback who was expecting a handoff, threw his arms in the air not to signal touchdown, as many have believed, but to avoid incurring the aiding the runner penalty.

Even in those days, when the rule was interpreted and enforced far differently, I can say with certainty, it is a rule violation and referee signal I have never seen called. What a far cry we have come. As years went by, the rule was modified to allow some assistance from offensive players but nothing so blatant as the current scrum. What's next? Put a ball carrier on your shoulder and literally carry him? Get on a knee behind the QB, lock your hands together and use your grip as a vault to fling the ball carrier over the line? Sickening.

Here's my solution to this travesty of a rule allowance. If an offensive player is simultaneously engaging a defensive player, as well as the ball carrier, there is no foul. Regardless of the amount of contact to either team's player, as long as a defending player is engaged, the blocker can also assist the ball carrier's momentum. If, however, the offensive player is in contact with the ball carrier alone or the ball carrier and only other offensive players, aiding the runner is called with the signal mentioned above. Five yards. Repeat the down. What a delight it would be to see the rule actually enforced.

As a timely tribute to Val Kilmer's performance as Doc Holliday in Tombstone, I quote another character from that film and agree, "We've got to have some law."

Your Skol Huckleberry,

— Jeff K. in Sacramento, California

I was so glad that Jeff mentioned Val Kilmer. I know we usually keep the focus on Vikings football here, but what a talented actor!

Tombstone is one of my favorite movies of all time, and Kilmer's sheer excellence has so much to do with my regard for the film.

He nailed the part of a cocky fighter pilot in Top Gun and gave all his energy to playing Doors frontman Jim Morrison whole heartedly in the lead up to being just what was in order for Doc.

As for the tush push, with Jeff's description of all the improper forms of aid that could deviate from this point, it made me think of one of my favorite comedies, with "Slingshot engaged," by Cal Naughton, Jr. (John C. Reilly), for Ricky Bobby (Will Ferrell) in Talladega Nights.

Based on what was reported from last week's Annual League Meeting regarding the proposal submitted by Green Bay to ban the tush push, it sounds like decision makers are closely split and were not going to reach a conclusion quickly. The proposal was tabled — likely resuming at the Spring League Meeting, which will be hosted this year in Minnesota in May (and hopefully it will feel like spring by then).

It is already illegal for a player to pull a teammate.

So many comments about Aaron Rodgers or Ryan Tannehill or Joe Flacco or Russell Wilson, etc. Yet, no one has mentioned former Viking Case Keenum. I know he's not flashy, but he has been in the league a LONG time and I believe would be a great mentor to J.J. He would have no dreams of being the starter, but his vast knowledge of the league & what it takes to being a successful long-term player would be a very welcome addition. What is your opinion?

— Bruce in Gilbert, Arizona

Editor's note: Bruce's email came in before news broke about Keenum signing with the Bears.

There are just certain players you get to cover over the years, even if only a short time, where the mention of their name immediately generates a smile. Keenum's quick wit, folksiness among earned fanfare, down-home demeanor and politeness that would make a grandma proud all existed within him before he stepped in and led the 2017 Vikings on an improbable ride.

He and McCarthy are obviously different people and deserve to be treated as the quality individuals they are, but there are some personality traits we've seen from McCarthy so far that could overlap in a Venn diagram. Those traits are another reason for excitement about McCarthy.

Will J.J. McCarthy's preseason games determine if he starts regular-season games?

— Arnold D.

How many folks remember McCarthy's first series last year? An 18-yard pass to Jalen Nailor on his first throw was followed by an incompletion and an interception.

The final stat line, however, from that preseason debut against the Raiders, was 11-for-17 passing with 188 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 116.8.

I revisit all of that to note the development and evaluation of the quarterback will encompass multiple factors and be conducted by much better QB minds than yours truly.

I do think O'Connell found value in the team winning preseason games as a momentum builder, but he'll also go into any exhibition contests with a large volume of practice reps and meeting time.

O'Connell, Adofo-Mensah and Wilf each participated in multiple interviews last week to express their confidence in McCarthy.

Who are you trying to sign for back-up quarterback? I am getting worried as time is short for you to find one? Thank you for your response.

— Barbara Blair

And

I think people are forgetting many decent quarterbacks get cut right before the season starts. It's very possible that by being patient and not making a crazy move, the Vikes could be rewarded with a solid backup for a bargain price. Hold your britches, peeps.

— T. Powers

Here's another juxtaposition of contrasting viewpoints in the inbox.

Some of the external media coverage (especially the daily talk shows that must fill airtime) would have folks believe it's now or never to add a backup QB.

While I generally ascribe to "the early bird gets the worm" approach to player acquisition, there's still time, players and, perhaps most importantly, factors that could change the landscape across the league, including how the position battles shake out across the league and result in trades or cuts later in the calendar.

Free agency across the NFL has generally slowed so that teams could focus on last week's meetings and continue draft preparations.

Should a veteran addition not occur before the offseason program (Minnesota's opens two weeks from today on April 21, but the first day of on-field voluntary practices isn't until after Memorial Day), the Vikings still have some time to add to the QBs room.

We got Rondale Moore, yes, what a move. He will win the WR3, and he is special with the ball in his hands. Do you see us drafting a WR? I hear it's on the radar but feel we need TE because we don't have two elite after next year.

— Warren

I was able to get a sneak peek at the "Film Room" session in which Pete Bercich highlights Moore's dynamic playmaking and versatility, and I was definitely excited thinking about what it could look like for him to join an offense that touts some fantastic weapons and minds.

One of the best anecdotes I've seen about a player acquired by Minnesota this offseason was how Moore called a Purdue coach during the overnight hours after the Boilermakers upset the Buckeyes in 2018. The coach feared something was wrong, but the freshman just wanted to know why he missed a block—and apparently didn't want to wait until the film session. In a game in which he had 12 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns, Moore was focused on what he wanted to improve.

He's had more than his fair share of injury battles, however, since that incredible All-American campaign at Purdue.

I think most would agree the Vikings are much thinner from a depth perspective at tight end than at receiver. Josh Oliver is entering the final year of a three-year deal he signed, and T.J. Hockenson looked good on multiple plays after making his comeback, so the top of the room is good, but the departure of Johnny Mundt to Jacksonville is a loss Minnesota has not yet offset.

With only four picks so far, extra emphasis could be placed on projecting players at all positions who might go undrafted, and the scarcity principle could come into play.

I want to see J.J. play! We drafted him for a reason!!!

— Christina B.

I'm so looking forward to the on-field part of the offseason program where we'll get the first visuals of the 2025 Vikings. The offseason program is voluntary, except for a mandatory three-day minicamp, but the Vikings have generally had solid show rates.

Christina is correct, with multiple elements the Vikings learned about McCarthy during an extensive process last year leading to his selection.

Follow up on last week's overtime proposal…

Discourages teams from going for the tie at the end of a game because it probably gives the other team a good chance to win

Probably shortens overtime, less injuries

If the league wants, they could give the teams additional timeouts to help with fatigue

There is less impact from coin flips on the outcome of the game

Reduces number of kickoffs

— Craig R. in Boston, Massachusetts

Linking to last week’s Mailbag in case you missed Craig's initial suggestion of having overtime just continue from the final play of the fourth quarter. Above he's outlined the benefits he envisions from implementing such a policy.

It definitely would be great to reduce any real or perceived impact of coin flips, especially after teams have battled for 60 minutes.

According to NFL Media Research, teams that have won the coin toss to start overtime have a 30-17-2 record since 2022, going 13-5-2 in 2022, 5-8 in 2023 and 12-4 in 2024.

The Vikings went 2-0 in overtime games in 2022 after winning the coin toss at Buffalo (scored a field goal; ended Bills possession with a Patrick Peterson INT) and against Indianapolis (teams swapped punts before a field goal).

Minnesota was 0-1 in overtime in 2023. The Vikings lost the coin toss and forced a punt by the Bengals but were unsuccessful on consecutive tush push plays, giving the ball back to Cincinnati, which drove for a field goal.

The Vikings went 1-0 in overtime in 2024, despite losing the coin toss at Chicago. A massive sack by Jonathan Greenard upended the Bears possession and reversed momentum. Minnesota drove for the game-winning field goal.

Last week, NFL Owners agreed to make regular-season overtime consistent with the playoff policy that now guarantees the kicking team an opportunity to possess the football, even if the receiving team scores a touchdown on its first possession. The length of the extra period for regular-season games, however, will remain at 10 minutes, instead of the 15 used for playoff contests.

I like to read [the Mock Draft Trackers] because it makes me aware of a lot of players I do not know about. A lot of the mock drafts have us getting a CB or safety. That works for me. I also like trading down in the first round and getting extra picks. I like that even better. Your thoughts???

— Gerald Goblirsch

And

It appears we have addressed all areas during free agency except DBs. The Hitman is getting old. We let several CBs walk. Are there enough good DBs in the draft to fill out gaps?

— Dan in Florida

Combining these because of the overlap. Programing note: we have plans for Mock Draft Tracker Version 6.0 this week and Version 7.0 during the week of the draft. Hopefully others have found those roundups helpful and informative in the lead up to the draft, whether anyone mentioned becomes a Viking or not.

The departure of Camryn Bynum in free agency to the Colts, along with corners Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin becoming free agents means the Vikings do have a substantial number of snaps to replace this year in the secondary.

Harrison Smith is 36, but his knowledge of Brian Flores' system is so valuable. He again showed last season he's still capable of making big-time plays and being a calming presence for others.

The Vikings have been high on safety Theo Jackson, whose name might not be as known to folks who didn't get a chance to follow last year's training camp closely, and they still have Joshua Metellus in the room.

Re-signing Byron Murphy, Jr., was obviously a high priority, and O'Connell noted last week that cornerback Isaiah Rodgers was a player that Flores, who began his NFL career in personnel, identified quickly and confidently.

The recent signing of Jeff Okudah added another player whose projected potential has been sideswiped by injuries.

That said, cornerback and safety, have been frequently projected to Minnesota in multiple mocks since we began tracking them, and there have been a variety of players that draftniks have envisioned as good value at No. 24.

As to whether the Vikings can or will trade down to collect more picks, it could depend how the draft board is shaping up in the lead up to Minnesota going on the clock.

Vikings have done a simply amazing job of navigating free agency. To your knowledge, has the subject of the NFL record-setting comeback against the Colts ever come up in discussions with Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, and did it play any part in either of them choosing to come to the Vikings? As well, like last preseason, the pundits are offering up reasoning as to why the Vikings will not win as frequently in 2025. I, on the other hand, believe leadership, team culture and makeup will overcome any perceived handicap that the '25 schedule presents. If we stay healthy, the floor is 10 wins. Ball bounces our way, and we get 13 wins. Skol.

— Dale Kruse in Decorah, Iowa

Kelly has played in three games at U.S. Bank Stadium, going back to his rookie season of 2016 when the Colts put a 34-6 thumping on the Vikings. That duration also includes the historic 2022 rally by the Vikings in O'Connell's first season and last year's matchup on Sunday Night Football.

Fries, who turned 27 last Friday, by the way, played every offensive snap in the 2022 game, his lone appearance at U.S. Bank Stadium so far.

I don't recall anyone bringing up the 2022 game in formal interviews with Kelly or Fries, but both noted how much good they had heard about Minnesota. Several colleagues and I had the pleasure of speaking with Kelly's dad Dave when the entire family visited TCO Performance Center last month. The retired police officer who served nearly 30 years in Ohio told us he is looking forward to attending games at U.S. Bank Stadium, even if it's going to be so much farther than it was for him to get from near Cincy to Indy for Colts home games.

Kelly was the first among the former Colts to agree to terms and then helped recruit "Spud" to Minnesota.

The Vikings have seemed to thrive when outsiders have projected low expectations for the team.

In your opinion, which NFC North team has done the best job so far in signing free agents, extending its own players and overall roster management? And if not the best, where do the Vikings rank?

— Ed Helinski in Auburn, New York

I don't know if I'm fully qualified to weigh the offseason activities of other teams. It did seem like an already strong division continued to get better, and that may have something to do with some external media projecting low expectations for the Vikings.

The line of scrimmage (both sides) was so important in Minnesota's Week 18 loss at Detroit, as well as the Wild Card loss to the L.A. Rams. Minnesota attacked that hard in free agency with Kelly and Fries on offense, as well as Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave on defense.

J.J. ran a 4.48 at the combine. I'm just saying. Faster than Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen. If he still is that fast after the knee, you start to see a real difference in what the Vikings can do offensively.

O'Connell wants to run the ball, period. I'm glad we got Aaron Jones back, and I love the Jordan Mason signing. If we can start off the year and win a couple of games by just punishing people with our running game, then our elite pass-catching talent becomes unsolvable. I dig big-boy football.

J.J. is going to have some tough games. A fearless approach to running the football could be a real difference maker for this team.

Next year is going to be a very tough one for this team, and it has nothing to do with the level of talent on the roster. We are playing the best of the best next year. That being said, I think we've got a shot to do something good next year.

Draft Desmond Watson, please!

— Gary from Florida

Editor's note: McCarthy did not run the 40 at the combine, but he has shown mobility and athleticism in games, which can be even more important than a straight-line speed for a QB.

There's potential for escapability and playing on the move that can further perplex defenses and steal a play when a defense executes against the initial play call.

The Vikings are very intentional in thinking about what to put around a quarterback's skill set and experience level, and the addition of Mason to the running game could be a real force multiplier to go along with what Jones was able to do last year.

I appreciate Gary's reminder to everyone that we should all expect some hurdles and tough spots for any first-year quarterback, especially with what is projected to be a tough run of opponents.

Watson, who is listed at 464 pounds, gained quite a bit of attention around the internet last week. Some view him as the counter to the tush push.

View the Vikings Free Agency Tracker.

View the Vikings 2025 Draft Picks.

View the Vikings 2025 Opponents.