The Minnesota Vikings are riding high after a 14-3 campaign in 2024, but as the 2025 NFL season looms, questions swirl around their offseason strategy, draft decisions, and the readiness of rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy. On the latest episode of Two Old Bloggers, hosts Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano unpack a whirlwind week in Vikingsland, breaking down Andrew Van Ginkel’s massive contract extension, the fan discontent with the 2025 NFL Draft, the potential of undrafted prospect Tommi Hill, and the critical debate over McCarthy’s preseason preparation. With their signature blend of humor, insight, and love of the purple, the hosts deliver a compelling analysis of a team on the cusp of greatness—or a potential stumble.

Andrew Van Ginkel’s Big Payday: A Smart Bet on a Veteran Star

The Vikings made headlines this week by signing outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel to a one-year, $23-million extension, securing him through the 2026 season. At 30 years old, Van Ginkel’s deal reflects general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s bold strategy of investing in proven veterans, a trend seen in recent signings like Ryan Kelly, Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Aaron Jones, and Harrison Smith—all over 30.

“Last year, Van Ginkel and Sam Darnold had to be the best value free agents any NFL team signed,” Campbell said. “He was tremendous, a constant menace to opposing offenses. Second-team All-Pro, 11.5 sacks, two pick-sixes—he earned this extension.”

Van Ginkel’s 2024 performance was a career-defining campaign, with his versatility in pass-rushing and coverage making him a cornerstone of defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ scheme. Despite his age, the hosts argue the deal is a steal, with an average annual value of $14.333 million over three years, ranking him 23rd among edge rushers—a bargain for a player of his caliber.

“He’s peaking at the optimum time for Minnesota,” Stefano added. “He’s a late bloomer, and with Dallas Turner slotted into a rotational role, Van Ginkel stays fresh. This deal will age well.”

The extension also sends a message league-wide: the Vikings reward production. “It shows NFL players that if you produce, they’ll take care of you, even if you’re under contract,” Campbell noted. “Agents will notice, and that could pay dividends.” However, the hosts acknowledge the risk of betting on older players, a departure from the NFL’s youth-obsessed norm. With Harrison Smith back for his 14th season at 35, the Vikings are doubling down on experience, banking on players like Van Ginkel having “less tread on their tires” to defy the aging curve.

Draft Drama: Why Vikings Fans Are Fuming

While the front office basks in Van Ginkel’s extension, the fanbase is less enthused about the 2025 NFL Draft. According to data from Adam Johnson of The Sports Geek, cited by Stefano, Vikings fans posted 18,874 negative social media reactions, ranking 10th among NFL fanbases for draft discontent. The primary grievances? Suspected reasons include the team’s refusal to trade down from pick #24 and the selection of left guard Donovan Jackson—a pick deemed unsexy by fans craving flashier positions.

“I understand where the angst comes from,” Campbell said. “Fans wanted us to trade down for more picks, especially with only four to start. When we stuck at 24 and took a left guard, it wasn’t the wide receiver or edge rusher they dreamed of.”

The decision not to trade down stung particularly hard when fans saw the hauls teams like the Rams and Texans secured for moving back. “They were pissed when they saw what we could’ve gotten—a 2026 first-rounder, more picks,” Campbell explained. “Then you draft a guard, and it’s like, ‘This draft sucks.’”

Adding fuel to the fire, Jackson is likely the only rookie starter from the Vikings’ five-pick class, a fact that frustrates fans equating starters with draft success. “Fans see one starter and think it’s a bad draft,” Campbell said. “But we don’t need rookies to start. Our roster is stacked.”

Stefano raised valid questions about the data, wondering about positive reactions and the context of fanbase enthusiasm. “How many positive tweets were there? How vocal is our fanbase compared to, say, Arizona’s?” he asked. “Minnesota’s all about the Vikings. We’re passionate, positive or negative.” Despite the backlash, both hosts remain optimistic, arguing the draft addressed needs for a team with few holes, even if it lacked sizzle.

Tommi Hill: A Diamond in the Rough?

One undrafted prospect could quiet some of the draft skeptics: Nebraska cornerback Tommi Hill, invited to the Vikings’ rookie mini-camp (May 9-11). Once a projected first-rounder after a stellar 2023, Hill’s 2024 season was derailed by plantar fasciitis, causing him to miss six games and go undrafted. At 6’0.5” and 213 pounds, Hill’s size and athleticism—he ranked No. 1 among corners in athleticism at the 2024 NFL Combine—make him an intriguing fit for Flores’ defense.

“Hill’s a guy to keep an eye on,” Campbell said. “He’s big, excels in zone coverage, and is great on 50-50 balls. With Flores using zone most of the time, that’s a plus. He could even transition to safety, where we need depth.”

The Vikings’ failure to draft a corner or safety surprised the hosts, given Flores’ reliance on three-safety packages. Hill’s versatility could address that gap, following the team’s success converting players like Cam Bynum and Jay Ward to safety. However, Hill’s college disciplinary issues—suspensions and team conflicts—raise red flags for a franchise that prioritizes character.

“He had some maturity problems, but not getting drafted can snap you into reality,” Campbell noted. “The Vikings are consistent about culture. If Hill’s turned it around, he could be a diamond in the rough.”

Stefano, who’s battled plantar fasciitis himself, is optimistic about Hill’s recovery. “It’s a bear, but if he’s past it, he could revert to his 2023 form,” he said. “His combine numbers show the athleticism’s back.” With spots open on the 90-man roster, Hill’s mini-camp performance could earn him a training camp invite, offering a low-risk, high-reward opportunity.

J.J. McCarthy’s Preseason Plan: Risk vs. Reward

The episode’s centerpiece is the debate over how Kevin O’Connell should handle J.J. McCarthy in the 2025 preseason. The 10th overall pick in 2024, McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus, leaving him without regular-season experience. With a stacked roster poised for a Super Bowl run, McCarthy remains the Vikings’ biggest question mark.

“The roster’s strong—only Detroit and Philly compare in the NFC,” Stefano said. “But McCarthy’s the uncertainty. He hasn’t played a regular-season snap, so there’s no baseline for how he’ll perform.”

Campbell argues McCarthy needs significant preseason reps—five quarters across three games—to prepare for the regular season’s intensity. “He’s been 12 months without live action,” Campbell said. “His only game was a quarter and a half against the Raiders in 2024—11 completions, two touchdowns, one pick. Impressive, but that’s it. Preseason’s as close as you get to real bullets flying.”

This approach contrasts with O’Connell’s past handling of quarterbacks. Kirk Cousins sat out preseason entirely in 2022 and 2023, while Sam Darnold played only one series in 2024. “Cousins and Darnold were vets—they didn’t need it,” Campbell explained. “McCarthy’s not that guy. He needs reps to handle NFL game speed.”

The quarterback room’s depth supports this plan. Sam Howell, in his fourth season, and Brett Rypien, in his fifth, require minimal preseason action, while undrafted rookie Max Brosmer could see time to evaluate his pro potential. “There’s a path for McCarthy to get five quarters and still give Howell, Rypien, and Brosmer enough,” Campbell said.

However, playing McCarthy extensively carries risks, especially with starters. Last year, O’Connell played most offensive starters for Darnold’s series, but extending that for McCarthy’s four-to-five quarters could expose players like the offensive line to injury. “Do you play starters that long, or put McCarthy with second-teamers he won’t play with in the season?” Campbell wondered. “It’s a tough call.”

Stefano leans toward a balanced approach, favoring some reps but not a fixed quota. “I like the old way—build up time each game,” he said. “Start with two series, see how he does. If he’s balling out—touchdown, touchdown—pull him. It depends on joint practices and his performance.” The Vikings have two joint practices scheduled, which could simulate game conditions, but Stefano cautions against overworking McCarthy if they’re close to game days.

McCarthy’s Leadership: The “It” Factor

Beyond the X’s and O’s, the hosts are struck by McCarthy’s off-field presence. In his first Vikings media session this week, the 22-year-old exuded confidence and leadership, qualities that have teammates raving. “Every time he speaks, I’m impressed,” Campbell said. “He’s got leadership up the yin-yang. When asked if he’s ready to start, he said, ‘I know I’m ready.’ That’s what I want from my quarterback.”

Stefano agrees, noting McCarthy’s ability to handle pressure. “He’s got the ‘it’ factor,” he said. “He knows the responsibility, but he won’t vapor-lock like a quarterback we’ve had. That translates to the field when things get wild.”

The hosts dismiss critics like Chase Daniel, who called McCarthy nervous. “That’s BS,” Stefano scoffed. “He’s calm, cool, and collected. That’s why veterans love him.” With O’Connell’s mentorship and a detailed development plan, McCarthy’s poise bodes well for a franchise desperate for a franchise quarterback.

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SKOL Spirit: A Team on the Brink

As the Vikings prepare for rookie mini-camp and the 2025 season, Two Old Bloggers captures a team at a crossroads. Van Ginkel’s extension solidifies a veteran core, Hill’s tryout offers upside, and McCarthy’s growth is the key to unlocking a Super Bowl run. Despite draft grumbles, the hosts see a roster built for contention, with O’Connell and Flores steering the ship.

“We say SKOL Vikings, baby!” Stefano exclaimed, rallying fans to subscribe and join the love of the purple. With Campbell and Stefano’s decades of fandom fueling their takes, this episode is a love letter to Vikings fans everywhere, urging them to believe in a team that’s closer than ever to that elusive first Super Bowl in almost 50 years.

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