In this episode of Two Old Bloggers, hosts Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano dissect critical Minnesota Vikings topics: a looming secondary crisis, Daniel Jones’ potential draft pick payoff, and skyrocketing game-day costs. As a Vikings 1st & SKOL production with the Fans First Sports Network, the show delivers over 50 years of combined Vikings commentary. This blog post explores their insights, offering fans a detailed look at roster challenges, front-office strategy, and fan experience economics.

Theme 1: A Secondary on Shaky Ground

The episode’s first theme tackled the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive secondary, raising alarms about its long-term stability. With only a handful of players under contract beyond 2025, Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano questioned whether the team is barreling toward a crisis in its safety and cornerback rooms.

Safeties: Harrison Smith’s Final Chapter?

Darren opened the discussion by analyzing the Vikings’ safety group, starting with veteran Harrison Smith. At 36, Smith is a cornerstone but nearing the end of his career. “Harrison Smith is on a year-to-year type deal,” Darren said. “I would be very surprised if he plays in 2027 when he’d be pushing 38, 39 years old.” Set to become a free agent after the 2025 season, Smith’s tenure is likely winding down, leaving a void in leadership and production.

Josh Metellus, a 27-year-old hybrid defender, offers versatility but faces contract uncertainty. “He’s earned the extension, but his agent and the Vikings have to agree on what his versatility is worth,” Darren noted, referencing Metellus’ “joker” role under Brian Flores, which includes linebacker and defensive line snaps. Without an extension, Metellus is only guaranteed for 2025, creating a question mark.

Younger safeties Jay Ward and Theo Jackson present potential but lack proven track records. Ward, in his third year, has yet to play defensively and is contracted through 2027. Jackson, the only safety locked in through 2027, earned a modest extension but remains untested as a starter. “Is he ready to take a bigger bite and be a full-time player? Nothing’s guaranteed,” Darren cautioned.

Cornerbacks: Byron Murphy Jr. Stands Tall, Others Falter

The cornerback situation mirrors the safeties’ uncertainty, with Byron Murphy Jr. as the lone reliable anchor. Murphy’s recent extension secures him through 2027, and Darren praised his performance: “He earned it, particularly last year with pretty stellar play.” At 27, Murphy is in his prime, but the depth behind him raises concerns.

Isaiah Rogers, a 27-year-old free-agent signing, is slated to start opposite Murphy but has limited experience as a full-time starter. “He’s had pretty good grades in smaller spurts with the Colts and Eagles, but can that translate?” Darren asked. Rogers’ two-year deal ends in 2027, and his age complicates future extensions, as cornerbacks often decline around 29-30 due to diminishing speed and quick-twitch ability.

Other cornerbacks, including Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern, face uphill battles. Blackmon, 27 and recovering from an ACL injury, was an older rookie, limiting his long-term upside. Okudah and McGlothern, both on short-term deals, compete for the CB3 role in nickel packages, but their roster spots are not guaranteed. Younger players like Zemaiah Vaughn show promise but are unproven, fighting for practice squad or low-depth roles.

Draft Misses and Future Needs

The hosts pinpointed past draft failures as a root cause of the secondary’s woes. “If Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth Jr. had panned out, and if Khyree Jackson had not died tragically, things could have been different,” Darren lamented. These misses have depleted the Vikings’ young talent pipeline, forcing reliance on short-term veterans and untested prospects.

Dave emphasized the need for General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to prioritize defensive backs in upcoming drafts. “Come three years from now, there’s gonna be a push to get some defensive backs that could be trusted long-term,” he predicted. Researching NFL player primes, Dave confirmed that cornerbacks decline around 29-30, while safeties can last slightly longer, underscoring the urgency to inject youth into the secondary.

Quote to Remember: “The prognosis is not looking so good as far as a deep, young, talented group that’s gonna be a strength for the Vikings long-term.” – Darren Campbell

Theme 2: Daniel Jones’ Unexpected Draft Dividend

The second theme explored a savvy front-office move: signing quarterback Daniel Jones in 2024, which could yield significant draft capital in 2026. Darren and Dave unpacked how this low-risk decision might bolster the Vikings’ future roster-building efforts.

A Strategic Signing

When the Vikings signed Jones after his release from the New York Giants, few expected him to play in 2024. With Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens ahead of him, Jones was a contingency plan. “There was very little chance he was going to ever get on the field,” Darren said. However, the move was strategic, aimed at the 2025 season and 2026 draft.

The Vikings hoped Jones would re-sign as a backup to rookie J.J. McCarthy, but Jones sought a starting role. When the Indianapolis Colts offered him a chance to compete with Anthony Richardson, he jumped ship. “He took that deal and ran with it,” Darren noted, acknowledging Jones’ desire to play over remaining a backup.

A Fourth-Round Comp Pick in Sight

The real genius of the signing lies in the NFL’s compensatory pick formula. By rostering Jones in 2024, the Vikings positioned themselves for a draft pick if he signed a significant contract elsewhere. With Richardson sidelined by a shoulder injury, Jones has emerged as the likely starter for the Colts in 2025. “Jones has taken a significant lead in the competition,” Darren reported.

Per Over The Cap projections, if Jones plays substantial snaps under his new contract, the Vikings could secure a fourth-round [versus a fifth-round] compensatory pick in 2026. This is critical, as the team is likely losing its own fourth-rounder due to the Cam Robinson trade. “Daniel Jones potentially could get us back in the fourth round,” Darren said, highlighting the offset.

Building Draft Capital

The Jones pick is part of a broader draft haul. The Vikings are projected to receive a third-round compensatory pick for Sam Darnold’s signing with the Seattle Seahawks and a seventh-rounder for either Trent Sherfield or Johnny Mundt, potentially totaling nine picks in 2026—the most since 2022. “You’ve got a few more dart throws for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah,” Darren said.

Dave underscored the value of this flexibility. “More bullets to shoot for the corner and safety rooms that are gonna need the next generation,” he said. The picks also give Adofo-Mensah leverage for in-season trades, a tactic he’s used to address injuries to players like Irv Smith Jr., Kirk Cousins, and Christian Darrisaw in recent years.

Quote to Remember: “It’s a pretty nice piece of work by our general manager in using a guy who can help us team-wise but also draft-wise with comp picks.” – Darren Campbell

Theme 3: This Week in Vikingsland

The final theme, “This Week in Vikingsland,” covered three timely topics: the Vikings’ family-friendly reputation, the escalating cost of attending games, and Shaquille Griffin’s departure to the Seattle Seahawks.

A Family-First Franchise

Darren and Dave celebrated the Vikings’ top ranking in the NFL Players Association’s team report card for treating players’ families. An ESPN story highlighted the team as the “gold standard,” with players like Aaron Jones and Ryan Kelly citing family support as a key reason for signing with Minnesota. “They take care of the kids, the families, whoever it is,” Darren said, noting services like childcare and ticket assistance.

Dave elaborated on the impact: “It’s to get you acclimated so you can focus on football as the player.” This reputation is a recruiting advantage, attracting free agents in a competitive market. “Happy wife, happy life,” Dave quipped, referencing the daycare that allows spouses to enjoy games worry-free.

The Price of Fandom

The hosts tackled a sobering reality: the 350% increase in the average cost of attending a Vikings game from 1991 ($142.50, inflation-adjusted) to 2025 ($641.53), per Hard Rock Bet. Ranking sixth among NFL teams, the Vikings trail the Green Bay Packers ($718.57). “That’s almost 500 bucks more,” Darren said.

The $1.06 billion U.S. Bank Stadium, opened in 2016, is a major driver, with the Wilf family’s $620 million investment baked into ticket, concession, and merchandise prices. Ongoing upgrades, like Wi-Fi 6 and new turf, add to costs, as do post-9/11 security measures and general inflation (120.8% from 1991 to 2024). “Everything you spend money on at U.S. Bank Stadium, that 620 million is baked into every cost,” Darren explained.

Dave worried about affordability, especially for younger fans. “They’re pricing out the kids, the young people that come in to build the next fan base,” he said. At $5,100 for eight home games, attending regularly is a stretch for many. However, fans enjoy a top-rated game-day experience, with diverse food options, family-friendly amenities, and modern comforts.

Note: Those average costs include every seat on the spectrum from the “cheap seats” to the luxury boxes, and go from an okay at best experience, to one that can be truly special.

Shaq Griffin’s Exit Raises Concerns

The episode closed with Shaquille Griffin’s signing with the Seattle Seahawks, reigniting worries about cornerback depth. Griffin played 572 snaps as the Vikings’ CB3 in 2024, earning a 64.5 PFF grade. “I don’t remember once yelling that Shaq Griffin is costing us the game,” Darren said, praising his reliability.

The Vikings’ decision to pass on Griffin, Jair Alexander, and Jalen Ramsey suggests confidence in their current cornerbacks, led by Murphy and Rogers. Dave outlined the CB3 competition: “Blackmon, Okudah, or Nudie [McGlothern] comes in there and starts.” Vaughn’s potential adds intrigue, but Darren remained skeptical. “Brian Flores believes they do have a good cornerback room, but I still have concerns,” he said.

Quote to Remember: “If Brian Flores thinks that [the cornerback room is good], then who am I to say that he’s wrong?” – Darren Campbell

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Looking Forward: Challenges and Opportunities

The Two Old Bloggers episode painted a nuanced picture of the Vikings’ trajectory. The secondary’s lack of long-term talent demands draft and free-agency attention, but the potential draft picks from Jones, Darnold, and others provide ammunition. The team’s family-first culture strengthens its appeal, even as rising costs challenge fans’ wallets.

Training camp will be crucial, particularly for the cornerback group. If Flores’ optimism proves warranted, the Vikings could defy expectations. If not, Adofo-Mensah may need to act swiftly. For fans, the balance between premium experiences and affordability remains a pressing concern.

Fan With Us!

We have your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst the Two Old Bloggers, Darren @KickassblogVike, and Dave @Luft_Krigare. Join the conversation! Fan with us at Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and with our podcast partner Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and Fans First Sports Network’s NFL feed @FFSN_NFL where you get sports takes for the fan, from the fan!

Open Question:

Do you trust Brian Flores’ confidence in the Vikings’ current cornerback room, or should Kwesi Adofo-Mensah pursue a veteran cornerback before the 2025 season? Share your thoughts in the comments!