The Minnesota Vikings are at a pivotal juncture as the 2025 NFL offseason looms large. Coming off a 14-win 2024 campaign that didn’t culminate in a Vince Lombardi Trophy, the team’s front office, led by General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, faces critical decisions in free agency and the draft. On the latest episode of The Real Forno Show, host Tyler Forness, fresh off a trip to Mexico, and producer Dave Stefano unpacked the NFL Scouting Combine’s revelations, debated roster moves, and fielded fan questions about the Vikings’ path forward. From Sam Darnold’s free agency fate to the polarizing Garrett Bradbury discussion, here’s everything you need to know about Minnesota’s offseason strategy as of March 4, 2025.

NFL Combine Takeaways: Standouts and Vikings Targets

The NFL Scouting Combine, held in Indianapolis, is a proving ground for draft prospects and a rumor mill for team intentions. Forness highlighted several players who caught his eye, starting with South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori. “He’s awesome,” Forness enthused. “Think of Kyle Hamilton, but as a really good athlete. He’s got great ball skills—three touchdowns last year, two officially—and really good instincts.” At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds with a blazing 4.32-second 40-yard dash, Emmanwori’s freakish athleticism makes him a potential fit for Minnesota’s secondary, especially if safety Camryn Bynum departs in free agency. Forness even mocked Emmanwori to the Vikings at pick 24 in his upcoming draft projection, signaling strong belief in the prospect’s upside.

Edge rusher Dallas Turner from Alabama also drew praise. Despite concerns about his production mirroring Georgia’s Nolan Smith (who had just 11 sacks in college), Forness dismissed doubts. “He’s 21 years old, needed a year, and was behind an All-Pro,” he explained. “He showed real signs of improvement over the course of the year. I’m not worried about him at all.” Turner’s upward trajectory could make him a target if the Vikings prioritize pass-rush help.

Other names with “arrows angled upward” per team sources, as reported by Alec Lewis of the New York Times, included Jalen Redman, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Makai Blackman, Dwight McGlothern, and Jay Ward—players who could bolster depth or emerge as starters. Forness also flagged Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant as a dream addition, noting, “He’s a freaky type athlete. I would love to have Ken Grant on this team.” A hamstring tweak kept Grant from running at the Combine, potentially dropping him into Minnesota’s range.

Free Agency Frenzy: Sam Darnold’s Exit and the Tag-and-Trade Dilemma

With free agency kicking off in a week, the Vikings face a monumental decision regarding quarterback Sam Darnold, who led them to 14 wins in 2024. Fan FigNuts35 asked, “Do you think we’ll be able to tag and trade Darnold?” Forness leaned toward no, citing logistical and philosophical hurdles. “If you tag him and can’t trade him, you’re screwed in free agency,” he cautioned. “Your plans are kaput.”

The franchise tag, projected at just under $41 million for quarterbacks, would tie up Minnesota’s cap space unless a trade partner emerges. However, as Stefano pointed out, “It takes three entities to agree to it: the Vikings, the team they’re trading to, and Sam Darnold himself. If he doesn’t sign it, that $41 million sits there.” Forness added, “Who’s going to give you the draft capital? You have to have a willing partner, and they have to give you more than a comp[ensatory] third next year. Otherwise, what’s the point?”

The Vikings reportedly explored options but, with the franchise tag deadline looming at 3 p.m. on March 4, 2025, Forness predicted Darnold will hit the open market. “They’re going to let him enter free agency and we’ll see what happens,” he said, acknowledging the PR risk of tagging a player in an organization lauded for its player-friendly reputation. Minnesota ranked first, second, and second in the NFLPA’s player survey over the past three years, a goodwill they’re unlikely to jeopardize.

The Garrett Bradbury Conundrum: Keep or Cut?

Center Garrett Bradbury remains a lightning rod among Vikings fans, as evidenced by commenter Anthony Tolleson’s plea: “Kick Bradbury to the curb ASAP.” Forness, who penned a column on the topic set to publish the next morning, offered a measured defense. “Bradbury is an average center—center 16 to 20,” he said. “His salary cap hit is $6.064 million. That’s good for an average center. His flaws are there, but they’ve done a really good job of mitigating those flaws.”

Forness argued that replacing Bradbury requires a clear upgrade that aligns with cost efficiency. He dismissed Colts center Ryan Kelly due to injury concerns—“If he could stay on the field, I’m in, but history tells us he might be off the field more than on”—and questioned the value of free agent Drew Dalman. “Are you willing to pay upwards of triple the price for him?” Forness asked. “To me, that’s a no. You’re getting Garrett Bradbury with chocolate coating.”

Stefano countered, advocating for a bolder approach given the rising salary cap. “We can pay and set up contracts so we can replace all three [interior linemen] and still get a defensive interior tackle or end,” he argued. “I think you can cover all three bases for relatively little.” He suggested a temporary fix like [Ryan] Kelly or Kevin Zeitler while developing younger talent, emphasizing the importance of protecting franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Forness pushed back, highlighting Bradbury’s chemistry with the offensive line and McCarthy. “There’s a value to already having it and not having to learn it,” he said. “If you improve both guard spots and get Christian Darrisaw back, that’s half the issues on the offensive line last year.” Ultimately, he concluded, “Nobody has offered me a suitable replacement that makes sense from a dollars and cents standpoint and a talent standpoint.”

Tampering Talk: The Trey Smith Incident

A surprising revelation from The Athletic’s Alec Lewis stirred the pot: the Vikings met with Chiefs guard Trey Smith’s representatives at the Combine, a move that technically violates NFL tampering rules. “They absolutely broke the rules, but it also really doesn’t matter,” Forness said. “Everybody does it. Nobody’s gonna call them on it because if you do, you’re all hypocrites.”

Stefano speculated the Vikings could claim it was incidental, tied to discussions with another player sharing Smith’s agency (Priority Sports and Entertainment), like cornerback Byron Murphy. Regardless, the Chiefs announced promptly their intention to franchise-tag Smith, ending any Minnesota pursuit. “It’s good that they were trying,” Forness noted, citing earlier reports from Ben Goessling that the Vikings coveted the Pro Bowl guard. “They’re serious about it, but they’re being selective.”

Hidden Gems and Draft Strategy

Beyond the headlines, Forness and Stefano teased potential under-the-radar targets. Colts guard Will Fries, recovering from a broken tibia, could be a cost-effective addition depending on his contract demands. “Is he going to want a multi-year deal or a one-year prove-it?” Forness wondered. Meanwhile, safety Cam Bynum’s future hinges on his market—Forness pegged him at $12-13 million annually, below the elite tier of safeties earning $15 million-plus.

The Vikings also aim to stockpile draft picks, a tactic Adofo-Mensah has employed since taking over. “They’re trying to find ways to generate more picks,” Forness said, though he couldn’t specify how. Past drafts under Adofo-Mensah have leaned on top-30 visits—five of 22 picks from 2022-2024 stemmed from such meetings—suggesting this year’s visits will offer clues to their targets.

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Looking Ahead: A Balanced Approach

As free agency nears, the Vikings’ strategy balances ambition with pragmatism. Forness trusts Adofo-Mensah’s patient approach—“He lets things play out; he doesn’t force it”—and expects an extension for the GM around draft time. Whether it’s retaining Darnold, upgrading the offensive line, or landing a Combine standout like Emmanwori, Minnesota’s moves will shape their Super Bowl aspirations.

“We’re a week away from seeing how this 2025 roster is really going to shape out,” Forness said, brimming with excitement. “I love this time of year—building, thinking, projecting. It’s so much fun.” For Vikings fans, the countdown to March 11, 2025, promises answers, debates, and maybe a few surprises. SKOL!

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Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and its NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.