The Minnesota Vikings have kicked off the 2025 NFL free agency period with a measured approach, sparking debate among fans and analysts alike. On the latest episode of The Real Forno Show, host Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano dissected the team’s early moves, offering a blend of optimism, skepticism, and a plea for patience as the legal tampering period unfolded on March 10, 2025. With the current date firmly in mind, the duo tackled the Vikings’ two key signings—center Ryan Kelly and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers—while contextualizing the team’s strategy against last year’s rapid-fire acquisitions.

A Slower Start: No Need to Panic

Unlike 2024, when the Vikings made waves within hours by signing Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Sam Darnold, Blake Cashman, and Aaron Jones—yielding three Pro Bowlers and a second-team All-Pro—this year’s free agency has been quieter. Forness opened the show with a reassuring tone:

“It’s not quite as exciting as last year, but it’s not about being first. It’s about being right. We’ll see if the Vikings are right in their two signings, and they still have more to come. Why should there be no panic?”

Forness emphasized that success in free agency isn’t measured by speed or spending but by fit and value. Last year’s haul set a high bar, but the Vikings’ current restraint reflects a calculated approach under General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. Stefano echoed this sentiment, noting that while some teams—like the Chicago Bears—may “win the offseason” with flashy signings, the Vikings’ focus remains on long-term competitiveness.

The duo highlighted the complexity of free agency negotiations, pointing out that factors beyond money often dictate outcomes. Forness referenced last year’s pursuit of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, where the Vikings were outbid by a team willing to overpay—a move that didn’t pan out due to Wilkins’ injury-plagued season. “We don’t know the context of why they’re not getting certain players,” Forness said, urging fans to wait for insider reports from trusted sources like Judd Zulgad or Darren “Doogie” Wolfson before jumping to conclusions.

New Faces: Ryan Kelly and Isaiah Rodgers Join the Fold

The Vikings’ first moves came with the signings of center Ryan Kelly from the Indianapolis Colts (two years, $18 million) and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers from the Philadelphia Eagles. These additions, while not headline-grabbing, signal targeted upgrades and depth.

Ryan Kelly: A Shift at Center?

Kelly’s signing, finalized just 30 minutes before the show went live, sparked immediate speculation about the offensive line’s future. With incumbent center Garrett Bradbury’s tenure in question, Forness pondered whether Kelly— a multi-time Pro Bowler and one-time second-team All-Pro—might shift to guard given the inflated guard market. “The guard market is so bonkers,” he mused, citing Aaron Banks’ $19.25 million deal with the Green Bay Packers as evidence. However, he quickly backtracked: “The reality is it’s probably a replacement for Garrett Bradbury.”

Forness leaned on insights from Colts insiders, including A to Z Sports’ Destin Adams and Indianapolis Star beat writer Nate Atkins. Kelly’s strengths—pass protection and leadership—align with the Vikings’ needs, particularly for a young quarterback. Yet, concerns linger. “He’s a much better pass blocker than run blocker,” Forness noted, quoting Atkins:

“Ryan Kelly makes sense for the Vikings—super smart and will do a great job setting protections for a young QB. I’d just hope there’s more power stuff than zone for the O-line because he does not move like he used to.”

At 32, Kelly’s injury history (missing time in nearly every season, including seven games in 2024) and diminished mobility raise questions about his fit in Kevin O’Connell’s zone-heavy scheme. Still, Stefano saw an upside: “Overall, it’s an improvement [over Bradbury]. He could easily play out the contract and be a very good mentor.”

The Kelly signing also fueled debate about Bradbury’s fate. Forness suggested a trade to a wide-zone team like the Seattle Seahawks or Atlanta Falcons, while Stefano proposed retaining him as a backup: “I don’t mind keeping Gary Bradbury on the team as the backup if he’s willing.” With Bradbury ranked 27th among centers last year (per Dave’s recollection) versus Kelly’s higher pedigree, the move signals a potential upgrade—if Kelly stays healthy.

Isaiah Rodgers: A Value Play at Corner

The second signing, Isaiah Rodgers, intrigued Forness as a potential “surplus value” pickup. Best known for a 2023 gambling suspension that cost him a year with the Colts, Rodgers contributed to the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning defense in 2024. At 5’10” and 170 pounds, he mirrors the undersized, feisty archetype the Vikings favor—think Byron Murphy Jr. and Makai Blackmon.

Forness broke down Rodgers’ film, highlighting his patience and fit in Brian Flores’ zone-heavy scheme:

“He does a really good job of staying patient… Covering Jerry Jeudy on a blaze-out, he lets Jeudy get half a step in front of him, and when Jeudy comes back around, he’s right in the hip pocket with great coverage.”

While not a lockdown corner, Rodgers’ deliberate playstyle and low cost suggest Adofo-Mensah is banking on untapped potential. This move prompted Forness to hypothesize about the Vikings’ cornerback philosophy: “I’m wondering if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah does not value cornerback that much… not in a sense that it’s not important, but that it’s a weak-link system, and you don’t need high-end players.”

Last year’s top-10 defense, despite a patchwork secondary, supports this theory. With big-name corners like DJ Reed and Travarious Ward signing elsewhere, the Vikings may lean on a collective approach rather than chasing a star—a strategy that could hinge on re-signing Byron Murphy Jr., who remains unsigned as of the episode.

Departures and the Sam Darnold Debate

The Vikings also bid farewell to several players, including quarterback Sam Darnold, who inked a three-year, $100.5 million deal with the Seattle Seahawks. Forness praised Darnold’s 2024 performance, noting his league-leading stats on deep throws:

“He was arguably the best quarterback at throws 20-plus yards in the air… most completions, best completion percentage, most yards, best yards per catch, and most touchdown passes.”

Darnold’s departure leaves the Vikings searching for a backup, with Forness suggesting Gardner Minshew or Jacoby Brissett—both scheme-versatile and comp-pick-friendly. Other exits included Johnny Mundt and Nick Mullens to Jacksonville, Patrick Jones to Carolina (two years, $20 million), and Camryn Bynum to the Colts (four years, $60 million)—a deal Forness was glad the Vikings avoided.

The Will Fries Question: To Pay or Not to Pay?

A potential target looming large is Colts guard Will Fries, a former teammate of Kelly’s. Stefano predicted a signing, while Forness expressed reservations about the cost. Fries, coming off a broken tibia, posted an 86.9 PFF grade in five games in 2024—impressive growth from his 61.2 in 2023—but his limited track record gave Forness pause:

“I don’t want to spend that much money on a guard… If I can get an average guard for $10 [million], I’d take that over Will Fries for $23 [million].”

Adofo-Mensah’s history of avoiding overpays for unproven talent (outside premium positions) fueled this skepticism. Stefano countered, “If it solidifies the O-line, yes,” highlighting the team’s $60 million in cap space and the need to win now in a “competitive rebuild.” The Fries-Kelly connection adds intrigue—could the center signing be a lure for the guard?

Looking Ahead: Patience Is Key

As free agency unfolds, Forness and Stefano urged fans to trust the process. “Let Kwesi cook,” Stefano advised, while Forness predicted a calculated approach:

“They’re going to identify what they want to do, pursue it relentlessly, but they’re not going to just spend to spend.”

Potential targets like safety Javon Holland, edge depth, or a wide receiver three (e.g., Cooper Kupp) remain on the radar, but the Vikings’ slow start doesn’t faze the duo. With the draft looming and secondary tiers of free agents still available, Minnesota’s roster-building is far from over.

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Final Thoughts

The Real Forno Show delivered a compelling snapshot of the Vikings’ 2025 free agency kickoff—less flashy than last year, but steeped in strategy. Kelly and Rodgers offer upgrades with caveats, while the Fries debate underscores Adofo-Mensah’s value-driven ethos. For Vikings fans, the message is clear: stay patient, stay tuned, and SKOL on. As Forness signed off, “Enjoy free agency, SKOL Vikings!”—a rallying cry for a fanbase eager to see the next move.

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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.