The Minnesota Vikings are at a pivotal juncture as the 2025 NFL Draft looms just weeks away, and the latest episode of Two Old Bloggers, hosted by Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano, delivers a treasure trove of insights for fans hungry for the team’s next moves. Recorded on March 30, 2025, this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, in partnership with the Fans First Sports Network, dives deep into the draft prospects Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is eyeing, J.J. McCarthy’s quest to cement his status as the franchise quarterback, and the broader NFC North landscape post-free agency. From offensive line depth to the lingering Aaron Rodgers rumors, Campbell and Stefano leave no stone unturned in this hour-long conversation that’s equal parts analysis and passion.

Theme 1: Eyes on the Prize – Decoding the Vikings’ Draft Strategy

The episode kicks off with a focus on the Vikings’ pre-draft process, a topic that Campbell and Stefano approach with the enthusiasm of seasoned prospectors sifting for gold. With free agency’s first and second waves in the rearview, the duo turns to the list of 31 college prospects the Vikings have met—or plan to meet—since the end of the college season. Stefano explains the methodology: “I went and asked Grok to give me everybody that’s visited since the end of the college season… from All-Star games up to now… and to give me not only the list, but all the links to where it’s showing this actually happened.” Then he and Campbell dove in further finding and verifying three additional players. This meticulous approach, spurred by a fan’s nudge on Facebook, yields a fascinating snapshot of Minnesota’s draft priorities.

What stands out immediately is the heavy emphasis on offensive linemen—11 of the 31 names, or 35%. Campbell notes, “That’s quite a bit… it sort of surprised me in a way… because the Vikings were very busy in free agency addressing the offensive line.” The team signed Will Fries and Ryan Kelly as starters and Justin Skule as a swing tackle, yet traded away backup guard Ed Ingram, released center Garrett Bradbury, and have yet to re-sign right guard Dalton Risner. With a typical roster carrying 9-10 linemen, the need for young, cost-effective depth is clear. “They’ve got work to do even with what they’ve done in free agency,” Campbell asserts, highlighting the positional group’s size and importance.

Running backs also feature prominently, with six prospects making up 19% of the list. This raises eyebrows given the recent extension of Aaron Jones and addition of Jordan Mason. Campbell rationalizes this focus: “Aaron Jones is 30 years old… his salary cap in 2026 is slated to be about [just] over 12 million… Are the Vikings really gonna want to take that kind of a salary cap hit to a player who will be 32?” Mason’s contract, too, runs only through 2026, and Ty Chandler’s roster spot looks shaky. With a deep running back class in 2025—potentially 34 or 35 draftable players—Adofo-Mensah might be planning for 2027, when both Jones and Mason could be gone.

A standout name is Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, whom the Vikings have met multiple times—formally at the Combine, likely at the Senior Bowl, and soon for a top-30 visit. “They’re really, really interested in Derek Harmon,” Campbell says, noting mock drafts projecting him anywhere from late first round to third round. With Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave signed as short-term fixes, Harmon could be a long-term anchor. Stefano adds, “If they’ve met with him or plan on meeting with him three times, there is interest there.” Yet, the hosts speculate: could this be a smokescreen?

The list also reveals a surprising lack of wide receivers (just Utah’s Dorian Singer) and no tight ends or edge rushers, suggesting confidence in current stars like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and a stable defensive front. “Some of these guys will be Vikings by late April,” Campbell predicts, a nod to the team’s historical tendency to draft or sign undrafted free agents from their visit list—think Harrison Smith in 2012, a rare exception drafted without prior contact.

Theme 2: This Week in Vikings Land – McCarthy, Rodgers, and the NFC North

The second segment shifts to recent Vikings headlines, starting with J.J. McCarthy’s comments to Kay Adams on a picturesque Mexican golf course. When Adams assumed he’s the QB1, McCarthy replied, “Well, they haven’t told me I’m the number one guy yet.” The national media pounced, with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Shannon Sharpe painting him as a diva. Campbell bristles at this: “They tried to make McCarthy out to be some sort of diva… that was a dumb take by both of them.” Stefano calls it “malpractice” and a “hatchet job,” defending McCarthy’s humility: “He dealt with the questions from Kay just perfectly… that’s what I’d want for my young quarterback.”

Campbell argues the narrative misses McCarthy’s character: “He’s showing he’s a team-first guy… he’s not into entitlements. He’s into proving that what he gets, he’s earned it.” Adofo-Mensah, in his Wednesday press conference, reinforced this, saying McCarthy has “passed every test” so far. The hosts agree it’s standard for teams to avoid anointing rookies immediately—especially one yet to take an NFL snap—making the media uproar overblown.

Next, the Aaron Rodgers saga refuses to fade. Adofo-Mensah confirmed talks with the veteran QB, though details remain murky. “I’m sure Kevin O’Connell was not talking to Aaron Rodgers about his next darkness retreat,” Campbell quips, speculating it was about football plans. While a 99.9% unlikelihood rules Rodgers out, Adofo-Mensah wisely avoided a definitive “no,” preserving flexibility. “The last thing you wanna do… is say, absolutely, without a doubt we aren’t gonna do something,” Campbell explains, citing the unpredictability of injuries—like a hypothetical McCarthy setback.

The NFC North roundup reveals a split: the Vikings and Bears splashed cash, while the Packers and Lions leaned on continuity. Chicago bolstered its offensive line with Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman, but Campbell questions if sacks were more on Caleb Williams than the line: “Did the Bears solve their problem… when the problem was the rookie quarterback who holds onto the ball forever?” Green Bay’s modest moves—Aaron Banks and Nate Hobbs—fit their draft-and-develop ethos, while Detroit swapped Carlton Davis for D.J. Reed, betting on a 15-2 roster’s health. Vegas, however, pegs the Vikings at 8.5 wins with the longest NFC North odds. “Vegas was wrong last year… I’m hoping they are wrong again,” Campbell says, echoed by Stefano’s belief in McCarthy’s potential.

Theme 3: What’s the Vikings’ Backup Plan?

The final theme tackles a glaring roster hole: the backup quarterback. With only Brett Rypien under contract—10 games, 4 starts, a 58.3% completion rate, 4 TDs, and 9 INTs—the Vikings lack a reliable safety net for McCarthy. Stefano has championed Ryan Tannehill, citing his first-round pedigree and experience: “He can relate to the pressure that JJ McCarthy’s going to face.” Yet Ian Rapoport’s report dims hope, suggesting Tannehill seeks “decent bridge quarterback money”—$12-15 million—to start elsewhere, not mentor in Minnesota. “I don’t think that opportunity is going to happen in Minnesota,” Campbell laments, eyeing Cleveland or Pittsburgh as alternatives.

Options are dwindling—Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz, Drew Lock, Tyler Huntley, or a Teddy Bridgewater reunion—but Adofo-Mensah hinted at patience. “They’re watching the comp picks right now… don’t expect the backup quarterback until after the draft,” Stefano interprets. A post-preseason trade, like Nick Mullens in 2022, could work, though Campbell struggles to find teams with a surplus: “Buffalo was the only one… they’ve got Mitch Trubisky… and Mike White.” A Kirk Cousins return? “That’d be horrible,” Campbell groans, dismissing it as less likely than Rodgers.

The hosts agree Rypien isn’t the answer: “He’s not your backup, nor should he be,” Stefano insists. An undrafted rookie and a veteran seem inevitable, balancing development and insurance. “We’re gonna get two more,” Stefano assures, calming fans’ nerves.

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Closing Thoughts: A Season of Promise Awaits

As Two Old Bloggers wraps, Campbell and Stefano reflect on a Vikings team brimming with potential yet shadowed by questions. The draft list teases a future fortified by youth, McCarthy’s grit promises a new era, and the NFC North looms as a brutal proving ground. Rumors—like a possible Asante Samuel signing—add intrigue, recalling last year’s late Stephon Gilmore coup. “Sometimes these late signings… can work out for you,” Campbell muses.

For Vikings faithful, this episode is a clarion call to stay engaged. Will Adofo-Mensah’s draft bets pay off? Can McCarthy silence doubters? Tune in next Sunday—or catch The Real Forno Show and Skoldiers & Spice, Sal’s Tuesday insights—on Vikings 1st & SKOL via the Fans First Sports Network. As Stefano signs off, “SKOL Vikings!” rings out, a rallying cry for a season that could redefine Minnesota’s fortunes.

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