Access Vikings

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer open the mailbag and answer your Vikings-adjacent questions about vibes around an 8-2 team that has exceeded expectations so far this season, tight end T.J. Hockenson's roughly 50% role at this point, the futures of a couple starting defensive backs on expiring contracts, and more.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss where the Vikings and Bears are at nearly three years into the tenures of general managers Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Ryan Poles. How do the roster and salary cap situations stack up? And what do they think happens on Sunday at Soldier Field, where the Vikings have won four straight trips?

Ben Goessling and Chip Scoggins join Andrew Krammer from Nashville, where the Vikings completed their 4-0 sweep of the AFC South with a 23-13 win over the Titans. No, it wasn’t a complete game by the Vikings. But it was a better showing from quarterback Sam Darnold, who navigated a stout Titans defensive front without much of a running game. We also saw a change at right guard, some strong performances by edge rushers, and a wild result elsewhere in the NFC North.

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer open the mailbag and answer your Vikings-adjacent questions about quarterback development, rookie edge rusher Dallas Turner, the interior offensive line, trick plays, and more.

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer come to you from TCO Performance Center in Eagan, where rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy needed a surprise second procedure on his right knee this week. What does that entail? And what do they need from their current quarterback, Sam Darnold, this week in Tennessee? They preview Vikings-Titans and discuss the key matchups from 2023 draftee Will Levis to a stout Titans defensive line.

Ben Goessling and Jim Souhan join Andrew Krammer from Jacksonville, where the Vikings escaped with a 12-7 win over the Jaguars on Sunday. How loud do you sound the alarm after quarterback Sam Darnold's continued turnovers? Will Aaron Jones be all right after his injury? The defense again stomps on an inferior opponent, this time with linebacker Blake Cashman doing his thing. And a new kicker, John Parker Romo, comes through big to save an offense that couldn't score a touchdown.

The Star Tribune's Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer open the mailbag and answer your questions about the change from kicker Will Reichard to newcomer John Parker Romo, their short-yardage woes, hits on quarterback Sam Darnold, Brian Flores vs. young QBs, and more.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Sunday's game at Jacksonville, where the Vikings (6-2) have a chance to start a new winning streak against the lowly Jaguars (2-7). Who's going to be the kicker? How long will Will Reichard be sidelined? Will linebacker Blake Cashman return? And what are we to make of a streamlined (or simplified) offense for quarterback Sam Darnold?

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap the Vikings' 21-13 win over the Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. What is there to take from a rather ugly game? Vikings defenders probably wouldn't say it was ugly. They're 6-2 and right where they want to be. But there are still plenty of areas to dissect between quarterback Sam Darnold's enigmatic outing, running back Aaron Jones' new No. 2, another controversial missed call with a hit to Darnold's helmet, and some defensive dominance against Colts quarterback Joe Flacco.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand open the mailbag and answer your Vikings-adjacent questions on the potential changes to the lineup on offense and defense, quarterbacks Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy, the NFL trade deadline, a very veteran defense's individual workloads, and more.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, and Michael Rand preview Sunday night's game against the plucky Colts (4-4) and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. They discuss a range of topics from the acquisition of new left tackle Cam Robinson after Christian Darrisaw's season-ending knee injury to quarterback Sam Darnold's trust in his targets. Also, will linebacker Blake Cashman play? And will Aaron Jones ever get a rep to breathe again this season?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Jim Souhan emerge from the visiting locker room at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., where the Vikings lost a second game in five days and possibly left tackle Christian Darrisaw to injury. What happened on defense? What similarities were there to the Lions loss? What was the team's reaction to Darrisaw's injury? What can be made of the offense without him?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Thursday night's game against the Rams in Los Angeles, where the Vikings (5-1) will try to rebound from the first loss of the season. First they discuss an offense that can't get out of its own way. Then they take a stroll down memory lane to discuss Vikings' west coast trips on a short week. And they have differing views about just how well the Vikings might fare at Kevin O'Connell's former stomping grounds.

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer recap the Vikings' 31-29 loss to the Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium, where an early lead wasn't enough to hold off a red-hot Lions offense. What missed chances were there on offense? What did Justin Jefferson have to say afterward? How much did the defense miss Blake Cashman's presence in the middle, where Jared Goff seemingly had his way?

Star Tribune writers Andrew Krammer and Ben Goessling open the mailbag and answer your questions about the Vikings nearing the NFL trade deadline, a stuffed animal throwback to 2016, the Lions offense, rookie Dallas Turner's role, linebacker Blake Cashman's expected absence, and more.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Sunday's game between the Vikings (5-0) and Lions (4-1) at U.S. Bank Stadium, where another chapter in Jared Goff vs. Brian Flores will unfold. But first: will either running back Aaron Jones or linebacker Blake Cashman be playing? What do they do if neither can play? And will there be a change coming on the offensive line at some point?

Andrew Krammer is joined by Purple Insider's Matthew Coller during the Vikings' bye week to discuss the recent win against the Jets, quarterback Sam Darnold's struggles, running back Aaron Jones' importance, the defense's dominance, and a trip down memory lane to revisit the two most recent 5-0 starts in franchise history.

The Star Tribune's Ben Goessling, Chip Scoggins and Michael Rand check in from London, where the Vikings rode an impressive defensive effort to a 23-17 win over Aaron Rodgers and the Jets. At 5-0, the Vikings are off to their best start since 2016. But they also showed some offensive cracks after losing Aaron Jones to a first-half injury. Quarterback Sam Darnold had his worst game in purple, and the punt team committed multiple game-turning penalties. The Vikings made enough plays, including three critical interceptions of Rodgers, to come away with the victory in front of a very pro-purple crowd in London.

Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand open the mailbag and answer your Vikings-adjacent questions about Sam Darnold's level of difficulty, muffed punt returns, Ring of Honor candidates, incorrect officiating calls, the Vikings as favorites, and which player will end the year as the team's second leading receiver?

Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand preview Sunday's game in London, where the Vikings (4-0) will face familiar foe Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets (2-2). Just how worried should the Vikings be about a 40-year-old Rodgers? What are some notable numbers that put this 4-0 start into context? How does this compare to other hot starts in franchise history?