 after the 17-23 win against New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24422528.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/USATSI_24422528.jpg”><figcaption> Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure>
<p><i>VikingsTerritory’s</i> <em>Purple Rumor Mill</em> is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s Vikings rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the January 18th edition.</p>
<h4>Vikings Rumors: Sam Darnold’s Future, Vikings’ Offseason Fix, Mike Zimmer</h4>
<p>Remember — rumors are <em>rumors</em>. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the purple team, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.</p>
<p>Here’s the first batch of the week. All past rumors can be read <a href=)
here.
Rumor: Sam Darnold is probably done with the Vikings.
 celebrates following a victory against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/darnoldsea.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=621,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/darnoldsea.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/darnoldsea-788×444.jpg” alt=”Vikings Rumors”><figcaption> Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>From the lips of Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, Darnold sounds like a goner. Of course, Minnesota could find a way to reunite with Darnold for cheap and ask him to compete with rookie passer J.J. McCarthy this summer, but O’Connell’s words Monday night did not make it sound like a sequel was on the menu for Darnold in the Twin Cities.</p>
<p>“The other phase of it for Sam is acknowledging the things that made him a winning quarterback this year. The consistency and the times he had it throughout the year and what that meant for our team. Because I think that can stay with him moving forward as he goes back to work,” <a href=)
O’Connell explained.
“Proud of him. Proud of everybody in that locker room but Sam and the journey him and I went on this year will always be something that has a special place in my heart, for sure.”
Always be something that has a special place in my heart — sounds like the language of break-up. That’s what a man or woman says when departing a romantic relationship on good terms.
O’Connell did not say, “We look forward to getting Sam back and fixing some of these issues. Our future is bright.”
This decision isn’t due for about two months, but all signs point to J.J. McCarthy, not Darnold, as the Vikings’ 2025 QB1.
Rumor: Minnesota has vowed to fix the offensive line’s interior.
O’Connell told reporters after the loss.
Interior offensive line woes have been a frequent scourge of Vikings football for over a decade.
O’Connell added, “There can be a thousand excuses made. But, for me, it’s the foundation of the interior of the pocket that we’re going to have to take a long look at.”
The first step is recognizing the problem. The Vikings have done that.
Rumor: Mike Zimmer may retire.
Jeff Darlington tweeted about the Cowboys’ situation: “A little more on the timeline of events in Dallas: Following a week of uncertainty within the Cowboys’ coaching staff — marked by what I’m told included both Mike McCarthy’s stalled contract negotiations and Mike Zimmer’s contemplation of retirement—McCarthy sent a final text message to his staff this morning, instructing them to clear out their offices a day before their contracts were set to expire. McCarthy said he would reach out to each assistant individually at a later time.”
Zimmer’s defense ranked fifth-worst in the NFL this season per EPA/Play, an awful mark for a defense showcasing playmakers like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs.
It could be over for Zimmer, who recently got engaged.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
