DAILY CLIPS

MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2020 LOCAL NEWS: Monday, January 20, 2020

Star Tribune

Grades and outlook: 's breakout sets up payday; will Vikings buy in? By Andrew Krammer http://www.startribune.com/grades-and-outlook-dalvin-cooks-breakout-sets-up-payday-will-vikings-buy-in/567133072/

Vikings FB C.J. Ham named to first as alternate, replacing 49ers' Juszczyk By Andrew Krammer http://www.startribune.com/vikings-fb-c-j-ham-named-to-first-pro-bowl-as-alternate-replacing-49ers- juszczyk/567133742/

SKOR North

The future of the Vikings, part 2: Running backs By Matthew Coller https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/01/the-future-of-the-vikings-part-2-running-backs-2/

NATIONAL NEWS: Monday, January 20, 2020

Maven Media

CJ Ham Named to Pro Bowl as Replacement By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/cj-ham-fullback-pro-bowl-replacement-kyle-juszczyk

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: Monday, January 20, 2020

Monday Morning Mailbag: Options at Offensive Coordinator, NFL Coaching Rules and Looking Ahead to the Vikings 60th Season By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/monday-morning-mailbag-options-at-offensive-coordinator-nfl-coaching-rules-and-l

PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/20/20

Grades and outlook: Dalvin Cook's breakout sets up payday; will Vikings buy in?

By Andrew Krammer

Before running back Dalvin Cook’s Vikings traveled to Dallas in November, he talked about approaching his contract status like Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott — “He’s been putting in the work and not looking for a payday, just looking to get wins and looking to do good things.”

The part not mentioned was Elliott’s 40-day summer holdout, which he parlayed into a six-year, $90 million contract on Sept. 4. Finally healthy, Cook’s three-month tear through NFL defenses last season might just be enough to cash in on a similar deal.

Cook’s breakout 2019 campaign confirmed what Vikings coaches already knew about their star runner’s potential after he missed 17 of his first 24 NFL starts due to injuries. Now how much is the front office willing to pay while up against the salary cap? Next season is the last of Cook’s rookie contract, and the Vikings’ M.O. is to extend core players before the start of their final season.

Below, we’ll assess the 2020 outlook and 2019 grades of the Vikings’ backfield, the wheels on the NFL’s sixth-ranked rushing attack.

—

Pending free agents

FB C.J. Ham (restricted)

RB

Under contract through (+ 2020 cap hit)

2020: RB Dalvin Cook ($2.02M), RB ($662K), RB Tony Brooks-James ($585K)

2022: RB ($830K)

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Grades are based on a 1-to-5 scale, with ‘5’ marking excellence, ‘4’ for above-average, ‘3’ for average, ‘2’ for below- average and ‘1’ for failure to perform. Players that did not accrue a season (weren’t on the active roster for at least six weeks) or played in five games or fewer are not graded. Below are individual grades, based on game and practice observations, weekly film reviews and interviews with coaches for six backs who finished the season on the Vikings’ active roster, injured reserve or practice squad. Unofficial NFL stats, such as QB pressures, missed tackles and targeted passes, are compiled by ProFootballFocus.com.

RB Dalvin Cook (4.5) — The opening 10-game stretch defined Cook’s breakout season, during which he led the NFL in touches (243) and yards from scrimmage (1,415) before his injuries. Cook thrived in an offense funneling the ball through heavy personnel packages and perimeter runs that set up play-action passes. Premiere vision and acceleration make Cook a perfect fit for this Gary Kubiak system, which also deployed a creative screen game featuring Cook. Set a tone for the offense’s direction during an 111-yard, two- game in Week 1 against the Falcons, a win during which attempted 10 passes.

Nobody matched Cook’s 10-game pace to open the season, and only Seattle’s Chris Carson had more broken tackles than Cook (54) in that span. A right clavicle injury in Week 11 against the Broncos started to slow Cook, who left early in two of the next three games while suffering an additional left shoulder injury. Lost fumble on hit that forced him from Week 13 loss in Seattle, leading to a Seahawks field goal in the 37-30 loss. Durability remains the primary question. While he’s one of the NFL’s premiere dual threats in the backfield, Cook’s drop problem persisted with his increased workload. Led the Vikings with seven drops on 63 targets; caught 53 passes for 519 yards.

Coaches chose to rest Cook in the Week 16 loss vs. Green Bay. He sat the meaningless season finale against the Bears, then turned 31 touches into 130 yards and two during the NFC wild-card playoff win in New Orleans. Ineffective when the Vikings’ offensive line faced superior fronts in the 49ers, Bears, Eagles and Broncos.

First-time Pro Bowler. Played a career-high 615 snaps [59.4%]. Incurred his first (and only) NFL penalty on a rare flag thrown for offensive pass interference after a scoring replay of Stefon Diggs’ touchdown catch during the Week 2 loss at Green Bay. His 1,135 rushing yards ranked 10th in the NFL; 13 rushing touchdowns tied for fourth. Scored game-winning touchdown on fourth down during Week 10 win in Dallas. The play, like many of Cook’s scores, was a pitch to the edge behind fullback C.J. Ham.

FB C.J. Ham (3.5) — The former Denfeld Duluth star texted family and friends last spring about the possibility of having a breakout season in a new system under Gary Kubiak and Kevin Stefanski. Ham realized that vision this season, progressing from core special teams player to a pivotal role on offense where both the run and passing attacks thrived from the ’21 personnel’ — or two-back — formations featuring Ham. Only the 49ers deployed more two-back formations than the Vikings. First-time Pro Bowler as an alternate, replacing 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (Super Bowl).

Played a career-high 359 snaps [34.7%]. Not penalized. Two first downs on five short-yardage carries. Not an old- school thumping fullback, but grew steadily as a lead blocker. The former Augustana (S.D.) running back caught defenses by surprise as an outlet receiver, running for catches of 25, 32 and 36 yards. A reliable pass protector seldom used in the screen game. Caught 17 of 26 passes for 149 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown against the Lions in a Week 7 win. Dropped one. A restricted free agent who is likely to be tendered and re-signed.

RB Alexander Mattison (3.0) — The Vikings’ third-round rookie (102nd overall) was on a short list of the most effective closers in the fourth quarter. That’s when Mattison took 42 of 100 carries and averaged 5.2 yards, trailing only Phillip Lindsay, Kenyan Drake and Raheem Mostert. An aggressive, one-cut runner, Mattison proved to be a strong replacement for . Wasted no time showing off the athleticism of a former track star, as one of Mattison’s few hurdles came on a 24-yard run during the season opener against the Falcons. Tough to bring down, breaking 19 tackles on 110 touches.

Played 200 snaps [19.3%]. Not penalized. Second on the team with 462 rushing yards. Season-high 16 touches came against the Lions during the Week 14 win, when he spelled an injured Cook before spraining his ankle with two minutes left. Missed the final three regular season games to recover, but played just 15 snaps in two playoff games. Showed, like he did at Boise State, that he’s an all-around threat catching 10 of 12 targets for 82 yards.

RB Ameer Abdullah (2.0) — A reliable veteran who played a variety of roles, however limited. Third on the team with 254 special teams snaps [59.6%]. Second on the team with nine tackles on coverage groups, trailing only rookie corner Kris Boyd. The Vikings’ primary kick returner fielding only 13 attempts for a 25-yard average. Season long came during the Week 7 win in Detroit, when Abdullah’s 38-yard return began a touchdown drive. Lost one fumble in the Week 11 win vs. Denver.

Biggest play was a 16-yard catch and run for a touchdown during the Week 9 loss in Kansas City. A limited passing- down back who played a season-high 32 snaps during the Week 16 loss vs. Green Bay. Caught 6 of 7 targets for 31 receiving yards against the Packers, but did not break a tackle. Finished with 137 offensive snaps [13.2%]. Penalized once for a false start. A pending free agent.

RB Mike Boone (2.0) — Once again a preseason star, Mike Boone turned another impressive camp and exhibition schedule into a roster spot in a deep backfield. A special teams mainstay who played 222 snaps [52.1%] on all four phases. An elusive runner when given opportunities, but his inexperienced was exposed over time. Forced nine missed tackles on 52 touches. Played just 15 snaps on offense before Mattison’s ankle injury. Scored two of his three touchdowns the following week against the Chargers, when Boone was elevated to the No. 1 role after Cook’s shoulder injury.

Played 82 offensive snaps [7.9%]. Not penalized. Third on the team with 273 rushing yards, including a career-high 148 yards during his second NFL start in the Week 17 loss to the Bears. Contributed to two turnovers at the start of that big day with a fumble and a tipped pass into an interception. Shut down the previous week in his first NFL start against the Packers.

RB Tony Brooks-James (N/A) — Signed to the practice squad on Dec. 11 after Mattison’s ankle injury. The undrafted rookie from Oregon had stops with the Falcons, Bucs and Steelers this season. Re-signed to a 2020 futures deal with the Vikings on Jan. 12. PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/20/20

Vikings FB C.J. Ham named to first Pro Bowl as alternate, replacing 49ers' Juszczyk

By Andrew Krammer

The ’ 37-20 win in Sunday’s NFC Championship Game over the Green Bay Packers is sending at least one Vikings player to the Pro Bowl.

Because 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk — the only player at his position to see more snaps than Ham in 2019 — will be preparing for the Super Bowl in Miami, Ham has been named to his first all-star game as an alternate, according to his agency IFA.

Blake Baratz @blakebaratz And Just like that @cjham28 is in the Pro Bowl. Right where he should have been all along. Let’s Go! @TeamIFA

230 9:02 PM - Jan 19, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 24 people are talking about this Ham, the Duluth Denfeld graduate,played a career-high 359 snaps while lead blocking for the NFL’s sixth-ranked rushing attack. The special teams mainstay earned a pivotal role on offense under Gary Kubiak and Kevin Stefanski, which is unlikely to change in 2020 as Mike Zimmer has already said he wants the same system despite Stefanski’s exit to Cleveland.

Ham was a second Pro Bowl alternate after the 2018 season. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 1/20/20

The future of the Vikings, part 2: Running backs

By Matthew Coller

In the lead up to free agency and the NFL Draft, we will look at what happened in 2019 and all the possible options of every Vikings position. Here we take a close look at the running backs…

PART 1: Quarterbacks

A Pro Bowler

Heading into 2019 the biggest question for the ’ offense was how good they could be with a fully healthy Dalvin Cook. The answer: They finished sixth in rushing yards per game and per Pro-Football Reference saw an Expected Points Added gain of 22 points from 2018 to 2019.

Cook finished the year as Pro Football Focus’s fifth best performer in the ground game, behind only Nick Chubb, Josh Jacobs, Christian McCaffrey and Aaron Jones.

He ranked seventh by PFF’s “Elusive Rating” metric, which combines missed tackles and yards after contact.

RB Elusive rating (min. 200 carries) Yards after contact/rush Josh Jacobs 103.6 3.48 Nick Chubb 89.1 3.77 Chris Carson 85.2 3.63 Derrick Henry 82.1 4.18 64.7 3.34 Saqon Barkley 63.6 3.23 Dalvin Cook 61.7 3.06 This tells us that while the Vikings were an improved run blocking team, ranking 11th by PFF grades, Cook’s explosiveness and tackle-breaking ability was a major factor in the massive improvement from ’18 to ’19.

During quarterback Kirk Cousins’s best career season by PFF grades and quarterback rating, Cook was his safety blanket. He led the NFL with 11.3 yards after catch and picked up a remarkable 9.6 yards per attempt on throws from Cousins that did not clear the line of scrimmage.

Even in games where the rushing attack was slowed, Cook often found explosive plays through the air. In matchups with Kansas City and Dallas, Cook was held under 4.0 yards per carry but totaled 11 catches for 131 yards between the two contests.

And while he was slowed in the final game of the season against San Francisco, the 2017 second-round pick touched the ball 31 times in the Wild Card round win over the , including 36 yards on three catches out of the backfield.

When we analyze his 2019 season in a bubble, it’s hard not to wonder where Cook’s numbers might have ended up had he not sustained an injury against the and then an additional ailment versus the Los Angeles Chargers that forced him to miss the final two games of the season.

But we do have an answer to how good he can be in a full season: Top five, Pro Bowl.

The contract

With Cook’s deal set to expire after 2020, he will likely be pressing for an extension before the start of the 2020 season in a similar fashion to Dallas’s Ezekiel Elliott, who worked out by himself in Mexico while his team went through training camp. Cook could also sit on the sidelines with any bump or bruise in NBA fashion. Either way, it wouldn’t be smart for him to step on the field next season without guaranteed money in the future.

So the Vikings will have to decide on his first three years how they think Cook will perform over the next 3-5 years.

With running backs we often see players succeed in small samples but they ultimately come back to earth with more carries and varying circumstances. For example, Seattle’s Thomas Rawls led the NFL in yards per carry in 2015 with 5.6 yards per rush. Over the following two years he picked up 3.0 yards per carry and did not play in 2019.

Cook’s sample size is still somewhat limited by injuries in 2017 and 2018 but he’s reached a plateau of carries where we can begin to know the truth about a rusher. He ranks in the top 25 running backs (with at least 450 runs) in yards per carry since 2005 (per Pro-Football Reference).

As you can see, Cook is in impressive company.

The age curve is always a conversation with running backs but the players who reached the 4.5 yards per carry threshold had success late into their careers. Fred Taylor’s five years from 2005 to 2010, for example, were years 8- 13 of his career. He picked up more than 5.0 yards per rush in years nine and 10.

Tiki Barber, likewise, managed two of his three 5.0-plus seasons when he was 30 and 31 years old. And Baltimore’s Mark Ingram gained 5.0 yards per carry this year at age 30.

It isn’t easy to project any NFL player’s future, especially with an injury history, but Cook’s performance over his first three years does put him in the company of players who sustained high quality performance into their late 20s and early 30s.

Chart via ApexFantasyLeagues

Even if the Vikings are confident Cook will remain effective, there are still plenty of questions pertaining to a contract extension, starting with: What is his asking price? What is too much to pay for a running back? Can the Vikings afford him with their future salary cap? Can his production be replaced?

The most recent contract handed out to a running back after an elite performance on his rookie deal was Elliott last offseason. The Cowboys’ star received a six-year, $90 million contract extension with $50 million in guarantees, $28 million of which is fully guaranteed at signing. His cap hits are $10.9 million, $13.7 million and $16.5 million in the first three years. After 2022 the structure allows the Cowboys to part ways with a small cap penalty.

If Cook’s ask was in the same ballpark, the Vikings could reasonably afford to keep him, especially if they move on from Cousins after 2020. Even if they sign Cousins to a new deal in the range of $35 million, veteran players like Xavier Rhodes, Riley Reiff, Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen will have come off the books — though new contracts for first-round corner Mike Hughes and second-round tackle Brian O’Neill will take their place.

But an extension won’t come down to finding space in the cap to keep Cook, it will come down to whether they believe resources should be allocated elsewhere. In other words, if the value of what he brings to the table over a replacement is worth the same as spending $15-$18 million on a free agent cornerback or tackle or edge rusher etc.

This year’s rookie class saw six running backs carry the ball more than 100 times and Josh Jacobs, Miles Sanders, Devin Singletary and Vikings No. 2 Alexander Mattison all averaged the same or more yards per carry as Cook.

The San Francisco 49ers ran for over 2,300 yards as a team with no backs rushing for over 1,000 yards and two of their three runners gaining more than 5.0 yards per carry.

That isn’t to say Cook’s production is easily replaced with the offense built around him and the O-line struggling at times to plow opposing defenses but it would give the Vikings pause about spending on a running back rather than another position.

Here’s how the highest paid running backs performed last year:

Running back Avg Salary Touches Yards per touch Ezekiel Elliott $15 million 355 5 Todd Gurley $14.3 million 254 4.2 Le’Veon Bell $13.1 million 311 4 David Johnson $13 million 130 5.5 $8.3 million 243 4.4 Mark Ingram $5 million 228 5.5 Dalvin Cook ????? 303 5.5 The backups

When the Vikings picked Alexander Mattison at the end of the third round, their selection was scrutinized by draft analysts who did not have the Boise State running back going until the later rounds but Mattison became an effective weapon for the Vikings especially late in games. Mattison rushed 42 times for 220 yards (5.2 yards per carry) in the fourth quarter, taking advantage of opponents who had been worn down by Cook over the first three quarters. Overall he gained 3.2 yards per carry after contact.

A late-season injury took away Mattison’s opportunity to step into a full-time role for one game against Green Bay but he did shine when Cook left with an injury against Chicago. The rookie gained 22 yards on four carries and caught four passes for 51 yards.

If the event that Cook and the Vikings have a contract dispute that lasts into the season, Mattison’s ability to be the full-time back would be tested.

The backfield next season will likely include No. 3 running back Mike Boone, who averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 49 runs. He struggled at times against Green Bay in his first start and then turned the ball over against Chicago in Week 17, pouring some cold water on an overall impressive 148-yard day. Boone was strong on special teams and has the explosiveness to be a change-of-pace back going forward.

The future of the franchise

As with Kirk Cousins, the Vikings’ overall feelings on the future will play a role in how they handle the backfield. If they see 2020 and 2021 as seasons to restock the cupboard, they may consider trading Cook to a team that’s willing to pay him top-notch running back money. But if they feel 2020 is another season to take a shot at the Super Bowl, it would not make much sense to play hardball or trade the player who the offense is built around. PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 1/20/20

CJ Ham Named to Pro Bowl as Replacement

By Will Ragatz

Vikings fullback CJ Ham has been named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement, his agent announced on Sunday night.

Blake Baratz @blakebaratz And Just like that @cjham28 is in the Pro Bowl. Right where he should have been all along. Let’s Go! @TeamIFA

232 9:02 PM - Jan 19, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 24 people are talking about this With the 49ers taking down the Packers and advancing to the Super Bowl, Kyle Juszczyk will be unable to participate in the Pro Bowl, opening up a spot for Ham.

Ham had an outstanding season in his fourth year with the Vikings. He was a key part of the Vikings' rushing attack, which finished eighth in the NFL with 127.2 yards per game. Ham paved the way for running backs Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison while finishing second to Juszczyk in offensive snaps among NFL fullbacks. He also caught 17 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, ran the ball seven times, and played over 200 snaps on special teams.

Ham caught a touchdown, the second of his career, against the Lions in Week 7. He had 37 receiving yards against the Chiefs and 42 against the Seahawks.

A native of Duluth, MN, Ham went to Division II Augustana in South Dakota. He was undrafted in 2016, but impressed at a rookie minicamp and was signed by the Vikings. He spent much of his rookie season on the practice squad, but has been on the active roster for the past three years.

He joins teammates Cook, , and Harrison Smith in the Pro Bowl, which takes place next Sunday in Orlando. Ham certainly belonged in the game, but the snubs of Anthony Harris, Kirk Cousins, and first team All-Pro are still somewhat baffling.

Ham is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Vikings will have to decide if they value his production enough to bring him back for years to come. PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/20/20

Monday Morning Mailbag: Options at Offensive Coordinator, NFL Coaching Rules and Looking Ahead to the Vikings 60th Season

By Eric Smith

Do you have a comment or question? Send it to the vikings.com Mailbag! Every Monday we'll post several comments and/or questions as part of the vikings.com Monday Morning Mailbag. Although we can't post every comment or question, we will reply to every question submitted.

Click here to submit a comment or question to the mailbag. Remember to include your name and town on the email. The questions below have been edited for clarity.

Kevin Stefanski was hired as the Browns new head coach, and I wish him all the success in the world (except when he plays the Vikings)! For the sake of continuity and considering the fact that Coach Zimmer made the comment that adding Gary Kubiak to his staff is the best thing that's happened in his coaching career, it seems like a very natural fit for Gary to take over as the OC. In fact, when he was hired for his current position, I hoped he would take Kevin's place when Kevin was inevitably hired as a head coach. Will the Vikings go through a formal hiring process with multiple interviewees or will Kubiak slide into the OC position right away to allow our team to start preparing for the offseason immediately?

— Brian Smit in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

There is certainly a chance that Gary Kubiak is the Vikings next OC. In his season-ending press conference last Monday, Zimmer said he and Kubiak "talked about [replacing Stefanski] a little bit." Zimmer opted to keep the conversation private.

Perhaps the conversation included determining whether Kubiak would want the tasks that come with the offensive coordinator gig. Kubiak mentioned more than once in his first season in Minnesota that he enjoyed his job as the team's Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Advisor and operating away from the spotlight. Kubiak didn't have to meet with the media a ton, and deflected credit to Stefanski and the players.

Zimmer did mention wanting to have continuity on offense, so perhaps an internal candidate gets the OC job. If that's the case, and Gary Kubiak isn't the guy, perhaps the role goes to either Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Rick Dennison or quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak.

Klint Kubiak knows the system well, and also knows Kirk Cousins. Dennison is also well-versed in the scheme, as he and Gary Kubiak have now worked together for a total of 16 seasons.

Zimmer gave his coaches last week off, so everyone is back in the building this week. Perhaps now the wheels get rolling. But whether or not the Vikings next OC is in the building already or not, you can bet that Zimmer will do his due diligence and look at all of his options for that role.

I unfortunately didn't get to watch the game against the 49ers because I was at work. Seeing that we only scored 10 points and our offensive coordinator was busy getting ready for a head coaching interview, shouldn't the NFL make changes to the hiring process for coaches? Shouldn't our OC be worrying about the 49ers instead of getting ready for an interview? Like I said I didn't get to watch the game but the OC must have been able to be better I would imagine

— Robbie in Manitoba, Canada

Thanks for the question, Robbie. Those are the rules the NFL has in place, and I doubt they affect how a team does in the ensuing weeks. Yes, the Vikings lost in the game following Stefanski's interview with Cleveland. But give some credit to the 49ers for how they played in that game.

In fact, 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh also interviewed for the Browns job, and his unit did just fine. Chiefs Offensive Coordinator Eric Bieneimy interviewed for jobs, and his team promptly hung 51 points in less than three quarters of work against the Texans.

I understand your frustration here with the current rules. But the NFL hasn't indicated they will be changed soon, and teams have shown that they can win even with a coach on staff interviewing elsewhere.

It does not appear that the team got together to discuss and watch the tape of the 49ers playoff game. Why would they do that after every game and not the game that eliminated them from the playoffs?

Also, the team had to be aware of the OC and DC leaving. I would think all of those changes could be handled after the Super Bowl. It surely would have been nice for the players to not have had that knowledge while they were preparing and playing the game.

I really love our coaches and players and hope to see many of them back this coming preseason.

— Rose in St. Paul

Hi Rose, thanks for your email. You are likely referring to Sunday, the day after the Vikings lost to the 49ers. While there was a quick team meeting, it wasn't a typical day-after-game breakdown.

Part of that reason was that the season was over, and there wasn't an immediacy in reviewing the film to make corrections. Players also had to do exit interviews, and they usually want to get away when the season is complete so they can relax and refresh.

As for the OC and DC vacancies, I don't think that played a role in the loss as I mentioned above. As Zimmer put it Monday, the Vikings simply "ran into a buzz saw" in the 49ers.

2019 Season in Photos: Vikings S Anthony Harris View the top photos of Vikings S Anthony Harris from the 2019 season.

What are the chances that we could snag Thaddeus Moss in the draft? ... Looks like he loves purple already.

— Nicholas Balkou

For those of you who missed it, Thaddeus is the son of Vikings Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss. The LSU tight end helped the Tigers win a national title on Monday, and declared for the 2020 NFL Draft a few days later.

Thaddeus Moss @Thaddeusmoss View image on Twitter 6,594 2:55 PM - Jan 17, 2020 · Baton Rouge, LA Twitter Ads info and privacy 843 people are talking about this It would be cool to see another Moss in Purple and Gold, right? Randy certainly did some big things in those colors with the Vikings.

Minnesota does have a solid group of tight ends already in Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith, Jr., and . David Morgan is also hoping to return in 2020 after missing the entire season with a knee injury.

Perhaps the Vikings add another Moss to the roster, but they also might feel set at tight end going into the draft.

The Vikings 60th season is coming up soon. Can we expect some throwback jerseys and new players in the Vikings Ring of Honor?

— Jake from Hampton, Illinois

Hi Jake … there likely will be a new member of the Vikings Ring of Honor, as at least one player or coach has been inducted each season since 2017. The Vikings usually announce that in the summer, so we have a bit of a wait before that player is unveiled.

We don't yet know of any decisions on uniforms. You should know that we will have plenty of great historical throwback content on Vikings.com, and have already began kicking around some ideas on how we can deliver that to the fans with such a historic milestone on the horizon.