Congratulation To Minnesota Vikings: Vikings Has Announced Their New Signing Justin Herbert.
For now, the starter appears to be Sam Darnold. That’s unless the Vikings make a splash in April’s NFL Draft, or make a blockbuster trade of another variety. Some recent speculation has Minnesota linked to L.A. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
Sam Darnold was introduced Thursday as the next Minnesota Vikings quarterback at TCO Performance Center.
The Vikings currently have the No. 11 overall pick, and last week traded with the Houston Texans for the No. 23 overall pick. The popular thought is they could package those two picks, and even a future first round pick, to move up into the top-five of the NFL Draft. They could even get to the top three, which paves the way to pick one of Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye.
But what about Herbert? He started 13 games last season and passed for more than 3,100 yards and 20 touchdowns, with just seven interceptions. His season ended after suffering a broken finger in December. He passed for more than 4,700 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2022. He was a Pro Bowl pick in 2021 after throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns.
The Chargers have shifted direction, firing coach Branon Staley after this past season. Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen left the team in free agency. They’ve also hired Jim Harbaugh to take over as head coach.
He just paired with J.J. McCarthy, a potential first round pick, to win a College Football Playoff national title. Without Cousins, the Vikings would love to pair Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and others with a veteran quarterback who isn’t afraid to sling it. You can likely get Herbert for the two first round picks, and that clears the path for Harbaugh and the Chargers to go after McCarthy.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is entering his third season as Vikings general manager, and it’s a critical year as they have to figure out the quarterback situation. Do you make a splash in the draft? Or go after a veteran like Herbert via trade for the right price?
The more you think about it, the more it makes sense.
Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit was dripping sweat and still catching his breath after finishing up receiving drills when several NFL scouts approached him at the University of South Florida’s pro day.
TAMPA, Fla. — Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit was dripping sweat and still catching his breath after finishing up receiving drills when several NFL scouts approached him at the University of South Florida’s pro day.
Rees-Zammit politely answered every question before heading off to take a few more from reporters.
Rees-Zammit stunned rugby fans when he announced in January that he was leaving the Welsh national team to pursue a dream of playing in the NFL. The talented 23-year-old, one of the best wingers in rugby, now was the center of attention on a football field instead of a pitch.
TAMPA, Fla. — Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit was dripping sweat and still catching his breath after finishing up receiving drills when several NFL scouts approached him at the University of South Florida’s pro day.
”Do you have an agent?”
”Have you ever been injured?”
”Did you take the Wonderlic?”
”Are you doing this for yourself or your family?”
Rees-Zammit politely answered every question before heading off to take a few more from reporters.
Rees-Zammit stunned rugby fans when he announced in January that he was leaving the Welsh national team to pursue a dream of playing in the NFL. The talented 23-year-old, one of the best wingers in rugby, now was the center of attention on a football field instead of a pitch.
”It’s always been on my mind,” Rees-Zammit said Wednesday. ”My dad has been a massive role model to me because he brought me up loving the sport. He played the sport when he was younger so it’s quite easy to love the game because I’ve been watching it from such a young age. So, it’s always been in the back of my head, but it’s just amazing to finally do it now.”
Rees-Zammit, whose favorite NFL player growing up was three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson, is one of 15 athletes from eight countries participating in the NFL International Player Pathway program. It was established in 2017 to provide elite athletes from around the world the opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster and increase the number of international players in the league.
The prospects spend 10 weeks training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, getting a crash course in practicing the fundamentals of football and learning the intricacies of a game most have never played.
They got a chance to showcase their skills at USF’s pro day in front of 51 scouts representing 31 teams — only the Rams weren’t represented.
All eyes were on Rees-Zammit when he lined up to run the 40-yard dash. Everyone wanted to see how fast ”Rees-Lightning” could run under the pressure of stopwatches but he only clocked a 4.5 on his first try. He improved to an official time of 4.43 on his second run.
