The Vikings still have not opened extension talks with pending free agent quarterback Case Keenum, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com. Previous reports have indicated general manager Rick Spielman & Co. won’t discuss contracts with any of their free agent signal-callers until the season concludes, and that stance has not changed, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Indeed, Keenum may require a franchise or transition tag in order to not hit the open market, several executives tell La Canfora. Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater, and Sam Bradford are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents next spring, meaning the Vikings will have several decisions to make over the coming months.
Here’s more from the NFC North:
- While the Packers have certainly struggled without quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the club isn’t expected to make wholesale changes during the offseason, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. However, defensive coordinator Dom Capers could take the fall after leading a defense that ranks just 19th in DVOA. If Capers is fired, one candidate to take over Green Bay’s defense may be current Bears DC Vic Fangio, per Pelissero. Fangio, whose contract expires after the 2017 season, has Chicago’s defense at 14th in DVOA (with arguably less talent than the Packers possess).
- Capers isn’t the only Packers staffer who could leave the team this offseason, as director of football operations Eliot Wolf is once again drawing general manager interest. While Wolf has long been viewed as an in-house replacement for current GM Ted Thompson, Wolf is reportedly growing impatient and is ready to “branch out,” sources tell Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. Wolf, who was tied to the 49ers and Colts general manager vacancies a year ago, was most recently linked to the Giants GM gig.
- Although Vikings long snapper Kevin McDermott‘s dislocated shoulder is likely to sideline him for the final game of the regular season, he’s expected to be available for the playoffs, per Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (Twitter links). McDermott, who will not require surgery, had his shoulder popped back in place last night. Meanwhile, Minnesota will need a long snapper for their Week 17 contest against the Bears, and the club plans to audition free agent Justin Drescher on Tuesday, per Tomasson. Drescher has appeared in 110 career games, including eight with the Cardinals earlier this year.
Capers should have been fired 5 years ago…..I dunno if McCarthy can ever fire his bff.
100% agree
Honestly I wouldn’t mind seeing Wolf take over the Packers this offseason. I disagree with fans that think Thompson is doing a bad job but it’s becoming clear that a new era is beginning with Goff, Wentz, Dak and others leading their teams into contention, not to mention the potential Jimmy G has shown in SF. I think Green Bay needs to shake things up and get some fresh ideas going
If you think Thompson is doing a good job why would you want him replaced??
^To shake things up and get some fresh ideas…TT has been solid but the team has become a little stagnant and they need a push, firing Ted could create that. I think Wolf will become a great gm where ever he ends up. It’d suck if we let him walk and TT’s stock continues to fall. It’s kind of like when Favre left and Aaron took over, Favre still had plenty of years but it was time for a change. All and all, I’d rather see Capers go. He’s had way to many chances and too many top picks for the defense not to be good. The bend but don’t break defense doesn’t work in today’s football, qbs and ocs are too good and will pick it apart like they have for years now. I think the new DC has to be a new hire too, it can’t be someone promoted from within.
TT has made approximately one above average decision. And he would have passed over Arod too, if given the chance earlier in that draft. It’s time for Capers to go too but not if TT stepped up a few times.
19th is DVOA? That’s probably an improvement from years past.