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 in the email. If Twitter is your jam, you can send a question to me that way as well.

The entire Vikings organization has had a heavy heart since the news last Tuesday that Jim Marshall passed away.

I'm certain that so many reading this feel the same way.

Acquired in a trade with Cleveland just before Minnesota's inaugural 1961 season, Marshall started every game of the franchise's first two decades (270 in the regular season and 19 playoff contests, including all four Super Bowl appearances by Minnesota).

Throw in the 1960 season with the Browns, and that's 20 percent of the NFL's first 100 seasons influenced and enriched by Marshall.

It wasn't the first time I've tried to find the words to summarize The Captain's impact on the Vikings locker room and the community, his pursuit of adventure, relentless drive and unparalleled leadership (and it won't be the last write-up), but it was the most challenging. I decided the ending of his career should be the beginning of the story and the ending of the story should point out how his legacy will continue to influence the organization he loved so much.

I'm so fortunate that I got to know Jim and enjoy a relationship that began with an interview for a 2015 Black History Month content series produced by the Vikings Entertainment Network.

There was just something where I felt an instant connection with Jim. That's probably more about his excellence and willingness to connect with people than anything about me.

The more I learned about Jim, the more I loved.

He exemplified grace and humility, despite accomplishing what mortals could not fathom.

He extended kindness to others, even when their focus centered on one play despite his career filled with exceptional plays.

He lived generously, co-founding the nonprofit The Link with former teammate Oscar Reed, and was so willing to share humorous, fascinating stories. Anytime I was working on a training camp memories story, Jim was the first person I called.

I saw so many great tributes, and we included several in this post. I later saw this tribute from his former teammate Ed White.

I also wanted to include this post:

For anyone who also felt grief in saying farewell to The Captain, please know you are not alone.

We'll continue to celebrate his legacy.

"We'll meet at the quarterback." I watched Jim Marshall since 1968 — the Vikings first division title.

Then, in 1969, a powerhouse was born. The Purple Gang was getting respect. The captain of that defense was Jim Marshall. 1969: 133 points allowed; 1970: 143 points allowed; 1971: 139 points allowed. Just about 9 points allowed per game. Everybody credits the great Alan Page, the great Carl Eller. But there were two more guys on that defense: Gary Larsen and Jim Marshall — 130 sacks. Jim was just not a great pass rusher. He was a great pursuit guy. He never gave up on a play. Many times I would see him run down Roger Staubach 15-20 yards down the field. This man was why Bud Grant said when God was making defensive ends, he made Jim Marshall! There would be no Purple Gang without Jim Marshall. Please put him where he belongs — in the Hall of Fame. For 57 years I've been watching the Vikings, and it's been fun.

And

(Note: The following part of this message was sent on Tuesday, a couple of hours before Marshall's passing was announced, but I'm including it, as well.)

I'm an old-school guy. I've always liked the 4-man fronts on the defense. With the signing of the two defensive tackles in free agency are we going to see Brian Flores use more 4-man fronts? Also is there still a chance for Jim Marshall to get into the Hall of Fame? 130 sacks, never missed a start. What more could Jim have done? Thanks,

— Nighthawk

I consider Jim's exclusion from the Pro Football Hall of Fame an egregious oversight. I haven't been able to figure out the reason why. Some say lack of Super Bowl success, but there are Super Bowl-era players who made the Hall of Fame without ever playing for a Lombardi Trophy.

Some say that it was because he only played in two Pro Bowls, but they leave out the fact that Marshall ranked third in career sacks behind Deacon Jones and Carl Eller at the time of his retirement (and that he was competing with both of those players for a DE spot). Maybe if sacks had been an official stat before 1982, Jim would already have a bust in Canton, Ohio.

I'm not giving up on trying to state his case.

If he's eventually enshrined by the Senior Committee, which he should have been a long time ago, it will make the Hall of Fame more complete. It's a great place, and I'm grateful to have visited twice to cover enshrinements of Mick Tingelhoff and Steve Hutchinson, but it is incomplete without Marshall.

Every Viking who has been enshrined from that era says Marshall was the most important Viking, and each credited Marshall for making everyone on the team better.

There is a certain standard of play by Vikings defensive linemen that is central to the identity of this franchise, whether referred to as the Purple Gang (Marshall, Eller, Alan Page, Gary Larsen and later Doug Sutherland liked that name) or the Purple People Eaters. Jim set the pace for some of the most dominant defenses in NFL history.

Which brings us to this year's group. Flores has been building out 3-4 personnel but will continue to be multiple in the way he attacks opponents. The additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave are projected to enable the Vikings to attack QBs on early downs to create advantages for third downs.

When players arrive and leave Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, they walk past the Jim Marshall Vikings Captains Legacy display, which was installed in 2024 and serves as an inspiring reminder of what can be accomplished.

With the "tush push" a go this year, are we going to see a Vikings version this coming season?

— Harry at Cleveland, Georgia

The Vikings want to improve a couple of major aspects of the run game, including short-yardage situations that can help sustain drives and the legitimacy of a threat in the lower red zone to finish possessions with touchdowns.

Aaron Jones, Sr., is coming off career highs of 255 carries and 1,138 rushing yards, along with five touchdowns for a team that finished 2024 with nine rushing touchdowns (29^th overall).

Minnesota's offseason acquisition of Jordan Mason through a trade brings a player who recorded career bests of 153 rushes for 789 yards with increased opportunities in San Francisco last season. Mason tied his personal best of three rushing touchdowns in a season.

The Vikings also added size, strength and technique to their offensive line, which should all help the run game.

There are a few reasons why the "tush push" works well for the Eagles, including the sheer size of their offensive linemen, quarterback Jalen Hurts' leg strength and the time that Philadelphia has invested on task to perfect execution.

Other teams might be better suited with more traditional QB sneaks or handoffs to get that short yardage.

I think the best way to defend the play so far is trying to prevent the Eagles from getting into a down-and-distance that results in the play being called.

Why do we not roll out our QB more? All pressure comes right up the middle.

— Joseph H.

There was a good bit of pressure making it through the interior of the offensive line, particularly in Week 18 and the Wild Card losses to the Lions and Rams last season.

Minnesota revamped the interior of the offensive line in one offseason by signing center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries and drafting Donovan Jackson, who has lined up at left guard with the first team.

Fries is recovering from a broken leg suffered last season, and Blake Brandel, who started at left guard in 2024, has been manning the right guard spot in practices.

Those additions, combined with mobility that J.J. McCarthy has shown in his game, should help alleviate pressure up the middle this season.

Mix that in with expected threats in the running game, and it all could bode better in 2025.

I note comments about how the media tend to disrespect the Vikings despite recent very good regular-season records. Perhaps that's because their very good regular-season records don't translate to much playoff success and to zero Super Bowl wins. During the Super Bowl era, the Vikings have the fourth or fifth-best cumulative regular season record. Yet they are the only team with a winning regular-season record over that time span that doesn't have at least one Super Bowl win. They also have the fewest total playoff wins of any team with a winning regular-season record over that time span. Want respect? Prove it. Just once during my lifetime would be appreciated.

I also note lots of positive comments over the extension for the GM. However, he has yet to master the draft. If Jackson and McCarthy start and either [Jalen] Nailor or [Tai] Felton is the No. 3 WR, he will have produced five starters over four drafts if you count the kicker and the No. 3 WR. Maybe you get a 6**^th**if you count the No. 3 CB. That's not really very good.

— Dave Sinclair in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger (which followed Minnesota's loss to Kansas City in Super Bowl IV), the Vikings rank fifth in the NFL with a win percentage of .566 (485-371-4 in 860 games).

All but one other franchise (Seattle at 12) in the top 15 in win percentage (1. Steelers, 2. Cowboys, 3. Ravens, 4. Dolphins, 6. Broncos, 7. Patriots, 8. 49ers, 9. Packers, 10. Chiefs, 11. Eagles, 13. Commanders, 14. Rams and 15. Raiders) have won multiple Super Bowls. Seattle is 1-2 in Super Bowls but easily could have been 2-1 with a handoff instead of an interception at the goal line.

In the playoffs, Minnesota's win percentage of .388 (19-30) during that span ranks 29^th.

So, yes, it's a fair point that Minnesota needs to accomplish the ultimate goal to earn the utmost respect. Something tells me there could still be some haters, even if/when that finally does happen.

The NFL Draft is rare art that is being mixed with science, and while starters drafted could be a good metric, there are factors that can impact how quickly draftees start.

Veteran-laden teams that have much of the roster established (like the Vikings have been) have fewer job openings for rookies to be starters.

The Vikings drafted 16 players in the 1969 NFL Draft. White, who turned out to be great but didn't become a full-time starter until 1971, and Noel Jenke (eventually played in 1971) were the only two players who eventually made the team. The roster was loaded, enabling an incredible run by the Vikings that included four Super Bowl appearances in eight seasons.

Now, with the salary cap and free agency markets leading to more roster turnover, it is important to locate impact players in the short and long term. That ultimately did not happen with the 2022 draft class, but three of six picks from 2023 figure to play significant roles in 2025.

Jordan Addison has been in the same conversation as some elite Vikings Legends for his production in his first two seasons, and Mekhi Blackmon is a player the Vikings are excited seeing return from last year's torn ACL (potentially as the No. 3 CB that Dave mentioned). Jay Ward has played mostly on special teams but also is continuing to grow.

Minnesota freed up cap space along the way to lean heavily on free agency in 2024 and 2025, which also reduces the job openings for younger players. Signing Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, and yielding Pro Bowl seasons from both, meant more of a development year for Dallas Turner. All signs point to McCarthy being QB1 and him being a player people are excited to see.

We have Jay Ward, so why are we trying to keep Joshua Metellus? Signing him to an extension would be a mistake. How do you feel?

— Warren

Ward has been working and growing, but he's totaled 63 defensive snaps over his first two seasons, compared to 616 on special teams, where he's been a consistent contributor.

Metellus has had a lot on his plate the past couple of years, playing all over the field and logging 1,065 defensive snaps in 2023 and 991 in 2024, to go along with 194 and 210 special teams snaps in the past two seasons. His climb began as a standout in the third phase, and he's shown the ability to be a chameleon within the defense, making impacts at multiple levels and helping the entire operation.

The Vikings are returning Harrison Smith for his 14^th season and signed Theo Jackson to a contract extension this offseason. The understanding that Smith won't play forever, even though he's on track to surpass 200 games this season, is likely to impact plans at the position.

Probably a bit too early to truly determine where we are regarding position depth.

Assuming sometime during training camp, injuries, individuals meeting or not achieving expectations will provide a better feel for needs. Seems like most are questioning our secondary. Chatter about [Jalen] Ramsey connecting with the Vikings. But are we not on paper dealing with a significant cap deficit for '26? If so, can the Vikings really afford to spend remaining cap surplus on an expensive free agent vs. rolling over some or all the surplus to reduce or eliminate the '26 deficit. Maybe an opportunity for the coaching staff to develop and a "lesser" known player to "overachieve." Recent history has revealed such individuals. Maybe just blind trust and faith that one of those "lesser" secondary players is a diamond vs. chunk of coal. Any insider info on which individual has such potential to be that player. Love it when the UDFA or late-round selection becomes an "impact" player.

SKOL!!!!

— Noel in Bayfield, Wisconsin

P.S. Been waiting since the Vikings lost to the Chiefs [in Super Bowl IV] for a SUPER BOWL victory. Maybe a reason why? The "Hitman" hoisting the Lombardy after his long, loyal, Hall of Fame career as a Viking. He to me represents what a Minnesota Viking is.

As of now, overthecap.com projects the Vikings with roughly $18 million remaining cap space for 2025 and with a substantial deficit for 2026, which can always change based on a few things.

This post covers how teams rolled over cap space from 2024 to 2025.

We've already mentioned Blackmon, but I'm super interested in seeing how Dwight McGlothern follows up a really impressive rookie training camp when players return at the end of July. I'll again point out that it was really substantial for Minnesota to re-sign Byron Murphy, Jr., and note the team is bullish on Isaiah Rodgers. Another veteran, Jeff Okudah, will get looks at the position, as well.

Smith is one of the best examples we'll ever see of living out the standard set by Marshall for what it means to be a Minnesota Viking. If the team is able to finally hoist the trophy, that will be a sight and representative of the Vikings Legends, including Marshall, who laid the foundation.

View the 2025 Vikings Schedule.

See the full 2025 Schedule Release.

Check out the 2025 International games.

View more future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.