Judd Zulgad

J.J. McCarthy's return as Vikings' starting QB is inevitable and it's the right move Carson Wentz impressed by leading a game-winning drive on Sunday, but coach Kevin O'Connell knows he must see what he has in the Vikings' 2024 first-round pick.

Carson Wentz led the Vikings on a game-winning drive Sunday, but he didn't show enough to want to delay the Vikings returning to J.J. McCarthy. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...

Do Vikings need to explore moving on from Jordan Addison after the season? The wide receiver caught the winning touchdown on Sunday against the Browns, but he also was benched for the opening quarter in a disciplinary move by coach Kevin O'Connell.

Jordan Addison was the hero for the Vikings on Sunday, but he also reminded the team why it's difficult to trust him. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/do-vikings...

As salary cap rises, Wild focuses on locking up core group with long-term contracts Filip Gustavsson signed a five-year deal on Saturday, making him the latest Wild player under 30 whom general manager Bill Guerin has signed to a contract extension.

Filip Gustavsson's contract extension continued the Wild locking up core players with reasonable contracts that could become bargains. Unlocked for all to read. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/as-salary-...

Vikings need to take a page from the 49ers playbook as they look to get back on track The Vikings' offensive line is ravaged by injuries -- and starting QB J.J. McCarthy remains out -- but San Francisco is showing that injury issues can be overcome.

On why the Vikings should look to the 49ers for inspiration. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-ne...

Twins baseball boss Derek Falvey needs to hire a manager and get out of the way After missing the playoffs for the fourth time in five years and firing Rocco Baldelli, Falvey should understand that he needs to change his approach or he will be the next guy out the door.

It's fun to speculate on who might be the Twins next manager, but the most important thing will be for Derek Falvey to get out the way. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/twins-base...

Wild eliminate concern and distraction by signing Kirill Kaprizov to record deal Now the pressure is on the superstar winger to help deliver a Stanley Cup to Minnesota.

On Kirill Kaprizov's new contract and what that means in terms of expectations for the star winger. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wild-elimi...

Rocco Baldelli's dismissal should only be the start of Twins' house cleaning The manager deserved to be fired, but that move doesn't fix the team's front office or ownership issues that also need to be addressed.

The Twins' problems run much deeper than a manager who deserved to be fired. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/rocco-bald...

Injuries to Vikings' offensive line leave Carson Wentz or J.J. McCarthy in peril The Vikings' quarterback job has gone from being a plum assignment to one that requires a very good health insurance policy.

Why Vikings' quarterbacks should be taking out good health insurance policies. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/injuries-t...

Vikings' Jordan Mason shows willingness to pack a punch out of the backfield The running back rushed for 116 yards last Sunday in the Vikings' first game without the injured Aaron Jones. That included two touchdown runs deep in the red zone.

On the Vikings' running back who seems to welcome contact. Unlocked for all to read. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-jo...

Wild owner unwilling to discuss anything to do with Kirill Kaprizov negotiations Craig Leipold said there was "nothing to gain and everything to lose,” by addressing the assumed ongoing contract talks between the team and superstar winger.

Where do the Kirill Kaprizov negotiations stand? Wild owner Craig Leipold, for one, isn't talking. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/wild-owner...

On sports media: Alan Horton adds TV duties to his Timberwolves workload With Michael Grady set to call a limited number of games because of national TV duties, the Wolves will often use a simulcast format.

Alan Horton to work Wolves games as simulcast on TV when Michael Grady is on the national call. Also Frank Mazzocco to make brief return to Gophers hockey. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/on-sports-...

Many to blame for Twins' failures, but Rocco Baldelli is most likely to take the fall Firing the manager might not solve many issues, but it would serve as a sign that ownership is paying some attention to the team.

Are the Pohlads paying any attention to the Twins? Here's one way to prove they are. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/many-to-bl...

Kevin O'Connell could end up weighing future versus the present in QB decision The Vikings coach doesn't have to answer the question now, but he will have to make a call on whether to continue starting Carson Wentz or go back to J.J. McCarthy once he's cleared to play.

Kevin O'Connell's responses to @SeifertESPN's QB questions on Monday caused me to write about where the McCarthy-Wentz situation might be headed. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/kevin-ocon...

Isaiah Rodgers' record-setting game sets tone for Vikings' defensive dominance Veteran cornerback shows why defensive coordinator Brian Flores wanted him in free agency.

On a dominant day for Isaiah Rodgers and the Vikings defense. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/isaiah-rod...

Too early to panic? Vikings need a win over Bengals to get their mojo back A fast start was essential for the Vikings this season. Falling to 1-2 with a loss to Cincinnati on Sunday would mean that has little chance of happening.

Here's why the Vikings face a must-win game in Week 3? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/too-early-...

Vikings taking it slow with Christian Darrisaw but desperately need him back As the Vikings wait for the standout left tackle to return from a knee injury, Darrisaw's replacements have served as a reminder of just how much he's missed.

A look at the Christian Darrisaw situation and what the Vikings and Darrisaw must weigh in the decision of when he returns. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-ta...

On sports media: Vikings have floundered with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call Can coach Kevin O'Connell's team finally get a win with Nantz and Romo in the booth? We'll find out Sunday as the pair works the Vikings-Bengals game at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Vikings can be forgiven if they aren't too happy about seeing Jim Nantz and Tony Romo this weekend. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/on-sports-...

As injuries mount, so do doubts about Vikings' ability for early-season success Running back Aaron Jones reportedly was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, adding another starter to the growing list of Vikings who will miss time.

The Vikings once appeared to have a favorable schedule to open the season. That no longer appears to be the case. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/as-injurie...

Kevin O'Connell needs to put the ball in Jordan Mason's hands more often Dealing with a quarterback who is a work in progress, the Vikings coach should make Mason his starting running back and allow him to carry more of the load.

Relying on Jordan Mason more often would help J.J. McCarthy's development. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/kevin-ocon...

Outstanding. Glad you got there. They are excellent.

Thanks a lot, Jerry: Head-scratching trade by Cowboys owner could have major impact on Vikings Micah Parsons is off to a great start with the Green Bay Packers after Jerry Jones jettisoned the Pro Bowl rush end to the Vikings' biggest rival only days before the season opened.

Thirty-six years after fleecing the Vikings in a trade, the Cowboys are at it again. Only this time they were fleeced in a move that stands to impact the Vikings. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/thanks-a-l...

Andrew Van Ginkel's injury gives Dallas Turner a chance to step into the spotlight The 2024 first-round pick isn't the only Vikings player who will be given a chance to make a positive impression because of an injury to a teammate.

Dallas Turner headlines a list of Vikings who will be counted on to replace an injured teammate on Sunday. This one's unlocked for all to read. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/andrew-van...

On second thought: Kirill Kaprizov's contract situation now a concern for Wild The Wild brass have been optimistic about signing their superstar winger to a multi-year deal, but after he reportedly turned down a rich proposal that optimism might be waning.

Remember when it sounded like getting Kirill Kaprizov signed wouldn't be difficult? That's no longer the case. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/on-second-...

J.J. McCarthy shows he's special not with heroics but ability to overcome failures Despite struggling for three quarters in his NFL debut, McCarthy show why he's special by overcoming his mistakes and rallying his team to victory in Soldier Field.

On what made J.J. McCarty's debut special. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/jj-mccarth...

Vikings preview: Five offensive backups who could play key roles this season While the Vikings are hoping to avoid injuries, the reality is they have to be prepared to deal with starters missing time. Here's a handful of players who could end up filling the void.

The Vikings -- like all NFL teams -- will need their depth players to come through this season. Here are five from the offensive side of the ball who could contribute. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-pr...

Vikings preview: Five defensive backups who could play key roles this season While the Vikings are hoping to avoid injuries, the reality is they have to be prepared to deal with starters missing time. Here's a handful of players who could end up filling the void.

The Vikings -- like all NFL teams -- will need their depth players to come through this season. Here are five from the defensive side of the ball who could contribute. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-pr...

Vikings preview: Kevin O'Connell must prove he can keep his offense grounded Offseason moves to retool the interior of the offensive line and add running back Jordan Mason have put the Vikings in a position to run the ball more than they have since O'Connell became coach.

The Vikings have put themselves in a position to run the ball effectively this season. Now it's up to coach Kevin O'Connell to utilize the ground game. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-pr...

On sports media: NFL RedZone channel cashes in to the detriment of its viewers One of the greatest innovations when it comes to sports television won't be the same now that commercial breaks are being introduced.

The magic of the NFL RedZone channel has been taken away. juddzulgad.substack.com/p/on-sports-...

Definitely easy to debate some of my losses but agree on the record

Vikings preview: Picking the schedule game-by-game The Vikings have one of the NFL's most difficult schedules this season. So how will they do? A prediction on each game.

Is this too positive or not positive enough? juddzulgad.substack.com/p/vikings-pr...