Former Minnesota Twins slugger signing in Japan

One player who will not be available to the Twins, or any other Major League Baseball team this winter, is former top prospect and somewhat controversial slugger Miguel Sano. According to Francys Romero, the 32 years old corner infield slugger is signing in Japan with the Chunichi Dragons.

Sources: Miguel Sanó is finalizing a one-year, $1.3 million contract with the Chunichi Dragons for the 2026 NPB season.

The deal is pending a physical.

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) December 14, 2025

Miguel Sano hasn’t played in the big leagues since 2024, when he appeared in 28 games with the LA Angels. If he has played his last MLB game, then Sano will finish his Major League career with a .233 BA, .801 OPS and 115 OPS+.

But let’s not give up on the Miguel Sano Major League dream just yet. Sano isn’t getting $1.3 million to play on the other side of the world because he’s completely washed up.

Miguel Sano coming off DOMINANT winter league season

In fact, the former MN Twins All-Star earned this opportunity (and likely others he turned down) because of an MVP caliber season down in the Dominican Winter Ball League where Sano ranked near the top of the league among hitters, with a .315 BA, 1.039 OPS, 9 home runs and 25 RBI.

Miguel Sanó lo volvió a hacer 🔥

Conectó su noveno cuadrangular de la temporada.#LIDOM #CopaBanreservas pic.twitter.com/gzHKqstk6h

— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) December 4, 2025

Remember, talent has never been what’s holding Miguel Sano back from being one of the best hitters on this planet. As people get older, priorities change. Is it likely Sano ever makes his way back to the big leagues? Probably not… but never say never if he continues to pound pitchers over in Japan.

No doubt it caught the attention of one team, the Minnesota Vikings, who suddenly specialize in coaching and rehabilitating NFL quarterbacks lucky enough to come through TCO Performance Center and attend head coach Kevin O’Connell’s QB school, which seemingly rolls out new success stories with every NFL season that passes by.

Find someone that looks at you the same way Kevin O’Connell looks at his team and QB 🥹 pic.twitter.com/zYRPJrMGgD

— Matt Anderson (@MattAnderson_8) December 30, 2024

Once the Giants officially released Jones, the Vikings swooped in. They couldn’t offer more money than other teams, but they could offer the unique skill set of their head coach and his QB friendly staff.

After some thought, Jones signed with the MN Vikings practice squad on November 27, where he stayed for the remainder of the regular season, never once touching the active roster, until January 7, when he was finally elevated AFTER their last game against Detroit.

Daniel Jones’ short stint with Vikings brings additional benefits

That was an important move for Minnesota to make, since his activation to the 53-man made him eligible toward the Vikings’ 2026 comp pick formula as soon as he signed with the Indianapolis Colts in free agency this offseason.

The NFL comp pick formula is complicated, but according to OverTheCap.com, the Vikings were projected to receive a 5th round comp pick pretty much the moment he signed on the dotted line in Indy. That number has now changed, however

Over the course of Colts training camp, steam had been building recently behind Daniel Jones as the QB1 in Indianapolis, especially after head coach Shane Steichen spoke with reporters following the Colts’ last preseason game.

Then on Tuesday morning, Jones was officially named the Colts starting quarterback, over former No. 4 overall draft pick, Anthony Richardson, news that was first reported by Adam Schefter (ESPN).

A QB decision in Indy: Colts named Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback for their Sept. 7 regular-season opener vs. the Miami Dolphins, per @HolderStephen and me. pic.twitter.com/7PfrSu1m9I

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2025

Related: Vikings’ Free Agent WR Options May Be Dwindling

There was a time, between Daniel Jones signing with the Vikings and eventually moving onto Indianapolis, where the temporary KOC QB school pupil looked like the favorite to challenge JJ McCarthy in camp, before eventually accepting his place as a reliable QB2 before the regular season.

Jones saw that writing on the wall, in his short time working at TCO Performance Center, which played a large role in why he chose to take similar money for a camp competition with Anthony Richardson, instead.

Colts QB1 news likely to benefit Minnesota Vikings comp pick formula

Not only did the Colts’ QB1 announcement mark the second success story of Kevin O’Connell’s 2024 QB School graduation class — after Sam Darnold signed a $33.5 million per year contract to be Seattle’s starting quarterback over the offseason — but it also set the Minnesota Vikings up for a comp pick upgrade during the 2026 NFL Draft.

According to comp pick formula expert, Jones’ status as a starter means that 5th round comp pick is now more likely to be a 4th round comp pick, assuming the 28-year-old with 69 NFL starts under his belt can stay healthy and hold the job through most of the season.

This is good news for the Vikings so far. If Daniel Jones plays enough snaps this season, they are more likely to get a 4th rounder instead of a 5th rounder in a compensatory pick for Daniel Jones going to Indy.https://t.co/K8xYD1BELR

— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) August 19, 2025

Related: MN Vikings Quietly Dealing with Injury to Key Starter

If the formula plays out as expected (per OTC), Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would be awarded 3rd (Darnold), 4th (Jones) and 5th (Cam Robinson) round comp picks for the 2026 NFL Draft. And that’s AFTER the formula works itself out.

Other departures from the 2025 offseason (Pat Jones, Trent Sherfield, Cam Bynum) also count toward the comp pick formula. Those exits, however, are cancelled out by some of the MN Vikings’ own offseason signings (Will Ries, Ryan Kelly, Isaiah Rodgers).

Daniel Jones isn’t playing for the money anymore…

During his NFL career, Daniel Jones has thrown for 14,582 yards, 70 touchdowns and 47 interceptions. After showing promise early in his career, the former Duke standout steadily declined under the bright lights of the Big Apple.

Still, one impressive playoff performance in 2022 against the Minnesota Vikings landed him a huge $40 million per year contract extension. In total, Jones made $108 million with the Giants, who paid the remainder of his guaranteed money in order to push him out the door.

Even though he never played a snap for the Vikings, and did not stay to backup JJ McCarthy, his signing could go down as one of the sneaky best deals in franchise history, especially if he lands them a day two comp pick, by the time the dust settles.

The newly extended HC/GM duo made trench upgrades on both sides of the ball top priority at the start of the offseason. They paid off their offensive promises by signing bruising center, Ryan Kelly (32 y/o), his young stud teammate with the Colts, Will Fries (27 y/o) and 2025 No. 24 overall draft pick, Donovan Jackson.

While these additions were great news for Minnesota Vikings fans who have been begging their favorite NFL team to shore up the offensive line for years, it was not the best news for some of the o-linemen who made up the 2024 front-five.

Center Garrett Bradbury, who had spent his entire six-year career in Minnesota, was released and picked up by the New England Patriots. Left guard Blake Brandel, who entered 2024 training camp with a lot of optimism surrounding his future, was demoted to the Vikings’ second unit.

Then, there’s last year’s starting right guard, Dalton Risner. The Vikings let his contract expire, and never really looked his way again, especially after making their OL upgrades. Unfortunately for the 30-year-old who’s started 81 games in his six-year NFL career, there wasn’t a lot of interest being drummed up elsewhere, either.

Dalton Risner lands visit with OL desperate Cincinnati Bengals

As of today, in fact, Risner remains a free agent. Reminder – The NFL season starts in 2.5 weeks. But alas, it appears the former Kansas State standout and 2nd round draft pick of the Denver Broncos is about to get his best shot being on an NFL roster since the moment Minnesota’s 2024 season ended.

According to independent NFL insider, Jordan Schultz, Dalton Risner has landed a visit tomorrow with the Cincinnati Bengals, who desperately need help protecting Joe Burrow, especially at guard.

Sources: The #Bengals will be hosting veteran G Dalton Risner on a free agent visit tomorrow.

Risner has started 81 games in his career. Cincinnati has been looking for interior offensive line help. pic.twitter.com/rBJfDuptBw

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 18, 2025

If you are the Bengals, I’m a bit surprised this call didn’t happens sooner. Dalton Risner is far from a perfect offensive lineman, but if there’s anything we know he does well, it’s pass block, something Cincinnati has struggled to do since drafting Joe Burrow.

Former Minnesota Vikings guard will help protect Joe Burrow, at least…

Over at PFF, Risner’s splits between pass and run blocking are quite jarring. His grades in pass block have varied between 67.4 and 76.1 all six seasons of his career. His run block grades have come in between 50.0 and 63.2.

But his issues with run blocking only partially explain why Dalton Risner is still on the market this late in the offseason. Then again, that’s been his story since the Broncos let him walk after the 2022 season.

For whatever reason, something about Risner seemed to rub people at TCO Performance Center the wrong way, too. He’s always gracious and well-spoken during his media sessions, so it’s difficult to understand exactly what that “something” is, but it’s there.

Related: MN Vikings Provide Massive Injury News on Key Wideouts

This isn’t the only time Dalton Risner has been forced to wait this late into free agency. The Minnesota Vikings did just about everything within their power to avoid signing him two offseasons ago, waiting until after the season started (Sept. 18, 2023) to finally get a deal done.

Last offseason, he agreed to come back as a backup behind Ed Ingram, after Blake Brandel took his left guard job. Risner regained his starting status when Minnesota finally bailed on the Ingram project, midway through last season, allowing Risner to take back his starting status for the remaining 10 games.

And every summer, without fail, there are news stories circulating on NFL players that range anywhere from weird, to unfortunate, to downright tragic. One year ago, the Minnesota Vikings saw the worst of what this month-long break can bring.

Around the 4th of July, 2024, newly drafted cornerback Khyree Jackson died in an early-morning car accident near his hometown in Maryland. Days later, Jordan Addison was arrested on suspicion of DUI near LAX Airport, after he was found asleep at the wheel of his very expensive car.

Former Minnesota Vikings cannot stay out of trouble

The NFL’s 2025 break is nearly over. Teams will start to gather for training camp this weekend, and so far (knock on wood) the Minnesota Vikings have gone incident free. The same cannot be said for former players, however.

In late June, reports surfaced of a recent Adrian Peterson poker room brawl, which he has now spun into a future paid boxing match. Then, earlier this week, former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater was suspended by the Miami high school team he coaches, for handing out illegal benefits to his players.

Another former member of the purple and gold who may never grow out of the NFL’s summer news cycle, is longtime defensive lineman, Everson Griffen, who played 12 seasons in the league, 11 of which were spent in Minnesota.

Both during and after his football career, Griffen has had trouble keeping his life together. Past issues range from angry tweets at his QB, to DWI and drug possession arrests, to numerous battles with mental health.

Flight forced to land so Everson Griffen could be removed

Which means that the reports coming out Thursday on Griffen… might not even be the most eye-popping of his life in the spotlight. But it’s a doozy, nonetheless. According to TMZ Sports, Everson was booted off of a Delta flight Wednesday that was on its way from Chicago to Minneapolis.

The airline told TMZ that he was removed from the flight due to “unruly behavior”. Crazier yet, the flight had already taken off, meaning pilots were forced to turn the plane around and return to O’Hare Airport, shortly after taking off.

According to Delta Air Lines, Griffen had exhibited “unruly behavior” on the jet as it was making its way from Chicago to Minneapolis … which forced pilots to return to O’Hare just minutes after they departed the airport.

TMZ Sports

Related: Randy Moss Demands More from Minnesota Vikings Superstar

Once back at the Chicago terminal, according to eyewitness accounts, Griffen calmly grabbed his things and de-boarded the flight. At this point, it’s unclear exactly how “unruly” the Minnesota Vikings’ 4x Pro Bowler was, while on the flight.

TMZ included one eyewitness account, however, which claims to have seen Everson Griffen attempting to smoke something in the plane bathroom right before the situation escalated into “a confrontation with flight attendants”.

One person who was on the plane tells us it looked like Griffen was trying to smoke something in the bathroom — which caused a confrontation with flight attendants.

TMZ Sports

Former Minnesota Vikings great denies being “unruly”

Everson Griffen has confirmed he is the person in the photos obtained by TMZ, posting a somewhat cryptic text graphic to his Instagram account that reads, “I’m doing just fine. My behavior was not unruly at all.. Why would they let me go?”

Reading between Everson’s thoughts, the 37-year-old seems to be suggesting that, had he actually been “unruly” on the flight, authorities would not have released him immediately after he got off the plane.

During his Minnesota Vikings career, Everson Griffen piled up 79.5 sacks, 370 tackles (90 TFL) and 186 QB Hits. From 2015 to 2019, he was one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, posting 45 sacks, 211 tackles and 114 QB Hits in just five seasons, a stretch that earned him all four of his Pro Bowl appearances.

Who knows exactly what happened on that plane, but I’d imagine it will soon come to light. In the meantime, we’ll all hope that this is a small bump in the road of what seems to be a pretty healthy year for Griffen, after he was arrested on DWI and Cocaine possession charges in May of 2024.

Thus began the Teddy Bridgewater Era in Minnesota. His reign lasted only two years, after a torn ACL lit his 2016 on fire and never gave him a chance to spread his QB1 wings as general manager Rick Spielman had intended, when the Vikings drafted him.

In recent years, however, Teddy has been in and out of the NFL, in part due to a newfound passion for coaching the game he loves so much. In his first season as a high school coach, at his alma mater, Bridgewater led Miami Northwestern to a Florida Class 3A State Championship.

At just 32-years-old, Teddy Bridgewater hasn’t retired. Right after winning the state title, he signed with the Detroit Lions to backup Jared Goff during the Kitties’ playoff run.

Since then, the 10-year NFL veteran is on record saying he wants to continue playing and coaching. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that will be allowed to happen this season.

Teddy Bridgewater suspended from coaching and not taking it well

According to his own Facebook post, Bridgewater is being suspended as a high school football coach. The official reasoning behind his suspension is distributing illegal benefits to his players. Teddy says he isn’t being suspended by Florida State High School League, though.

Instead, administrators at the high school he coaches for, Miami Northwestern, self-reported the alleged malfeasances, then levied the suspension on Bridgewater themselves. And if you believe the former MN Vikings QB, the entire thing is just a coup attempt on his seat as Miami Northwestern’s head football coach.

Damn people done caused all this confusion. Got a phone call tonight and it’s no real investigation going on.. I told you I have to be an employee to be investigated. Now the paperwork thing still stands but there was no investigation… We SELF REPORTED..

Verne and his Admnistrative homeboys want me gone apparently and tried to hire one of my dawgs like bro wasn’t gone lace me up… The suspension came from MNW and it’s impossible to suspend someone who doesn’t work for you. So if im suspended from MNW im free to go to another school of my choice but IM NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

And if it comes down to it, I will volunteer from the bleachers like I used to in 2018 and 2019 when no one had a problem.

This my last post about this bs.

Teddy Bridgewater Facebook post (embedded above)

In previous posts on his personal Facebook page, Teddy Bridgewater writes about paying for Uber rides and other benefits for his players last season, then asks for others to donate to the cause. Clearly, he wasn’t hiding anything.

Whether or not his actions were technically illegal, we do not know for sure, since his suspension was handed down by the school and not any sort of governing commission. If you ask Teddy, those who reported the QB/HC, and then suspended him, want Bridgewater out. And clearly, he’s not going down without a fight.

Teddy Bridgewater: “What could have been” with Minnesota Vikings

When Teddy Bridgewater was drafted in the 2014 offseason, the Minnesota Vikings organization was in the middle of a major facelift. Rick Spielman had taken full control of the front office, by this time, and just hired Mike Zimmer as the new head coach, earlier that offseason.

Oh, and U.S. Bank Stadium was in full development at this time, after the Wilfs & Co. spent years politicking and jumping through bureaucratic hoops in order to get the massive project fully approved and funded. Still it took snow cave-ins at the Metrodome in order to force the City of Minneapolis’ hand.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Latest Valuation is Astonishing

As we now know, the $1 billion stadium was completed in time for the 2016 NFL season. By then, Teddy had already logged two years as the Minnesota Vikings starter — posting 6,150 yards, 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions on 64.9% passing.

But going into his third year in the league, Bridgewater was showing signs of a young quarterback who was ready to take the next step. He got fans really excited during the Vikings third preseason game that year, when he tossed with ease against the then San Diego Chargers defense, finishing 12-of-16 for 161 yards and a 127.3 passer rating.

Final three plays for Teddy Bridgewater this preseason came Sunday vs. Chargers. Impressive. pic.twitter.com/JwSV3afg5G

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 30, 2016

Unfortunately, shortly after an impressive preseason performance against the Falcons in the Minnesota Vikings’ brand new Zygi Palace, Bridgewater blew out his knee during a reportedly non-contact, and still somewhat mysterious, practice accident just days before the regular season was about to open.

Shortly after, the Vikings traded a future 1st round pick for Sam Bradford, who impressed in Minnesota when healthy, but that wasn’t very often. Bridgewater in returned in 2017 after a year of recovery from his torn ACL, but he never again reached the same QB1 status he had coming out of that 2016 preseason.

Teddy Bridgewater remains a beloved figure around the NFL, and he previously committed to continuing his playing career, even while coaching his former high school team. Teddy “Two Gloves” isn’t on an NFL roster as of now, but this suspension could make it more likely he’s present at training camp somewhere by next week.

Now, with less than a month to go before the start of training camp, the Vikings are telling media members that they are happy with the roster, as is. But on paper, fans and reporters point to the cornerback room with skepticism.

The only starting CB still on roster from 2024 is Byron Murphy Jr, who signed a massive new contract extension to come back. From there though, there are a ton of questions surrounding which other Vikings corners are capable of playing 500-1000 defensive snaps in 2025.

Because the two defensive backs who filled Minnesota’s CB2 and CB3 roles in 2024 are no longer on the team. Stephon Gilmore, going on 35 years old early next season, remains a free agent.

While technically the Minnesota Vikings could still make Gilmore a training camp addition, just like last year, they’ve shown no interest in such a reunion, to this point. Another 2024 CB the Vikings haven’t really seemed intrigued by the idea of bringing back, is Shaq Griffin.

Shaq Griffin no longer an option for Minnesota Vikings

Meanwhile, the soon-to-be 30-year-old hasn’t been waiting up for them, either. Instead, Griffin has been flirting heavily with the team that drafted him back in 2017, the Seattle Seahawks. And on Wednesday, they made their west coast reunion official. After one season as a Viking, Shaq Griffin will again be a Seahawk in 2025.

Veteran corner Shaq Griffin is signing a one-year, $3M deal with Seattle worth up to $4M, per source. Sides have been talking through offseason, now reach deal. https://t.co/M0Fj4mojHG

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 25, 2025

Last season, his eighth in the NFL, Griffin appeared in all 17 games for the Minnesota Vikings, including three starts. Now, he’ll head back to Seattle where his 2024 teammate Sam Darnold is waiting for him. As a Viking, Griffin snagged 2 interceptions, to go with 6 passes defensed, 41 total tackles and 1 TFL.

Griffin last played for the team that drafted him in the third round pick back in 2017. Seattle is where Shaq made his lone Pro Bowl (2019), too. The Seahawks finished second in the NFC West last season, but they’re a much different team in 2025.

Vikings could still use cornerback help… on paper

As of now, the Minnesota Vikings are set to lean heavily on newly acquired Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah, along with 2023 third round pick, Mekhi Blackmon, who spent 2024 recovering from major knee surgery. Of those CBs, Okudah is the only one with legitimate starting NFL experience… and we all know how that went.

Thus, it sure looks like the Vikings secondary could use at least one more starting-caliber veteran who can come in and compete near the top of the depth chart, immediately, much like Gilmore last season. But it doesn’t matter what the depth chart looks like on paper, if Minnesota is really as confident in their new crop of CBs as they claim.

New Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy are already 'best friends' after just meeting this spring.

Rodgers will have a big role this fall.

I caught up with the DBs at mini camp this week: pic.twitter.com/SAKMJMRGEP

— Ren Clayton (@Ren_Clayton) June 14, 2025

The MN Vikings weren’t in on Jaire Alexander, and don’t appear interested in Jalen Ramsey. There are still veteran options on the open market, and more will come through, as camp cuts commence. Will Kwesi & Co. pounce? We’ll find out soon enough.

Unfortunately, Peterson was never the same running back once he left Minnesota, totalling less than 3,000 yards between six different teams, over the course of five seasons from 2017-2021. To this day, the Vikings legend and future NFL Hall of Famer has yet to retire, even though he’s now 40 years old and hasn’t played for three seasons.

Then, there’s the Adrian Peterson we have come to know off the field. And that AP, while always approachable and great with Vikings fans, is nowhere near as spectacular as the guy who laced it up and ran over professional football players for a decade.

Off the field, AP has had multiple run-ins with police, including recently. His most infamous off-field legal issue stemmed from a child abuse scandal that turned his life and the 2014 Minnesota Vikings season upside down. The former Oklahoma Sooner has also dealt with money issues that have lead to disputes over some of his merchandise and who owns it.

Adrian Peterson gets into fist fight over poker dispute

But what happened this week, at what was supposed to be a fun night of bar poker, definitely lands near the top of ‘WTF moments’ (both on and off the field), since we were introduced to Adrian Peterson back when he was drafted by the Vikings in 2007.

Former #NFL superstar #AdrianPeterson got into a fistfight with a poker player following a dispute over a hand … and #TMZSports has obtained video of the tussle. pic.twitter.com/WdhcZFHwBt

— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) June 19, 2025

According to TMZ Sports, the poker room brawl broke out weeks ago, on May 27, at a poker club in Houston, called “JokerStars”. Peterson told TMZ that alcohol was involved in the altercation and that “one thing led to another”, after he and his buddies had a disagreement at the table.

AP made sure to let TMZ know that his bloody wounds were attained when he fell and hit a chair, not because of a punch he took. Video evidence does not back up his claim, however.

We’re told after the guys were pulled apart, bloody wounds were visible on both their faces. Peterson, though, claimed he sustained his injury after he fell into a chair — not from a punch.

TMZ Sports

Related: Multiple Minnesota Vikings Make Exclusive NFL All Quarter Century Team

Have you ever been around Adrian Peterson? He’s a monster who stands at 6’1″, 220 lbs of pure muscle. Yet, when a dispute broke out between AP and this Random Poker Player the other night, not only did Random Poker Player hold his own… he might have won this fight, had it gone to judges.

Eventually, right before the video cuts off, that Peterson’s sheer size and strength eventually overcomes Random Poker Player, but not after Adrian catches multiple fists to the face/head area. We do not know exactly what sparked the fight, as of now. If more video or information surfaces on this brawl, it will be added to this article.

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli is not yet at the level of Ron Gardenhire when it comes to ejections (84), but he’s not afraid of a home plate dust-up with umpires, getting tossed in 19 games during his seven year tenure.

Of course, baseball managers aren’t the only MLB personalities thrown out by umpires. Players and umps get into their fair share of verbal altercations as well, some more than others. Josh Donaldson was the last Twin who seemed to have an umpire target on his back, but he’s certainly not the first and won’t be the last.

Former Minnesota Twins pitcher Matt Garza tossed from… little league game

Former MN Twins first round pick (25th overall in 2005) Matt Garza has always been a fiery competitor. The Minnesota Twins knew that when trading for him, after just two big league seasons in Tampa Bay. While in the big leagues, Garza had his fair share of run-ins with umpires, something that clearly hasn’t changed since he retired.

Garza hasn’t played in the big leagues since 2017, but recently he was recorded during a U9 baseball game arguing with an umpire so ferociously that the former MLB starter was tossed. And because it is 2025, it didn’t take long for the footage to reach the internet.

Most of the conversation is unintelligible, but Garza can quick be heard questioning “where is the chalk line.” As he turns to walk away, something else was said and the umpire ejects Garza from the game. He quickly turns back around and says, “What?! That’s a fricking terrible call,” while being literally held back. What. A. Scene.

In case anyone wanted to know what Matt Garza was up to 😬 pic.twitter.com/hNlw31aJPB

— Ryan (@BrewPack8) June 17, 2025

This sort of fire is something that Garza often showed on a big league mound. Unfortunately, someone forgot to remind Matt that this was a nine-and-under youth baseball game. Even if he is coaching his son’s team, it’s not a good look.

Related: Could Tampa Bay Rays Sale Help Pohlads Sell Minnesota Twins?

Garza pitched in 26 games for the Twins over the course of two seasons. He posted a 4.47 ERA in 133 innings and was largely mediocre. He spent 12 years in the big leagues and made over $80 million, but that probably doesn’t translate to his little league coaching acumen.

It’s unfortunate that Garza decided to embarrass himself in the vein of a new viral video, but it’s also not far off from the behaviors he exhibited with the Minnesota Twins. His hot-headed personality is part of the reason Minnesota took on a troubled Delmon Young to move their talented pitcher.

New to the team, however, is Jordan Mason, who the Vikings traded for back in March. He is expected to have a major role in the 2025 backfield, more so than any other “backup” behind Jones last season. Speaking of depth running backs from 2024, Cam Akers is expected to sign elsewhere yet again this offseason.

For two offseasons straight, the Minnesota Vikings tried and failed to sign Akers in the spring/summer, just to trade a conditional 6th round pick for him in two-straight regular season. In 2023, that conditional day 3 pick went to the Rams. Last year, it went to the Texans.

Cam Akers gets a shot with New Orleans Saints

More than likely, no such trade will take place in 2025, as long as Jones and Mason stay healthy. Should the Vikings be forced to turn their gaze Cam Akers’ way for the third in-season trade in a row, they might be dealing with the New Orleans Saints.

According to Nick Underhill (NewOrleans.Football), the Saints are bringing Akers in this week for a minicamp tryout that may or may not lead to a training camp invite.

Cam Akers will be trying out for the Saints this week at minicamp, according to a league source. The running back spent last season with the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings.

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) June 9, 2025

Honestly, I will be surprised if Cam Akers doesn’t impress the Saints during his minicamp tryout. Both times he wore purple, he impressed me just about every time he touched the football, especially when we got used to seeing Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler take on an increased amount of carries or blitzers.

Akers was worth the (2x) Minnesota Vikings squeeze

In 2024 with the Minnesota Vikings, Cam Akers ran for 297 yards and 1 touchdown in 12 games played, averaging an impressive 4.6 yards per carry, way up from the 3.6 YPC he averaged in purple during his six-game stint with the Vikings in 2023.

In total, Akers played 18 games in purple (0 starts), posting 435 yards on 102 carries (4.3 YPC) for 2 touchdowns. He was also a nice threat through the air, where Cam put up 122 yards and 2 more touchdowns on 21 total receptions.

Cam Akers for 58 yards!

📺: #MINvsDET on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/aAhU8iWVwv

— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2025

That block by Cam Akers tho pic.twitter.com/UOkjuhsXez

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) December 2, 2024

Related: Should the Minnesota Vikings Sign THAT Newly Released Controversial CB

During his now five-year NFL career, Cam Akers has accumulated 2025 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, along with 388 yards and 4 touchdowns on 52 career receptions.

Heading into New Orleans minicamp, Alvin Kamara still runs the Saints’ RB room. For years, they have gone as Kamara has. This week, Akers will be competing with 22-year-old Kendre Miller, who’s averaged 3.8 YPC in his first two NFL seasons, along with Kansas rookie Devin Neal and former Chief, Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

But the Minnesota Gophers football program has still rolled out some impressive NFL players over the past 50 years, some eras more than others. Since PJ Fleck took over in 2017, the path from Dinkytown to the league has been busier than any other time in modern program history (20 drafted players).

But just like the athletic facilities at the University of Minnesota, the professional pipeline project on campus started with PJ’s predecessors, Jerry Kill and Tracy Claeys, who were hired on in 2011 and sent eight players to the NFL via the draft, from 2014-2016. That’s 28 players drafted to the NFL in 11 years (2014-25).

For context, the Minnesota Gophers had just 14 guys drafted to the NFL, in the 11 years prior from 2002-2013. In that tumultuous time, Glen Mason was fired (after 2006), Tim Brewster was hired (2007) and fired (2010), before Kill came along.

Some of the most notable names drafted over the last decade include (DB) Antoine Winfield Jr., (C) John Michael Schmitz, (T) Daniel Faalele, (EDGE) Boye Mafe, (LB) Blake Cashman and (WR) Rashod Bateman — who caught 147 passes for 2,395 yards and 19 touchdowns in 31 games as a Gopher from 2018-2020 — including one season that only lasted five games, due to a shortened season and opt-out controversies.

Baltimore Ravens lock up Minnesota Gophers legend, Rashod Bateman

Rashod Bateman entered the 2020 NFL Draft, where he was selected No. 27 overall by the Baltimore Ravens, becoming the only 1st round pick out of Minnesota since Laurence Maroney was drafted No. 21 overall in 2006 and just the 18th Gopher ever picked in the first round of the NFL Draft.

After a successful start to his NFL career, the Ravens ripped up Rashod’s rookie contract two years early, when they signed the Minnesota Gophers legend to a $12.8 million extension last offseason, good through 2026.

Now, just one year later, Bateman has agreed to another contract extension in Baltimore, this time worth three years, $36.75 million ($20M guaranteed), according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

We have signed @R_bateman2 to a contract extension!! pic.twitter.com/y7NtI8vFjc

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) June 5, 2025

While everyone was focused on what Derrick Henry did for the 2024 Ravens offense, last year, it was Rashod Bateman who gave Jackson a reliable touchdown target through the air, something he has struggled to find in a wide receiver, throughout his MVP career.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Add Talented Big Ten Lineman to Defense

In total, Bateman has played 51 games for Baltimore, piling up 1,923 yards and 13 touchdowns on 138 receptions. Last season, the Tifton, GA native posted a career-high 756 receiving yards on 45 receptions. He also exploded for NINE touchdowns.

LAMAR JACKSON TO RASHOD BATEMAN FOR AN INCREDIBLE 40-YARD TOUCHDOWN 😱

WHAT A CATCH 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hGwcQsz8Cb

— ESPN (@espn) November 26, 2024

Bateman and the Ravens visit the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10. The former Minnesota Gophers standout will have a homecoming of sorts on November 9 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Bateman’s 1,219 yards and 20.3 yards per reception in 2019 as a sophomore with Minnesota both led the Big Ten.