The Minnesota Vikings offense against the Baltimore Ravens on August 22 was tough to watch, flat out. It was less than inspiring, and they couldn’t get anything going. This preseason game left more questions than answers about where the offense really stands heading into the final roster crunch.
Ravens Flashed While Vikings Stalled
Seriously, it was brutal to sit through. The offense just wasn’t able to do anything productive. Meanwhile, the Ravens looked like they found a pretty decent young quarterback in Joe Fagnano. The kid went 15-of-20 for 123 passing yards and a touchdown, all with no turnovers, earning a sweet passer rating of 106.9. And don’t even get me started on their DE/OLB Ethan Burke, who was absolutely making plays all over the field. I remember liking him in the draft and even mocked him a few times, so it’s frustrating to see that kind of energy from the other side. For our guys, you wanted to see the backup quarterback be more productive, but what can you really do when the unit as a whole just can’t click?
Who Stepped Up, And Who Is On The Bubble?
It wasn’t all bad though. Some guys did show up. Gavin Bartholomew has been showing some good stuff, really making up for his lost season last year. And I definitely liked seeing Banks and Orange getting as many reps as possible, trying to solidify their spots. Golday also made a few plays, which is something. But honestly, it’s tough to take much away from a game where the offense just flounders like that. It immediately shifts the focus to the final 53-man roster, and who is on the outside looking in.
There are some big names that could be on the chopping block based on this kind of performance and the fight for spots. Some of the most likely cuts right now include centers Delby Lemieux and Gavin Gerhardt. You’ve also got a bunch of cornerbacks like Bryce Phillips, Da’Veawn Armstead, Dwight McGlothern Jr., Jarod Washington, Marcus Allen, Tyreek Chappell, and Zemaiah Vaughn. On the defensive line, Jahvaree Ritzie and Smith Vilbert are there, along with guards Henry Byrd, Joshua Gray, Tomas Rimac, and Vershon Lee. Linebackers Bangally Kamara, Cam’Ron Stewart, Josh Ross, and Kenny Dyson Jr. are on the list, too. It’s a tough business, and even a 10-year veteran linebacker like Jamal Adams, who is 30 years old, is listed among the likely cuts. Tristan Leigh at offensive tackle, Jermar Jefferson at running back, and tight ends Ben Yurosek, Bryson Nesbit, and Marshall Lang are also in that group, along with wide receivers Marcus Sanders Jr., Michael Briscoe, Terrill Davis, and Trayvon Rudolph. These roster decisions are going to be absolutely brutal.
With these roster battles intensifying and cuts looming, everyone’s fighting for their careers. There are still more decisions to be made, and we’ll be watching every single move as the Vikings finalize their roster.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Daily Norseman.
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