5 Quick Vikings News Updates: Brock Lesnar, $29,000 from Kyler, and Brian O’Neill Payday Crushed

In August, Vikings news isn’t scarce. Some of the updates therefore get missed in the normal coverage.

Earlier in the week, Vikings Territory considered a free agent putting pen to paper and losing out on a different free agent. Kyler Murray is sitting at a low point in his career, the sledgehammer at fullback is doing well, and the team’s 1st-Round selection is breaking through with starters. Kevin O’Connell even had to fend off some Cris Carter quarterback commentary. Check out some of the news that got missed.

5 Quick Vikings News Updates

No. 1 — The Jordan Addison Price Tag Comes into Focus

Baltimore receiver Zay Flowers has proven to be better than Jordan Addison. Note: not more talented, but a better player. How is that going to impact Addison’s payday?

Adam Schefter with the news: “Baltimore’s two-time Pro-Bowl WR Zay Flowers reached agreement today with the Ravens on a four-year, $140 million extension that includes $108 million guaranteed.” At present, Jordan Addison couldn’t reasonably ask for the same compensation.

No. 2 — A Vikings Legend (Not Really) Retires

Brock Lesnar has done a lot in his career. He got a shout out from the team’s social media:

We live in a bizarre world. The Vikings and Lesnar on social media do little to lessen that sense of oddness.

No. 3 — Kyler Murray Donates a Nice Chunk of Change

A tip of the cap to you, Mr. Murray.

The 29-year-old quarterback sent along some of his money to support a good cause. Consider the update from Schefter: “To celebrate his 29th birthday Friday, Vikings quarterback and Dallas native Kyler Murray, through the Kyler Murray Foundation, is donating $29,000 to the Dallas Independent School District’s Family and Community Engagement Department to support the Parent Support Specialists who serve students and families across the district.”

No. 4 — Brian O’Neill’s Deal Looking More Modest

Chicago has a good offensive lineman in Darnell Wright. Is he considerably better than Brian O’Neill, the man who just got signed for four more years at a total compensation sitting at $96 million?

Wright is making a decent amount more, per Schefter: “the Chicago Bears and right tackle Darnell Wright reaching agreement Tuesday on a historic four-year, $116 million extension that includes $93M guaranteed.” At 24, Wright offers more potential years of service.

He’s making a good bit more than Mr. O’Neill. Chicago may yet be proven wise, though, for locking him up for a while longer. Good player who could become better and better.

No. 5 — Another Edge Rusher Stolen Out of Free Agency

Ogbo Okoronkwo has been a good football player. He used to play for the Rams, winning a Super Bowl alongside Kevin O’Connell back in that 2021 season.

Since then, the 31-year-old pass rusher has been around the NFL. He has been a Rams, Texans, Browns, and Eagles employee. His latest deal takes him to San Francisco to be a 49er, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler: “Veteran edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkwo is signng with the 49ers today. Reunites with DC Raheem Morris from their time together with Rams.”

The Vikings boast Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner as the top edge rushers. Next up are some combination of Ty Ingram-Dawkins, Eric Wilson, and Jake Golday. All of these guys are being pushed to the edge rusher spot even if it’s not their main position. There’s then a group of talent consisting of Bo Richter, Tyler Batty, and Chaz Chambliss.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.