VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the January 28th edition.

Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the Vikings, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.

Purple Rumor Mill: Tom Brady, Asamoah as a Starter, The 3-Way DC Race

Rumor: Tom Brady could become the Vikings QB1 in 2023.

Asamoah as a Starter
Dec 25, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

This rumor came from NFL Analysis Network.

Kenneth Teape from that site mentioned the Vikings longshot chances to land Brady via free agency. He wrote, “Improving on that side of the ball will certainly help their long-term outlook, but a former NFL executive that spoke to NFL Analysis Network believes a quarterback change is what would put them over the top. The executive suggested Minnesota as a dark horse landing spot for free agent, Tom Brady.”

The anonymous executive allegedly elaborated about Brady and the Vikings, “I know the Raiders and Dolphins are the two most talked about. The 49ers are another possible destination, but they have Brock Purdy now. Watch out for the Vikings. Replacing Kirk Cousins with Brady would make them an actual legitimate threat to win the Super Bowl.”

While this would make more sense if Brady weren’t 46, it cannot be entirely ruled out. Don’t expect it to happen, but this is the organization that encountered a fantastic year with Brett Favre in 2009.

Rumor: Brian Asamoah will be a starting off-ball linebacker for the Vikings in 2023.

Sep 25, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II (33) in action against the Detroit Lions during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

If the Vikings wish to improve defensively in 2023 — that should really be the goal — someone in the front office or on the coaching staff must realize speed is a necessity. Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks are pretty good linebackers, but speed is a trait of yesteryear for both.

Insert Brian Asamoah.

The Oklahoma alumnus was tabbed coming out of college as a “freakish” athlete, and the youngster showed it in flashes during his rookie campaign.

Minnesota should explore a superstar free-agent linebacker — if they can afford it — and pair that man with Asamoah, who seems on the cusp of breaking out.

Pro Football Focus even labeled Asamoah as the Vikings 2023 “breakout candidate” earlier this week.

Rumor: The Vikings search for a defensive coordinator is down to a final four names.

Vikings Add 3rd Defensive
September 18, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks associate head coach – defense Sean Desai before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

For now, it’s three names, and those men are Sean Desai (Seattle Seahawks), Brian Flores (Pittsburgh Steelers), and Mike Pettine (Vikings). 

Ryan Nielsen, previously the co-defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints, was hired by the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. Cross him off the list.

The list could grow at any moment. The Vikings may also be waiting to chat with coaches from teams still vying for a Super Bowl.

Between Desai and Flores, assuming the Vikings don’t roll with the in-house candidate in Pettine, the 2023 defense should be in good hands. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah must also revamp the personnel and focus on speed, as listed above with Asamoah.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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