The J.J. McCarthy Era is here… it just took a gust of spring drama.

The Minnesota Vikings did indeed flirt with the notion of signing Aaron Rodgers. But, it’s McCarthy’s time to lead this team into the future.

To make sense of it all, we welcome Matthew Coller of Purple Insider back onto the Go Long Pod. Be sure to follow all of Coller’s work right here on Substack and listen to his wildly popular show.

On this episode, we get into everything…

* Exactly how serious was Kevin O’Connell considering Rodgers as his QB1?

* What are the pros and cons to adding the 41-year-old? It appears Minnesota is leaving the door open a crack in case something happens to McCarthy.

* What can everyone expect in the 22-year-old stater? There were promising signs last summer. This is a roster ready to win now.

* Why it’s time for the Vikings to take such a swing at the position.

We’re both back from West Palm — shingles, sun burns ‘n all — so let’s discuss.

Full video and audio are available above.

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Miss the Friday Feature this week? I examined Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals. This is the team best equipped to leap right back into Super Bowl contention. It all starts with the man who’s been a quarterback his entire life.

And of course, Bob McGinn’s 41st annual draft series rages on. Scouts across the NFL supply a true reflection for how the NFL views this year’s prospects. All links are below.

* Part 1, WR: Tetairoa McMillan, and then... what?

* Part 2, TE: Is Tyler Warren the next Great American NFL Tight End?

* Part 3, OT: Inside the hunt for the next great left tackle

* Part 4, G/C: Who let the dawgs out?

* Part 5, QB: Do NFL scouts view Cam Ward & Shedeur Sanders as franchise quarterbacks?

* Part 6, RB: 'Rare human being and a rare player,' but when to draft Ashton Jeanty?

* Part 7, DL: Meet the Brawlers

* Part 8, Edge: Herd of QB Hunters arrive with warnings...

* Part 9, LB: Jihaad Campbell, Alabama's latest ass-kicker, leads class full of playmakers

* Part 10, CB: The generational talent of Colorado's Travis Hunter

ICYMI, here are two features from our trip to Vikings Country this past season.

* ‘Through the storm:’ Blake Cashman is the Minnesota Vikings’ maniac in the middle

* SKOL! How old-school principles are fueling the 2024 Minnesota Vikings

And a 2022 piece on the shift from Mike Zimmer to Kevin O’Connell:

* It's a new day for the Minnesota Vikings

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