Vikings' $23 Million Star Returns Just in Time for Huge Eagles Showdown
The Minnesota Vikings have trudged through a slog of injuries through the early portion of the season, and some meaningful players will finally return in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Among the most important names back on the active roster this weekend belongs to linebacker Blake Cashman, who has appeared in just one game this season. Cashman strained his hamstring against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 and has sat out since.
“Cashman, who suffered a hamstring injury while chasing Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to the sideline in Week 1, is expected to start Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium,” Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported on Saturday, October 18.
Blake Cashman Hugely Important to Vikings’ Success Since Joining Team Before Last Season
GettyLinebacker Blake Cashman of Minnesota Vikings.
Cashman came to Minnesota ahead of the 2024 campaign after a two-year stint with the Houston Texans that followed three seasons with the New York Jets to begin his NFL career.
Since joining the Vikings, Cashman’s health has been a strong barometer for the success of not only the defense, but the team as a whole. Seifert noted that the team is 13-1 in games Cashman starts, but has just a .500 record without him (4-4).
Cashman led the team in tackles last season with 112 total (68 solo) across 14 games played. He added eight tackles for loss, eight pass breakups, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.
Including 2025, the 29-year-old has two seasons remaining on his three-year, $22.5 million contract with Minnesota.
Andrew Van Ginkel Out Against Eagles, While J.J. McCarthy to Serve as Emergency QB
Cashman is technically questionable for the contest Sunday, as is quarterback J.J. McCarthy. However, the Vikings have already announced that Carson Wentz will start his fourth consecutive game in place of the second-year pro.
Meanwhile, undrafted rookie signal-caller Max Brosmer will be the backup quarterback, while McCarthy will return in a role as QB3/emergency quarterback.
“He got a ton of reps this week, both with the [first] group and also with getting some really good reps with that look team of feeling the rush of [Jonathan] Greenard, [Dallas] Turner, [Javon] Hargrave, [Jonathan] Allen and really working on some things that are starting to come to fruition,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said of McCarthy.
Entirely absent from the active roster will be edge rusher/outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
Van Ginkel remains sidelined with a neck injury he suffered in Week 3. Minnesota had an early bye week after back-to-back games overseas (Dublin, London) in Weeks 4 and 5, so Van Ginkel will miss his third contest on Sunday rather than his fourth.
He was a breakout addition to the Vikings’ defense in 2024, earning a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All Pro honors following a season in which he produced 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble and two defensive touchdowns.
The good news for Minnesota’s defense, beyond getting Cashman back, is that the Eagles have struggled offensively this season and come to town in Week 7 on the heels of two straight losses, in which they’ve put up just 17 points both times.
Chicago Cubs Could Consider Making Huge $125 Million Offseason Splash
The Chicago Cubs could be a team to watch for a projected $125 million splash during the MLB offseason.
Apr 18, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) smiles before a game between the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.
In This Story
The Chicago Cubs head into the MLB offseason with quite a few needs at the top of their priority list. After being bounced out of the NLDS by the Milwaukee Brewers, there are some clear areas that Jed Hoyer and the front office will need to improve.
Obviously, the first thing on the offseason priority list is figuring out what to do with Kyle Tucker. Could the Cubs bring him back? Will he leave the team to sign elsewhere?
Once that question is answered, Chicago will be able to figure out what to do next.
At this point in time, it seems more likely that Tucker will not be back with the Cubs in 2026. That could change, but he’s going to command a lot of money and Chicago might not be willing to pay him what he’s looking to receive.
Should he leave, the Cubs could opt to spend big on a free agent or two.
Adding more starting pitching could be a priority this offseason. How about pursuing a top-tier starter like Dylan Cease?
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report has predicted that Cease will sign a five-year, $125 million contract in free agency. That is a pretty penny, but Chicago might be open to the idea.
Throughout the course of the 2025 MLB season with the San Diego Padres, Cease made 32 starts. He compiled an 8-12 record to go along with a 4.55 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, a 3.0 K/BB ratio, and he completed 168 innings of work.
Cease is currently 29 years old. If the Cubs were to sign him to a four or five-year deal, he could be a valuable piece of the rotation for years to come.
Expect to hear a lot of rumors surrounding Chicago as the offseason gets underway. Hoyer and the franchise leadership haven’t shown a lot of aggressiveness in recent years. After being so close to making a run at a World Series appearance, the Cubs might just be willing to spend a bit more this time around.
It will be interesting to see what Chicago chooses to do this offseason. Cease could be a very intriguing option for the franchise to fill an obvious issue that the Cubs had in 2025.
