Every Thursday morning, we'll answer your questions via email or Twitter submitted for our Access Vikings podcast and post-game Overtime videos using the hashtag #AVOT on Twitter.
From @therealforno: When do we need to make paying Adam Thielen a priority? When will his contract become an issue?
AK: The Vikings are fortunate in that, at least as those close to Thielen say, he's not the type of person to hold out in a contract demand. He's the NFL's best contract value and it might not even be close. Think about this: the NFL's second-leading receiver with 589 yards in five games is currently the 48th-highest paid at his position based on the $4.8 million average on which he's playing. The other two guys around him on the current leaderboard, DeAndre Hopkins and Julio Jones, are making nearly $10 million more per season. So, what's next? Perhaps the Vikings approach Thielen's camp next offseason about possibly giving him a contract that aligns with Stefon Diggs' $14.4 million average that was signed this past summer.
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From @reitan77: Is the three-safety nickel the base defense? Reminds me of how AZ used Deone Bucannon.
AK: No, the Vikings still predominantly use a three-cornerback nickel defense this season. However, the snaps were basically split down the middle in Philadelphia between a corner or safety in the slot. The snaps vs. Eagles went as follows: corner Mackensie Alexander (47%), safety Jayron Kearse (36%) and safety George Iloka (12%). That partly had to do with rookie corner Mike Hughes forced to play full time on the outside with Trae Waynes out due to a concussion. Otherwise, Hughes would've played in the slot. But we are seeing Mike Zimmer and his coaching staff tinker with personnel in these packages a lot more. Some spread-dominant offenses, like the Packers, Rams and Eagles, essentially forced the Vikings to play nickel throughout the entire game. "I kind of like it more honestly," Zimmer said. "Because I can get a lot more creative with a lot of things we can do when we're in the nickel stuff than we do in the base stuff."
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From @dstahlhopkins: Why don't they let Latavius Murray get the majority of the plays and carries? He can wear teams down. They are giving the rookie running back too many plays.
