Will Ragatz
@WillRagatz
Followers
32K
Following
15K
Media
2K
Statuses
26K
Vikings beat writer and other Minnesota sports coverage for @BMTNsports on SI. Northwestern alum. Minneapolis native.
Joined September 2015
Kevin O’Connell: “For budget reasons, we can’t give every single one of our fans a game ball, but they certainly deserve it.”
45
358
14K
Aaron Jones is genuinely very excited to play his first home game at U.S. Bank Stadium and hear the SKOL chant. “It’s contagious. When you’re on the other sideline, you’re trying not to clap, you’re trying not to get into it.”
97
250
7K
J.J. McCarthy: "Every QB in the class that I interacted with wanted to go to Minnesota.".
67
354
6K
The Vikings trailed 27-10 late in the third quarter against one of the best teams in the NFL. They won with a minute left in overtime. They've won seven one-score games in a row. Vikings fans. how's everyone feeling?.
417
317
6K
Justin Herbert was roughly the 15th-best quarterback in the NFL this year. Justin Jefferson was a top-5 wide receiver. Herbert broke records set two years ago. Jefferson broke records set 20 years ago. Jefferson not winning OROY after the season he had is absurd.
96
1K
6K
It's just so very Vikings-y to be the first 14-win wild card team in NFL history.
60
273
6K
In Cancun!.
45
418
6K
Another angle of Kirk “Big Kirko” Cousins rocking numerous chains on the postgame flight (via @chrisdarrisaw71 on IG)
48
520
6K
Super bummed for Cam Akers suffering another Achilles injury. In his honor, let's all watch him pancake a defensive lineman who's 70 pounds heavier than him and then let him know about it afterwards.
39
242
5K
Terry McAulay said on the NBC broadcast that Kareem Jackson should’ve been penalized for this hit on Josh Dobbs.
402
229
5K
Pretty fun answer from Kevin O’Connell when asked to pitch independent NFL fans on why they should support the Vikings:
51
269
5K
Josh Dobbs on KOC helping him today:. "It's like if you were taking AP Spanish all year and you showed up on Wednesday and someone told you you have an AP French exam on Sunday. And you gotta go execute. Someone's gonna talk to you in Spanish and translate it to the French.".
24
152
5K
Justin Jefferson on his injury: “Not overly concerned. Just a lil thigh bruise, contusion, whatever you want to call it. Something that happens.”
34
141
4K
QBs in NFL history with at least 13 games above a 100 passer rating in a season:. 2020 Aaron Rodgers (14).2011 Aaron Rodgers (13).2018 Patrick Mahomes (13).2024 Lamar Jackson (13).2024 Sam Darnold (13). Five times. Ever.
27
358
5K
Felt like a good time for an updated version of the Minnesota Sports Misery List
150
522
5K
An hour after the game, Stefon Diggs just took a bunch of pictures with Vikings fans on the field before leaving the stadium.
37
91
4K
KOC says Patrick Peterson went over to the offense at halftime and told them: “We’re going to get stops, you just need five touchdowns. That’s nothing.”.
27
239
4K
This was the moment where Kevin O’Connell seemed to get a little emotional talking about Sam Darnold’s performance today
40
159
4K
Officials blew this play dead, costing the Vikings a touchdown. Pittman was still fighting for yards. Absurd call.
173
408
4K
I hope the Vikings hire 49ers OC Mike McDaniel, simply for the press conference vibes
99
306
4K
Kevin O'Connell on this hit on Justin Jefferson: . "I think it was about the fifth or sixth week in a row he took a type of hit that drew a flag. Clearly there's an emphasis (from) the teams we're playing that, some of those hits, they don't just seem to be by accident at times."
143
131
4K
Aaron Jones says some Packers defenders were talking to him afterward about not letting him Lambeau Leap in the game. “You guys should be worried about the score,” he told them.
26
96
4K
How on earth did this call stand as a Jaguars interception?
170
238
4K
This was the low hit from Tucker Kraft that hurt Pat Jones and went uncalled. A bit odd, considering Harrison Smith was flagged for a low hit earlier in the half.
382
275
4K
Andrew Van Ginkel with his second pick-six of the year. Dare I say he’s already one of the best free agent signings in Vikings history?
31
110
4K
Troy Aikman: "You win 14 games and it doesn't really matter. When you get into the postseason and you don't do anything with it, you're like a lot of teams that had losing records. It's all for naught.".
172
159
4K
It’s been like five hours and I still can’t believe Justin Jefferson caught that ball.
33
129
3K
Alright, some quick #Vikings thoughts:. — Darnold is gone next season. It's McCarthy time. How you play in the biggest games outweighs everything else. — He's 0-2 in the playoffs, but this doesn't shake my belief in Kevin O'Connell. Extend him this offseason. He'll grow from.
223
159
4K
There it is: the Vikings are hiring Brian Flores as their next defensive coordinator, per @AdamSchefter. That’s a massive, massive addition for Minnesota.
50
153
3K
Look at what Christian Darrisaw did to Robert Quinn on this play
86
302
3K
O'Connell on this moment: . "I tried to stand all the way up against the wall, but they still got me. It's obviously for Sam. But also for our team. This thing goes so fast and you're so caught up in the 1-0 aspect of things and the day-to-day, for me, sometimes, I don't really.
7
89
3K
Final: Vikings 27, Packers 25. A potential blowout got scary late, but the Vikings got it done. They're 14-2. They've won nine in a row. Sam Darnold is unbelievable. Next week: NFC North title game and battle for the No. 1 seed in Detroit. How's everyone feeling??.
225
67
3K
Sure feels like Alex Singleton could've been penalized for this hit on Mattison
369
185
3K
Call overturned. They're giving Stafford a throw and incomplete pass for this. No intentional grounding either. Kevin O'Connell is not happy.
321
140
3K
30 years of misery for the big four Minnesota men's sports teams, now updated through tonight's loss.
128
501
3K
Aaron Jones: “This is different from anything I’ve been a part of. I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s special.”.
22
76
3K
TJ Hockenson gave a lot of credit to Vikings third-string QB and former Lions teammate David Blough for helping him get up to speed this week.
19
58
3K
Kirk Cousins: “I gotta say it, Creed.”. They played Higher again before the game. 2-0 in the Creed era.
40
147
3K
Kirk Cousins: “I can’t say enough about TJ Hockenson today. It took me about four months to learn this system and it took him like four days, so he makes me look bad.”.
13
92
3K
Throwback to when Adam Thielen was out with COVID in 2020 and went through a full range of emotions watching the end of the Vikings’ win from his living room.
28
163
3K
Final: Vikings 27, Seahawks 24. Just a gutsy, gutsy win. Darnold delivered when it mattered most. Theo Jackson sealed it. The Vikings are two wins away from being the NFC's No. 1 seed. How's everyone feeling??.
150
67
3K
J.J. McCarthy: “After the interception, all the nerves went out the window and I just played free.”
12
90
3K
TJ Hockenson says the Vikings took it personally that no one gave them a chance in this game. “Teams have to be scared of us, too.”
44
78
3K
The Vikings are retaining Keenan McCardell as WRs coach, per @JFowlerESPN. Minnesota’s wide receivers get their wish.
47
103
3K
Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman were three of the Vikings' first additions in free agency this March. Today, they combined for 19 tackles, 3 sacks, and 4 pass breakups. AVG almost had another pick-six. 3/3 on those moves so far for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
35
131
3K
Jared Allen being named a Hall of Fame finalist makes me think of the time Donald Penn tried to fight him and then got beat for a sack by a bloodied, fired up Allen on the next play
38
359
3K
Sam Darnold on this moment:. "That was a lot of emotion for me. I was just excited, man. I feel like I couldn't just sit there, stoic, straight-faced. I feel like I had to show a little emotion for the fans. That was a special moment for me.".
9
72
3K
Brian Flores said his sons wanted him to go to Minnesota throughout this whole process. They're big Justin Jefferson fans, and Flores says there was a lot of Griddying in his house when he accepted the job.
10
98
3K
Every dropback from J.J. McCarthy's #Vikings preseason debut today. 11 of 17, 188 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 18 rushing yards.
60
202
3K
Kevin O'Connell today on the possibility of the Vikings adding a quarterback from outside the organization: "You wouldn't believe some of the things on my cellphone I've received over the last 24 hours.".
76
76
3K
Jonathan Greenard smiling for the cameras while sacking Joe Flacco is incredible.
15
102
3K
Didn't lead to a win like the Buffalo one did but this play shouldn't be overlooked. He's the best wide receiver on the planet.
10
145
3K
It’s time to take the Minnesota Vikings seriously. Sam Darnold looks good. The defense is filled with playmakers. Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores might have a playoff team on their hands.
60
71
3K
Kirk Cousins says Adam Thielen came over to him before the game and shared an encouraging word. “At times, it almost brings me to tears how much these guys support me and have my back.”.
10
80
3K
I'm not the only who had this thought. Here's Kirk Cousins tonight, unprompted, saying he wishes he would've thrown a better ball on the play where Jefferson fumbled.
That's an unbelievable turn of events. Not blaming Cousins for that fluky play, but if he puts the ball out in front of Jefferson a bit more it's probably an easy touchdown.
115
63
3K
I don’t even know what else to say about Josh Dobbs at this point. The Vikings got him from the Cardinals for basically nothing!
30
105
3K
Justin Jefferson at Ford Field in his career. 2020: 9 catches, 133 yards.2021: 11 catches, 182 yards, TD.2022: 11 catches, 223 yards, TD.2023: 12 catches, 192 yards, TD. Insane.
11
177
3K
J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner both named Josh Metellus as a teammate who has reached out to them since getting drafted. Metellus is a captain and the second longest-tenured player on the Vikings' defense. He's embracing his leadership role (and engaging with fans online, too).
Tell Kwesi that whatever he cooking smells like a hit 🔥 @Vikings.
17
59
3K
Josh Dobbs' game-winning touchdown pass to Brandon Powell was his first time ever repping that particular play. "Anything on this call sheet that we installed this week, I got it, I can run it," he told coaches before the game.
24
70
3K
Final: #Vikings 31, Falcons 28. Wow. Just wow. Josh Dobbs arrived in Minnesota this week, and he just led his new team to an improbable victory after starter Jaren Hall got hurt. Two passing TDs, one rushing for Dobbs. The Vikings have won four in a row. How's everyong feeling?.
123
77
3K
Brian Flores spent a decade coaching under Bill Belichick, then received rave reviews from players during his 3 seasons as the Dolphins' head coach. He's a no-nonsense leader who will bring an aggressive defensive approach to Minnesota. Just an incredible hire for the #Vikings.
28
103
3K
Oh my god. Vikings CB Cameron Dantzler just stripped Ihmir Smith-Marsette for the win.
41
250
3K
Welcome back to Minnesota, Cam Akers. This move makes a lot of sense. Akers knows the offense and can play on all three downs if needed. A much-needed depth boost for little cost.
25
45
3K
Justin Jefferson has confirmed that he wants to recreate the famous KG/Moss photo with Anthony Edwards. Make it happen, @Timberwolves!
44
285
3K
This place is in euphoric celebration mode as this game wraps up. They're showing Darnold, Jefferson, Addison, and their stats on the video boards over and over. Crowd eating up every minute of it. Your football team is 11-2, Minnesota.
9
83
3K
I watched way too much Rashad McCants and Jonny Flynn and Robbie Hummel and Jarrett Culver to apologize for beating a team without its 37-year-old point guard.
38
198
3K
“Lotta things still to clean up,” Kevin O’Connell says after the win. “Starts with me.”
36
43
3K
This was called DPI on Harrison Smith on fourth down. Looks like Smith said "he grabbed me" to the ref.
173
165
3K
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah says he “can’t believe” the Vikings got both JJ McCarthy and Dallas Turner tonight. He’s over the moon to be adding two “cornerstone” players to the roster.
26
97
3K
Jonathan Allen.Will Fries.Javon Hargrave. My goodness, what a morning for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Minnesota Vikings….
47
160
3K
Wow! Kwesi Adofo-Mensah strikes again within the division, trading for Lions TE T.J. Hockenson. Minnesota gives up a 2023 second and a 2024 third for a 2023 fourth and a 2024 conditional fourth. Vikings fans, your thoughts?.
281
73
2K
Shoutout to whoever in London asked Sam Darnold about his "15th and the 1st" pregame tradition
10
97
3K
Kirk Cousins on wearing Christian Darrisaw’s chain, which Kris Boyd put on him:. “I had never actually put a chain on, so that was my first experience of what that feels like. Honestly, it was very empowering. It felt pretty good to have that chain on.”.
31
138
2K
Whoever edits Josh Dobbs’ TikToks crushed it on this one. Leaning into the Creed thing is so good.
21
167
2K
This is obviously an incredible play from Josh Dobbs, but I can't get over how much of a madman Dalton Risner is
40
57
2K
I think Kevin O'Connell is a very good head coach, but he has to figure out how to play with a lead. The Vikings' offense wilting in second halves has been an issue all year. Broncos, Bears, Bengals — all winnable games turned into Ls. He deserves heat and has to fix it.
227
173
2K
Kevin O’Connell on Brian Flores: "I just love doing football with him.".
13
45
2K
So many players contributed to Dalvin Cook’s 64-yard touchdown, but what an unbelievable effort from Ezra Cleveland
43
92
2K