It started terrible.
1-4
That flipped into a strong run.
5-0
The finish was terrible.
1-6
Injuries and turnovers were the theme of the season. 14 players spent time on injured reserve. Several others missed a couple games or more. No offensive player started every game. The defense was peppered with injuries throughout the season. If quarterback Kirk Cousins hadn’t snapped his Achilles on the spongy Lambeau turf in Week 8, the Vikings would’ve been in the playoffs. Despite all of the missing players, the Vikings remained in the playoff chase until the final weeks. Ultimately, it was a relentless storm of turnovers that closed the door the playoffs.
Too damn many turnovers.
Somehow, the Vikings were a playoff quality team and a mess in the same season, the same game, and even on the same play. It’s rare to see a team do so much good and so much bad at the same time. That was the 2023 Minnesota Vikings.
So, moving forward, do the Vikings just have to get healthy and stop giving away the football? Nope. There’s a lot of work to do. The team has a lengthy list of needs. Before those needs can be addressed, the Vikings must make a huge decision on their quarterback. Do they re-sign Kirk Cousins or do everything possible to bring in a young, rookie, hopefully franchise-changing, difference-making quarterback?
The safest path is to re-sign Cousins. At the time of his injury, he was playing the best football of his five-plus years with the Vikings. He appeared to have full command of Kevin O’Connell’s offense. He was also doing this with all-everything receiver Justin Jefferson on the sideline. Assuming Cousins is fully recovered from the season-ending Achilles injury, a smooth-running offense is pretty much guaranteed for as long he’s under center. Whether through scheme or talent, a much improved running game would be nice.
However, at some point, the Vikings have to transition from Cousins. This will be his age 36 season. He’s coming off the first significant injury of his career. The Vikings hold the 11th pick in a draft with three quarterbacks considered by most to be franchise-changers. There are a few more quarterbacks with intriguing traits. This feels like the time to make a big move and the draft in which to do it.
What to do?
Beyond the big quarterback question, the Vikings have many holes to fill. Most are on defense. Moving from front to back:
Defensive Line
Edge
Cornerback
Linebacker
Safety
That about covers it. The biggest need is on the defensive front. Harrison Phillips and Jaquelin Roy are the only notable returnees. Phillips is solid. In his second year, Roy is a breakout candidate. At edge, Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum are scheduled to be free agents. Whether to re-sign Hunter is the biggest decision outside of the quarterback decision. Hunter was brilliant last season. He’s been brilliant his entire career and he seems to be peaking as he approaches age 30. Last year was his best. Every play, every game, he was a season-long menace for opposing offenses. His next contract will be significant. The Vikings cornerback situation is tricky. I like the trio of Byron Murphy Jr., Mekhi Blackmon, and Akayleb Evans. All are good players but none are the lockdown corners that can push this defense, any defenes, to another level. It’s hoped that all three will be improved in their second year in Brian Flores’ defense. The most hope is probably with Blackmon as he was a rookie last season. I would put the defensive front as a much bigger need than corner. As for linebacker and safety. As an undrafted rookie, Ivan Pace Jr. played like a potential franchise cornerstone player. Jordan Hicks was very good but is a free agent and over 30. Brian Asamoah remains a young, talented player with potential. He must step up in his third season. The linebacker need is probably more depth than immediate impact. The same is true at safety. Harrison Smith is possibly pondering retirement. With or without Smith, Cam Bynum and Josh Metellus are impact players. Theo Jackson has done some good things with limited opportunities. If 2022 first-round pick Lewis Cine finally emerges as the player he was drafted to be, safety will again be a strength.
Offense? It’s about the quarterback. It’s always about the quarterback. If left guard Dalton Risner isn’t re-signed, that position becomes a significant need. The offensive line was improved this season but the interior has plenty of room to get much better. The rest of the offense is mostly in need of depth upgrades.
The Vikings offseason work starts with the big quarterback decision. After that, it’s on to a significant talent upgrade on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive front needs significant work. It’s questionable whether the Vikings could even field a functional group with the players currently under contract. Cornerback could also use some work. It’s going to be an active offseason.
No comments:
Post a Comment