The Vikings future

So now what?

Well, the Vikings are now officially into an offseason that will probably be the biggest one in years in terms of major moving parts.

And, sorry idiots, those moving parts will not include Cousins or Zimmer or Spielman. God dammit I am already so sick of the assholes flooding out of the cracks again to rage about our good QB, our good coach and our good GM, ranting as if these people are all just incompetent fools. SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU MOUTH BREATHING FUCKS!!!

I would expect extensions for sure for Zim and Rick, at least before the draft if not well before. 2 years each at least. I would have to think that Cousins will be extended as well. It would be beneficial on both sides. We could get a little bit of cap relief (I would assume an extension would not be fully guaranteed) which could also be used towards improving the o-line. And for Kirk, it would give him some more financial security, cause what if he got a bad injury in a lame duck season?

Position by position:

QB: 

Cousins of course stays, but I would not at all be opposed to drafting a young QB, even early, if you think he can be great. I've been on the Jalen Hurts bandwagon for a while. I have no idea if he would be there in the 2nd or 3rd round but if so I take him. Either way, you don't need another year of Sean Mannion. He's just a placeholder.

RB: 

Don't extend Cook! I'm sorry, he's great, but look at what just happened with the 49ers. They dominated the OL and shut Cook down completely. A star back is a luxury item. You like having one, but you don't need it. Plus, in all 3 years Cook has had major injury issues. He's not durable. I would much rather try to TRADE Cook for a draft haul. Nothing Herschel Walker-esque, but you could get a couple high picks. You can find a reasonable Cook replacement in the draft, pair him with Mattison and go from there.

WR:

Diggs and Thielen stay, although Thielen had a rough year with injuries so you have to at least start thinking about how much longer he will be one of your main guys. Bisi looked good as a rookie and should progress. I wish we had a true burner in the WR corps. Diggs is fast but he isn't quite what I mean. Beyond the top 3 you probably move on for good from Treadwell. We always seem to draft 1 or 2 receivers in the late rounds. And oh if we could get Tyler Johnson...

TE:

Probably nothing changes here. Bringing Rudy back proved to be a great decision. Irv Smith had a strong rookie season and should only improve.

OL:

Here's where the major work lies yet again. I think 2 of your 5 guys are fully safe. O'Neill is damn good, and Bradbury steadily improved after some early struggles. Kline could go either way. He's not making that much money, and was pretty solid, but could be improved upon. Your whole left side needs to be blown up. Reiff is a no brainer to be let go. He's just not good enough, and is expensive. And Elflein needs to go. I don't know what happened there. He looked good as a rookie then just imploded. And he made both Reiff and Bradbury look worse. We have some young projects like Samia and Udoh, but I think if there is a really good LT or LG in free agency you go hard after him.

This line did take a step this year. They at times looked decent, but they still can be had by a really good pass rush. They need to get to where they can be decent against the 49ers and Bears and Packers. 

DL:

This could see some major change too. The interior needs an infusion of youth. Linval Joseph probably has to go. Stephen is alright but not a real difference maker. Our run defense got humiliated multiple times this year, including yesterday. We have some young guys in waiting like Jaleel Johnson, but I also think this area should be a draft priority.

On the edge Griffen had a big year that can make him a free agent. He may be in line for one last big deal, and while it would hurt, I think you might let him get that deal elsewhere. You can resign Weatherly for a lot less. And historically we have been very good at finding quality pass rushers in the draft. I'm just not sure I want to be tied into Griffen at age 35 or 36.

LB:

I don't think this group will see much change. Kendricks had a career year and is locked up. Barr is locked up too. You do wonder if we should have just bit the bullet and let him go to the Jets. Barr just is not the huge impact guy we want him to be. Beyond those 2 you have Wilson who is good and still cheap. Gedeon was hurt. I suppose if something falls in your lap in the draft you can upgrade, but it's a low priority.

DB:

This area will look vastly different next year. I think you absolutely have to cut Rhodes. His play has deteriorated alarmingly. He is hurt a lot. And he is grossly overpaid for what he is now. Even Zimmer finally seemed to accept this late in the year, but then injuries forced Rhodes back into full time duty. Waynes is a free agent. I don't think he is good enough a cover corner to break the bank, and if you're gonna pay top dollar at that position you need elite coverage. I would resign him if the money is reasonable though. 

Alexander is also a free agent, and I don't know what's gonna happen there. I don't know what the market is for him. He finished the year hurt. Again I would bring him back if the price is right. Hughes will for sure be here, but he did not progress as hoped this year. I think they will have to pick up his 4th year option. I would also assume Holton Hill returns. I think a 1st round cornerback is a strong possibility, but I think trying to find a cagey vet like they did with Munnerlyn years ago would be a good idea. 

At safety, Smith is locked in. Harris is a free agent and I would make him maybe the top priority to resign. He's just the kind of ball hawk this secondary needs. I think you go ahead and bring Sendejo back. I can't imagine him being expensive. I would also resign Kearse if he doesn't cost a lot.

I think the Vikings will bring back one of those 3 corners(Rhodes, Waynes, Alexander) just so they aren't forced into a total rebuild. And please oh please can we get Antoine Winfield Jr 🤞

Special teams:

Bailey and Colquitt stabilized things. I see no reason you don't stand pat there. They'll figure out the return game. I hate that Sherels last play as a Viking was that muffed punt. He had such a cool career for us. But you can't give a roster spot just to a return guy anymore.

So overall I think that while this will certainly not be a rebuilding offseason it may be a bit of a soft reboot. This is an older roster with a lot of guys at or past 30, and it feels like this is the time to get a lot younger. 

It's a very big offseason for Spielman. He needs to have a few unqualified hits to get this roster back to a place where we can be the team winning 12 or 13 games and getting those January home games.