Minnesota Vikings offseason preview

No, I'm still not fully over the heartbreak of the playoff loss.

But I am unbowed in my belief that this Vikings team is going in the right direction.

This is a preview (aka a bunch of random thoughts) of the offseason, but it's possible that the Vikings have already made their best move of the offseason.

Within a few days of the loss to the Giants, they sent Ed Donatell packing. And then after a process that maybe took a little longer than expected, they scored a huge win by replacing Donatell with Brian Flores. Flores is off the Belichick tree, and had some success turning around Miami before he got fired for not tanking. (Anti-tanking? My kind of guy!) Flores isn't a miracle worker. He won't take the 31st ranked defense.and make them top 5 in a year. But hiring him shows the leadership here recognized the importance of making a major change. This defense will look dramatically different in style in 2023. And just an adequate defense should make the Vikings decided favorites again in the NFC North and make them better equipped for a playoff run.

So, I have done these previews before, and have just gone position by position. So, let's stick with what works. 

QB

Well, Kirk Cousins Derangement Syndrome sure roared back with a vengeance after the playoff loss. Who knew that in a game where the defense only forced 2 punts (one cause of a wide open drop) the loss was entirely due to the quarterback? 

The KCDS freaks are again convinced that Kirk is gone, that he will be traded away and we will forfeit potentially multiple seasons of division titles in favor of tanking. Not gonna happen. Cousins is signed for 1 more year, but odds are there will be another extension, and he will get the nearly unprecedented gift of a year 2 in the same system.

Now, I have no issue with the Vikings having a succession plan, unlike the majority of the Kirk haters who just want #8 gone with zero plan.

I think this draft would be a bad time to go round 1 QB. But there is some chatter about potentially trading for Trey Lance. If Lance could be had fairly cheap I would try it, because I trust KOC and if he thought he could turn Lance into a QB worthy of his top 5 pick I think he could too.

Otherwise, Nick Mullens is a perfectly solid backup QB.  

RB

It has already been reported that Dalvin Cook has no interest in taking any kind of pay cut. If true, then that means the odds of him staying in 2023 are minimal. Cook had some flash plays this year, but we know KOC is good with a committee RB situation. Nwangwu and Ty Chandler could be part of that. Alexander Mattison is a free agent and potentially could return if nobody else offers him big money. Which they probably won't. Lots of other veteran free agents will be out there. 

WR

Two big stories here. One is the Justin Jefferson extension, which doesn't HAVE to be settled this offseason but most likely will, and definitely will break the bank. Kwesi will have to figure out the best way to spread out said contract.

And then there is Adam Thielen. Thielen has already said he and the Vikings are in discussions. But there is zero chance Thielen stays without a significant pay cut. And he frankly was not that good in '22, certainly not good enough to still be paid like an elite player. I would just say goodbye. Then you either give KJ Osborn a promotion to WR2 or bring someone in. You also still have the two Jalens. 

TE

TJ Hockenson is also due an extension, and you definitely give it to him. Irv Smith is a free agent and I think you let his perpetually disappointing Vikings career end.

OL

Darrisaw is locked in. Brian O'Neill is locked in, but he also will be rehabbing all summer from a serious injury so you can't 100% be sure he can go in week 1. We do have a couple backups who can fill in, so it's not like you go get a free agent tackle.

What happens with Garrett Bradbury? He undoubtedly had his best season in '22, but also had some bad games and then got hurt. I think he is back if the price is right, but center may also be a draft priority. As for the guards, Ed Ingram had some major rookie struggles but did improve as the season went on, so I think he secures a year two. And Ezra Cleveland stays as he goes into his free agent year in a prove-it situation.

Overall this may be the least change we have seen for the OL in many years. 

DL

As we get to the defense, the #1 thing here may be what level of say Flores has. What players fit what he wants to do? And what can we afford, since no matter what there will be some big names potentially heading out. 

I wouldn't get rid of anybody who managed to look good during the Donatell disaster. So Danielle Hunter stays, probably on an extension, and gets to go back to rushing the passer. I don't know about Za'Darius Smith. He started 2022 on fire but declined big time late in the season and was banged up. I think he goes.

Dalvin Tomlinson is a free agent, but I think he will stay. We have some young depth guys here, and DL will surely be a draft focus.

LB

Eric Kendricks is probably gone. Finances make this almost certain, unless he really wants to stay and takes a big pay cut. 

Jordan Hicks is gone. Brian Asamoah will get a chance to start next year, probably. And this too will be a draft focus. Flores loves to blitz, so you need fast linebackers.

DB

The biggest issue here is health. If we get healthy 2023 seasons from Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth and Akalyleb Evans, that will be massive. Harrison Smith, still a quality player, could thrive again with Flores. Patrick Peterson is a maybe. I would be fine bringing him back if the price is reasonable, but Flores may not want him. You definitely bring back Duke Shelley. You definitely say goodbye to Chandon Sullivan. And yeah, cornerback could very well be where we go with the 1st round pick again.

ST

Greg Joseph is a free agent, and I don't know what the hell you do. He made some big kicks in 2022, but also missed a bunch of extra points. I think you let it play out deep into the summer. If someone signs Joseph away, so be it. Otherwise you bring him back for a camp competition. 

Ryan Wright is locked in for many years, maybe. And you gotta keep All Pro long snapper Andrew DePaola.