Exclusive: Biggest need Vikings must address in the 2024 NFL offseason
The Minnesota Vikings are something of an enigma as the 2024 offseason moves forward. After winning the NFC North in 2022, the Vikings hired Brian Flores as their defensive coordinator, believing they had solved many of their defensive issues. With offense being the team’s strength, hopes were high that the Vikings would defend their division title in 2023, or at least return to the playoffs. That might not be the case, as quarterback Kirk Cousins went down with a torn Achilles just before midseason. Despite this crushing loss, coach Kevin O’Connell’s team showed plenty of fight and went 6-4 despite a 1-3 start after 10 games. The Vikings looked like a team that didn’t want to quit despite losing their quarterback and other key players. The team was able to hang on despite superstar Justin Jefferson missing seven games due to injury.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, the magic soon wore off as the team would only win one game the rest of the way. O’Connell made some strange decisions. He stumbled several times and failed to get his foot off the gas, leading to three potential wins against the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals.
If three straight losses had turned into wins, the 7-10 record would have been 10-7 and the Vikings would have been a playoff team. Looking ahead, O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will need to come up with a plan of action as the franchise enters its third year. So far, Adod0-Mensah has used the term “competitive rebuilding” to describe how the Vikings have achieved success. This explanation is not adequate at this time. They’re either competing for a spot among the NFC’s elite teams, or they’re rebuilding. They have to decide what to do with Cousins, sign Jefferson to a long-term deal and shore up their defense.
The cousins’ dilemma
Injured quarterbacks should be healthy before training camp begins, and Jefferson, explosive Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson. Cousins will be 36 at the start of the season and will need to play at least two or three games before age becomes a factor. But Cousins wasn’t a quarterback capable of making big plays in his biggest games. He has 12 years of NFL experience, six with Washington and six with Minnesota, and his ability to make the best plays when it matters most has always been questioned.
Why would this aspect of his performance change at this point in his career? He may be charming, honest and talented, but why does he suddenly start winning the biggest games?
Especially the price. It would cost the Vikings at least $40 million per season to keep Cousins.
Allowing Cousins to walk means a full rebuild is imminent and a quarterback is needed. With names like Drake May, Michael Penix and Bo Nix available, the Vikings should have several options available for the 11th pick in the draft.
Jefferson is the team’s most important building block.
Injuries limited Jefferson’s play in 2023, but he was a dynamic player in 10 games. Although Cousins only played in a handful of those games, Jefferson caught 68 passes for 1,074 yards and five touchdowns. His 107.4 yards per game make him one of the most productive receivers in the NFL. He sent a message to the league in 2022, leading the NFL with 128 receptions for 1,809 yards and eight touchdowns. There’s no reason a healthy Jefferson can’t top 2,000 yards in an upcoming season.
