Mike Zimmer ‘could be in for a frustrating transition’ on defense

CBS Sports asked of Minnesota: Can their rebuilt defense hold up down the stretch?

CBS Sports listed one burning question for each team in the NFC North.

Despite the Vikings recent success on defense, CBS Sports’ burning question was in regards to that side of the ball.

CBS Sports asked of Minnesota: Can their rebuilt defense hold up down the stretch?

Here’s what the outlet said about the Vikings’ current situation:

“Defense, of course, is coach Mike Zimmer’s calling card, but this year, after a shortened offseason, he’ll be operating with a new coordinator for the first time since coming to Minnesota. And that’s not even mentioning the on-field personnel. Yes, Xavier Rhodes stunk it up in 2019, but losing him, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander means the secondary will be in a near-total rebuild and expecting more than even one of the rookie defensive backs to make an instant impact goes against the odds. The pass rush, meanwhile, hardly has any proven presence beyond Danielle Hunter.”

I think the fact that Rhodes wasn’t great in 2019, and Waynes could have been better, means the Vikings have a chance to improve a lot out wide at the corners, despite adding rookies and having players who weren’t able to start over Waynes and Rhodes.

I’m excited to see how the new-look defense plays out.