Minnesota is coming off a year where it went 10-6 in the regular season, and won a playoff game. But some of the decisions the team has made in the offseason has led to people thinking the Vikings might take a step back.
Trae Waynes, Mackensie Alexander, Linval Joseph, Xavier Rhodes, Andrew Sendejo, Jayron Kearse and Laquon Treadwell are all reportedly signing with other teams in free agency.
The Vikings’ biggest free agency signing has been the reported deal between the team and defensive tackle Michael Pierce. Other than that, it’s been signings who might turn out to be reserves.
Minnesota extended Kirk Cousins as well. Giving a contract extension to a 31-year-old quarterback is a win-now move, but Cousins’ up-and-down performances with Minnesota has led some fans to believe he isn’t the answer to the team’s problems.
All that is to say that if you think the Vikings are rebuilding, or at least not going to be as good next season, then you have some compelling points to argue.
However, with the front office staff on the team right now, there has to be a sense of urgency.
General manager Rick Spielman’s contract is only through the 2020 season, and so is Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. I think those two will have to construct a team that is at least competitive in 2020-21, or else the team could start a rebuild — without Spielman and Zimmer on staff.
The Vikings reportedly traded Stefon Diggs to the Bills for draft picks, so that’s another point that goes to team rebuild. But the team now has two first-round picks, in a draft class that is deep for wide receiver. The team can replace Diggs with a receiver who is more comfortable with a role other than No. 1.
Regardless if it’s the best route long-term, the Vikings have to win next season based on the contracts of the coach and general manager. Sure, Minnesota lost talent in the offseason, but some of that talent was overpaid, like Waynes, or it was time to move on, like Rhodes.
The Vikings can reload through the draft, and the team already has some decent talent in Adam Thielen, Danielle Hunter, Harrison Smith, Anthony Harris, Dalvin Cook, Kyle Rudolph and many others who will help put a good product on the field.
It might look like a rebuild this offseason, but this is not a Vikings team that can afford to take too many steps back in 2020-21. If Cousins improves for the second year in a row, and the team is able to solve some issues on the offensive line, and at cornerback, then there’s no reason to anticipate a down year. I doubt Zimmer and Spielman expect that.