The Minnesota Vikings (8-9) played the 2021 season out and rode off into the sunset with pride after earning a 31-17 victory over the Chicago Bears in Sunday’s finale. They also punched the selection spot on their ticket to the 2022 NFL Draft.
The team will officially be on the clock at No. 12 on the first day.
A top-10 pick would have been nice, but the Vikings were good enough to play themselves out of that opportunity. There were a lot of teams riding the struggle-bus for much longer periods of time than the Vikings this season.
With the season officially in the rearview for the team, the focus now shifts towards the future in Minnesota.
What’s going to happen to head coach Mike Zimmer and the rest of the coaching staff? Is Kirk Cousins the quarterback of the future there? What will happen with some of the expiring deals, particularly on the defensive side of the ball—Anthony Barr, Patrick Peterson, Nick Vigil and Xavier Woods.
Once all of that unfolds, then the Vikings can figure out the best way to implement a draft strategy.