It is obvious to fans and non-Vikings fans that this season did not end up as the coaches and players expected. Tied for third in the NFC North with the Chicago Bears, Minnesota has some future decisions to make. Needless to say, next year’s roster will look different from this past season. A huge question looking over the front office is, will they bring Kirk Cousins back or let him be free? Cousins might be enticed into taking a hometown discount, but will they pull the trigger on bringing him back?
The season began with so much promise: Cousins was looking good, and Justin Jefferson was shining like the star he is. However, going 1-4 and losing Cousins, Jefferson, and other players to injuries did not help the situation. While no one expected them to magically repeat the 2022-23 season, it is safe to say this season was a significant disappointment for players and fans.
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What Went Right for Vikings
They started the season 1-4, mainly due to a lot of turnovers. Once they got those in check, Cousins played better, even though he did not have Jefferson there for a bit. Other than that, their defense was a bright spot in what has been an abysmal season. Brian Flores’ first season as defensive coordinator was a vast improvement over what it was previously under Ed Donatell. The defense went from conservative to more aggressive. Flores may not have had much to work with due to cap issues, but he turned the defense around and brought blitzing back in style for Minnesota.
What Went Wrong for Vikings
Starting the season 1-4 did not help. Honestly, it seems that injuries were what really derailed the season. Poor, inconsistent play, combined with the injuries, led to the outcome the Vikings faced by the end of the season. No postseason games this year. The lack of a good running game did not do them any favors either. There was no balance on the offense. While Cousins is a decent quarterback, dialing up plays to utilize all his weapons at hand effectively was apparently not on the bingo card. Did we mention injuries? Cousins, Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Hicks all were off the field at some point in the season. The Vikings never stood a chance.
Team Award Winners
MVP – Justin Jefferson
Despite only playing in 10 games due to injury, Jefferson was still Minnesota’s best player on offense. Last season was great for him, with 128 receptions for 1,809 yards, and this season was also looking good. He had 68 receptions for 1,074 yards. Those seven games he was out showed how much the Vikings missed him on offense. Luckily, players like Jordan Addison were available to take his place. Undoubtedly, if he had been healthy for the entire season, he would have been the best player Minnesota had on either side of the ball.
Rookie of the Year – Jordan Addison
Although much is expected of a first-round pick, it is hard to find playing time behind the likes of Jefferson and Hockenson. Thanks to injuries, he was able to show why he was chosen with 70 receptions, 911 yards, and ten touchdowns. It’s important to note he had four different quarterbacks and still attained impressive stats. It will be interesting to see how the ball is distributed between the receivers next season. His future is bright, but it is limited thanks to having to share the spotlight with others. Addison has some work to do to stand out from players like Jefferson.
Best Offseason Addition – Byron Murphy Jr.
While for some teams, Murphy may be nothing to write about, for the Vikings, he provided an upgrade at the CB position they sorely needed. He was one of the players brought in to fill the void that Za’Darius Smith and Patrick Peterson left. In 14 games, Murphy had 43 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, three interceptions, and one force fumble. He may not be the best or only answer, but he was there to help shore up the defense. He missed the season’s final three games due to a knee injury, but despite that, he led the cornerbacks in cornerbacks in defensive snaps, tackles for loss, and passes defended.
Biggest Surprise – Ivan Pace Jr.
He went from a player no one had on their list to draft to a special part of the Vikings’ defense. Immediately following the draft, Pace signed with Minnesota and showed everyone why they should have taken him. He played in all 17 games, starting 11 of them. Pace had an interception, forced fumble, 2.5 sacks, 62 solo tackles, and 39 assisted tackles. He was selected as the NFC Defensive Player for Week 14. Pace also received All-Rookie team placements from the Pro Football Writers of America and PFF. Not a bad start for a rookie whose future looks to be bright.
Biggest Disappointment – Marcus Davenport
The Vikings signed him last offseason to bring additional pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Unfortunately, thanks to injuries, he only played in four games, logged 118 snaps, recorded two sacks and seven tackles. Davenport showed flashes of greatness when he was on the field, but given his history with injuries, the ones he dealt with during this season put that fire out just a little bit. Minnesota might give him another chance, but it is not very likely. He was only signed on a one-year contract, so it is not certain if the Vikings will resign him.
One Burning Question
Who will be the quarterback next season?
Many can talk about any player or position on the team and how it is vital to the future. Nothing is more important than who will be slinging the ball for the Vikings. Kevin O’Connell’s offensive plays appear to require a QB who cannot only have a talented arm but also comprehend and execute plays. It may be why the backup QBs had a more difficult time in the latter half of the season.
Will they be able to make a team-friendly deal with Cousins? Even if they do, will they still go for a quarterback in the upcoming draft? If the team is smart and can come to a deal with Cousins, selecting a QB in the draft to sit behind him might be the way to go. It worked for Patrick Mahomes, and if Cousins is willing to assist his replacement, the Vikings might get one step closer to where they want to be.
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