Egan, Minn. — Facts and evidence deny the Minnesota Vikings an easy designation, one that was symbolized by two seemingly incompatible decisions.
Are they in dismantling mode, willing to sacrifice the 2023 season for the sake of long-term resilience? Not real. In March, the team coaxed Harrison Smith, 34, back on a reduced salary for a 12th season, even with several younger players — including 2022 first-round pick Louis Signe — to replace him. .
Do the Vikings go all out in 2023, hoping to build on their 13-win season for a deep playoff run? It would be hard to argue with that position after they gave away to Pro Bowl running back Dalphine Cook for his fourth straight 1,000-yard rushing season, all before 28-year-old and longtime reserve Alexander Mathison lifted to the basic function.
In truth, the Vikings are navigating a subtle approach designed to do it all at once: rebuild the roster, increase future flexibility, and maintain nominal competition at least for the short term. The process is ambitious in scope and slower than some might hope. As he builds on a defining moment in March 2024 around a decision on future quarterback Kirk Cousins, the ultimate viability of the model remains in question; Preseason betting markets and analytical rankings put the Vikings closer to Super Bowl contention now than they were last year at this time even after the season’s 13-4 upset.
But there’s no doubt that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s “competitive rebuilding,” a term he used to link his team-building philosophies with mandates from owners Zygi and Mark Wilf to build a viable team each season, was accelerated this spring. When the 2023 season begins, Adofo-Mensah will have handed over 14 of the 22 starting positions he inherited from predecessor Rick Spielman after the 2021 season, all but one with a player who was 26 or younger at the time of the transfer. The Vikings are also placed in the NFL’s top 10 in available salary cap space for 2024 and 2025, according to the roster management system.
This approach has been praised by experienced list builders, particularly ex Philadelphia and Cleveland Executive Joe BannerHowever, it is viewed in a less optimistic tone by some fans and media outlets who view the effort as a mere bluff in the water.
Coach Kevin O’Connell said, “In terms of future years and things like that, I know there’s a reason for everything we ultimately want to do both short and long term. But I think it’s my job to coach this football team to be competitive every chance we get.”
Defensive linebacker Harrison Phillips said he feels confident the team is trying to win a Super Bowl and added, “I hope Kevin and Kweese see themselves as earning the right to keep their jobs and stay here for the long haul, and try to win a Super Bowl every year they’re here.” It’s fun to be in an organization with that mentality.”
To be clear, there have been far more incoming departures. Not only did the Vikings deposit their leading leader in 2022 in Cook (1,173 yards), but also their 2022 leaders in tackles (Eric Kendricks, 137) and interceptions (Patrick Peterson, 5 — tied with Smith), as well as a 70-receiver catch (Adam Taylor) and 10 pass sacks (Zadarius Smith). Only one of the unrestricted free agents they signed (Matheson) had guaranteed money after the first year of their contracts, and the average age of the 16 seasoned players they added to new contracts was 26.8. Of the five players on their list who are over the age of 30, three have taken a pay cut to come back. They introduced contract discussions with a fourth, Cousins, and handed a modest fifth extension to long snapper Andrew DePaola.
Based on the lineup’s experiences during the OTAs, the Vikings will have a fresh start at wide receiver (KJ Osborn), defensive end (Dean Lowry), inside linebacker (Brian Asamoah), outside linebacker (Marcus Davenport) and both linebacker positions (Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth son or rookie Mekhi Blackmon) and nickel corner (Blackmon or Josh Metellus). That total could swell to seven new players if last season’s leader, Daniel Hunter (10.5), departs amid an ongoing contract dispute.
However, Harrison Smith bemoaned the “strange notion” in conventional sports wisdom that the departure of famous veterans always presaged a lower team performance.
“When the players leave, they are great players as well as great colleagues and friends, you will miss them,” said Smith. But also, on the other hand, when people leave, [people] He says, “Well, how do we replace it?” There is still someone else in that spot, and this one is probably a lot better. Maybe this person is not. I don’t know. But it’s not like there’s an empty void. I think we think so for a reason. There is still someone out there. We have some young people. We’ll see what we’ll do.”
Yes, the delicate balance of competitive rebuilding depends on significant contributions from unproven players. In many ways, however, the hardest part for the Vikings is yet to come.
Cousins will complete the final year of his contract this season without having an apparent heir on the roster, which means the Vikings will have to make a franchise-defining decision next spring. Assuming he doesn’t do it in 2023, do they think Cousins can lead them to the Super Bowl in 2024 or 2025? He will be 36 and 37 years old in those seasons. Or do they need to start over at the most important location in the game?
The bulk of refactors will be rendered idle if they answer that question incorrectly, or if they make the correct call but fail the hard work of getting a reliable replacement.