Minnesota Vikings: Top 5 priorities for the 2018 offseason

Hire a new offensive coordinator

The Vikings’ offense under Pat Shurmur last season was one of the most balanced attacks the team has had in a long time. In the recent past, Minnesota’s offenses featured either a strong running game or a strong passing attack. With Shurmur as their offensive coordinator last year, the Vikings had both.

Unfortunately for Minnesota, Shurmur’s success led to him leaving the team to become the next head coach of the New York Giants. The Vikings’ most important action this offseason will be finding someone to fill his vacancy and become the team’s new offensive coordinator.

Based on the success of their scheme in 2017, Minnesota will likely want to run a similar offense next season. This could make it more likely that the Vikings will promote someone on their current coaching staff (Kevin Stefanski) rather than bring in someone completely new (Darrell Bevell).

Whoever Minnesota decides to be their new offensive coordinator could also have a big impact on who the team’s 2018 starting quarterback. If someone like Stefanski gets the job, Case Keenum or Teddy Bridgewater may be more inclined to sticking around with the Vikings rather than go elsewhere and learn a completely new offense.

Next: More than 15 Vikings will be free-agents in 2018

Minnesota’s new offensive coordinator should be known soon as the team reportedly wants to fill the vacancy within the next week.