The Viking Age
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Minnesota Vikings 2018 season offseason forecast: Defensive ends

By Adam Carlson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Tom Johnson #92 of the Minnesota Vikings jumps on the back of teammate Danielle Hunter to celebrate a sack in the first quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 22: Tom Johnson #92 of the Minnesota Vikings jumps on the back of teammate Danielle Hunter to celebrate a sack in the first quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 22, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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How does the 2018 NFL season look for the Minnesota Vikings according to the defensive ends that they have under contract this offseason?

The Minnesota Vikings have based much of their franchise’s success around creating a dominating defense to frustrate their opponents and keep scores low while executing an efficient offensive strategy.

A cornerstone of that defense is the pass rush, which has been transitioning over the seasons yet continues to have a great duo at defensive end to get at quarterbacks and contain the edge for several seasons now.

Let’s take a look at the players at defensive end who are under contract heading into the 2018 NFL season and who the team will need to make a decision on heading into the new year according to Spotrac:

Defensive ends under contract in 2018

Defensive ends set to become free agents

  • – none –

That’s right. Every single defensive end who ended the 2017 NFL season with the Vikings will be returning. Staters Hunter and Griffen will both return, but Minnesota may want to work out a long-term deal with Hunter before the start of the season to ensure their bookends stay in place for the future.

There is a question mark regarding the future of Robison. His status will depend on whether or not he decides to retire. However, with promising backups like Bower and Weatherly on the roster, Minnesota may feel okay with the depth at the defensive end position no matter what decision the veteran pass rusher makes.

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Offseason options

  • Give Hunter a contract extension. Giving a freakishly talented young pass rusher a long-term deal before he has a massive season is a very smart move and can assure the future starters for several years to come.
  • Draft another pass rusher to develop in the mid to late rounds. Minnesota could be very happy with this grouping if Robison returns. And even without, they would likely feel okay. But knowing the Vikings, they need as much depth and talent as possible.

What the plan should be

The Vikings will watch the situation with Robison to see what is happening while continuing to evaluate every single pass rusher who has declared for the 2018 NFL Draft and even those who may become priority free agents.

However, the team should feel great with the grouping they have under contract for the upcoming season and may not make any real changes at all, even putting an extension for Hunter on the back burner for now and gamble on him having an amazing 2018.

Next: 2018 offseason forecast for for offensive line

What do you think the Minnesota Vikings should do when it comes to the defensive ends heading inot the 2018 NFL season? And what moves should the team make for the future of the pass rushers? Let us know in the comments section below.

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