The Viking Age
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Rick Spielman: Building the Minnesota Vikings yellow brick road

By Realistic Randy

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - SEPTEMBER 17: General Manager Rick Spielman of the Minnesota Vikings speaks to the media during a press conference on September 17, 2014 at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The Vikings addressed their decision to put Adrian Peterson on the commissioner's exempt list until Peterson's child-abuse case has been resolved. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - SEPTEMBER 17: General Manager Rick Spielman of the Minnesota Vikings speaks to the media during a press conference on September 17, 2014 at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The Vikings addressed their decision to put Adrian Peterson on the commissioner's exempt list until Peterson's child-abuse case has been resolved. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has given the team the pieces they need this offseason to achieve success, once again, in 2018.

Although the Minnesota Vikings are coming off an incredible 2017 season, albeit with a dud of an ending in Philadelphia, the team had legitimate concerns heading into 2018 including, but not limited to:

  • The quarterback position
  • Question marks at the three technique spot adjacent to Linval Joseph
  • Locking up key players heading into contract years

And while the offseason is still young with more moves expected to be made, Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has done one hell of a job in limiting the amount of excuses for this team led by head coach Mike Zimmer going into next season.

No matter what your thoughts are on Kirk Cousins, he is a significant upgrade at quarterback compared to Case Keenum. And If it not for the Los Angeles Rams acquiring Ndamukong Suh, Minnesota would make a strong case for having the best interior defensive line pairing in the league after signing Sheldon Richardson to a one-year deal.

Spielman’s early offseason moves signify an all-in effort for 2018 after getting just a game away from playing the Super Bowl in their own stadium. And yet, the future holds equal importance.

On Monday, the Vikings announced a new deal for standout linebacker Eric Kendricks, extending his stay in Minnesota for another five years.

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Eric Kendricks
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Eric Kendricks /

Kendricks’ talent as an all-around, every down linebacker, especially in pass coverage, made him one of the most crucial pieces to retain for the future success of this franchise.

Decisions at some point will also need to be made on the future of Stefon Diggs, Trae Waynes, Danielle Hunter and Anthony Barr. But extending Kendricks is an impressive start, as it’s one less headache to deal with in the 2019 offseason.

It doesn’t stop there.

While the Vikings did release fan-favorite Jarius Wright, they responded by replacing him with another proven veteran receiver in Kendall Wright at a reduced rate. With this move, Wright (Kendall that is) becomes the undisputed number three wideout in the depth chart ahead of Laquon Treadwell.

Of course, Jarius Wright was clearly the third-best receiver last year and yet was out-snapped by Treadwell 500 to 254. Ideally, the force feeding of Treadwell on the field has come to a close (to be continued).

Add in another very important personnel move in retaining offensive guard Nick Easton combined with presumably more depth additions through the upcoming NFL draft and you’ve got yourself a path of no excuses for Minnesota’s on-the-field product in 2018.

(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM) Xavier Rhodes (L) and Rick Spielman (C)
(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM) Xavier Rhodes (L) and Rick Spielman (C) /

Spielman has had his faults in the past. No one is perfect after all, but the overall talent construction of the team now is primarily due to Spielman’s work in the front office.

Xavier Rhodes, arguably the best corner in the league is locked in through 2022. Harrison Smith, arguably the best safety in the league is under contract for the next four years.

Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings /

Minnesota Vikings

The offensive line went from being a laughing stock in 2016 to very formidable in 2017 after signing offensive tackles Riley Rieff and Mike Remmers in free agency and following that up with the drafting of a franchise center in Pat Elflein.

And after striking out on Teddy Bridgewater (albeit due to a disastrous knee injury) and Sam Bradford, who may be a lock to be enshrined into the What Could Have Been Hall of Fame, Spielman finally got his franchise quarterback in Cousins to pair with Minnesota’s phenomenal supporting cast.

Yes, the NFC will be tougher this year with the Rams getting better, the return of Aaron Rodgers and the intrigue of San Francisco with Jimmy Garoppolo at the helm (not to mention the first place schedule Minnesota has to deal with next year).

Still, the expectations for this team are, and should be nothing less than, to be title contenders next season. Whatever the result of 2018 ends up being, Spielman has done his job to a marvelous extent.

Next: Vikings 7-round mock draft, 2.0

The Vikings’ general manager has laid the groundwork. Whether or not the players and coaching staff follow suit is all on them.

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