5 things that must change for the Minnesota Vikings in 2019
By Tim Arcand
The Minnesota Vikings are looking to improve their 8-7-1 record from last season. Something needs to change for that to happen, especially if it’s not the roster.
The Minnesota Vikings head into the 2019 season with pretty much the exact same starting lineup they had for most of last year, and that might not be a good thing. Over the last two seasons, the Vikings have been extremely creative, adjusting contracts that have allowed them to sign key players on both sides of the ball.
Last year they signed Stefon Diggs and Danielle Hunter to five-year deals that pay each of them an average just $14 million per year. This year Anthony Barr signed a five-year contract while Adam Thielen and Kyle Rudolph signed extensions good for another four years.
Comparing the roster that opened the 2018 season to an early look at the Vikings current roster indicates only three potential starters will be different.
Tom Compton, who started 14 games at guard last season, signed with the Jets and will most likely be replaced by Pat Elflein. Mike Remmers, who was the only offensive lineman to start all 16 games last season, has moved on to the Giants and Elflein will slide over from center to take his spot with first-round draft pick Garrett Bradbury taking over at center.
The defense returns all but one starter from last season. Like Remmers on the offensive line, Sheldon Richardson started all 16 games at defensive tackle. After only one season with the Vikings, he signed with the Browns.
There are a lot of advantages of keeping a roster mostly intact from one season to the next. The units have familiarity with each other and know how to play together to better execute the team’s game plans.
The problem is this team was only 8-7-1 last season after winning 13 games in 2017 and making it to the NFC Championship. Something needs to change if this team is to return to the playoffs and if it is not the roster on the field then it needs to be the performance on the field.
What are five things that must change in order for Minnesota to be successful in 2019?