6 players the Vikings should have never let get away

Brian Robison and Terence Newman

This selection comes in a 2-for-1 pack since both departures happened at the same time. Both Brian Robison and Terence Newman were part of the Vikings’ final cuts (Newman technically retired) before the 2018 season and they’re two decisions the team probably wishes they never made.

Robison and Newman were both important pieces in Minnesota’s defensive success under head coach Mike Zimmer. They also added a leadership element to the Vikings’ defense that the unit seemed to be lacking at times in 2018.

If Robison and Newman were still on the roster last season, it’s hard to imagine Minnesota’s defense struggling as much as it did during the early portion of the year.

The Vikings’ defense seemed especially out of sorts in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams and it’s not hard to believe that the unit likely missed the on-field leadership of Robison and Newman during this specific matchup.

Minnesota may be better equipped to deal with their departures in 2019. But it seemed like the Vikings possibly cut the cord a little too early by deciding to not keep Robison and Newman on their roster last season.