Kicking game/special teams
This was one of the biggest concerns heading into training camp and the preseason and it remains one the Vikings after they’ve both concluded.
Minnesota hasn’t really handled their kicking situation in the best way. After Dan Bailey struggled early in camp, they went out and traded for Karre Vedvik. The Vikings thought their new acquisition would solve their kicking woes, but it only muddled the situation.
Vedvik was 0-for-3 on his first three field attempts with Minnesota this preseason before finally hitting a close one against the Bills on Thursday. The pressure of adding another kicker seemed to help Bailey focus and he actually hit a couple of impressive kicks in Buffalo.
Not only have the Vikings tried multiple kickers this summer, but they’ve also experimented with multiple holders. The results have not been great.
Minnesota needs to settle with on kicker and holder combination and just roll with whoever it is throughout the season. This shuffling around has to stop and will only hurt the team moving forward.
Even with Bailey being the selected as the team’s kicker over Vedvik, Vikings fans will still be collectively holding their breath every time the team attempts a field goal this year.
Minnesota also doesn’t seem 100 percent sure on who will be returning punts or kickoffs for them this season yet.
Rookie receiver Bisi Johnson has secured a roster spot on the Vikings’ 2019 roster and he is a strong candidate to be one of the return men. But giving either return job to a rookie is a risky move, especially for a potential contender like the Vikings.
Hopefully, the special teams are something that’ll work themselves out for Minnesota this year. But after the preseason, its current state is easily the biggest concern for this team.