6 biggest gifts given to the 2019 Minnesota Vikings

Gary Kubiak

Mike Zimmer said it himself during a press conference a few weeks back that Gary Kubiak is, “the best thing that’s ever happened to me since I’ve been here.”

That is huge praise from the normally reserved head coach of the Vikings and his statement is clear that he views Kubiak as a very special gift to the team.

Kubiak has helped turn around a horrible Minnesota rushing attack from a year ago. This season, the Vikings are seventh in the NFL in running the football and a lot of that credit needs to go to Kubiak. He installed his zone-blocking scheme which has really fit in well with Minnesota’s current group of athletic offensive linemen.

Kubiak also has to be given some of the credit for the season Dalvin Cook has been having and his influence on offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski to stick with the run game even when playing from behind has helped the Vikings’ offense become the strength of this year’s team.

Kubiak has also made the screen pass a focal point of Minnesota’s offense this season. Some of the Vikings more explosive plays this year have come off of screen passes. This is a staple of the Kubiak offense and one the Vikings are getting very good at executing.

Kubiak has also had some say in personnel matters. He was the one who pointed Minnesota in the direction of seventh-round sleeper wide receiver Bisi Johnson during last spring’s NFL Draft. Johnson has emerged as the team’s No. 3 receiving option and he has put together a very solid rookie season, earning the trust of Kirk Cousins.

Zimmer was right a few weeks ago as Kubiak is easily one of the best gifts the Vikings received in 2019.