5 toughest quarterback matchups for the Vikings in 2020
By Dustin Baker
Which opposing quarterbacks will create the most problems for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020?
Like all NFL teams, the Minnesota Vikings will see at least 13 different opposing quarterbacks in 2020. As it stands with projected depth charts, none of these signal-callers will be rookies. The youngest is slated to be Gardner Minshew II in Week 13 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Barring injury, the oldest will be Tom Brady (age 43) in Tampa Bay on December 13th.
The Vikings uncharacteristically ranked 15th in passing yards allowed last season, predominantly because of lukewarm cornerback play. This 15th-best ranking is the lowest for a Mike Zimmer-coached defense since 2010 when he was the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals.
The team did, however, take steps to remedy the unfamiliar mediocrity. General Manager Rick Spielman spent draft picks on youngster cornerbacks Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler. Both men are hypothesized to contribute early on in 2020. The Vikings also retained the safety position pairing of Harrison Smith and Anthony Harris. The tandem was in doubt for a series of weeks as Harris’ contract negotiations created uncertainty. But in 2020, Harris will play for Minnesota under the franchise tag tender.
The reconditioned secondary will face several formidable signal-callers. The following five quarterbacks are assessed by their historical performance against the Vikings. They are ranked in ascending order of difficulty in which they pose to the Vikings in 2020.