The offensive line must be above-average, rather than not-horrible
The Vikings have not truly had an upper-echelon offensive line since 2009. Unsurprisingly, that was also the last time they came within a mere pass attempt from a Super Bowl berth.
For Minnesota to be considered championship contenders (more than winning just one playoff game), they need more than an offensive line that “doesn’t suck.” For too long the franchise has either put out a product upfront offensively that is either mediocre or bad.
Whether the 2020 team has the sheer talent to achieve this key to success is grounds for debate. Right tackle Brian O’Neill is nearing stardom, second-year center Garrett Bradbury has lofty goals for 2020, left tackle Riley Reiff is paid a monetary sum that suggests he should be pretty good, guard Pat Elflein is in a tried-and-true prove-it year, and the final spot is completely up for grabs.
Thankfully, offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has a football biography that details offensive line cultivation. The implementation of this tactic will be vital in 2020.