Is the offensive line actually still an issue for the Minnesota Vikings?
By Luke Parrish
It didn’t happen overnight but the Vikings are finally improving the OL
A big thing coming out of Minnesota’s search for a General Manager was the impressive job by Ryan Poles of transforming Kansas City’s offensive line in one offseason. The Chiefs spent every available resource on protecting Patrick Mahomes after they lost in the Super Bowl the season before.
While that is great, it is also an unrealistic expectation, especially when you don’t have the winning pedigree that will attract free agents and stars via trade. The Vikings, like almost any other team, have had to take their time in improving the line.
A team that stands out in this regard lately has been the Jets who traded up last season with the Vikings to lock in Alijah Vera-Tucker. The year before, New York selected Mekhi Becton to be a franchise tackle and they have been handed another tackle in most mock drafts this offseason.
The Vikings have taken a similar approach but without the same value in draft picks. They have been patient with their picks but have taken their chances when they fall into their laps.
After several years of taking chances, the Vikings have put together a promising albeit unproven group in front of Kirk Cousins. It is not a foregone conclusion that all three of those guys listed will be great but the foundation is there.
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If the Vikings do get that sort of production out of their line, they will be a potent offense once again in 2022 with no excuse for missing the playoffs. To answer the question at the top, no, the Vikings do not need to go into the offseason stressing over their offensive line.