Even under a new regime, the Minnesota Vikings are still in a win-now mode based on their moves throughout the offseason.
It hasn’t been the biggest offseason in terms of change to playing personnel, but the Minnesota Vikings have quietly put together a nice-looking roster without doing an awful lot. The new regime is clearly looking to hit the ground running in an NFC North division that no longer has Davante Adams to worry about, who was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders after a contract extension couldn’t be worked out with the Green Bay Packers.
This is a sought window of opportunity for the Vikings, but everything still has to go their way with improvements expected from both the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. Removing two long-standing figures such as Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman from the equation was expected to come with a period of transition, but it’s also worth remembering that this roster is stacked with talent even if the window of opportunity could be closing slightly.
It is going to be a challenge for new head coach Kevin O’Connell. He brings Super Bowl credentials, having lifted the Vince Lombardi trophy with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, but leading from the front from the top coaching position rather than just being a coordinator is a completely different ball game.
O’Connell will know the size of the task awaiting him and his players. The Vikings came undone last time around by losing so many close games, a mindset that simply has to change to stand any chance of genuine progression in 2022.
Minnesota clearly feels they have the personnel capable of making strides. Here are four reasons why the team remains in “win-now” mode under the new regime.