4 ways the Minnesota Vikings offense can improve in 2022
By Dean Jones
How can the Minnesota Vikings improve on offense under the guidance of head coach Kevin O’Connell in 2022?
The upcoming 2022 season promises to be a fascinating one for the Minnesota Vikings. A new era begins for the organization after Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman’s long-standing tenures were cut short, which brings an obvious sense of nervous anticipation about what comes next.
Kevin O’Connell has wasted no time in stamping his own ethos across the Vikings, bringing in the right coaching staff that he feels can lead this proud franchise back into postseason contention. Couple this with some impressive acquisitions in free agency and the draft, and things might be looking up within an NFC North division that could be there for the taking.
It won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination. And much will also depend on how much offensive magic O’Connell can work in a relatively short space of time before Week 1.
With this in mind, here are four ways the Vikings can improve on offense in 2022.
Improvement No. 1
Interior OL protection
One of the main stumbling blocks for the Vikings in 2021 was a lack of consistency on the offensive line interior. They appear to have a bookend tackle tandem in Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw, but others also need to hold up their end of the bargain next season.
Minnesota has questions surrounding center Garrett Bradbury, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal and needs a strong campaign to earn a longer commitment. Ezra Cleveland remains a player of promise, and the additions of Ed Ingram and Jesse Davis should solidify the right guard spot.
If the Vikings can solve this issue, then everyone around them will benefit as a result.