Which Minnesota Vikings players could receive a shocking contract during the 2023 offseason?
To say the Minnesota Vikings are rolling this season would be an understatement. It’s not perfect, but Kevin O’Connell’s mastery of situational football has the team sitting at 10-2 and with legitimate hopes of claiming their first-ever Super Bowl title as a result.
Of course, it could go horribly wrong, as it’s done on countless occasions in franchise history. But there is real hope O’Connell’s current formula will be more than enough for sustainable, long-term success moving forward.
This will also be dependent on what moves are made by the front office next spring. The Vikings don’t have much financial wiggle room before sacrifices are made, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s already proven capable of maximizing every available resource in the pursuit of progression.
Without further ado, here are four Vikings players that could get a shocking contract from the franchise in 2023.
Player No. 1
Irv Smith Jr. – TE
Even though the Vikings traded for T.J. Hockenson, there could be a situation where Irv Smith Jr. gets a short-term contract despite his recent injury problems. The former second-round selection was once again put on the shelf shortly before the trade deadline, which could bring an end to his time in Minnesota when it’s all said and done.
With that being said, if the tight end feels a sense of loyalty towards the franchise, then the Vikings could offer him a prove-it deal working in tandem with Hockenson, who is also looking to get paid sooner rather than later.
In all honesty, Smith will likely depart and could get significant interest in free agency. But stranger things have happened.