4 Minnesota Vikings on the hot seat during 2022 playoffs

Which Minnesota Vikings are on the hot seat when their quest for 2022 playoff glory begins?

Despite winning the NFC North and clinching a postseason spot way ahead of schedule, there aren’t many across the national media that expect the Minnesota Vikings to attain playoff success. Winning numerous close games and completely capitulating in others means Kevin O’Connell’s men could be set for an early exit if widespread projections prove accurate.

The Vikings get a home game to kick things off, which always helps. The NFC also seems pretty wide-open outside of the Philadelphia Eagles, who look like a force if quarterback Jalen Hurts is fit enough to participate fully.

Not many envisaged the Vikings having this record in O’Connell’s first season. Whether they can cope with these increased expectations is the million-dollar question nobody knows the answer to right now.

With that being said, here are four Vikings who are firmly on the hot seat when the 2022 playoffs get underway.

Viking No. 1

Ed Donatell – DC

The Vikings’ defense has been lackluster at best this season. This puts the onus squarely on the shoulders of Ed Donatell to make the adjustments needed before Minnesota takes the field for their first playoff game.

Donatell’s transition to a 3-4 base scheme hasn’t had anything like the desired effect. Unless this changes, Minnesota is only going to get so far once the competition levels increase.

Any further regression is also likely to cost Donatell his job. So the stakes couldn’t be higher for the defensive coordinator.