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.
Oli Udoh – OT
Injuries are all part of the business, unfortunately. It just so happens one of the worst possible outcomes came for the Vikings at just the wrong time.
Brian O’Neill’s campaign came to an abrupt end thanks to a significant calf injury that resulted in the stud right tackle going onto injured/reserve. This is nothing short of disastrous for an offensive line that’s already missing starting center Garrett Bradbury.
O’Neill’s consistency and leadership will be sorely missed. The Vikings are expected to move forward with Oli Udoh as his replacement, which shouldn’t fill anyone with the greatest optimism based on his previous production.
The veteran lineman’s featured in just 61 snaps this season. Something that largely stems from his ill-disciplined time as a starting option in 2021.
Udoh gave up just one sack but conceded a whopping 16 penalties from 1,075 snaps during the previous campaign. So the jury is well and truly out regarding his chances of stepping in and providing assistance.
Such an opportunity is something Udoh probably didn’t expect at this stage or proceedings. O’Neill’s absence is a body blow to Minnesota’s hopes of making postseason waves, so the former sixth-round pick must step up in his absence.
Eric Kendricks – LB
The Vikings know all too well the strengths Eric Kendricks brings to the table. His production since joining the franchise has been nothing short of exemplary and another comfortable 100-tackle season from the linebacker is proof positive of how important he’ll be when the playoffs begin.
One could argue that Kendricks hasn’t been at his best in 2022. It’s taken time to find his way within Ed Donatell’s scheme, although there’s just no telling how bad things would be at the second level without the former UCLA standout manning the interior.
As stated previously, the Vikings’ defense has to make monumental improvements to leave their mark in the playoffs. Kendricks is sure to play a leading role in whatever success comes their way, but the 2015 second-round pick could be fighting for his own future with the team for good measure.
Cutting or trading Kendricks with one year remaining on his deal represents a cap saving of $9.5 million. Considering how precarious things are financially for the Vikings in 2023, either scenario cannot be ruled out at this juncture.
Poor production from Kendricks in the postseason would increase this likelihood exponentially. Even if it would be extremely disappointing for large sections of Minnesota’s loyal fanbase.
Kirk Cousins – QB
When it all comes down to it, the Vikings’ hopes of staking a Super Bowl claim rest on the shoulders of Kirk Cousins. The veteran quarterback’s had his share of unfair criticism in recent years, but he’s put together another impressive statistical campaign and come through in some clutch moments to further enhance his influence.
There is always going to be the same stigma surrounding Cousins. He’s a quarterback that will only get you so far, according to most, with his inability to perform well enough in primetime games as something else that’s come to the fore in 2022.
Cousins can quash these doubts once and for all during the upcoming playoffs. Losing Brian O’Neill makes things more difficult, but the signal-caller has a ton of quality weapons around him and an offensive guru leading the charge in Kevin O’Connell, which has to help when the rubber hits the road.
If Cousins fluffs his lines, the Vikings won’t make it past the wildcard card round. However, if the one-time Michigan State star reaches or exceeds the level required, then Minnesota might just have a shot after all.
Obviously, Cousins cannot do it all. The offensive line must protect, Dalvin Cook must set the tone, and the defense has to limit the opposition whenever possible.
Should all these factors live up to their end of the bargain, Cousins can thrive. But with one year remaining on his deal before becoming a free agent in 2024, he can ill afford more postseason failings when push comes to shove.