During the last few months, what have we learned about the Minnesota Vikings and their chance to be successful in the upcoming 2023 season?
In 2022, the most significant change for the Minnesota Vikings took place on the sideline and inside their front office following the dismissals of Mike Zimmer as the team's head coach and Rick Spielman as the team's general manager.
As their replacements, the Vikings hired Kevin O'Connell to be the franchise's new head coach and Kwesi Odofo-Mensah as the team's new general manager.
While O'Connell was busy attempting to drink from a fire hose as a first-time NFL head coach, Adofo-Mensah made some minor changes to Minnesota's roster, but the core of the team's locker room from 2021 was mostly kept intact.
This offseason, Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell began to truly mold together a roster that they believe will give the Vikings a better chance to succeed in the near future.
Minnesota isn't starting from scratch this year, but they don't exactly have the pieces to contend for a championship in 2023, either. The Vikings are still going to compete each week during the upcoming season, but the focus appears to be building for 2024 and beyond.
With training camp now the next significant event on Minnesota's calendar, their 2023 offseason is pretty much over. So, looking back, what are some of the things that we've been able to learn about the Vikings during the last few months?
(Contract numbers courtesy of Spotrac.com)
What We Learned No. 1
Minnesota is preparing for life after Kirk Cousins
With only one year remaining on his current contract, some thought the Vikings might agree to another extension with quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason. But, so far, no new extension between Minnesota and Cousins has been signed, and there likely isn't going to be one offered before the start of the 2023 regular season.
With this decision, the chances of the Vikings moving on from Cousins as their starting quarterback are higher than they've ever been during his tenure with the franchise.
He's a good enough quarterback for what Minnesota currently wants to accomplish, and they may even attempt to bring him back for the 2024 season as well. But by letting Cousins head into the 2023 campaign with only one year left on his contract, the Vikings have made it pretty clear that they've already begun to think about replacing their current starting quarterback sooner than later.
What We Learned No. 2
Like most in the NFL, Minnesota didn't want to pay a running back
It's not crazy to say that some were shocked by Minnesota's decision to release longtime running back Dalvin Cook this offseason. But for those who have been paying close attention to what some of the most successful teams in the NFL have been doing during the last few years, the Vikings moving on from Cook wasn't a shock at all.
Before his release, Cook was scheduled to make $11 million in cash next season with Minnesota, in addition to having a cap hit of more than $14 million. The Vikings were willing to bring him back for another year if he agreed to a pay cut, but he said no, so the team said goodbye.
What We Learned No. 3
Justin Jefferson knows he's about to get paid
After not participating in any of the voluntary portion of Minnesota's OTAs this year, Justin Jefferson showed up and took part in the team's mandatory minicamp last week. The star wide receiver's appearance at Vikings minicamp relieved some stress for part of the fan base, as some feared he might hold out in order to land a lucrative contract this offseason.
But Jefferson knows he doesn't have to stage any sort of a holdout because he's already done enough in his career to be paid more than any other wide receiver in the NFL. Any time he's been asked about his contract this year, he's been quick to point out that he's focused on playing football and that any sort of extension will work itself out.
Jefferson wants to get paid big-time money, but he also knows that Minnesota is willing to give him almost whatever he wants to keep around. So he's not about cause any unnecessary drama over a contract extension that he's likely going to sign before the start of the regular season.
What We Learned No. 4
Danielle Hunter returning isn't a guarantee
On the other side of the ball, Danielle Hunter has taken the holdout approach in an attempt to land his own contract extension from the Vikings.
Hunter hasn't been at Minnesota's team facilities since the 2022 season came to a close back in January, and it's definitely possible that he might never be back.
Since he's only to make around $5 million in cash next season, it's easy to understand why the Pro Bowl pass rusher would like a new contract before he returns to the field. But is he looking to become the highest-paid pass rusher in the NFL, or is he just looking to land a deal that just pays something closer to what comparable players in age and skill are due to make in 2023?
It sounds like the Vikings would like Hunter to remain with them for the upcoming season. But if a deal can't be reached, Minnesota has already shown that they aren't to say goodbye to a longtime member of the franchise.
What We Learned No. 5
Jordan Addison will be vital, if he stays healthy
Following the departure of Adam Thielen earlier this year, the Vikings went out and used their top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on former USC wide receiver Jordan Addison.
Addison has an impressive skill-set, and he has a good chance to become a successful receiver in the NFL. But one of the biggest knocks on him heading into this year's draft was his risk for injury due to his smaller size (5-foot-11 and 175 pounds).
So far, Addison hasn't done much to eliminate those concerns since he missed all of Minnesota's OTAs this year with an undisclosed injury. The Vikings have said he should be ready to practice again by the time training camp begins, but the worries about his size certainly aren't going away anytime soon.
What We Learned No. 6
Minnesota hoping skill makes up for inexperience in their secondary
If there is one group that the Vikings actually did completely strip down and basically start from scratch, it is their cornerbacks.
This offseason, Minnesota moved on from veteran corners Patrick Peterson, Duke Shelley, Cameron Dantzler, and Chandon Sullivan. In 2022, these four players were on the field for more defensive snaps than any current member of the Vikings' cornerback room. So things are definitely on track to look much different for this position group during the upcoming season.
In their place, Minnesota will be turning to Andrew Booth Jr., Akayleb Evans, Byron Murphy, Mekhi Blackmon, and Joejuan Williams. The Vikings' corners should definitely be faster than last year's group, but will their inexperience prevent them from having more success?
What We Learned No. 7
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah isn't perfect, and that's okay
In his second year ever as an NFL general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has made some puzzling decisions during the last few months.
Instead of just releasing Za'Darius Smith to clear cap space earlier this year, Adofo-Mensah sat on his hands until he was able to get something in return for the veteran pass rusher. But in order to get something in return, the Vikings general manager had to give up some of his team's own draft assets and pay a portion of Smith's 2023 salary as well.
It felt like Adofo-Mensah did something similar with Dalvin Cook this offseason too. Minnesota re-signed running back Alexander Mattison as soon as free agency began in March, and that was an immediate sign that the team was likely moving on from Cook this year.
But instead of figuring out a way to part with Cook for whatever they could get before the start of the 2023 NFL Draft, Adofo-Mensah wasn't able to work out any sort of trade involving the running back, and Minnesota wound up getting nothing by letting Cook walk out the door.
The Vikings general manager did make some intriguing additions in free agency this year in cornerback Byron Murphy and pass rusher Marcus Davenport, and some members of the team's 2023 draft class have a chance to make an immediate impact. But Adofo-Mensah is still learning on the job, and sometimes it's pretty obvious.
What We Learned No. 8
Tough goodbyes were had, but necessary
Since March, Minnesota has released some of the best players to ever suit up in a purple and gold jersey, including Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks, and Dalvin Cook. In addition to these notable contributors, the Vikings also moved on from guys like Patrick Peterson, Za'Darius Smith, and Dalvin Tomlinson.
From the outside, some have viewed these departures as a sign that Minnesota is in rebuild mode. But the majority of the players the Vikings parted with this year are near the end of their careers in the NFL, and the cost of keeping them was no longer worth the investment.
Instead, the Vikings have elected to replace these veteran players with younger and cheaper options while still building a roster around high-level talents like Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Christian Darrisaw.
What We Learned No. 9
Vikings depending on continuity for offensive line success
The argument can be made that Minnesota's offensive line took some steps in the right direction last season. However, the group still had plenty of moments where they were dominated by the opposition, especially their three interior blockers.
But despite the struggles of center Garrett Bradbury, right guard Ed Ingram, and left guard Ezra Cleveland, the Vikings are on track to begin the 2023 season with the same starting offensive line that they had in 2022.
Minnesota has a budding All-Pro in left tackle Christian Darrisaw, and if he's able to recover from his Achilles injury, right tackle Brian O'Neill should be able to return to his Pro Bowl form.
As for the three guys in the middle? Keeping them all as starters for the second season in a row seems like a risk. But the Vikings have clearly decided that the risk is worth taking.
What We Learned No. 10
Minnesota wants a quality over quantity rushing attack
With a starter like Dalvin Cook, most probably assumed that Minnesota was at least satisfied with their rushing attack in 2022. But this, apparently, wasn't the case.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell spent portions of the offseason talking about how he wants the offense to be more efficient when running the ball in 2023. To help in these efforts, Minnesota retained C.J. Ham, signed free-agent tight end Josh Oliver, and they are expected to utilize more of a committee approach to their offensive backfield more than they have in the recent past.
The Vikings might not be the home of the best running back in the NFL next season. But if Minnesota is able to improve their rushing efficiency in 2023, then no one is really going to care about who is the one carrying the football.
What We Learned No. 11
2022 draft class still has a lot to prove
Last year, the Vikings added 10 players to their roster from the 2022 NFL Draft. A few of them made a slight impact last season, but overall, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's inaugural rookie class didn't do much during their first years in the league.
All eyes will be on safety Lewis Cine in Minnesota's training camp this summer. The Vikings' top pick in 2022, Cine, missed most of last season with a serious leg injury, and if he's unable to crack the team's starting lineup this year, the doubts about his future in the NFL are only going to increase.
Linebacker Brian Asamoah, running back Ty Chandler, and cornerbacks Andrew Booth Jr. and Akayleb Evans are all expected to be on the field a lot more in 2023 than they were as rookies. Will they be able to make the most of their increase in opportunities?
What We Learned No. 12
2023 draft class could make an impact immediately
With how small of an impact the 2022 rookie class made on Minnesota, there are certainly some skeptics when it comes to the group of players the team just added in this year's NFL Draft.
However, at least two of the six guys they selected are expected to compete for a starting spot in training camp and the preseason this summer. The Vikings' top pick, wide receiver Jordan Addison, and their third-round selection, cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, could both make an instant impact in 2023.
Minnesota could also see others like running back DeWayne McBride, defensive back Jay Ward, and defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy get some significant snaps as rookies next season.
If the Vikings get some solid production from their 2023 rookies, then it's going to make the doubts about the 2022 draftees a lot quieter.
What We Learned No. 13
Brian Flores is transforming the defense
Minnesota's defense in 2022 under Ed Donatell was comparable to a plain white sheet of paper. It was just a whole bunch of bland nothing that made New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones look like a modern-day Steve Young.
Whether the Vikings' defense under new coordinator Brian Flores is able to improve or not next season, we do know one thing; his scheme is the furthest thing from bland.
Flores' defenses from the past have been known to be very aggressive and willing to take more chances with various blitz packages. Members of Minnesota's offense, including Kirk Cousins and K.J. Osborn, have already described how the team's new defense is much faster and more intense than what the unit was doing a year ago.
The Vikings' defense has a great chance to improve significantly under Flores in 2023. But at the very least, if Minnesota is going to give up tons of yards and points again next season, we know that they're at least going to go down swinging while doing it.