The Minnesota Vikings enter 2024 as a team heading into a new direction; they’re also doing it with a change of leadership at the quarterback position. The Vikings are competing to not finish last in the division. And while they aren’t the favorite to win the NFC North, they can avoid being in the basement by addressing these three weaknesses.
Missing Offensive Weapons?
Yes, the Vikings have a ton of offensive firepower, especially with Justin Jefferson signing his massive extension. Yet to begin the season, the offense might have a few growing pains.
With Sam Darnold being the team’s starter to open the season (rookie J.J. McCarthy has underwent a knee surgery), he still has to create rapport with the receivers. Meanwhile, newly acquired running back Aaron Jones will need to make an adjustment in both the run and the pass game in this offense. And not only do the Vikings have plenty of new faces in the lineup, but they’re missing some as well.
Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson still has to recover from his injury from last season. Some reports have him coming back mid season, some sooner. And when he comes back will he be the same player he was or will we see a bit of a downgrade as he recovers back to game speed.
The offense could also be without sophomore receiver Jordan Addison. Over the offseason, Addison had multiple issues driving under the influence – and also had an injury scare during camp. There’s some reports suggesting he might be suspended anywhere from two games to half the season, as well as significant off-field consequences.
If the Vikings are unable to get their offense started without these key players, their season may be over before it begins.
Lacking a Defensive Leader
Defensive lineman Danielle Hunter was the leader of the Minnesota defense. However, this offseason he left in free agency to join the Houston Texans.
Harrison Smith, an all-time Vikings great, is really the only true leader on the Minnesota defense. However, age is starting to show on the defensive back. The new faces, and era, of Vikings defense is now. Minnesota needs these players to emerge if they want to make up for the question makes emerging on offense.
Whether that’s veteran players like Andrew Van Ginkel or Phillips leading the charge as a positive force, or the emergence of a new face such as Ivan Pace Jr., someone on the defense is going to have to step up.
The Vikings play in a tough NFC North and will look to find their guy who they can trust to be the leader of men on the defensive side of the ball.
Cornerback Room Needs to be Addressed
Another concern of the defense is the cornerback room, which has unfortunately been dealt some fatal blows during this offseason.
The first to be addressed is the unfortunate passing of rookie Khyree Jackson in a car accident back in early July. Jackson was a promising fourth-round pick coming out of Oregon. Many believed Jackson could have been a major development piece for the Vikings to rely on for the foreseeable future at the defensive back position.
Another problem has been injuries in camp. Mekhi Blackmon, a promising sophomore, tore his ACL ending his second season before it even began. And yet while not completely serious, Shaq Griffin suffered an injury that will keep him sidelined for some time.
Finally, the defensive backs on this team are getting old – most notably the aforementioned Smith.
At 35 years old and a certified Vikings legend (going on his 13th season with Minnesota) the light at the end of the tunnel is getting bright for Smith. The Vikings defense is battered in the secondary, and will need new faces to help those battling Father Time.
The Vikings have a ton of uncertainty surrounding their franchise this year on both sides of the football. If unaddressed it could be their undoing. Yet if focused, it could help expedite their rebuild in a very tough and talented NFC North.
Randy Vuxta
Randy Vuxta (@RandallVuxta) is a beat writer covering sports picks and dynasty/redraft content for The League Winners with a little over a decade playing fantasy football. Before joining the staff, he studied Journalism and Sports Business management and created The Randy Report, a YouTube channel dedicated to covering all things sports. When he’s not watching game film or the latest Marvel release, he can be found on Twitch streaming everything from Spider-Man to NBA2K. Randy looks to not only win every league he joins, but help others achieve that goal as well.