This sucks to write. I knew at some point I’d be breaking down what Minnesota should do this offseason, but I didn’t expect it to be now. I’m writing this directly after the Vikings loss and I’m legitimately disgusted with the performance from just about everyone. The defense sucked. Kirk Cousins was below average. And the offensive line played like garbage. There’s a lot to do this offseason so lets see what I think the Vikings should do.
Fire Ed Donatell
What really let Minnesota down this season was their defense. There were individuals who performed like Patrick Peterson and Za’Darius Smith but, as a unit, they failed. Minnesota only sacked the quarterback 38 times, allowed the second most passing yards with 4,505 yards, 2,093 rushing yards, and 4.5 yards per carry. While the players weren’t great, the schemes were even worse. Donatell consistently ran the exact same coverage in most games with a two high shell that converts into cover three on the snap of the ball. It’s time to gas Donatell.
Hire Ejiro Evero To Be The Defensive Coordinator
With a vacancy at defensive coordinator, the Vikings need to hire someone. They could always promote within which I don’t think is the worst idea. A candidate within the organization would be defensive line coach Chris Rumph. Rumph has experience as a DC as he was the assistant defensive coordinator at Florida in 2017 and with Tennessee from 2018-2019. Another option is the teams outside linebackers coach, Mike Smith. Smith was in his first year with the team this season and was the co-defensive coordinator at Texas Tech from 2013-2015.
Hiring within isn’t bad, but I’d like for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to look beyond the Vikings organization. My main pick is Broncos DC Ejiro Evero. He coached the secondary for the Super Bowl winning Rams last season and was in his first season with Denver in 2022. The Broncos allowed the 13th least passing yards, fifth least passing touchdowns, 10th least rushing yards, and 10th least rushing touchdowns. While it’d be a lateral move for Evero, if the money’s right, he could jump ship. If the Vikings throw the bag at him then they could have their DC of the future.
Players To Keep
Defensive Lineman Jonathan Bullard
The Vikings defensive line has been shaky this season and they need to solidify depth. He was a solid role player this season as he totaled 23 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and a sack. He won’t be an expensive signing and will be in a rotational role again. A one year, one million dollar deal would be proper to keep the 29 year old defensive lineman around.
Running Back Alexander Mattinson
While it’s clear that Dalvin Cook is the Vikings RB1, Cook has struggled with injuries. Mattinson has been an efficient RB2 the past two seasons rushing for 774 yards, totaling 391 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns. Minnesota should offer him a two year, six million dollar deal to stick around and re-evaluate after a those two seasons.
Cornerback Patrick Peterson
Pat Peterson is nearing retirement and stated how he wanted to finish his career in Minnesota. He was on a one year, 4 million dollar deal and Minnesota could bring him back on a similar deal of one year, 4-4.5 million dollars. His play improved as he made 71 tackles, 15 pass breakups, and five interceptions. Having him to mentor guys like Cam Dantzler and Chandon Sullivan would be awesome.
Offensive Tackle Oli Udoh
This would purely be a depth signing. Udoh played 132 snaps in 2022 and posted a PFF grade of 73.6%. He moves very well in the run game when pulling and is an average pass protector. I’d venture to say this’d be a one year deal with a value of 850,000-950,000 dollars.
Cornerback Chandon Sullivan
Sullivan really stepped up this season making 64 tackles and breaking up seven passes. With Dantzler being in and out of the lineup, Sullivan played good football. Seeing that he’s only 26, I’d like to see the Vikings offer him a three year, seven million dollar contract. This is fair money for his role as the teams third cornerback and would keep him on the team until he’s 29.
Players To Let Go
Center Garrett Bradbury
When the Vikings drafted the Grim Reacher, I was excited. Then my excitement faded when I watched him play. Boy does he stink. He has a weak upper body and gets displaced far too much in the run game ending up in the lap of Dalvin Cook. In the pass game, Bradbury allowed just two sacks, but gave up way too many pressures coming from the interior. His contract is up and unless they can bring him back on a one year, two million dollar deal to reevaluate him, they should sever ties.
Tight End Irv Smith Jr.
Irv Smith is a bum. A straight bum. He was targeted twice against the Giants and dropped a pass and caught an easy touchdown. There are three reasons he shouldn’t be back with the Vikings. Reason one is that he is injury prone. Smith has played in only 21 games in the past two seasons because of injuries. The second reason is that he drops way too many balls. His hands aren’t great and he’s not a force in the run game like Johnny Mundt is. Reason three is that Minnesota has T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson has proven to be a top receiving threat for Kirk Cousins and Smith has no place in the offense.
Wide Receiver Adam Thielen
This one hurts. It really stings to the core. Thielen has a 19 million dollar cap hit which would hurt if they release him, but he’s seriously regressed as a pass catcher and is being surpassed by both Osborn and Hockenson in the Vikings offense. There really isn’t any use for him in Minnesota much longer.
Players To Sign In Free Agency
Guard Austin Blythe
Offensive line has been a struggle in Minneapolis ever since I’ve become a fan in the late 2000s. As of right now, the tackle situation is kind of figured out. Brian O’Neill is a dominant force when he’s healthy and Christian Darrisaw is a mauler. It’s now time to iron out the interior. Blythe, who is 30 years old, signed a one year deal with Seattle this season and played well. He allowed three sacks and committed six penalties, but could be cheap. Seattle gave him a 1 year, 4 million dollar deal and Minnesota could grab him for a similar contract. Blythe can play both center or guard and could replace Bradbury or Ed Ingram.
Guard Dalton Risner
Again, Minnesota needs help on the interior. If they want to splurge a bit and spend more money then they’ll choose to sign Risner over Blythe. He’s 27 years old and is super efficient in the run game. Risner packs a powerful punch and only allowed three sacks this season. If Minnesota wants to draft a center this season, then they should grab Risner, who primarily plays guard, on a three year, 6-7 million dollar deal.
Defensive Tackle Greg Gaines
The Vikings allowed 2,093 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns this season. They were thrashed against New York yesterday and need interior help. Greg Gaines is a dominant force in the middle of the Rams defense as he tallied 36 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and four sacks. Defensive line depth is huge so if they could have him, Phillips, and Bullard rotating, they’d be in great shape.
Wide Receiver Scotty Miller
By dumping Scotty Miller, they’ll need to add another pass catcher. K.J. Osborn will be the WR2 and Miller can be WR3. He’s a solid deep threat in the slot and could also be effective in RPO game running slants and bubbles. Miller was on a four year, 2.6 million dollar deal and the Vikings could sign the 25 year old to a three year, three million dollar contract.
Linebacker Devin Bush
The Vikings linebackers are actually pretty solid, but they’re aging. Jordan Hicks and Eric Kendricks are both 30 and could use a jolt of youth. Devin Bush is 24 and made 81 tackles this past season. Minnesota could afford to sign Bush to a 2-3 year, 7-9 million dollar contract and have him rotate in with Hicks and Kendricks.