The Minnesota Vikings had a disappointing 2023, ending 7-10 after coming into the yr with excessive expectations. Following some important adjustments, the 2024 workforce is taking form, however a couple of positions throughout the franchise have to step up, or they is likely to be shipped out.
With that in thoughts, listed here are three hottest seats on the Vikings.
Heart Garrett Bradbury
After an up-and-down 5 seasons with the Vikings, it seems Bradbury would be the workforce’s beginning heart for an additional yr. Nevertheless, this is likely to be his closing season to say himself.
Final season, Bradbury usually struggled in safety, placing strain on a carousel of quarterbacks for the Vikings. In 2023, he graded twenty first (60.9) amongst facilities who performed 50 p.c or extra of their workforce’s snaps in 2023, per Pro Football Focus.
In yr six, the Vikings are in all probability trying for lots extra from a middle chosen 18th total in 2019. Although a possible future alternative is likely to be coming on this April’s draft, they in all probability will not be chosen as excessive.
Quarterback Jaren Corridor
Kirk Cousins’s departure to the Atlanta Falcons left an enormous gap at quarterback, which many thought supplied Corridor a possibility. Nevertheless, veteran Nick Mullens and offseason acquisition Sam Darnold are seemingly forward of him on the depth chart, placing his roster spot at risk.
The 2023 fifth-round choose obtained a quick however uneventful shot at beginning final yr, showing in three video games (two begins) as Vikings quarterbacks dropped like flies. However that seems to be the one probability he’ll get except he steals away the No. 1 job in coaching camp.
Moreover, there is a distinct risk that the Vikings may choose a QB excessive on this yr’s draft, which might all however eradicate Corridor from the dialog.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell
Following a yr full of accidents and dangerous luck, it might be onerous to say that O’Connell is on the new seat coming into the 2024 marketing campaign. Nevertheless, it is likely to be warming a bit heading into yr three with the franchise.
Final season wasn’t with out hopes of a profitable marketing campaign and maybe a deep playoff push. Certain, Kirk Cousins’ season-ending damage derailed issues, however the quarterback guru couldn’t proper the ship with every alternative offered.
Now that Cousins is gone, whether or not or not issues enhance with Darnold or another person probably on the helm stays up within the air. If they do not, the Vikings may determine to go in a special path as a result of, in any case, the NFL is a “what have you ever finished for me recently” sort of league.
