Vikings player isn't buying one big narrative surrounding team
The Minnesota Vikings could be staring down the barrel at a major roster reshuffling in the 2023 offseason. The Vikings will be faced with numerous difficult decisions on some of the team’s most impactful players. Spotrac lists the Viking at just north of $21 million over the salary cap. In order to bring this number […]
The Minnesota Vikings could be staring down the barrel at a major roster reshuffling in the 2023 offseason.
The Vikings will be faced with numerous difficult decisions on some of the team’s most impactful players. Spotrac lists the Viking at just north of $21 million over the salary cap.
In order to bring this number down, Minnesota will have to examine some of the team’s largest contracts. Most of these lucrative deals that have hamstrung the Vikings’ front office come on the defensive side of the ball.
Pass rushers Za’Darius Smith ($17 million) and Danielle Hunter ($13.1 million) are just a couple of players that are under the microscope heading into the offseason. Meanwhile, Adam Thielen ($19.9 million) accounts for a hefty chunk of the team’s cap space on the offensive side.
Rebuild or Reload?
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah must find the proper balance between retaining talent while also finding some wiggle room within the salary cap. But with such talent across the roster, the Vikings aren’t in a position to tear everything down and move forward with a competitive rebuild.
“No, I don’t think it will be a rebuild. I think the goal for all of us in the locker room is to get to (the Super Bowl),” Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw said via VikesNow. “But, it’s definitely gonna be a few new faces in the locker room and some faces gone, but we trust the people who are upstairs making all those calls. They’re gonna give us the best opportunity that we can have to go out there and win these games and hopefully get to the Super Bowl.”
The Vikings’ offense has plenty of weapons that could contribute to a deep postseason run next season. Plus, the hire of Brian Flores should be an instant upgrade to the Vikings' defense.
As with every offseason, there are plenty of moving parts. It’s up Adofo-Mensah to make these difficult decisions. Unfortunately, that could mean potentially parting with some well-respected Vikings veterans.
Featured image via Quinn Harris – USA TODAY Sports
