One Vikings player has massive shoes to fill in 2023
The Minnesota Vikings are likely to turn to a second-year player in order to find a replacement for star linebacker Eric Kendricks.
Minnesota Vikings fans were reminded that the NFL is a business on Monday after the team released star linebacker Eric Kendricks. Moving forward without Kendricks feels strange, but as one door closes, another opens.
Second year linebacker Brian Asamoah is in line to walk through that door and fill Kendricks’ void in 2023. The team is high on Asamoah who flashed in several instances in his rookie campaign.
Drafted in the third round of last year’s draft, it took Asamoah until Week 5 to register a defensive snap. He finished his rookie campaign playing in 16 games with 17 tackles and a forced fumble, which he also recovered.
Kendricks, 31, starred in the middle of Minnesota’s defense since 2015. He was a team captain, a 2019 All-Pro, and a franchise cornerstone. He leaves a massive hole in this defense and in the locker room.
But it’s Asamoah’s time to shine. He fits the mold of a starting linebacker in a Brian Flores defense. His downhill speed and aggressiveness make him a difference maker in the run game. His traits also translate to blitzing scenarios, which Flores loves to incorporate.
Asamoah turns 23 this offseason, so growing pains are to be expected. The Vikings could be in the market for a veteran presence at linebacker to give Asamoah some competition, but it would be an upset if he doesn’t win this job in training camp.
It’s a new era in Minnesota, and Asamoah has the opportunity to usher it in as an anchor to what Vikings fans hope will be a much-improved defense in 2023.
