Vikings Ownership Should Be Concerned about Fan Apathy
Dustin Baker
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In recent history, since the end of 2013, the Minnesota Vikings have been a competitive franchise, culminating in 2017 with an unlikely sprint to the NFC Championship. Led by Mike Zimmer, the Vikings defense was hellacious (in a good way), the offense just clicked with a playground thrower of the football in Case Keenum, and the team had a penchant for winning.
From the disappointment of the 2017 NFC Championship, the team has spent 3.5 seasons trying to rekindle the magic.
It has not worked.
The defense peaked in 2017, never entirely emulating the tendencies of that bunch again. Outside of 2020, the Zimmer defense is always good — but not demonic like 2017’s brand.
But in 2021, a new brand of discontent has hit the Vikings fanbase — apathy.
Zimmer’s Vikings are dropping close games — nearly every week — and in the games they pull out close victories, the competition is underwhelming. And because the outcome of games against winning teams is so predictable — Minnesota finds a lead and then squanders it — fans are losing enthusiasm. They’re golfing instead of watching the television on Sunday. They’re checking the highlights to affirm what they already knew would happen. The aforementioned “penchant for winning” from 2017 is deceased.
It’s really a new phenomenon for the Zimmer version of the Vikings.
The following examples do not speak for the entire fanbase but can be considered indicative, to a degree, of the current state of affairs.
This gentleman, aptly named Kirk, is done with the head coach:
Craig is out.
This acronym account actually replied to the Vikings with his dose of professed apathy.
Steve tweeted at KFAN’s Dan Barreiro his feelings of apathy.
And then VIkingsTerritory’s Sean Borman tweeted this from his season-ticket-holding friend.
The Vikings can fix this by firing up a long winning streak. But no fan reasonably expects that because the team continues to lose games in eerily familiar fashion. Minnesota scores on the first drive or two. Then, they go to bed on offense. The defense performs well until the 4th Quarter — and later collapses, often because they’re tired due to the offense’s three-and-outs. When the offense and defense somewhat click down the stretch, well, the kicker misses the game-winning field goal.
It’s the twilight zone.
This is leading to heightened apathy. To be clear, the Vikings are probably in the waning days, weeks, or months of the current leadership regime, so patience and time are the fixes to the apathy malady.
The frustration laced with apathy is real, though. The next humongous question is how full-scale the change affects the franchise. The head coach will be the first to vamoose. The quarterback is dicier because he is playing well and among the NFL’s best, despite what the “QB Wins” crowd speculates.
So, here’s what to watch for. Here’s what to study. Here’s what to ponder: Does general manager stick around? Or does he exit-stage-left with Zimmer?
If Spielman stays, he’ll likely find a coach he believes can lead this current roster. Should Spielman depart, it’s anybody’s guess what the plan of action will be for January 2022 and beyond.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
Also Read: Mike Zimmer Just Can’t Get Off the Hot Seat
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