Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
Welcome to the Minnesota Vikings offseason, as the franchise plots ways to improve on an unexpected 13-4 season in 2022.
First-year head coach Kevin O’Connell won the NFC North chip out of the gate, lost at home in Round 1 of the postseason, and will now hope to advance further in his second campaign.
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And to sustain or better the 2023 campaign, the Vikings will do so with the futures of these 17 players uncertain:
Offseason with more impactful names possibly on the move have been present in Vikings history, so this one isn’t too daunting. However, Minnesota has tricky decisions on men under contract in 2023 — Adam Thielen, Eric Kendricks, Dalvin Cook, Harrison Smith, etc. — aside from organic free agents. Thielen, Kendricks, Cook, Smith, and others are scheduled to earn megabucks next season, and some of their production levels in 2022 may not match the pricetag in 2023.
Near the top of the aforementioned list sits Garrett Bradbury, and right after the loss to New York, the fourth-year center indicated he wants to remain a Viking. The Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson tweeted Monday, “Vikings center Garrett Bradbury reiterates he wants to re-sign with the team when he becomes a free agent in March.”
Two months ago, Patrick Peterson, who’s played on back-to-back one-year deals, said he desired “at least one more Pro Bowl, one more All-Pro” and that such accomplishments “would be a nice, satisfying way for me to end off my career, for sure.”
“No doubt about it. I don’t want to go anywhere else. I’m not trying to go anywhere but Minnesota. I love everything around here. I would love to stay put,” Peterson added in November.
After Bradbury and Peterson’s comments, the list is a huge crapshoot of “will he or won’t he.” Irv Smith and Alexander Mattison are probably goners. Duke Shelley and Khyiris Tonga could supplant existing starters for jobs. Greg Joseph is a mystery as the South African is a true blend of sweet and sour with field-goal and extra-point kicking. Oli Udoh was an invaluable commodity filling in for Brian O’Neill in the season’s final three games.
It’s options aplenty, as 17 players have guaranteed yes or no decisions in the next two months.
NFL free agency begins on March 15th — or 56 days from now. The Vikings are underwater at the moment for 2023 salary cap projection, a normal routine for Minnesota’s front office at this juncture on the calendar.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).