Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah reacts during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings have completed their 2024 NFL Draft and paid Justin Jefferson to be the wealthiest non-quarterback in the sport. They still have money to spend but are sitting on it, and the reason seems curious.
Recently, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis suggested the Minnesota Vikings have something like $26 million left in salary cap space. Obviously, those dollars would still hit the bottom line for ownership, but the ability to improve a roster by bringing in additional talent is there. So, why haven’t they done it?
That’s a great question, and I don’t have those answers. What I do know is that Kevin O’Connell could use a bit more oomph for his roster. The quarterback position will be under the microscope more than it has ever been in recent seasons, and providing that player with additional firepower seems like a wise decision.
Of course, the third wide receiver position is still largely up in the air, and Hunter Renfrow could be the answer to the Vikings’ problems. Brandon Powell and Jalen Nailor are the internal options that could come into focus, but neither would present the upside, having already been proven by the former Raiders veteran.
Another cornerback could also make sense. Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin are expected to start on the edges, but the nickel spot is open, and Xavien Howard remains unsigned. He is older and dealing with some off-the-field issues, but with his familiarity playing for Brian Flores, it’s hardly a stretch to see where the fit would be.
Maybe there’s a need to grab another edge rusher with Andrew Van Ginkel yet to get going, or maybe finding someone to play in rotation with Jerry Tillery makes sense. No matter what, it’s hard to look at a team projected for 6.5 wins and say they are set on adding talent. There are dollars to be spent, and one of the greatest benefits of moving on from Kirk Cousins was the additional cap space.
The Wilfs need to spend to their capacity each season if they want to put the best product on the field, and they certainly aren’t doing that this offseason. There is time left, but figuring out who and when to pay them should be a focal point for the rest of the summer.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.