Vikings Fans Should Circle Tuesday for More Offseason Hints
Looking for more hints about the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason plans? You are in luck.
Vikings Fans Should Circle Tuesday for More Offseason Hints
The only tangible bits of Vikings-themed offseason news in recent weeks are a few coaching staff hires, T.J. Hockenson’s knee surgery, and the re-signing of safety Theo Jackson. Soon, though, business will really heat up with free agency’s “legal tampering” just two weeks away.
But before that, the 2024 NFL Combine kicks off, and conveniently, two Vikings leaders will take the podium right away.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell will talk on Tuesday at 11:30 am CST, followed by his boss, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, at 12:00 pm CST. So, unless reporters weirdly keep the questions bland or tame, more information about Minnesota’s offseason will be gleaned.
And not for nothing, the Vikings have explosive decisions afoot. This isn’t a run-of-the-mill offseason where a team re-signs a few players, grabs some newcomers, and calls it good. The Vikings have an incumbent passer, six seasons with the team, scheduled to hit the open market and become the league’s most coveted free agent in Kirk Cousins. That’s Minnesota’s almighty first offseason domino. In NFL-speak, Cousins can likely fetch $40-$50 million annually in the marketplace, but it is unclear as of February 26th if the Vikings will meet his demands. Reporters are almost certain to ask O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah about Cousins’ future. Cousins’ free agency is one of the NFL’s top storylines.
Then, Danielle Hunter is due to hit free agency, too. He won’t cost as much as Cousins — probably $20-$25 million per year — but Minnesota has started the offseason with no starting EDGE rushers under contract. If Hunter dips and joins a new team, the Vikings will need two starting outside linebackers between the start of free agency and the end of the 2024 NFL Draft. On the whole, Hunter is probably more likely to remain a Viking than Cousins.
Finally, per humongous offseason talkers, O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah will be asked about Justin Jefferson’s extension. The phenom playmaker is eligible now for a fat second contract, and the Vikings have said for over a year that re-signing Jefferson is a no-brainer. They eventually have to do it, however, and sans an extension on Monday, questions about Jefferson will be on the menu.
And that’s all before the actual Combine stuff at the NFL Combine. Minnesota has roster needs at quarterback, defensive line, and perhaps cornerback + running back, so the next few days will be ultra-intriguing for Vikings fans.
Most mock drafts as of late February connect Minnesota to a new quarterback or EDGE defender in Round 1.
Coverage of the NFL Combine can be seen on NFL Network.
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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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