PurplePTSD: A New Year's Resolution For The Minnesota Vikings

Press release from the PurplePTSD:

K. Joudry

2022-01-03

I hereby decree and declare that the Minnesota Vikings need to make a New Year’s resolution.

Now, the obvious danger is that resolutions are fleeting things. Started with the best of intentions, the resolution often goes the way of the dodo. Indeed, these noble endeavors often fall apart faster than a Vikings football season. I acknowledge these dangers, and yet it’s clear the team needs a major shakeup.

Last night, Minnesota’s leading rusher was Sean Mannion. The second-most explosive passing play arrived courtesy of starting center Garrett Bradbury. These shocking and discouraging facts underscore how brutal the SNF game was for Minnesota.

What I’m trying to suggest, then, is that everyone’s favorite purple team should commit to one thing: setting – and pursuing – a new vision for the team. What’s involved in a new vision, you ask? Well, pretty much everything.

Of course, any football team wants to have great tacklers, receivers who can make sensational catches, and linemen who can block. How those things occur, though, vary greatly from team to team. The current vision for the team just isn’t working, so it’s time to move on.

That means looking toward a new head coach for the Minnesota Vikings. There are plenty of intriguing options out there, so Rick Spielman would be wise to start getting his ducks in a row. It’s this new HC who will be largely responsible for getting Minnesota heading in the right direction.

A foundational component of this new vision ought to involve investing in the game’s preeminent positions. How much did the Vikings struggle without any dominant pass rushers out there? What about the lack of competent play at CB2 all season? The new regime ought to make it a top priority to get long & strong corners and edge rushers.

Moreover, it would be nice to have a competent offensive line. Garrett Bradbury, despite his great reception, isn’t a very good center. It’s time to move on. One also wonders about the situation at RB. Many caution against paying top dollar for a RB. Dalvin Cook will be among the game’s highest-paid RBs next year at just over $12 million against the cap. It’s somewhat of a moot point at this stage, but perhaps that money should have been spent elsewhere.

Of course, everyone will have Kirk Cousins on the mind. Is the 45-million-dollar-man part of this team’s future? It’s impossible to say at this stage. One thing is clear, though: the Minnesota Vikings would be foolish to let Cousins play with that $45 million cap hit. It’s far, far too much.

In any case, that’s my plea for the Vikings. In 2022, commit to a brand new vision for this team. Lean into the strengths on the roster; beef up the neglected and yet important areas that are dismal. Such an approach will lead to a much happier January in 2023.

This press release was produced by the PurplePTSD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.