Vikings Territory: Somewhat Quietly, Rick Spielman Viewed As One Of NFL's Top GMs

Press release from Vikings Territory:

July 9, 2021

The onus for the Minnesota Vikings to thrive vis-à-vis a deep playoff run in 2021 is tremendous as the pandemic season confirmed the tendency by the team to alternate good years with bad ones.

This statistic is strange and incredible. Glancing at the calendar, though – per this alternating phenomenon – it’s a good time to be alive for a Vikings fan. Odd years seemingly “guarantee” success.

And national punditry recognizes it. Followers of the Vikings get so bogged down in every microscopic detail that when anything unfavorable besets the team – it must somehow be Spielman’s doing. That is fair on occasion – notably the drafting of Laquon Treadwell or the inability to find a stable kicker – but not to Spielman’s overall resume.

“Rick Spielman doesn’t get enough credit for the team he’s built. Sure, you can say they’ve overpaid for Kirk Cousins, but that move instantly made the team capable of contending in an NFC North that has been home to one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks (Aaron Rodgers). Spielman also built a dangerous wide receiver corps (twice), rolled the dice and landed one of the NFL’s best running backs (Dalvin Cook) in Round 2, and has otherwise paired well with head coach Mike Zimmer to keep the defense competitive outside of last season. Spielman may not have a signature move that elevates his status in the eyes of fans, but selecting Justin Jefferson in 2020 could ultimately be that transaction Spielman becomes known for.”

While Zimmer and Cousins stare down all-in treachery for 2021, Spielman should be considered a bit more off-limits. His body of work is vast, evidenced by some of the items mentioned by Miller – and the continued relevance of the Vikings franchise. Indeed, it is frustrating for Minnesota to encounter 7-9 or 8-8 seasons, but the makeup of a Spielman roster has not resulted in a putrid year as of late. This is how teams like the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers conduct business – bad years are merely mediocre ones. That’s where the Vikings are at under Spielman – for better or worse.

Intelligently, Spielman has already planted the seeds for the next phase, if needed. The Vikings selected Kellen Mond in the 3rd Round of the 2021 NFL Draft, a quarterback from Texas A&M. That’s Spielman escape hatch if 2021 isn’t stellar.

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