3 Major Mistakes Vikings Made This Offseason
By Seth Carlson
The Minnesota Vikings badly underperformed in the 2018 season, finishing 8-7-1 after giving Kirk Cousins face-of-the-franchise money to be their quarterback for the foreseeable future. With a real need to improve in 2019, did the Vikings truly take advantage of this offseason to correct last year's errors? Here are three errors that suggest they did not.
1. Letting Key Veterans Walk
The Vikings lost some notable depth pieces to free agency this offseason, including DT Sheldon Richardson, OL Nick Easton, RB Latavius Murray, S Andrew Sendejo, OL Mike Remmers and G Tom Compton. Replacing starters is difficult enough, but lacking in quality depth on an NFL roster isn't a good thing, either. The team is also hoping some of last year's injured pieces will return healthier in 2019-- likewise a risky venture.
2. Overpaying Anthony Barr
Minnesota LB Anthony Barr nearly departed for the Jets this offseason in pursuit of more money and a chance to play in America's largest media market. While he eventually decided to stay in the Twin cities, the Vikings paid a premium to keep him in the fold. Known for his blitzing abilities, Barr is a liability in pass coverage, an area the Vikings' much-hyped defense struggled with last season. The money used on Barr could have been used more effectively to shore up that weakness instead of relying on CBs Mike Hughes and Xavier Rhodes to recover from injury and put forth superstar efforts every week.
3. Not Trading Kyle Rudolph
Though the rumor mill continues to swirl around Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph, he is still on the active roster and participating in OTAs. With the team having drafted Irv Smith Jr. out of Alabama in the second round this year, they clearly have their replacement in house: a younger, cheaper and more athletic replacement. Trading Rudolph could open up more cap space for a team that truly needs it.