Vikings Begin Offensive Line Rebuild
Noah Moore
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The Minnesota Vikings have begun to rebuild the offensive line around Kirk Cousins under the new Kwesi/O’Connell regime. Late on Wednesday, the team agreed to terms with Guard/Center Austin Schlottmann.
Over the past several seasons, Cousins has experienced more than his fair share of pressures, hits, and sacks. Last season, the Vikings ranked near the bottom of the league in pass protection, fielding the 29th-ranked pass blocking offensive line according to Pro Football Focus.
With a timing-based, pocket-passing quarterback like Cousins, the offensive line is going to have to improve in a drastic manor for him to live up to his recent contract extension.
Austin Schlottmann may help the cause.
Schlottmann, who played the last four seasons with the Denver Broncos, will reunite with his former assistant offensive line coach, Chris Kuper, who is now the new offensive line coach for the Vikings.
The 26 year old, 6’6, 300 lbs lineman will, at the very least, add some size and athleticism to the interior of the Vikings offensive line. He will have to compete with the likes of Bradbury, Davis, and any other additions brought in this offseason.
However, this is likely more of a depth signing. Austin Schlottmann was on the practice squad at the beginning of last season. He did not work his way up to the active roster until late in the season. We can expect the Vikings to invest more capital into the offensive line rebuild throughout the free agency period as well as the draft.
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