The Four Concerns Standing in the Way of the 2022 Minnesota Vikings
It’s been a busy six months for the Minnesota Vikings since the offseason began. This team is largely a brand-new squad compared to the one that concluded the 2021 season, even though some of the major characters remain the same. They have a new GM, new coaching staff, new scheme, and will introduce a few new contributors to both sides of the ball.
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Because of these changes, many expect great things from the 2022 Minnesota Vikings. I, too, am on the more optimistic side of things this year as many of the things the franchise will introduce this season have seemed like big needs for multiple years. That said, there are still a few things holding me back from calling this unit a true “contender” this season. We won’t know the answers to these questions until this group steps onto the field, but here are the four horsemen of problems that could hold the Vikings back in 2022.
Health
To some degree, health is a concern for every NFL team. It comes with the territory as football is a violent sport by nature. However, it’s a concern that especially hits home for the Vikings.
Minnesota has a pair of potential All-Pro pass rushers at the OLB position, but both of them missed extended time in 2021. In fact, the duo of Za’Darius Smith and Danielle Hunter have played a combined 24 of a possible 68 games since 2020. If either, or God forbid both, of these stars were to miss time this season, the group of players on the roster behind them are either inexperienced or have been very underwhelming to this point in their careers.
On top of that, veterans such as Dalvin Cook, Eric Kendricks, Harrison Smith, and Adam Thielen have been heavily relied on over the years for their production. However, they have all have experienced chinks in their armor in recent years, whether it be from injury or reductions in productivity. Should this trend continue, Minnesota will once again have to find replacements. At this point in time, the reliability of these other options is unknown. Relying on health in the NFL can be a slippery slope, and the Vikings are doing just that.
Kevin O’Connell
After firing Mike Zimmer following another underwhelming season in 2021, the Vikings have brought on Kevin O’Connell. The new head coach joins the team having just won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. Given his years under Sean McVay as well as his history as an offensive coach, Vikings fans expect a lot from the 37-year-old.
What if it doesn’t work out, though? Especially in the first year, young head coaches often go through some growing pains. Keep in mind, the great Bill Belichick went 6-10 in his first year as a head coach with the Cleveland Browns in 1991. In fact, Belichick had a 41-55 record through his first six NFL seasons as a head coach. It would not be surprising if these same struggles plagued O’Connell for a couple years, but only time will tell.
The New Defense
Along with O’Connell, the Minnesota Vikings brought in Ed Donatell to be the defensive coordinator. As many fans are aware, this hire brought a change in scheme that the Vikings have not seen in recent memory. That is of course the switch from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4.
With that change, Danielle Hunter has step back from his usual EDGE position to become an outside linebacker. Of course, we’ll see how much this actually changes Hunter’s role within the defense when they get on the field, but it suggests that the Pro Bowler will have to step back into pass coverage on occasion. This is a role that we haven’t seen much from Hunter to this point in his NFL career. It could go swimmingly, but there are certainly concerns that it could be a weakness in his game.
Kirk Cousins
Let’s not sugarcoat it: this is the do-or-die season for Kirk Cousins. Minnesota has given him a terrific group of receivers, are working towards improving the interior offensive line, and they gave him an offensive-minded head coach. Cousins has often been criticized for being an “empty stats” quarterback, leading to a career 59-59-2 record. Personally, I would disagree that his numbers are as “empty” as some would claim, and many of the Vikings struggles have been due to things outside of his control.
However, if there was ever a year that Minnesota has made moves to right those past wrongs, it is this one for the reasons mentioned before. 2022 is the year for him to put some substance behind his numbers.
What if the “empty stats” folks are right, though? Perhaps even with an improved o-line and a coach he gets along with, Cousins still puts up his typical 4000 yards, 30 TDs, and the Vikings remain 8-9 or 9-8. For the Vikings to improve in 2022, they will be relying on Cousins to step up in big moments. He’s done it before, but he’s also been hit-or-miss at times. If he remains hit-or-miss, the Minnesota Vikings could struggle to compete this year.
