Drafting a QB Fulfills Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Competitive Rebuild Ethos
K. Joudry
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Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s competitive rebuild ethos has been the subject of no shortage of discussion and debate.
Right here on PurplePTSD, there has been some consideration of understanding the term correctly and an effort to overturn misconceptions. A quick look around other Vikings publications would likely result in a similar fascination.
On the most recent episode of Notes from the North, Sam and I spoke with Arif Hasan about the topic. We circled back to a piece he wrote about the approach while Adofo-Mensah was still new to the job before getting his take on the subject now. As Hasan points out, the GM’s approach is very likely influenced by the ownership’s mandate to win in the present.
The NFL Draft and The Competitive Rebuild
Our conversation and some ongoing reflections about the topic sparked a renewed consideration of the term. Too often, we digest the phrase without taking an extra moment to savor all that is implied in the two words. So, let’s take that moment, pulling things apart to see what implications are present:
- Competitive: A present-oriented approach that speaks to a desire to win now.
- Rebuild: A future-oriented approach that speaks to a desire to win in 2024 and beyond.
Now, we’re sailing in familiar waters with this mini-breakdown; there’s nothing revolutionary in the above words. What may not always be obvious, though, is how that philosophy could play out in terms of the real-life roster decisions.
Take, for instance, the game’s most important position. There are rumors aplenty that Kirk Cousins’ days are numbered and that we should be expecting the 2023 NFL Draft to kick a young QB over to Minnesota. The GM has done a lot of work to ensure he isn’t boxed into a corner, but the rumored approach does have a lot of merit within a competitive rebuild framework:
- Competitive: Keep Cousins for the present season to once again go after the NFC North.
- Rebuild: Add a young, promising QB to plan for life in 2024 and beyond.
Again, we’re not exactly offering anything revolutionary for most people who follow the team. Instead, we’re merely connecting the purple dots in a manner that is plain to see. The GM isn’t interested in the 2021 Rams approach – a full scale SB shot – nor a 2022 Bears approach – a full scale sell off. Instead, he’s looking to find a middle ground.
The wild thing is that the separate components – the present competitiveness and future rebuilding – can complement each other. Drafting a QB could plausibly lead to a more motivated Cousins (The Jordan Love Effect), thus sparking a more competitive performance from the ever-controversial QB1. Sitting behind Cousins can lead to a better young QB, thus creating ideal conditions for that signal caller to take over in the future.
Yes, the single action – drafting a QB – can fulfill both components of a competitive rebuild. Keeping the still-productive QB1 on a 1-year deal and then bringing in his successor strikes at precisely what Adofo-Mensah is going for in his competitive rebuild.
Much remains uncertain about where the Vikings are heading. The roster could still use help at corner, linebacker, iOL, receiver, and edge rusher. The draft is going to be crucial and the third wave of free agency will likely come into play in May.
Just know that a pick on a quarterback fulfills the spirit of the GM’s self-proclaimed team building philosophy. As a result, we should all perk up a little more when Minnesota has a pick in the chamber and there are some talented QBs left on the board.
The NFL Draft takes place from April 27-29.
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