5 Vikings Questions Waiting to Be Answered This Offseason
Josh Frey
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Kwesi Adofo-Mensah called 2024 a “big offseason” for the Vikings during the end-of-season press conference.
The Vikings GM wasn’t wrong when he made that statement. Minnesota has a number of big questions to answer this offseason that will determine how the team performs in 2024. Here are five of those Vikings questions that we are waiting to see answered.
What Happens at QB?
This offseason needs to be the one where the Vikings commit to a path at the QB spot. This season, they tried to toe the middle of the road with Kirk Cousins on the final year of his contract without finding a true successor for him.
This spring, the Vikings either need to commit to Cousins, or they need to find a player who they believe can be their new QB of the future. Simply signing Cousins to another one-year contract and not doing anything else at the QB position isn’t enough. They need a long-term plan in place by the time the 2024 season rolls around. Who that QB will be, though, remains uncertain.
What Does the Justin Jefferson Contract Extension Look Like?
Once again, the Justin Jefferson contract extension talks will begin this offseason. The two sides were unable to reach an an agreement last offseason, and if that were to happen again, Jefferson would hit unrestricted free agency in 2025.
In all likelihood, Jefferson will get a new deal to stay in purple for years to come, but when exactly that happens, and what the structure looks like remains up in the air. Whenever it happens, it should be one of the most lucrative contracts we’ve ever seen at the wide receiver position.
What Does T.J. Hockenson’s Recovery Timeline Look Like?
This is a major question that lingers over the Minnesota Vikings heading into the offseason. Hockenson suffered a torn ACL and MCL back in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, and there is a high likelihood that he will not be ready to go for Week 1.
When exactly Hockenson is able to return, though, could be a question that impacts some of Minnesota’s offseason decisions this year. The tight end is a major piece of the Vikings offense, and they will sorely miss him on the field if he has to miss extended time in 2024.
Does Danielle Hunter Get Re-Signed?
After struggling through injuries in 2020 and 2021, Danielle Hunter has bounced back over the past two seasons and become one of the best pass rushers in the NFL once again. Hunter has racked up 35 tackles for loss and 27 sacks over the past two years, and now, he hits free agency with the ability to sign with any team that he wants.
The Vikings should do everything in their power to retain the pass-rusher, considering he single-handedly carried their pass rush at different points in this season while Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum went through various injuries.
Will Harrison Smith Return?
Ever since Harrison Smith was drafted by the Vikings in the first round of 2012, he has been a massive part of their defense. However, could the veteran safety’s time in Minnesota be coming to an end?
Per Over the Cap, Smith carries a whopping $19.2 million cap hit in 2024 as well as a $22 million cap hit in 2025. His 2024 and 2025 totals are the fourth-highest among all NFL safeties as he enters his age-35 and age-36 seasons.
The Vikings would be able to save right around $11.384 million of that 2024 cap hit if they were to cut him in the spring. This would also ensure that they save all of the money going Smith’s way in 2025 (again, per Over the Cap). We’ll see what the two sides decide to do.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.