4 Free Agency Questions Are Staring Down the Vikings
Josh Frey
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Free agency is just about a month away from officially getting started.
With the Super Bowl wrapping up on Sunday evening, offseason events will quickly heat up, and particularly in free agency, the Vikings have a number of massive questions staring them in the face. Here is a look at a few of these questions that need to be answered when free agency officially rolls around.
Is Kirk Cousins Coming Back?
This is the question that could really set the tone for Minnesota’s goals during the 2024 offseason. The Vikings can keep Cousins around by offering him an extension before his contract officially voids at the beginning of the new year, and by doing so, Minnesota could save a pretty large chunk of his $28.5 million in dead money from hitting their cap space.
However, it is just as reasonable for the team to try and find a young QB in the draft and move on from the veteran as Cousins enters his age-36 season. Regardless, Minnesota does not have a current plan in place at the most important position on the field, and they will need to figure that spot out in the next couple months.
How Do the Vikings Fill Out Their Pass Rushing Group?
All three of Marcus Davenport, Danielle Hunter, and D.J. Wonnum are scheduled to hit free agency this offseason. That leaves just Pat Jones and Andre Carter currently under contract with the team at the outside linebacker spot.
Additionally, the Vikings would be wise to beef up their pass rushing at the defensive tackle position seeing as Dean Lowry, Harrison Phillips, and Jaquelin Roy are the only players under contract at that spot. Unless Minnesota decides to just re-sign the majority of their veterans, they are looking at a complete overhaul in the defensive trenches this offseason.
Of course, Hunter should be a priority to keep around in 2024. The veteran kept the Vikings pass rush afloat during 2023 despite injury troubles with Davenport and Wonnum. If Minnesota can’t re-sign him, their defense could be in a world of trouble.
Does the RB Room Need Another Body?
The Vikings saw major struggles in the rushing department without the stability of Dalvin Cook in the room. Alexander Mattison was unable to lockdown the RB1 role throughout the season, and while Ty Chandler had glimpses of potential, there were inconsistencies in his rushing as well.
Both players will more than likely be around again in 2024, but should the Vikings continue to look to add another body to that room? Cam Akers was a productive player for a few weeks before suffering a torn Achilles, so he could be a player to monitor once again this offseason. Otherwise, there are multiple talented players hitting the open market this spring as well.
What Will the WR Room Look Like?
Obviously, the Vikings are set at the top of their wide receiver room with Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson leading the way (at least, assuming Jefferson gets his contract extension). However there are some pretty major questions further down the list for Minnesota.
Both K.J. Osborn and Brandon Powell will be among the list of Vikings hitting free agency in March, and as of now, Minnesota doesn’t have a particularly clear path forward at these depth spots. Of course, Jalen Nailor could be a breakout candidate with the team (former Vikings GM Jeff Diamond named Nailor his favorite breakout player for 2024).
However, it isn’t just a matter of who is catching passes from whoever the Vikings QB will be in 2024. Powell also held an important role as the team’s punt returner last season, meaning that is another position that would need replacing if he were to go elsewhere.
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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.