New Year’s Resolutions for the 2024 Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings ended 2023 in the same way that they started it: a blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Now, with the Vikings holding the slimmest of playoff hopes for this season, it’s time for much of the focus to turn towards the 2024 Minnesota Vikings. Here are a few New Year’s resolutions for the Vikings as they head into a tremendously important calendar year.
Find a Successor to Cousins
If anything, we’ve learned during 2023 that the next Vikings franchise QB is not currently on the roster. While Jaren Hall has had some nice moments when he’s gotten into games, Sunday night’s debacle showed that he is not currently ready to lead an offense at the NFL level.
While re-signing Cousins will almost certainly put the Vikings back into the playoff contention next season, it should be imperative that Minnesota finds a way to grab a quarterback this offseason, particularly with this spring’s draft class being filled with talent at the position.
Put Pen to Paper Regarding Extensions
The Vikings were unable to secure Justin Jefferson to a long-term contract last offseason, and now, if Minnesota cannot do that this offseason, he will be set to hit free agency in 2025. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to find a way to get that contract signed by Jefferson this offseason to avoid any uncertainty regarding their biggest star.
Additionally, Christian Darrisaw also becomes extension eligible this offseason. The left tackle has been a stalwart for Minnesota over the past couple years, and especially if the Vikings want to implement a young QB in the next year or two, they have to keep him around.
Get Another Playmaker in the CB Room
The Vikings defense has been strong throughout much of the year, but it has become clear in recent weeks that they need to find another playmaker in the cornerback room. Without veteran Byron Murphy in the lineup, the secondary has seemed lost at times.
On top of that, the “Hitman” Harrison Smith hasn’t looked like the elite safety that he was for a decade-plus. Minnesota needs to find more playmakers in their secondary capable of making a game-changing impact this offseason.
Bolster the Defensive Line
The Vikings have a number of starters set to hit free agency on the defensive front, including Danielle Hunter, Jonathan Bullard, and D.J. Wonnum. Minnesota has not been able to provide constant pressure on opposing QBs all season, and they need to find a player who can play next to or even replace Hunter on the edge while also landing a playmaker at the defensive tackle spot.
These could be big asks, to be sure, but these items are the tasks on the table for the front office of the Vikings this offseason. Helping them to pursue these goals is cap space that’s nearing $37.3 million and nine draft picks.
Crushed Confidence? Vikings Defense Puts Together a Putrid Packers Performance
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.