A Loss To The Chargers Would Allow For One Distinct Benefit to The Vikings
K. Joudry
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I know what you’re thinking; I’m not talking about firing Zim, though I acknowledge that for many fans it’s a desirable outcome at this stage. The team has been lousy, and there has been no shortage of attention being spent on whether he’ll be fired and who could replace him. That’s not what I’m talking about. Nay, I’m talking about what might benefit the roster itself long term. A Chargers loss would mean the Vikings are pretty much done; that means it’s time to see what the young guys can do.
A Chargers Loss and The Vikings Youth
Previously, I’ve noted that Minnesota doesn’t need to partake in a full-scale rebuild. The roster has talent, and lots of this talent is young. If the team can’t succeed in 2021 – and it’s looking increasingly likely that 2021 is pretty much over – then the focus needs to shift to 2022.
What can Minnesota do for the remainder of the year that will allow 2022 to be a success?
To my mind, the answer rests in leaning into the team’s youth. Offensively, the Vikings need to see if K.J. Osborn can be a legit WR2 or just a solid WR3. Mind you, if it’s the WR3 option, that’s still great news. He was a fifth-rounder who was brought in to help on specials; being a solid player on offense is a massive win. If Osborn can be a WR2, then it’s possible the team moves on from Adam Thielen. I know that sounds like blasphemy to many readers, but Thielen isn’t being used to his full potential. Thielen will have a nearly $17 million cap hit next season; a post June-1 cut would open up more than $12.6 million in cap space.
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Can Kene Nwangwu be more than just a sensational return man? Again, it’s not a disappointment if he is primarily a terror on specials. Can you imagine, though, how much of a weapon he could be as a third-down receiving back? Now is the time to see if he can run routes, catch the ball, and pass protect.
On defense, the Vikings will continue leaning on their d-line rotation out of necessity. A Chargers loss would mean the Vikings can do even more than they currently are. Kenny Willekes has shown some good things, D.J. Wonnum had a nice game against the Ravens, and Armon Watts has quietly been having a really nice year. Patrick Jones II needs to be worked into the rotation, as long as his health allows.
Nick Vigil has been the team’s LB3, but it’s unclear if he has a purple future beyond the rest of the 2021 season. Troy Dye has been noticeable on special teams. What can he do on defense? Can Cam Bynum continue showing the promise and upside that he did against the Ravens? It’s hard to believe that it’s even a debate at this stage, but Cameron Dantzler needs to stay in the starting lineup following Patrick Peterson’s return from the IR. Bashaud Breeland has not been good this season; Dantzler may end up being the team’s future CB1. The Vikes should adjust accordingly.
The Send Off
Some people think the season can still be saved; others are looking firmly toward the future. I’ll be honest when I say that I’m conflicted. Seeing playoff football is always a thrill, but there’s a legit case to be made that the team would be better off if they rolled with their youth.
At the end of the day, it’s really about giving the fan base hope. Don’t listen to what Red says; hope is a good thing, a vital ingredient in any sports league. If the Vikings can’t get it done in 2021, perhaps they will in 2022. A Chargers loss would mean the Vikings are almost totally out of the playoff race. That means the team ought to fully lean into the players who will allow them to succeed in the future. The games would then have meaning insofar as they’re about developing young talent.
Don’t lose hope in your Minnesota Vikings.