Post by Funkytown on Feb 20, 2023 9:20:44 GMT -6
Vikings offseason: A 10-step plan to set up the franchise for present, future by Alec Lewis
3. Cut Cook and Kendricks
4. Trade Za’Darius Smith
5. Restructure Thielen’s and Harrison Smith’s contracts
6. Extend Jefferson and Hockenson
7. Re-sign Bradbury
8. Sign a veteran cornerback, interior defensive lineman and running back in free agency
9. Do not allow present positions of need to distract from selecting future contributors in the draft
Rest at link:
theathletic.com/4228937/2023/02/20/vikings-nfl-offseason-cousins-cook/
1. Restructure O’Neill’s contract
If you’ve read this space in the past few months, you know the Vikings’ first offseason obstacle is finding wiggle room with the salary cap. They are around $23 million in the red, according to Over the Cap. This is what happens when you kick the can down the road with aging franchise cornerstones like Adam Thielen and Eric Kendricks.
We’ll arrive at what to do with those players soon, but let’s start with a fairly simple way to create some room. Before right tackle Brian O’Neill suffered a partially torn Achilles late in the 2022 season, he proved his value. His win rate, per ESPN, ranked No. 3 among all NFL tackles.
He should return to form post-injury, and if that’s the case, it makes sense to restructure his deal, which would likely open up about $10 million in cap space. After this move, Minnesota still has work to do. But it’s a good place to start.
2. Extend Cousins another season
Because it’s quarterback Kirk Cousins, I’m expecting a bevy of comments about this one in short order. It’s almost a must, though.
Cousins is under contract through 2023. Minnesota could restructure his deal to save money on the cap this year, but that would increase the amount of dead money they’d owe in the future. So, similar to last season, an extension feels like the best approach, especially considering the Vikings do not have another quarterback waiting in the wings.
By extending Cousins, the Vikings could save an ample amount of money toward the salary cap. Last year, for example, Minnesota lowered the quarterback’s cap hit by about $15 million by making that move. A similar deal, paired with O’Neill’s restructuring, could put the Vikings in the black even before they decide on key roster members in the final seasons of their contracts.
Another benefit of extending Cousins? It would give the brass another year to find and/or develop a young quarterback.
If you’ve read this space in the past few months, you know the Vikings’ first offseason obstacle is finding wiggle room with the salary cap. They are around $23 million in the red, according to Over the Cap. This is what happens when you kick the can down the road with aging franchise cornerstones like Adam Thielen and Eric Kendricks.
We’ll arrive at what to do with those players soon, but let’s start with a fairly simple way to create some room. Before right tackle Brian O’Neill suffered a partially torn Achilles late in the 2022 season, he proved his value. His win rate, per ESPN, ranked No. 3 among all NFL tackles.
He should return to form post-injury, and if that’s the case, it makes sense to restructure his deal, which would likely open up about $10 million in cap space. After this move, Minnesota still has work to do. But it’s a good place to start.
2. Extend Cousins another season
Because it’s quarterback Kirk Cousins, I’m expecting a bevy of comments about this one in short order. It’s almost a must, though.
Cousins is under contract through 2023. Minnesota could restructure his deal to save money on the cap this year, but that would increase the amount of dead money they’d owe in the future. So, similar to last season, an extension feels like the best approach, especially considering the Vikings do not have another quarterback waiting in the wings.
By extending Cousins, the Vikings could save an ample amount of money toward the salary cap. Last year, for example, Minnesota lowered the quarterback’s cap hit by about $15 million by making that move. A similar deal, paired with O’Neill’s restructuring, could put the Vikings in the black even before they decide on key roster members in the final seasons of their contracts.
Another benefit of extending Cousins? It would give the brass another year to find and/or develop a young quarterback.
3. Cut Cook and Kendricks
4. Trade Za’Darius Smith
5. Restructure Thielen’s and Harrison Smith’s contracts
6. Extend Jefferson and Hockenson
7. Re-sign Bradbury
8. Sign a veteran cornerback, interior defensive lineman and running back in free agency
9. Do not allow present positions of need to distract from selecting future contributors in the draft
10. Be willing to take a chance on a quarterback
This final step is related to No. 9, but as with everything related to the quarterback, it felt important to highlight it.
Even if the Vikings extend Cousins another season, keeping an eye on future options at the position seems essential. That includes this year’s draft. The Vikings may need to fortify their defense. A high-end wide receiver has also been a trendy mock draft pick at No. 23. Still, the Vikings should aggressively scout the available quarterbacks.
It’s difficult to imagine they would not, especially given O’Connell’s background. He was an NFL quarterback. After retiring, he worked closely with private coach George Whitfield Jr. O’Connell prepped players for pre-draft interviews. He observed the entire process. He knows its ins and outs.
Maybe he’ll take to someone like Anthony Richardson or Hendon Hooker — both of whom could be available at No. 23. In that situation, the Vikings should not be afraid to make that move.
Ask Kansas City and Philadelphia about the potential benefits.
This final step is related to No. 9, but as with everything related to the quarterback, it felt important to highlight it.
Even if the Vikings extend Cousins another season, keeping an eye on future options at the position seems essential. That includes this year’s draft. The Vikings may need to fortify their defense. A high-end wide receiver has also been a trendy mock draft pick at No. 23. Still, the Vikings should aggressively scout the available quarterbacks.
It’s difficult to imagine they would not, especially given O’Connell’s background. He was an NFL quarterback. After retiring, he worked closely with private coach George Whitfield Jr. O’Connell prepped players for pre-draft interviews. He observed the entire process. He knows its ins and outs.
Maybe he’ll take to someone like Anthony Richardson or Hendon Hooker — both of whom could be available at No. 23. In that situation, the Vikings should not be afraid to make that move.
Ask Kansas City and Philadelphia about the potential benefits.
Rest at link:
theathletic.com/4228937/2023/02/20/vikings-nfl-offseason-cousins-cook/
... and neither is this Chris guy.