Vikes sign TE Josh Oliver on a 3yr/$21M deal

Seems like the best way to do that would be to just go back to an outside zone scheme like Cook is most comfortable with.

There is no question the Vikings have been much more successful being a more run oriented offense than one that relies heavily on the pass. I just question why paying 7 mill a year for a TE is necessary to improve that run game and more importantly, why this wasn't figured out until after the 2022 season.

Not what I would have expected, but I guess I can see it.  Likely not the only, or potentially even the biggest move they make.  As of 3/13 at 5:50 cst, the Vikings are sill over the cap, so more cuts are still coming along with potential restructures of ONiell and Cousins.

In theory, a blocking TE could suggest more outside runs.. like where the tackles play, i.e. the strength of the O-Line.  And any kind of blocking is good for pass protection.

I look at Mundt and Conklin and they were serviceable players blocking and then taking short pitches and running in the open field.  Conklin got 3 years / $20.25M last offseason, so 3/$21M is actually a bit of a discount with a 10% inflation in the cap.   Oliver is potentially a better athlete than Conklin as well:
Conklin vs Oliver RAS

The Jets just restructured Conklin's contract, to save cap space indicating they valued his role.  However, I don't think Oliver is coming here to get the 58 catches on 87 targets Conklin of as TE1 in New York. Blocking is a good useful skill, but it's the receiving that is the differentiator for TEs.  The Patriots splurged on 2 TEs a few years ago with Hunter Henry and Jonu Smith, and Smith topped out at 28 catches. 

Maybe the Vikings will have an offense like the 2011 and 2021 Patriots with Gronk and Aaron Hernandez; ideally they could build something like that with even less murders.

I agree. He wasn't asked to be a receiver but the articles say there are quite a few incentives in this contract. I imagine part is how many games/snaps he plays, and part is receiving stats. I dont think they're just paying him as a blocker, but I'm sure he will be blocking more than receiving.

I have no problem zigging when everyone is zagging. Defenses are going lighter/faster to deal with the explosion of the passing game. Hitting someone in the mouth when they're expecting a track meet sounds fine to me. And also takes some pressure off the qb if we are gonna go in a different direction.

You don't have to be a "running team" but you still need to efficiently run the ball. Agree?

Don't we still have another day and a half?

EXACTLY!!
Never have I seen so much hysteria over a player who will take up 1.6% of the cap!

Per OTC:

*Josh Oliver signed a three year, $21 million contract with the Vikings. $10.7 million is guaranteed of which $8.2 million is fully guaranteed at signing. If on the roster on the 3rd day of the 2024 league year another $2.5 million is guaranteed. There are up to $6 million in incentives and escalators.

As dauntessmallhands pointed out, it's essentially a 2 year deal. The Vikings could easily dump this contract in 2025 with a $8M cap saving and $2,373,334 in dead cap.