What’s next for the Minnesota Vikings after playoff loss to 49ers?

The Minnesota Vikings reached the playoffs for the third time in five years. What’s ahead for a franchise still looking for its first Super Bowl win?

They remain one of 12 NFL franchises without a Lombardi Trophy and a team that hasn’t been to the Super Bowl since 1976. The Minnesota Vikings have made their share of playoff appearances during its proud history. And unfortunately, no team in league annals has lost more postseason games.

The latest setback was a 27-10 loss at San Francisco in the Divisional Round last week. Of course, the club did surprise the Saints in the Wild Card playoffs six days earlier in overtime.

But now it’s on to the offseason for the Vikings where there’s work to be done.

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So What’s Next?

Mike Zimmer’s club finished 10-6 this season and bounced back from a disappointing 8-7-1 showing one season earlier. But it’s already been an offseason of change for a talented club that has struggled with consistency in recent years. Offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski is now the head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

In terms of players, perhaps the team’s biggest free-agent priority is safety Anthony Harris, who had a breakout year in 2019. He tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions, finishing with 60 tackles, one fumble recovery and 11 passes defensed. Harris also picked off Drew Brees in Minnesota’s Wild Card win at New Orleans.

Elsewhere, will the club bring back a pair of potential free-agent cornerbacks in 2015 first-round draft choice Trae Waynes and 2016 second-round selection Mackensie Alexander?

Biggest Offseason Concern?

Defensive coordinator George Edwards won’t be back with the club either (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio). And that’s an area that Zimmer has to be concerned with. It’s a group that has fallen off steadily the past two seasons, this after leading the NFL in fewest yards and fewest points allowed in 2017.

This year, the club allowed 142 points during its 6-2 start and 208 points during its 5-5 finish (including playoffs). While the numbers aren’t horrendous, there are certainly changes in order. And who knows the club without big years from quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Dalvin Cook?

While the Minnesota Vikings did bounce back from a disappointing 2018 in some aspects, the bottom line is that the club failed to win NFC North and also struggled in many aspects down the stretch. There’s work to be done in both trenches and the team will once again be adapting to a new offensive coordinator.

Zimmer took over the team in 2014 but the Purple Gang still hasn’t made consecutive playoff appearances under his watch. That would be a step in the right direction in 2020.