Minnesota Vikings: Time to rebuild or stay the course?

The Minnesota Vikings 2019 season ended in disappointment but is it time for the NFC North team to rebuild or rather stay the course?

After an embarrassing loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round, the Minnesota Vikings had to head back home in low spirits. With fans and players disappointed in the way the season closed, is it time for the Minnesota Vikings to rebuild?

Shortly after the NFC Divisional Round loss, offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski was hired by the Cleveland Browns. Following that news, it was announced that defensive coordinator George Edwards would also not return to the team in the 2020 season. With Minnesota searching for coaches on the offensive and defensive side of the ball, it seems like a good time for them to start the process of finding their identity.

Teams league-wide knew the Vikings’ affinity for running the ball which, in the end, cost them the playoff game against San Francisco. The stagnant pass offense due to a weak offensive line gave Kirk Cousins limited time to find a receiver downfield and allowed the 49ers to control the flow of the game for over thirty-eight minutes.

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Head coach Mike Zimmer has been clear that he plans to continue his offensive gameplan, which means more Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison.

To do this the Vikings will have to consider creating room on their roster by not re-signing some key free agents. Most of their free agents are on defense, which won’t make Zimmer happy. But if he wants to build a better offensive line, he and general manager Rick Spielman need to create more cap space.

Everson Griffen is one of the most notable free agents that Minnesota will potentially let go of. With star defensive end Danielle Hunter and emerging talent Stephen Weatherly at the position, the need for Griffen has died down in Minnesota.

Another option the Vikings have is trading some key offensive talent. As much as it sounds like a bad idea, Stefon Diggs could be leaving Minnesota in 2020. Xavier Rhodes also seems to be on the chopping block this year as well. Teams that require a seasoned defensive back could be willing to part with some of their better offensive linemen, despite Rhodes’ poor performance this season

At the end of the day, Minnesota ended their season in disappointment and, if they’re looking to make the best of Cousins’ final year under contract, they need to continue building him an offensive line. Unfortunately, that might involve letting go of some very familiar faces which, in the long run, could be the rebuild this team needs.