Following Up a Great Season

A season that featured an appearance in the NFC Title Game is a successful season.  A season that features one of the greatest finishes to an NFL Playoff game in the league's history should provide a wealth of terrific memories for years.  A 13-3 season means your team has arrived.

But these Minnesota Vikings actually have one of the most unique situations in the NFL this offseason.  "Who is going to play quarterback next season?" is a legitimate question.  It's a question that typically 13-3 teams don't have to deal with.

The Vikings opened the 2017 season with Sam Bradford as their starter.  After an early injury, Bradford was replaced by Case Keenum who went on to have a career year.  Keenum threw 22 touchdown passes last season while posting a 98.3 quarterback rating.  Former starter Teddy Bridgewater returned from injury during the season to provide quality depth as the primary backup.  The problem for the Vikings this offseason is that all of them are free agents and can sign with any team.

The direction the Vikings choose to take at quarterback will determine whether they remain as a competitor in the NFC.  Solid quarterback play has made them a playoff team in the past given their defensive prowess.  Outstanding quarterback play has made the Vikings into a Super Bowl contender.  Whoever can provide that level of quarterback play will be the choice for the franchise to move forward.

Can Case Keenum deliver his 2017 level of play again?  That ends up being the question that the franchise has to address with a quality starting contract.  With more than $60M in cap space, the Vikings can afford to go any direction at quarterback.  If that means a new deal for Keenum, great.  But the Vikings do have the picks and cap space to get into the market for any free agent or future free agent quarterback in the NFL.

Minnesota will get back running back Dalvin Cook next season to add to an already interesting team.  Who is handing the ball off to him will ultimately determine the direction of their 2018 season.

Offensive Ranking: 11th

Defensive Ranking: 1st

Key Free Agents:  

Case Keenum - QB - Enjoyed a career season in which he played at a Pro Bowl level.  Keenum had the 8th highest QB rating in 2017 and tossed 22 touchdown passes.

Sam Bradford - QB - The former top overall pick continues to impress when he plays but can not stay healthy.  Bradford was the NFL's highest rated passer before leaving the 2nd game of the season due to injury.

Teddy Bridgewater - QB - Suffered a catastrophic injury that nearly cost Bridgewater his leg during a practice in August of 2016.  It took until mid-season of 2017 to make it back to practice with Minnesota.  His long term chances of playing in the league are still in question.

Jerick McKinnon - RB - The versatile McKinnon collected nearly a 1,000 yards from scrimmage in 2017.  Quality rusher and receiver out of the backfield.

Joe Berger - G - A 46 game starter for the Vikings over the past three seasons, Berger has been a dependable piece on the offensive line.  Berger will be 36 years old before the start of the 2018 season.

Tom Johnson - DT - Started 15 games in 2017 recording two sacks for the #1 ranked defense in the NFL.

Terrence Newman - CB - The 39 year old cornerback continues to play at an acceptable level.  Newman entered the league at 25 years old, so his wear-and-tear is not typical of a 39 year old defensive player.

Potential Cuts/Restructures:  

Anthony Barr - LB - Barr enters his 5th year option year on his rookie contract that will pay him $12M dollars.  Barr is one of the key pieces to the Vikings defense and should land a long term contract.