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With the Minnesota Vikings wrapping up the 2020 season on Sunday, we can access everyone’s favorite part of the football calendar, the offseason. Much like last year, the Vikings are in a position where they can make several decisions that can change the franchise’s path not only in 2021, but in the future.
As the Vikings embark on this journey, it’s always good to know what to expect. With Mike Zimmer and his regime likely to stick around next season, now is the time to walk through the Vikings’ offseason stages and see what Viking fans can look forward to by 2021.
January 2021
After a fascinating 10-9 win over the Detroit Lions led by Tyler Conklin and Chad Beebe, the Vikings’ property comes out and announces that they will stay with Zimmer for the 2021 season. Impressed with his ability to take on a 1-5 squad and Bringing it down to .500 (if only for a week), the Wilfs see the basis for success which includes multiple 10-6 seasons and a 0-3 playoff record. the duration of its three-year extension.
With the assurance of ownership, Zimmer gets to work adding to their coaching staff. Most of his moves are on the defensive side of the ball, including the addition of Lovie Smith as a defensive consultant. Although the Vikings took this route with Dom Capers, 70, in the last offseason, they are young with Smith, who can add new perspectives at the age of 62.
February 2021
After the Green Bay Packers upset the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, Vikings fans are feeling pretty depressed. A common remedy is the start of the simulation season. As more teasing hits the internet, the consensus is that the Vikings choose a quarterback or guard with the 15th pick overall. Twitter is hot with possibilities using Justin Jefferson as an example of no matter where you are drafted, but how hard this player works once he joins the squad.
Meanwhile, the Vikings set the wheels in motion for a very busy free agency. The Vikings ditched Riley Reiff, clearing a cap of $ 11.75 million, and appear to be saving $ 7.5 million by designating Kyle Rudolph as a cut before June 1. Negotiations have also started with Danielle Hunter and Brian O’Neill over a contract extension to lock in two cornerstones and create ceiling space.
March 2021
NFL Scouting combine takes place in Indianapolis and Zimmer speaks to media. After Zimmer complains that his defense needs more turns, Rick Spielman steps onto the podium and says the Vikings are ready to do whatever it takes to get the team back on track. Spielman also mentions that the team believes in Kirk Cousins to reach the Promised Land.
Free agency starts with Minnesota spending money, but not in the free agent market. Vikings strike a shocking 11-hour deal with Anthony Harris, extend Rudolph for a three-year contract citing his importance in the community, and placing two more years into Anthony Barr’s contract.
When the expansions are over, the Vikings opt to sign a third-string nickel corner and Rashard Higgins, hoping both can provide depth as the season approaches.
April 2021
After months of diving into the flagship YouTube videos of Drake, Future and some techno dance beats, the NFL Draft has finally arrived. Fans worry the guard and all three techs haven’t been tackled in free agency, but imagine Spielman and Zimmer have something up their sleeves.
The Vikings are set to time with the 15th overall pick in the NFL Draft and Trey Lance is on the shelf, but they trade with the New England Patriots and get a second-round pick. A few picks later, they take a cornerback. Viking fans are distraught with the selection, but after watching his JustBombs Productions highlight video, they are sold.
The draft continues and the Vikings end up making an NFL record 20 caps including 13 in the seventh round. Highlights include a fifth-round receiver from Miami (Ohio), a quarterback with his first seventh-round pick and a defensive end from Southwestern Utah Community College who has never seen the field. but somehow reminds them of Danielle Hunter.
The Vikings draft is inflated by writers who believe Spielman is “incredibly valuable” and “has met all of their needs” despite not drafting an offensive guard until the final draft pick. To top it off, Minnesota are giving Nebraska’s Adrian Martinez a record signing bonus as UDFA to add to the quarterback.
May / June 2021
The Vikings are heading for the rookie camps and creating all kinds of optimism. After selecting two offensive tackles in their draft class, they reveal they are trying them on guard. Two UDFA-wide receivers are making their mark and could be the next Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Zimmer talks about the number of high-character guys they’ve added to help the defense and proclaims they’re back for next year.
After the Vikings made it to the minicamp in June, Cousins came to the press to say how much he needed to improve in the offseason and take the team to the next level. He says he’s found a new level of athleticism to counter the inner pressure and stops before saying this team can go to the Super Bowl.
Jefferson has a few catches that land on the official Vikings Twitter account and even Dan Bailey hits 50-yard field goals to restore the optimism. The purple fever is starting to hit a fan base that hasn’t been in a live game for almost two years.
August 2021
With COVID-19 vaccinations nearing completion, fans flood the TCO Performance Center to take a look at the team. It’s the first time they’ve seen Jefferson and Cameron Dantzler in person and they bombard them for autographs. On the pitch, a UDFA receiver makes a huge catch on Jeff Gladney during Saturday night’s scrum and fans believe they’ve found a theft.
Even the offensive line seems to be closing in as one of the converted tackles has a chance to play guard. Gary Kubiak tells media that the top five players will play in the trenches regardless of their position and that the team will be “more aggressive” in 2021.
On the other side of the ball, Andre Patterson gives a passionate speech about how they didn’t need an upgrade from Shamar Stephen. He also suggests that the Southwest Utah Community College project is progressing and is now known as the “company walrus.” Fans now think he can be BETTER than Hunter was.
After showing that Dantzler chose Nate Stanley went viral, fans are in a total frenzy as the Vikings tear up a perfect 4-0 preseason despite a difficult performance in the third preseason game.
September 2021
For the first time in a long time, the Vikings are ready to open the gates of US Bank Stadium. They signed a new contract for Hunter and an overtime for O’Neill on the eve of the 2021 season. The Green Bay Packers, who oddly did not draft a receiver, came to Minnesota for a Week 1 showdown. , and the Vikings plan to announce their presence in the NFC North with authority.
When the game starts, the Vikings’ defense can’t seem to stop AJ Dillon even with Michael Pierce present. With the draft rookie declared inactive, Hunter is the only source of constant pressure against Aaron Rodgers as he lights up the Vikings secondary for 360 yards and four TDs.
Jumping to a 24-0 lead after Dan Bailey missed three field goals inside the 25-yard line, the pressure is on Cousins to bring the team back. He quickly passed to Dalvin Cook 30 times, including a 4th and 1 on their own 30-yard line. With the Packers extending their lead, Cousins ultimately threw in Jefferson and Thielen and racked up 250 yards and three fourth quarter scores from a 41-24 loss.
After the game, Zimmer bemoans Kubiak’s approach by wishing he would do more to establish the 24-point run, and the cycle continues for another year.
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