Minnesota Vikings 2023 offseason guide: What's going to happen?

Purple Insider takes you through an 8-part series analyzing the offseason ahead.

Author:
Bring Me The Sports
Publish date:
Feb 2, 2023 3:15 PM EST

Looking for the ultimate offseason guide to the Minnesota Vikings? You've come to the right place as Matthew Coller and Paul Hodowanic of Purple Insider have released an eight-part series focusing on all of the big questions the Vikings must answer before the 2023 season begins.

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The future of the Vikings, Part 1: Quarterback

Kirk Cousins remains an enigma in Minnesota and what general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah decides to do this offseason will be critical for years down the road. Will the Vikings let Cousins play out the last year on his contract, sign him to a short- or long-term extension, or trade him? Click here for Part 1.

The future of the Vikings, Part 2: Running back

Dalvin Cook’s 2023 cap hit currently sits at $14.1 million (6.4% of the team’s total salary cap, the highest percentage of Cook’s 5-year deal). If the Vikings cut or trade him before June 1, they’d save roughly $8 million against the cap. If they wait until after June 1, they’d save about $11 million. The Cook decision is huge. Read Part 2 here.

The future of the Vikings, Part 3: Wide receivers and tight end

Adam Thielen's contract is massive and the advanced statistics don't warrant one of the 15 biggest wide receiver salaries in 2023. That decision could coincide with the Vikings trying to sign Justin Jefferson to a long-term extension. Read Part 3 here.

Justin Jefferson — © Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

The future of the Vikings, Part 4: Offensive line

Minnesota has two elite tackles in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill, but the interior offensive line leaves much to be desired. What will the Vikings do in the middle? Read Part 4 here.

The future of the Vikings, Part 5: Defensive line

The Minnesota Vikings’ defensive line had a quality 2022 season with three players finishing in the top 20 starters at their position by PFF grade. While the team would likely appreciate having them return as a starting point for the defensive rebuild, there are challenges ahead due to contract status for all three star players. Read Part 5 here.

Za'Darius Smith — © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The future of the Vikings, Part 6: Linebackers and safeties

The defense could be different at all levels in 2023, depending on how radical they decide to be when it comes to personnel changes. In similar fashion to the defensive line, they have veteran players with problematic contracts at linebacker and safety and plenty of different ways to handle them. How much will they change? Read Part 6 here.

Eric Kendricks, Harrison Smith — © Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

The future of the Vikings, Part 7: Cornerbacks

The cornerback position and the secondary at large was a priority last season – the Vikings spent three draft picks in the first four rounds in the area, but after a lack of first-year results and a bevy of expired contracts, the unit again figures prominently on Minnesota’s offseason to-do list. Read Part 7 here.

Patrick Peterson — © Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The future of the Vikings, Part 8: The timeline

Competitive rebuild? Run it back? Take it apart? How will the Vikings approach their future? Whatever they do could be the first domino that leads to a future of Justin Jefferson in Minnesota or elsewhere. Read Part 8 here.