PFF Lists Vikings' Biggest Reason for Optimism Heading Into 2024

Coming off a disappointing 7-10 season, what's the Vikings' biggest reason for optimism heading into 2024? There's a wide range of possible answers depending on how you view the franchise at this critical juncture. PFF recently answered that question for every non-playoff team, and went with this for Minnesota: "A competitive roster that needs its quarterback back."

The Vikings showed a lot of competitive spirit in 2023. After starting 1-4, they responded with three straight wins before losing Kirk Cousins to a season-ending injury. It would have been fair to write off Minnesota, but the team never quit, finishing with a 7-10 record despite a revolving door at quarterback.

The defense looked reinvigorated under Brian Flores, and the offense is full of playmakers. If the Vikings re-sign Cousins in the offseason, they’ll likely walk into 2024 with justified optimism.

That's one way to look at the Vikings' situation this offseason. The argument for re-signing Kirk Cousins is that the team was playing very well before he went down, beating the 49ers and Packers — who will meet next weekend in the divisional round — in consecutive weeks.

If Cousins is back, it'll be his third year in Kevin O'Connell's offense and he'll have an elite offensive core around him. Assuming Brian Flores doesn't get hired as a head coach this offseason, he'll also be back to lead a Vikings defense that finished 11th in DVOA this year. Those who want the Vikings to "run it back" in 2024 believe that with some improvements on the margins and better luck with injuries and turnovers, this team can be an NFC contender with Cousins at the helm.

Not everyone would agree with that approach, though. That's essentially what the Vikings have done for the entire Cousins era, and all they have to show for it is one single playoff victory. When looking at the state of the NFC North, there's an argument to be made for letting Cousins walk in free agency and trading up for a quarterback in the draft. The Vikings have the 11th pick, and the aforementioned elite offensive core — Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Christian Darrisaw, Brian O'Neill — would make life much easier on a rookie QB. Going in that direction would be taking a swing for the fences instead of sticking to the status quo.

Those in favor of that approach might describe the Vikings' reason for optimism this way: "An opportunity to start fresh at quarterback."

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