pAfter a season that resulted in the team coming up short in the divisional round of the playoffs, it’s back to the drawing board for the Vikings as they try and piece together a defense decimated by retirements, an offense welcoming the return of injured talents, and a young core that is poised to make a push to go further than they have before. After a career year, seemingly ready to extend his time in the league a few season farther, Harrison Smith delivered the news recently that he would be retiring from football. He was joined by DT Javon Hargrave, C Ryan Kelly and WR Adam Thielen. p
pThese departures leave a few holes in the Vikings roster. Jordan Addison, entering his 3rd year coming off a season ending injury is sure to fill the spot left by Thielen, and RG Blake Brandel is said to be stepping into the vacancy left by Kelly. What’s yet to be seen is how the Vikings plan to patch the holes they have left on defense. Edges Van Ginkel and Greenard, as well as DT Jonathan Allen are all said to be on the decline. Will Ivan Pace Jr, and CB Darrell Baker both declined deals to return to the team.p
pAfter restructuring the contracts of LT Christian Darrisaw, and WR Justin Jefferson, the Vikings enter Free Agency with 38 million to spend, as well as possessing 7 picks in the upcoming draft, the opportunity is there for the Vikings to address their issues on defense. With several prospects entering training camp this season from last years practice squad, it remains to be seen if the Vikings will rely on their young guys to replace the departed veterans, or if they’ll seek to rebuild the defense by bringing in veterans like they have in the past. Either way the Kings in the North seemed focused and ready to prove that season one was not a fluke, but that this is a team for the ages.p
