With the Minnesota Vikings ending the 2020 season on Sunday, we can get to everyone’s favorite part of the football calendar, the off-season. As in the past year, Vikings are in a position to make a number of decisions that could change the franchise’s trajectory not only in 2021, but also in the future.
As Vikings embark on this journey, it’s always good to know what to expect. With Mike Zimmer and his regime probably staying in place next season, now is a good time to go through the Vikings’ off-season stages and see what Viking fans can expect to get into 2021.
January 2021
After a fascinating 10-9 victory over the Detroit Lions led by Tyler Conklin and Chad Beebe, the Vikings’ property is announced and they will stay with Zimmer for the 2021 season. Impressed by his ability to pick a 1- 5 and take it back to 0.500 (even if only for a week), the Wilfs see the foundation for success that includes several seasons of 10-6 and a 0-3 record in the playoffs over the life of their extension three years.
With the guarantee of ownership, Zimmer begins to work as an addition to his technical team. Most of his moves are on the defensive side of the ball, including hiring Lovie Smith as a defensive consultant. Although the Vikings followed this path with Dom Capers, 70, at the end of the season, they go young with Smith, who may bring some news at age 62.
February 2021
After the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl LV, Vikings fans are feeling very sad. A common remedy is to start the fake recruiting season. As several mocks reached the internet, the consensus is that Vikings select a quarterback or guard with the 15th overall choice. Twitter is sizzling with possibilities using Justin Jefferson as an example of it doesn’t matter where you were drafted, but how hard that player works after he joins the team.
Meanwhile, Vikings are starting a busy free agency. The Vikings fired Riley Reiff, freeing up $ 11.75 million in cap space and appear to save $ 7.5 million by designating Kyle Rudolph as a cut prior to June 1. Negotiations also started with Danielle Hunter and Brian O’Neill on an extension of the contract to close two pillars and create space for the cover.
March 2021
The NFL scouting combination takes place in Indianapolis and Zimmer addresses the media. After Zimmer complains about how his defense needs more corners, Rick Spielman takes the podium and says the Vikings are willing to do whatever it takes to get the team back on track. Spielman also mentions that the team believes Kirk Cousins to reach the promised land.
The free agency starts with Minnesota spending some money, but not in the free agent market. The Vikings reach a shocking 11-hour contract with Anthony Harris, extend Rudolph to a three-year contract, citing his importance in the community and adding another two years to Anthony Barr’s contract.
When the extensions are completed, the Vikings choose to sign a third-string nickel corner and Rashard Higgins, in the hope that both can provide depth early in the season.
April 2021
After months of immersing ourselves in featured YouTube videos with Drake, Future’s soundtrack and some techno dance beats, the NFL Draft is finally over us. Fans are concerned that guard and three-tech were not approached in a free agency, but the figure Spielman and Zimmer have something up their sleeves.
The Vikings are about to start the timer with the 15th overall choice in the NFL Draft and Trey Lance is at the table, but they trade with the New England Patriots and get a choice in the second round. A few choices later, they get a cornerback. Viking fans are disturbed by the selection, but after watching their featured video from JustBombs Productions, they are sold.
The draft continues and the Vikings end up making an NFL record with 20 teams, including 13 in the seventh round. Among the highlights is a Miami fifth-round receiver (from Ohio), a defender with his first choice in the seventh round and a defensive tip from Southwestern Utah Community College who never saw the field, but kind of reminds them of Danielle Hunter.
The draft of the Vikings is encouraged by writers who believe that Spielman obtained “incredible value” and “met all his needs”, despite not having chosen an offensive guard until the final choice of the draft. To top it all off, Minnesota gives a record signing bonus to Adrian Martinez of Nebraska as UDFA to add to the quarterback room.
May / June 2021
Vikings enter newcomers’ fields and generate all kinds of optimism. After selecting two offensive tackles in their draft class, they reveal that they are testing them on guard. Two UDFA wide receivers are making their mark and could be the next Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Zimmer talks about how many high-profile guys they added to help defend and proclaims that they are back next year.
As soon as the Vikings go to the minicamp in June, Cousins stands in front of the press saying how much he needs to improve in the off season and take the team to the next level. He says he has found a new level of athletics to contain internal pressure and hardly says that this team can go to the Super Bowl.
Jefferson has some catches that land on the Vikings’ official Twitter account and even Dan Bailey is scoring 50-yard goals to restore optimism. Purple fever is starting to hit a fan base that hasn’t been to a live game in almost two years.
August 2021
With COVID-19 vaccinations almost complete, fans flood the TCO Performance Center to take a look at the team. It is the first time that they have seen Jefferson and Cameron Dantzler in person and are bombarding them for autographs. In the field, a UDFA receiver makes a big catch about Jeff Gladney during Saturday night’s fight and fans are thinking they’ve found a theft.
Even the offensive line seems to be coming together when one of the converted tackles has a chance to play guard. Gary Kubiak told the media that the top five players will play in the trenches regardless of 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 over Shamar Stephen. He also suggests that the Southwest Utah Community College project is progressing and is now known as his “pet walrus”. Fans now think he can be BEST than Hunter was.
After showing a highlight of Dantzler defeating Nate Stanley went viral, fans are in a total frenzy while the Vikings achieve a perfect 4-0 preseason despite a difficult performance in the third game of the preseason.
September 2021
For the first time in a long time, Vikings are ready to open the gates of the US Bank Stadium. They reached a new contract for Hunter and an extension for O’Neill on the eve of the 2021 season. The Green Bay Packers, who strangely did not summon a receiver again, came to Minnesota for a final match of Week 1, and the Vikings plan to announce your presence at NFC Norte with authority.
When the game begins, the Vikings’ defense fails to stop AJ Dillon, even with Michael Pierce present. As the project’s rookie is declared inactive, Hunter is the only consistent source of pressure against Aaron Rodgers as he illuminates the secondary Vikings for 360 yards and four touchdowns.
Jumping to a 24-0 lead after Dan Bailey lost three field goals within the 25-yard line, the pressure fell on Cousins to get the team back. He promptly transferred to Dalvin Cook 30 times, including a 4th and 1 on his own 30-yard line. With the Packers extending their lead, Cousins finally plays for Jefferson and Thielen and makes a 250-yard rack and three points in the fourth period of a 41-24 loss.
After the game, Zimmer deplores Kubiak’s approach, wishing he could do more to establish the 24-point drop, and the cycle continues for another year.