Vikings at NFL Scouting Combine: What we hear about their offseason plans

INDIANAPOLIS — After a while, the days and nights at the NFL Scouting Combine blend together.

Conversations with agents and team employees flow into dinner with steaks and drinks. The week lays the foundation for what lies ahead.

Here's what we heard about the Minnesota Vikings in Indianapolis, from the future of quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​to potential defensive upgrades this offseason:

1. Cousins' future remains uncertain

All Cousins ​​needs is one team willing to go the extra mile in terms of dollars and guarantees. But does this team exist?

during the Weekend, The athleteDiana Russini of the Atlanta Falcons mentioned Cousins ​​as a possibility, and she's right that “it makes all the sense in the world.” Owner Arthur Blank is 81 years old. The Falcons roster is ready to compete. But Atlanta has often been linked to Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields.

If Atlanta doesn't pay Minnesota, who will? The Las Vegas Raiders need a quarterback, but general manager Tom Telesco might reflect on his experience trying to win early in San Diego and how that affected the future. Washington's leadership may want to quickly change the perception of the franchise, but the list of leaders is less comprehensive. There is no clear answer, and the clock is ticking.

The Vikings want Cousins ​​back, but on their terms. They believe his best option is exceptional weapons, a familiar system, and a city and locker room that has come to appreciate him for who he is. Cousins' approval likely depends on the gap between the Vikings' offer and the other team's offer. But again, there has to be another team.

2. Hiring McCown as quarterbacks coach is a multi-faceted move

In 2015, Josh McCown first met Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell on a recruiting visit to Cleveland. O'Connell was hired as the team's quarterbacks coach, and McCown, then 35, was looking for a new NFL team. McCown was skeptical, but ten minutes into their conversation, O'Connell was scribbling on the whiteboard and they were laughing.

“A lot of recruiting is wining and dining, which is all well and good,” McCown told me in 2022. But we were going to play football. I was encouraged because even though Kevin was a younger guy, I knew I would be better when I was around this guy. This guy is sharp.”

O'Connell felt similarly. McCown landed with the Cleveland Browns and their relationship strengthened. Trust is partly why O'Connell hired McCown as the Vikings' new quarterbacks coach. The hiring takes some of the burden off O'Connell's back.

It also shifts former quarterbacks coach Chris O'Hara to a passing game specialist role, where O'Hara will prioritize game planning and third-man preparation. Having McCown is also beneficial because he can connect with veterans and has experience working with popular recruits (Sam Darnold, Jalen Hurts, Bryce Young, etc.). Another aspect to consider: McCown coached North Carolina State's Drake May, whom the Vikings adore.

3. The Vikings have done their homework on draftable QBs

In the public domain, analysts began highlighting Jayden Daniels as a top-tier talent as he worked his way up in college football on his way to capturing the Heisman Trophy. Some teams had similar reactions. An LSU employee said Friday that the Vikings were one of the first teams to take a deep dive into, evaluate and draft Daniels.

This shouldn't be a surprise. The Vikings have combed through quarterbacks in the past two drafts. The former offered little in the way of surprising talent (Kenny Pickett was the first quarterback selected), and a 13-win 2022 season left the Vikings with the 23rd pick and needing to mortgage key future assets to land one of their elite QBs.

Most NFL evaluators have been eyeing USC's Caleb Williams and Maye for a few years. Daniels' rise has been different, but it hasn't surprised Minnesota. It remains unclear whether the Vikings would be willing (or able) to move heaven and earth to snap up one of the three.

4. The move from Mattison highlights their belief in place value

The Vikings didn't cut Dalvin Cook last year because they thought the running back didn't matter. They made the move because they did not believe Cook's value matched the contract his representatives sought.

Minnesota believed Alexander Mattison, paired with a renewed commitment to the ground game with block-first tight end Josh Oliver, could make the team more efficient on the ground.

The strategy failed. It didn't help that the Vikings lost Justin Jefferson for two months, but Minnesota's game in 2023 mirrors 2022. He was average. Mattison lacked explosiveness. Sophomore talent Ty Chandler stood out, but traffic mishaps limited his use.

The Vikings will feature Chandler more prominently in 2024. Minnesota could also use the NFL Draft or free agency to add a veteran presence to the room.

The hiring of Josh McCown as quarterbacks coach should take some pressure off Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

5. Don't be surprised if they spend on defense

How many new defensive players do the Vikings need?

Start the thought experiment on the defensive line. Minnesota's two starting players in 2023, Danielle Hunter and DJ Nom, are impending free agents. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Jonathan Pollard is sure to hit the market. You could argue that Minnesota could upgrade Harrison Phillips' spot as well. We haven't even reached the second level.

The off-ball linebacker has at least one obvious hole, as veteran Jordan Hicks will also be a free agent. Evan Pace Jr. has shown countless flashes, but even he may be better suited as a situational pass rusher.

Then there is high school. The Vikings could benefit from an upgrade at outside cornerback spot: center Akailip Evans. Safety is less important, but Harrison Smith's retirement could leave another hole.

A conservative projection would result in the Vikings needing to find six new defensive players. Worst case scenario could mean eight. Any pre-draft or free agency projection should start here. The Vikings will likely devote most of their nine picks to this unit. Expect them to pursue experienced free agent options as well and spend most of their non-capital and non-extension money on these positions.

6. The departure could force the Vikings to get creative on the rush

There is a realistic world in which the Vikings lose Hunter Wonnum. Only Patrick Jones II, Andre Carter II and perhaps even Marcus Davenport (at a significant discount) will remain in one of the most important positions in the sport.

Several sources around the league expect Hunter to find a long-term deal worth more than $20 million with an average annual value elsewhere. The Vikings declined to sign Hunter to a huge contract last offseason. Director-General Kwesi Adofo-Mensah spoke hesitantly on Tuesday about the looming negotiations.

“It's not just about this season, it's about next season,” Adofo-Mensah said. “The players have their needs. We will go to the table and try to figure that out and see if we can talk about a way to reach an agreement to meet in the middle.”

Wonnum's price point would be much more palatable than Hunter's, but his 2023 production would likely mean another team would overpay for the 26-year-old athlete who appears to be on the rise. In short, the market for Wonnum is expected to be strong.

If you lose both players, the missing pass rush will already be depleted. Drafting a stud like Dallas Turner out of Alabama could help fill the void. Signing a mid-tier candidate like Jonathan Greenard would make sense. Minnesota can also explore the trade market, but teams that might be willing to move high-end options (Los Angeles Chargers with Khalil Mack; Philadelphia Eagles with Haason Redick) will want blue-chip draft capital in return.

7. The 2022 draft class remains a recurring point of discussion

You can't talk about the Vikings' situation without their 2022 class coming up. Team personnel, agents and other league executives will point out that previous drafts left the cupboard bare. However, Minnesota's 2022 class remains astonishingly devoid of talent.

Hindsight bias tends to creep into these discussions, but reality is what it is. First-round pick Louis Saine, second-round pick Andrew Booth Jr., third-round pick Brian Asamoah and others never developed into starting-level players, let alone backups.

Had the Vikings been successful in landing a 2022 class, they would have had more resources, money and flexibility to spend on additional players who could help Minnesota on the sidelines.

8. The grade of the NFLPA coaching staff is no coincidence

First, the positive: The Vikings ranked second in the NFL Players Association's annual report card. Players raved about the property, facilities, O'Connell and more.

Now, the negative: Minnesota's coaching staff got a “B” grade. This coincides with the decision the Vikings made in the off-season to fire former athletic trainer Uriah Myrie.

“There were some things, in the dialogue I had (with the players), that I felt fell below the line of standards we are trying to set,” O'Connell said.

The change increases Tyler Williams' role. Williams, who O'Connell brought in from the Los Angeles Rams to reshape the Vikings' approach to performance, is already vice president of player health and performance. His vote will weigh more.

Go deeper

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Other fast hitters

• Kicker Greg Joseph is a free agent. The Vikings have the third-lowest field goal percentage over the past two seasons and the fourth-worst extra point percentage. Expect Minnesota to explore outside options.

• Defensive coordinator Brian Flores is leading the draft defensive effort. His opinion was important last season, and this year he bears seeing the direction of the defense.

• One team source has thought out loud about 2025 and the idea of ​​getting $100 million in cap hit even after major extensions. This degree of flexibility hovers prominently in the minds of many within the team.

(Top photo by Danielle Hunter: Brad Rempel/USA Today)