Story #2

The Minnesota Vikings have started their campaign 0-3. This marks the second time in three seasons the team has started this way.

There are many personnel to blame. Quarterback Kirk Cousins and the offense have given the ball up nine times through their first three games, leading the whole league in turnovers. Fans Tami Bern, Jake McBride, and Jerry Buum weigh in on their team.

Lifelong Viking fan Jake McBride said, “This year’s team is a dumpster fire like never before. That being said, um I do, however, think that they can turn it around. I am the stereotypical fan where I have unlimited amounts of optimism.”

2020 was the last time the Vikings started 0-3. They did catch a hot streak later in the season, but they ended up missing the playoffs and finished 7-9.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell is in his second season with the Vikings, and the team is coming off a 13-4 season. Expectations for the organization were extremely high this season, and two of the games they played this season they should have won. 

O’Connell was hired last year by first year General Manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah who came to Minnesota from the Cleveland Browns front office. Coach won the Big Game with the Los Angeles Rams, as the Offensive Coordinator. He is the second youngest head coach, only behind the Rams head coach Sean McVay. 

“From top to bottom the whole organization should be blamed for the slow start. O’Connell has made some questionable play calls late in the game. However, the turnovers are what is costing us the games. Cousins, Hockenson (tight end), Mattison (running back), and others have butterfingers. The team has the talent to make it to the playoffs, there is no denying that” (Tami Bern).

Talent does not always equal success in the NFL, as the Vikings have demonstrated over the past three games. The team has one of the best receivers in Justin Jefferson. Kirk Cousins is arguably one of the top ten quarterbacks in the league. His offensive line has done much better thus year, as Cousins has been pressured very little, and the teams ranks fifth-best in this category. 

So who is to blame? Is it O’Connell? Is he failing at getting the best out of the players? Is it Kwesi? Is he not fielding a good enough team? The players are the ones committing the turnovers, but what can stop these and keep the offense on the field?

“I think it is time to start from scratch. Cousins is aging, and not as fine wine. Trade him, and get his contract off the books. Trade Danielle Hunter for some draft picks, and use the leftover cash in free agency. There are so many players on defense that just seem to be getting slower. Start new, and start young. Too many franchises are scared to start over and admit their wrongdoings. However, with the right people in the front office a rebuild can be accelerated” (Jerry Buum).

Fourteen games remain in the season, and tough games lie ahead for the purple and gold. Kansas City, Detroit, and San Francisco are going to be no easy task, as these are teams that have playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Optimism remains in the Vikings fans mentioned above except for Jake. “Good thing we have the Wild and Timberwolves to look forward to if the Vikings continue to disappoint like they are.”

Overall the purple and gold have lots of work to do to get where they want to be. The NFC North Division might belong in another team’s hands other than the Vikings and PAckers this year. The Detroit Lions look really good this year, and Minnesota will have to play them twice this year. It will not be easy, but only time will tell.