Competitive rebuild.
Those have always been the two most important words regarding the tenure of Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Like “kick-ass offense” and “Randy Ratio,” a phrase like “competitive rebuild” can haunt its creators, especially if the Vikings fail to either compete or effectively rebuild.
With the team’s 2024 training camp approaching, prepare to hear a lot of happy talk about the Vikings’ plans and the development of young players. That’s the “rebuild” part.
The bigger question, at least for the fan base over the next two months, is whether this team can be competitive in what could be a brutally difficult NFC North division this season.
Luckily, we won’t need to read tea leaves or palms to figure out whether the Vikings’ brain trust really thinks it can win this season. It will let us know by how it handles the cornerback position.
Not quarterback. The Vikings’ decisions at that position will depend on a combination of factors — how the team plays with Sam Darnold at the helm, and how quickly rookie J.J. McCarthy can persuade the coaching staff that he’s ready to play in the NFL without risk of him being overwhelmed.
How the Vikings approach one of the most important positions other than quarterback will indicate their confidence in this year’s team.