In an identical vein to how followers felt when Mike Zimmer took over for Leslie Frazier, the thrill is palpable for the start of the Kevin O’Connell period.

Whereas the staff prepares for the season, we’re doing the identical on the Vikings Wire. We will likely be producing previews breaking down each every place and the staff as a complete.

At present, we proceed with our preview sequence by speaking concerning the total outlook for the 2022 Minnesota Vikings.

Quarterback Preview
Operating Again Preview
Vast Receiver preview
Tight Finish Preview
Offensive Deal with Preview
Defensive Line Preview
Outdoors Linebacker/Edge Preview
Center Linebacker Preview
Cornerback Preview
Security Preview

Offensive overview

Sep 19, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a cross towards Arizona Cardinals within the first half at State Farm Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports activities

The brand new look Minnesota Vikings offense goes to be an developed type of what we’ve seen below Kevin Stefanski and Gary Kubiak.

Operating out of primarily 11 personnel, the concept is that beginning quarterback Kirk Cousins will likely be extra aggressive as a result of the offense will likely be asking him to take action.

I’m very skeptical that something will change.

It’s not secret that Cousins can throw the ball down the sphere. He completed tenth in huge time throw proportion however solely twenty ninth in throws previous the sticks.

The difficulty with Cousins has by no means been about means however moderately his willingness to make the throws. Far too usually, Cousins will take the test down. His warmth map has reveals that the one areas on the sphere the place he was actually above-average have been within the flats.

Cousins desires issues to be good so badly down the sphere that he gained’t throw down the sphere when there isn’t a wide-open receiver. He performs a risk-averse model of soccer which could be a good factor. Nonetheless, that interprets too usually throughout occasions the place the Vikings want one thing to occur.

The addition of Kevin O’Connell was made to assist Cousins change into extra aggressive. He was capable of elevate Matthew Stafford to a Tremendous Bowl profitable quarterback. The most important distinction between the 2 is that Stafford is a gunslinger and Cousins is cautious.

Can O’Connell get some aggressiveness out of Cousins? I doubt it. After taking part in this model for almost all of the final 20 seasons, it’s not going to be so simple as flipping a swap. Cousins isn’t the entire sudden going to attend that additional second to hit the dig over the center of the sphere as an alternative of hitting C.J Ham within the flat for the umpteenth time.

The success of the offense will depend on Cousins willingness to attend for that additional second and belief his top-tier weapons to make a play. If he’s prepared to evolve, the Vikings offense can take a significant bounce.

Defensive overview

Jan 11, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings center linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) in protection towards the San Francisco 49ers throughout the second half within the NFC Divisional Spherical playoff soccer sport at Levi’s Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities ORG XMIT: USATSI-423526 ORIG FILE ID: 20200111_gav_al2_040.jpg

The Vikings will likely be taking part in in a 3-4 this season for the primary time in many years.

Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell will deliver the Vic Fangio-style protection to the Vikings. they are going to be aggressive and give attention to eliminating huge performs. The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen wrote an article on the Fangio protection again in Could and gave a pleasant, concise overview.

“What makes Fangio’s protection one of the best response to trendy offenses? Its two-high (two deep safeties) construction limits explosive performs and forces offenses to remain affected person and throw brief. The entrance mechanics permit the protection to decelerate the run with mild packing containers and commit extra sources to protection.”

A few of what Zimmer tried to do will stay the identical. There will likely be a spotlight in attempting to restrict huge performs and play each cowl two and 4 recurrently. The best situation is to copy what the Bears did in 2018 with Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd. The Vikings have two gamers in Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith who can fill these roles properly.

On the line of defense, there will likely be lots of stunts and calculated blitzes from the linebackers. The corners will likely be helped by the scheme and can nonetheless have the ability to make performs on the ball.

General, this must be an improved unit total. Will they have the ability to match final seasons whole of 51 sacks? Uncertain, however they need to enhance to be a prime half of the league scoring protection.

Season outlook

Aug 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell appears on previous to the sport towards the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports activities

There are quite a few analysts and pundits who’ve the Vikings profitable 11-12 video games and claiming the NFC North crown. The Vikings have that ceiling however there I don’t have a ton of confidence in that.

The Vikings simply had profession years from Cousins, Dalvin Cook dinner, Justin Jefferson and Ok.J Osborn. Plus, former head coach Mike Zimmer did some issues properly. You possibly can’t anticipate O’Connell and Donatell to mechanically enhance the whole lot off the bounce whereas retaining the whole lot that was good on the identical stage or increased. There will likely be pure regression and development throughout the board. Anticipating O’Connell to be some magic cure-all is simply not a good expectation.

The fact for this staff is that they’re nonetheless a .500 soccer staff till confirmed in any other case. The Vikings are having to implement a (considerably) new offensive scheme and a totally new defensive one. The harm luck on offense will seemingly not be the identical because it was final season and your two greatest defenders have had huge harm points the final two seasons. Positive they will enhance and it’s seemingly that you will notice some enchancment however asking for that a lot is a stretch.

File prediction: 9-8 seventh seed within the playoffs