The Vikings have an offensive line problem, who knew?
Anyone who pays attention knows the Minnesota Vikings struggle to protect the quarterback, except perhaps the general manager given how he fails to devote resources to the offensive line
It’s easy to point blame at quarterback Kirk Cousins for the offensive shortcomings of the Minnesota Vikings. But at times, he has no chance behind an offensive line that can’t keep the opposing pass rush at bay. More narrowly, the guard position has been a particular issue during his three seasons in Minnesota.
The signing (and slight overpay) for offensive tackle Riley Reiff in 2017 free agency aside, the Vikings haven’t devoted enough premium resources to the offensive line throughout GM Rick Spielman’s tenure. And when they do, the player lacks staying power (Matt Kalil), is a bit of project (Brian O’Neill, which does look like it’ll work out) or is a hint of a reach/desperation (a first-round pick on center Garrett Bradbury).
The signing of Cousins seemed to dictate a parallel effort to bolster the structure around him. But Pro Football Focus’ pass blocking grades over the last three years shines light on the failure to put talent on the offensive line.
Some of that failure to make the offensive line is rooted in having a head coach with a defensive acumen in Mike Zimmer, as he stumps for keeping all of “his guys” on that side of the ball and has largely gotten his way. Cousins’ contract makes it harder too, but that’s secondary to, as an example, ponying up a contract for Anthony Barr. A better allocation of resources has to come this offseason, followed almost naturally by a playoff berth, or we’ll be talking about Spielman and Zimmer’s replacements a year from now.
