The Minnesota Vikings were on the cusp of making the playoffs last season, and with several new key additions - and the return of Adrian Peterson - they’re hoping to break that threshold this season. This offseason figures to play a big role in determining Minnesota’s success in the foreseeable future, so here are three things we learned:
1) It's Teddy Bridgewater's team
Bridgewater’s athletic gifts and pure football IQ were more than evident as we watched his progression throughout 2014, but the time is now for Teddy to start grabbing the reins as an on-field leader. He’s got all the tools to be the next Brett Favre, but his teammates are publicly calling out to him to step up vocally in the huddle and the locker room. He’s got plenty of moxie and heart to spare, so it’s going to be a pleasure watching him slowly but surely get his sea legs as the go-to guy for the franchise.
2) Adrian Peterson will be a Viking for life
Obviously the storyline with the most tabloid potential for the rest of the league, the tenuous relationship between the franchise and its once cornerstone running back is the most fascinating subplot for any of the NFL’s 32 teams. He has tried to force his way out of Minnesota via a trade, but the Vikings are determined to keep him with three years left on his deal. Tempers between the two sides seem to have died down, and Peterson will be on the field for the Vikings for the foreseeable future...and probably the rest of his career.
3) The youth influx continues
From all accounts early on, first-round pick Trae Waynes looks every bit the shutdown #1 cornerback that the team drafted him to be. He’s just the latest blue-chipper to come Minnesota’s way, as the team is dotted with impact players under the age of 25. We may not be able to pencil the team in as Super Bowl contenders just yet, but the gratifying thing to watch this season will be the little victories when one of these young talents finally starts to put things together.
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