A year ago, the Vikings began what General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah termed a “competitive rebuild,” keeping most of their veteran nucleus together under the belief they could return to the playoffs with a new coaching staff.
That belief came true in coach Kevin O’Connell’s first year: The Vikings won at least 13 games for just the third time in franchise history, claiming their first NFC North title in five years with a 13-4 record and winning an NFL-record 11 games by one score.
With many of those core players a year older and a season further into high-priced contracts, though, the Vikings will have plenty of decisions to make before next season.