Heading into the 2016 season, the Minnesota Vikings thought their offensive line was filled with a solid core.
Matt Kalil was entering a make-or-break season on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, Andre Smith was signed to a one-year deal to compete with the now retired Phil Loadholt, Joe Berger was coming off one of the best seasons of his career, Brandon Fusco was expected to rebound after switching back to his more natural position of right guard, and the team’s prized offseason acquisition was the signing of guard Alex Boone to a four-year, $26 million deal.