MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The long-sturdy, often-dominant Minnesota Vikings defense directed by head coach Mike Zimmer endured enough losses from the usual lineup that 2020 was bound to be a year of transition.
Preseason suggestions that this group might struggle were mostly met with defiance and confidence from coaches and players, and, really, who could argue with their pedigree? Since Zimmer’s arrival in 2014, the Vikings had routinely fielded a top-five defense in the league by just about any statistical or anecdotal measure.
This year, they’ve veered well off track. First came the salary-cap-prompted departures of five starters.