Purple Insider

Purple Insider

Share this post

Purple Insider
Purple Insider
Future of the Vikings, part 4: What changes are coming to the offensive line?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

Future of the Vikings, part 4: What changes are coming to the offensive line?

Once again, Minnesota has work to do to figure out its interior spots

Jan 20, 2022
∙ Paid
6

Share this post

Purple Insider
Purple Insider
Future of the Vikings, part 4: What changes are coming to the offensive line?
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
1
Share
Sign up for Purple Insider for $7 per month or $64 per year to get credentialed access inside the Vikings, from in-depth analysis to behind-the-scenes features to the ever-popular Friday Mailbag. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings.

Each year following the NFL season we write a Future of the Vikings series looking at every position, the performances from the previous season and what could be coming next.

Read part 1: Is there a scenario where Kirk Cousins sticks around?
Read part 2: What will the new GM do with Dalvin Cook?
Read part 3: Building the receiving corps around Justin Jefferson


By Sam Ekstrom

If you’re looking for a constant affliction that plagued the Zimmer/Spielman era from Day 1, look no further than the offensive line.

From the fledgling play of Matt Kalil to myriad fourth-round draft whiffs to inexplicable position changes, the Vikings never figured out how to build an above-average group of blockers.

In eight years with Zimmer and Spielman, the Vikings average rank in pass blocking was 26th, per Pro Football Focus, and their peak was 17th in 2017. Even as a run-blocking unit, which the Vikings prioritized heavily, they averaged 19th over the tandem’s eight-year stretch with a peak of 12th in 2019.

To not accidently stumble into a top 10 ranking in any season over nearly a decade is tough to accomplish, especially when it was always an area of need that required investment.

The front office turned a blind eye to gaping holes in the offensive line’s depth year after year, ignoring a need that was annually an egregious issue. This held especially true in the regime’s final seasons, which leaves the Vikings’ future decision makers with a thin group of blockers despite some decent pieces in the starting lineup.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Purple Insider to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Matthew Coller
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More