Let’s take a turn, shall we? Don’t worry, you do not have to grab your COVID mask (or for those of you who do not believe in that sort of thing, your ‘The Earth is 5,000 years old’ trucker hat) for this one, because you will simply follow my reasoning on this (actually for those of you who do not believe in masks, maybe you should put this one out).
First, as many of you who recognize my name / content know, I’m not a huge fan of current and (if I am right) Mike Zimmer, head coach of Minnesota Vikings soon. Do not get me wrong, it was good with him … But it’s about that.
For those who do not remember, you can take my word or go and look at William Hill Sportsbook IL and see that the Vikings were a mostly mediocre play-off team around the other season, although Zimmer gave everything a head coach would ever give wanted.
Based on the title here, I’m sure you think I’m blaming Zimmer for or for 2020 and the impact that COVID has had. I’m not. Instead, I look at the impact COVID will have on the 2021 salary cap and what it will mean for the Vikings and the rest of the league.
The Vikings’ predicted comeback from 2021 (which according to many people would happen because Zimmer’s defense got healthier) will not happen because the team will have to cut bait with a good amount of veterans. Not only that, but because of the COVID ceiling situation, teams with a salary ceiling will be able to essentially create the NFL version of a super team.
Imagine what the Colts could do? Or more appropriately (for this article) did a team like the Rams just do it by adding Matthew Stafford? Or veterans who want to join the Bucs to get a chance to call with Brady and his company?
Not only will the Vikings not only improve (or improve at all) due to the financial situation in the defense, but they will also have a bunch of teams to compete in the NFC for a playoff spot.
Despite his recent expansion, it was clear after right-hand man George Edwards was sacked that ownership of the Vikings expected rapid improvement by Zimmer and the company. He bought time with the huge 15 picks he will help oversee in 2020, and more with the COVID / injury related issues the team faced last season.
While I still point to COVID as guilty here, I doubt it will matter much to an ownership group that has given Zimmer a lot of money, support and patience for the ‘success’ of getting embarrassed every second season in the playoffs.
It will be difficult to get out of this quagmire, even if Cousins possibly restructures, as Danielle Hunter needs a huge salary increase, and I would be surprised if Zimmer manages the team that moves from Anthony Barr.
I may be wrong, and I would love to, but I simply do not see it, especially since the team has continuity with the offensive coordinator (which means we can not expect a young mastermind to start convincing) Zimmer to stop being so risky).
