5 questions that remain for the Vikings' offense after the draft

The Minnesota Vikings had a successful draft, landing their quarterback of the future and a talented edge rusher in the first round but their big splashes didn’t solve every problem heading into next season.

The Vikings are coming off a 7-10 season and despite oddsmakers listing Minnesota as a potential top-10 draft pick candidate next year, the Vikings have several question to answer in the coming months as they look to contend in 2024.

Here’s a look at some of the bigger storylines in the coming months and how they could shape the Vikings next season.

1. Who will be the starting quarterback?

The Vikings selected J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in the draft but Kevin O’Connell’s emphasis on patience and the presence of Sam Darnold could complicate how long it takes McCarthy to see the field.

Darnold was signed to a one-year, $10 million contract to be the bridge quarterback and O’Connell has expressed confidence in the 26-year-old’s ability despite failed stints as a starter with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers.

“I think his best football is ahead of him because of how he’s handled the last couple of years,” O’Connell said after signing Darnold last March. “Whether it’s going 4-2 down the stretch in Carolina in ’22, or when you turn on the tape of his work in San Francisco, you can tell Kyle, Brian Griese, they did a great job in the next phase of his career. Fundamentals, techniques, things that you look for to see growth. I’m excited to get going with Sam.”

Even if Darnold falters, the Vikings could prefer going with Nick Mullens, who averaged 370 passing yards and threw six touchdowns over his three starts before going to McCarthy, who is considered a project out of the University of Michigan.

ESPN’s Kevin Siefert reported last weekend that McCarthy will have to hit several benchmarks before assuming the starting role, so it remains to be seen how quickly the 21-year-old can hit those benchmarks and hit the field.

Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

2. When will Justin Jefferson’s contract get done?

The trade rumors surrounding Jefferson didn’t produce a draft day deal and now the Vikings will continue working on a lucrative contract extension that could make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has repeatedly stated the Vikings have no interest in trading Jefferson and indicated that an extension would require giving Jefferson a month to celebrate. But while Adofo-Mensah remained optimistic, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said on Thursday that a deal is not imminent.

“There’s a lot of wide receivers this offseason that need to get extensions,” Garafolo said. “[Jefferson is] going to be the pace-setter of this wide receiver market. … This team has made multiple runs at trying to get this thing done but not quite to the point where it’s ever really gotten close. So we’re still in that holding pattern where it doesn’t seem like the Vikings have any interest in trading him away, it’s just a matter of when they get to the point where both sides are comfortable getting this done.”

Garafolo added there is no impetus for a deal to get done at this point as Jefferson’s camp could be waiting on several other receivers such as Dallas’s CeeDee Lamb and Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase to get paid and discussions could get dragged out to training camp or even Week 1 of the regular season.

While a deal could eventually get done, Vikings fans are left holding their breath until Jefferson signs on the dotted line.

3. Do the Vikings need one more receiver?

While Jefferson is waiting on a new contract, the rest of the receiver room has some questions. Jordan Addison is coming off a strong rookie season with 911 yards and 10 touchdowns but Minnesota’s depth is a question after K.J. Osborn signed with the New England Patriots in free agency.

Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell and free-agent signing Trent Sherfield are among the notables on the roster heading into OTAs but neither are those are great options if Jefferson or Addison go down with an injury.

The Vikings did not take a receiver in this year’s draft despite a strong class and the free-agent market has dried up with D.J. Chark signing with the Los Angeles Chargers and Odell Beckham Jr. signing with the Miami Dolphins this week.

If the Vikings want to get in on one more receiver, they may need to act quickly and add some depth to one of their most top-heavy positions on offense.

4. Will T.J. Hockenson be ready for Week 1?

Another reason the Vikings could look to add a receiver is the status of T.J. Hockenson, who suffered a multi-ligament knee injury on Christmas Eve.

Hockenson was optimistic about his recovery when speaking to reporters earlier this month but stopped short of declaring himself ready for Week 1. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis also reported that Hockenson is ahead of schedule in his recovery but also cautioned that Minnesota isn’t going to rush him back due to the four-year, $66 million contract he signed last summer.

“The Vikings are committed to ensuring he’s fully healthy before he plays,” Lewis wrote. “Last year’s contract cemented the team’s belief that he is one of its cornerstone players. You don’t rush a player like that back from an injury this severe.”

Lewis went on to mention that Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt could fill in for Hockenson if he isn’t ready to return but that would still leave a big hole in an offense that has made Hockenson second among tight ends with 155 receptions and 1,479 yards since arriving midway through the 2022 season.

5. Do the Vikings need another guard?

For a few months, the Vikings escaped the “Can he play guard?” theme that plagued the offensive line for the past decade. It took three months for that to go up in smoke and they once again have questions on the interior of the offensive line.

Ed Ingram cut his pressures by 33 percent last season and remains the starting right guard but Dalton Risner remains a free agent with Lewis suggesting it was “difficult to see a path toward his return.”

The Vikings currently are projected to use Blake Brandel as the starter at left guard and selected Wake Forest guard Michael Jurgens, who was Pro Football Focus’s third-ranked college guard in overall grade last season, in the seventh round of last weekend’s draft.

The guard position may not be as important if Darnold, McCarthy or whoever is at quarterback shows more mobility than their predecessor, Kirk Cousins. But it’s still a concern and something that will have to be sorted out ahead of next season.