Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said that the Vikings' offensive line will need to improve next season following their playoff loss to the Seahawks, and Minnesota has already moved on from offensive line coach Jeff Davidson and hired former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano. The Vikings struggled to protect their second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater all season, but they did open holes in their ground game for running back Adrian Peterson.
Despite the fact that Peterson led the league in rushing yards this past season, Minnesota's offensive line struggled to create pocket for their young quarterback. The Vikings lost their starting center John Sullivan and their starting right tackle Phil Loadholt after suffering season-ending injuries in the preseason.
The Vikings offensive line is expected see some changes this offseason, as they will likely lose either a former first-round or second-round draft pick. Both Loadholt and offensive tackle Matt Kalil are on the chopping block this offseason, and only one is likely to return for the 2016 season, according to Matt Vensel of The Minnesota Star Tribune.
The Vikings front office will need to decide between Kalil and Loadholt this offseason, and it's unknown which lineman Minnesota's front office is leaning towards keeping. Loadholt is rehabbing from a torn Achilles this past season and has just turned 30 years old. The team can save $6 million in cap space if they decide to cut Loadholt, but Kalil is due $11.1 million in 2016 and the team could look to clear more cap space by cutting him before the March 9 deadline, according to Vensel.
Minnesota's offensive line could see a major overhaul prior to the 2016 season, and their front office could look to add some viable offensive lineman through free agency. The Vikings may also look to add an offensive lineman in the 2016 NFL Draft with the 23rd pick. Some NFL draft analysts have projected the Vikings to take an outside linebacker while others have projected a wide receiver, but it's completely plausible to imagine them taking an offensive lineman in the first round.
The Vikings won the NFC North division title for the first time since 2009 this past season, and head coach Mike Zimmer will look for his team to continue to improve in 2016, as they look to solidify their offensive line.
