The roller coaster ride that was the 2016 Minnesota Vikings’ season officially came to an end yesterday with a win over the NFC North rival Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium by a score of 38-10. The victory was anything but sweet, given the monumental free-fall the Vikings have endured following their perfect 5-0 start to now failing to make it to the post-season.
Unlike Vikings collapses of the past involving a missed field goal to win the game (Anderson/Walsh), or an inopportune interception (Favre), this season’s breakdown lasted for the latter 11 weeks of the season. What remains the same is the bitter disappointment of another lost season that once held so much hope. All we can do now is look forward to next season as we have done time and time again.
Chad Greenway’s to retire as a Viking
After 11 illustrious seasons as a Viking, linebacker Chad Greenway is set to hang up the pads once and for all following yesterday’s victory over Chicago. The South Dakota native will retire as one of the Vikings franchise leaders in career tackles, finishing with well over 1,000.
Greenway will be remembered as a player that left it all on the field each and every game. He was far from the fastest player, but his effort and determination helped him to become a leader on the Vikings defense for the better part of a decade. His leadership and football IQ will be sorely missed.
Adrian Peterson future with the Vikings is up in the air
Set to earn over $18 million next season, Adrian Peterson will likely be forced to take a substantial pay-cut if he is to stay with the team next season. If he decides to explore the market, the chances of him making anywhere near $18 million are slim to none given his age and recent struggles to stay on the field.
Personally, I think it’s time that the Vikings finally cut ties with Peterson and move this offense into a more pass focused system that, when successful, can open up the run, not vice versa. For far too long this offense has been frustratingly predictable, and that stems from the need to force-feed Peterson instead of working with what the opposing defense gives us.
Sam Bradford breaks single-season passing completion percentage record
Pre-season emergency acquisition Sam Bradford put an exclamation point on a terrific season in purple this Sunday by breaking the single-season completion percentage record previously held by Drew Brees set during the 2011 season.
Bradford finished the 2016 regular season with nearly 4,000 yards through the air to go along with a 4:1 TD-Int ratio. Like it or not, Bradford has likely created an open competition for the starting quarterback position in 2017 between himself and a potentially healthy Teddy Bridgewater. While Bridgewater’s status remains uncertain, the Vikings can rest easy knowing they have a dependable quarterback ready to keep the reigns in 2017 regardless of Bridgewater’s availability.
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