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3 free agents the Minnesota Vikings should avoid in the 2021 offseason

By Cole Thompson

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons is pressures by Kawann Short #99 of the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons is pressures by Kawann Short #99 of the Carolina Panthers during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 18: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 18: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

If the Minnesota Vikings hope to contend in 2021, they cannot make these signings.

Teams live or die by quarterback play. It’s why the Minnesota Vikings have been one of the more average roster over the past three years. Kirk Cousins is not a bad quarterback, but he’s also limited in multiple areas.

All that said, let’s not put the struggles of the Vikings’ 2020 season on his shoulders. That’s all on a poor showing from the defensive side of the ball nearly every Sunday.

How bad are we talking? Mike Zimmer, a defensive-minded coach, said it was the worst defense he’s ever worked with.

Yikes indeed.

Minnesota’s offseason plan should be fixing the defense as best as possible. The team will need to add an offensive tackle at some point, but with -7.1 million right now, there isn’t a ton of wiggle room to be spending cash.

Rick Spielman must make the best of a terrible situation. These three names though, would likely only make things worse in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

3 free agents the Vikings should avoid in free agency

Scouting Report. player. 87. Pick Analysis. DL. Carolina Panthers. Kawann Short. 3

Minnesota’s inability to stop the run made the defensive line a liability every snap. The team lost Everson Griffen and Linval Joseph in free agency, having to basically rebuild from the ground up.

Defensive tackle will certainly be on their shortlist of names to add in the NFL Draft. However, Minnesota needs a proven player who can help immediately in the run game. Is Short a reliable option?

The long-time Carolina Panthers’ star was cut this offseason due to salary cap issues. The former Pro Bowler played in five games in two seasons and didn’t justify the $20.83 million owed his way in 2021.

Short, 31, hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2018. He’s entering the back end of his career and could be looking for a ring before calling it. Worst of all? There’s no telling if Short will be healthy enough for even a minimal contract.

Minnesota cannot afford to add a big name in the trenches, but they need a defensive tackle. It’s always best to take a healthy one over an oft-injured name.

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