Minnesota Vikings Face Deepening Pain After Losing Key Pieces: What's Next For The Purple People Eaters?

The Minnesota Vikings have been in a state of flux for several years now, but the recent departures of quarterback Nick Mullens and tight end Johnny Mundt have sent shockwaves through the team's fan base. The two players, who were key contributors to the team's offense, have left the Vikings to join the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving the team to wonder what's next. In this article, we'll delve into the implications of these departures and explore what the future holds for the Vikings.

For Vikings fans, the news of Mullens and Mundt's departure is a harsh reality check. The two players were fan favorites, and their loss leaves a void in the team's lineup. Mullens, who was drafted by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, was a reliable backup quarterback who showed flashes of brilliance on the field. Mundt, on the other hand, was a trusted tight end who brought a level of athleticism and playmaking ability to the team's offense.

Impact on the Vikings' Offense

The departure of Mullens and Mundt has significant implications for the Vikings' offense. With the two players gone, the team will need to rely on backup quarterbacks and receivers to fill the void. The Vikings have a deep receiving corps, led by players like Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and KJ Osborn, but the team will need to find a way to get them the ball consistently.

The Vikings' running game, which has been a strength of the team in recent years, will also be affected by the loss of Mullens and Mundt. The team's running backs, led by Dalvin Cook, have been key contributors to the team's offense, but they will need to find ways to get the ball to them more often.

Potential Backup Quarterbacks

With Mullens gone, the Vikings will need to turn to backup quarterbacks to fill the void. The team has a few options in place, including:

• Tanner Morgan: Morgan is a fourth-year quarterback who has seen limited playing time with the Vikings. He's a mobile quarterback who has shown flashes of brilliance on the field.
• Lewis Cine: Cine is a rookie quarterback who was drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He's a physical quarterback who has a strong arm and good decision-making skills.

Tight End Options

The Vikings have a few tight end options in place, but none of them are quite like Mundt. The team has:

• Tyler Conklin: Conklin is a two-year veteran tight end who has seen significant playing time with the Vikings. He's a reliable blocker who has also shown flashes of playmaking ability on the field.
• Kelvin Harmon: Harmon is a rookie tight end who was drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He's a physical tight end who has a strong block and good speed.

Impact on the Vikings' Defense

The departure of Mullens and Mundt also has implications for the Vikings' defense. The team has a stout defense that has been a strength of the team in recent years, but the loss of Mullens and Mundt has created a few holes.

The Vikings' defense has been reliant on quarterback pressure to generate turnovers, but the team's pass rush has been inconsistent in recent years. The loss of Mullens has given the opposing team's quarterback a breather, and the Vikings will need to find ways to generate pressure again.

Potential Defensive Schemes

The Vikings have a few defensive schemes in place that could help address the loss of Mullens and Mundt. The team has:

• A 4-3 defense: The 4-3 defense is a classic scheme that emphasizes stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback. The Vikings have a strong defensive line that can stop the run and get to the quarterback.
• A 3-4 defense: The 3-4 defense is a more versatile scheme that can accommodate different personnel. The Vikings have a few players who can play outside linebacker, including Brian Asamoah and George Edwards Jr.

Impact on the Vikings' Roster

The departure of Mullens and Mundt has a significant impact on the Vikings' roster. The team will need to find new players to fill the void left by the two departed players.

The Vikings have a few draft picks coming up, including a first-round pick and a few fourth-round picks. The team will need to use these picks to find new players who can contribute to the team's offense.

Potential Free Agents

The Vikings also have a few free agents on the roster who could potentially be released or re-signed. The team has:

• Patrick Peterson: Peterson is a veteran cornerback who has been a key contributor to the team's defense. He's a shutdown corner who can play press coverage and bring it up to the line of scrimmage.
• Corey Ballentine: Ballentine is a veteran cornerback who has seen significant playing time with the Vikings. He's a physical corner who can play press coverage and bring it up to the line of scrimmage.

What's Next for the Vikings?

The departure of Mullens and Mundt has significant implications for the Vikings. The team will need to find new players to fill the void left by the two departed players, and the team's roster will look very different in the coming months.

The Vikings have a few draft picks coming up, and the team will need to use these picks to find new players who can contribute to the team's offense. The team also has a few free agents on the roster who could potentially be released or re-signed.

In the coming months, Vikings fans can expect to see significant changes on the team's roster. The team will need to find new players to fill the void left by Mullens and