The 2023 NFL season starts in just under three weeks time and the national media’s feelings about the Vikings’ chances remain fairly mixed.
In their latest power rankings, ESPN has Minnesota right in the middle of the league at No. 15, placing them five spots behind the Detroit Lions, the top placed team in the NFC North. The Vikings dropped one spot from ESPN’s post-draft power ranking.
Among NFC teams the Vikings are the sixth highest in the preseason ranking. If the Vikings are to succeed this season a lot will rely on how Kirk Cousins plays in year two under Kevin O’Connell.
“Cousins is in a contract year for the fourth time in his career but the first since he signed with the Vikings in 2018,” says ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
“The Vikings decided against extending his current deal in March. There is no obvious heir on the roster, but at the very least, 35-year-old Cousins will have to ward off any hints of a physical decline to secure a new deal. On the other hand, a huge season could propel him to a bigger payday in free agency next offseason.
The Packers and Bears round out the NFC North coming in at No. 20 and No. 24, respectively.
