Update 2: As you already know, the Vikings have signed QB Donovan McNabb to a contract (the length of which is still undisclosed) and have come to terms with free agent WR Michael Jenkins. Coach Leslie Frazier stated in an interview that barring unforeseen circumstances, he expects to roll with the current roster at the WR position.
Additionally, all of the Vikings draft picks, including Christian Ponder ($11M fully guaranteed), have been signed.
Update: It appears the Vikings have made a few more steps forward in the first day of free agency. Reports are the team has traded for quarterback Donovan McNabb to be the veteran presence in the huddle, and has agreed to terms with wideout Devin Aromashodu. Both players are expected to sign one year deals.
It won't, however, be easy. The NFC North has drastically improved in the past few years, and expecting to win it may be a bit too optimistic. In addition to featuring both of last years NFC Championship game teams - the Chicago Bears and Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers - the Detroit Lions are quietly stockpiling not only a talented roster, but one that is built to compete in the NFC North for years. Additionally, the Vikings are the only team without a sure answer at quarterback in a division that features some of the leagues young stars in Rodgers, Stafford and (sort of) Cutler. They do, however, have a potential long-term answer at the position in Christian Ponder. The issue is, in a quarterback driven league, Ponder may not be ready to lead a team to the playoffs at the NFL level. Worse yet, the Vikings stand to lose a lot to free agency, with top starters on both sides of the ball entering the market. Finally, gone are the magical days of uncapped football. Thus the Vikings, along with the rest of the league, will need to adhere to the new salary cap of $120 million, which may require some tricky salary maneuvering. Despite all of this, the if the Vikings make a few smart personell moves (some of which they've already done), they may still have a shot at not only returning to the playoffs, but at becoming a force in the NFC for years to come.
Heres what they need to do:
1. Franchise Tag LB Chad Greenway
This is one of the moves VP of Player Personel Rick Spielman has already made. And despite a bit of criticism, it was the right decision. Greenway is an essential part of the defense, and keeping him ensures they have a front 7 that consists of Greenway, Jared Allen, Kevin Williams, and EJ Henderson. More importantly, Greenway is willing to play under the franchise label (and at $10M, he should be) which is more important than you might think. Just last year Chargers wideout Vincent Jackson sat out much of the year due to his unwillingness to play without a long term contract. While Greenway has already said he would happily welcome a long-term offer, this gives the Vikings the leisure of dealing with other free agent issues and forget about losing their star linebacker. In the end, the Vikings will (and should) talk to Greenway and figure out a deal that will keep him in purple for multiple years... which should also lessen his cap hit in 2011.
