Related: Vikings Fans Have Been Sold a Bill of Salary Cap Lies

Speculation is everywhere regarding whether or not Kirk, who was having a career season before sustaining a season ending injury vs the Green Bay Packers in week 8. Will another team swoop in front of the Vikings and make him an offer he can’t refuse and Minnesota can’t match?

Adam Thompson, a veteran oddsmaker and NFL analyst at Bookies.com, believes so. Of all the things that has made me think twice about Kirk Cousins’ return, a plugged in oddsmaker placing the Vikings fourth on his simulated odds board, as #8’s next team.

Kirk Cousins Next Team Simulated Odds

Why Do 3 Teams Have Better Odds Than Minnesota?

The three teams ahead of the Vikings all have QB vacancies for teams that are believed to want to win ASAP. Both the New England Patriots and Las Vegas Raiders have available cap space and quarterback uncertainties. The Patriots, led by first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, have Mac Jones, while the Raiders, under Antonio Pierce, anticipate the return of Jimmy Garoppolo from injury.

While the Patriots might offer a higher salary, the Raiders could present a more promising chance for success. Given Cousins age and lack of a Super Bowl appearances, Las Vegas might have the upper hand. Cousins has expressed that, at this point in his career, winning comes before all else.

Eventually, we will find out whether or not that is true. Something else that may have pushed these odds up, in the Raiders favor, was Davante Adams publicly stumping for Vegas’ new general manager to go sign Kirk Cousins.

Related: Davante Adams Wants Kirk Cousins to be His Next QB

There are insider predictions that Bill Belichick, one of the favorites to to be hired as Falcons next head coach, might attempt to lure Cousins with him to Atlanta for a shot at a Super Bowl. Thompson clearly likes the odds of that happening too. The Atlanta Falcons seem poised to part ways with Desmond Ridder and currently have the 15th highest cap space.

Vikings Are Still Very Much In The Mix

Thompson’s odds are somewhat reasonable, with no clear favorite emerging to secure Cousins at the moment. As the offseason progresses, we can expect to hear more speculation, but the Vikings are still in the process of sorting things out.

“A reunion with the Minnesota Vikings isn’t out of the question, and both sides have been saying the right things. Paying him what he’s worth will take some financial juggling, but the prospect of going into the season with Nick Mullens may disgruntle Justin Jefferson as he enters a contract year.”

Adam Thompson – Handicapper (Bookies.com)

Things are gonna start heating up very shortly. What will Kwesi Adofo Mensah and the Vikings decide to do? Many want Cousins resigned, will he take a discount? Will another team offer him more guaranteed money? So many unknowns.

Read more Minnesota Vikings articles

Related: Minnesota Vikings Under-the-Radar Assistant Lands Another OC Interview

Minnesota was embarrassed in the Wild Card game against the Rams.. They lost to the lions in week 18 at Ford field, and now the season is over. Here are the Minnesota Vikings offense rankings.

Here are how various networks rank the Vikings offense, based on their own criteria. The Vikings were near the top of the rankings for most of the 14-3 season. However, they did not perform in the playoffs.

Related: Vikings Superstar Justin Jefferson Receives Another Honor

Below is how the Vikings offense ranked against the other 31 NFL teams in points scored and yards per game. Kevin O’Connell’s offense finished in the top fifteen in total yards and top-10 in passing yards and points per game so far this season.

Related: Looks Like Vikings DC Brian Flores is Out of Head Coaching Opportunities

The rushing offense dropped out of the top-15, though meaning they are in the bottom half of the league in terms of rushing production. The Vikings were not able to win, and continued to struggle in the run game.

Minnesota Vikings Depth Chart – Offense

^{– Subject to Change}

Here is the current depth chart for the Minnesota Vikings offense.

Related: ESPN Analyst Confident the Vikings Will Sign Sam Darnold to Lucrative Contract Extension

Vikings Offensive Coaches

The Vikings offensive coaching staff is made up of the following individuals. This is the third year of the main primary unit as the coaches look to keep improving on their scheme.

• Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell
• Offensive Coordinator: Wes Phillips
• Tight Ends/Passing Game Coordinator: Brian Angelichio
• Pass Game Specialist/Game Management Coordinator: Ryan Cordell
• Offensive Line: Chris Kuper
• Wide Receivers: Keenan McCardell
• Running Backs/Running Game Coordinator: Curtis Modkins
• Quarterbacks: Josh McCown
• Quality Control: Derron Montgomery
• Offensive Assistant: Ben Ellefson
• Senior Offensive Assistant: Chris O’Hara
• Assistant Offensive Line: Shaun Sarrett
• Assistant Wide Receivers: Tony Sorrentino
• Assistant Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Quarterbacks: Grant Udinski

Bookmark this Vikings’ Offense Rankings and Information post! Then, check back after each game for updates!

— Minnesota Vikings 2024 Schedule —

The Minnesota Vikings selected Irv Smith Jr. with the 50th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The tight end from Alabama was a highly touted prospect and landed in the Vikings lap in the second round. Now going into his 2nd year as a pro, it’s time for the Vikings to lean on Smith Jr. to be their version of George Kittle.

His skillset is very unique. At 6′ 2″ and 242 lbs, Smith is very athletic. He boasted good 40-yard dash results, along with running the gauntlet with ease. Irv looked like a wideout in a tight end’s body. And that was just at his combine workout… He’s looking even better after a year in the league.

Irv Smith Jr. going through the gauntlet drill with ease ? @AlabamaFTBL

?: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/JfcsVd5Abq

— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2019

The Vikings’ George Kittle?

San Francisco 49er, George Kittle has been lauded as the next big thing at the tight end position. Rightfully so, because he might already be, but what if Irv Smith Jr. is the next next big thing…?

The thing that sets Kittle apart from many tight ends, is his ability to run routes, catch the football, be great after the catch and run-block. He is, arguably, the best blocking tight end in the league, but is also being super athletic.

Fortunately for Minnesota Vikings fans, Irv Smith Jr. is only one season into his promising career and was playing second-fiddle to Kyle Rudolph, as a rookie. Still, in a loaded receiving corps, Smith Jr. snagged 36 catches for 311 yards.

With plenty of new opportunity 2020, Smith Jr. should be able to show off more of his skill-set.

On his Instagram, #Vikings 2nd year TE @swervinirvin_ posted videos of him training: one in particular was a route 50 yards downfield. ?

USE HIM LIKE KITTLE. pic.twitter.com/ggpGxCtLpS

— tanishka (@tanishkamascara) June 17, 2020

Receiving

This video may not show anything ridiculous to the naked eye, but it you look closely, it is impressive. Smith’s ability to locate the ball in stride is not a guarantee for tight ends throughout the NFL.

Look at the jab step + quick hip turn he uses at his break… Something like that will cause opposing linebackers and safeties real fits. With his continually improving routes, we should see even more of this.

My favorite part about Irv Smith Jr. so far is how much he over-exaggerates his plants at the top of the route. Helps a lot with separating vs. man coverage. pic.twitter.com/fGzvUSDHPK

— Jordan Reid (@JReidNFL) October 23, 2019

Irv Smith Jr. isn’t only impressive when running route and catching the ball, as mentioned in my intro. He is also an effective player, after the catch is made. Players of his size are not supposed to move like this, but Smith Jr. does, which draws even more comparison to George Kittle.

Was really impressed by #Vikings TE Irv Smith Jr. today. Good to see him getting more involved in the offense. He blocked well, led the team with 60 yards receiving and looked elusive after the catch.

Smith is looking like a special player with an incredibly high ceiling. pic.twitter.com/vHpP2MsPPE

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) September 22, 2019

After the Minnesota Vikings sent Stefon Diggs to Buffalo, to be overthrown by Josh Allen, they will be looking for others to pick up his production. It might be too much to ask of rookie Justin Jefferson and recent addition Tajae Sharpe, so Irv Smith Jr. should be able to help fill some of that void, left by Diggs.

Blocking

Smith is more than just a pass-catching threat. He likes to get down and dirty in the trenches. He came into the league as a solid blocker, and got better as a rookie. The sky is the limit for this kid.

“I’m a physical player. I like to get down and dirty.” @swervinirvin_

?: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork #OutworkYesterday | #RollTide pic.twitter.com/FjhigmIt8i

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) March 2, 2019

I mean, just look at some of these blocks:

ICYMI: When it comes to tight ends, blocking isn’t the flashiest part of the job but it’s one of the most important parts. Alabama TE Irv Smith Jr. is one of the most NFL ready run blockers in this year’s draft class. My full profile: ⬇️https://t.co/s8Qcuk4ljC pic.twitter.com/bx2KH5UX0Q

— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) April 6, 2019

And this one:

Two great blocks by Kline and Ham on the left side on Mike Boone TD. Kline pulls across while Ham bullies the corner. Both helping create a solid hole for Boone to run through.

Also Irv Smith Jr doing some dirty work blocking his guy into two other defenders #Skol #Vikings pic.twitter.com/SoHhyHOiDG

— Matt Anderson (@MattAndersonNFL) December 16, 2019

Oh, and let’s never forget this one:

Irv Smith, Jr’s block on Damien Harris’ touchdown run is violent pic.twitter.com/VHB6VmuZJy

— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) September 4, 2017

George Kittle 2.0?

So he has the blocking, he has the ball skills and he has the athleticism. Whats stopping Irv Smith Jr. from becoming George Kittle 2.0? George came into the league and was thrust into the #1 TE role for a struggling 49ers offense, alongside an underwhelming WR group.

He put up 43 catches for 515 yards in that rookie campaign, with much more opportunity than Smith Jr. His break out season was year 2 (88 REC, 1377 YDS, 5 TD). The same is coming for Irv, who is still just 21 years old, by the way. With Gary Kubiak now orchestrating the offense, Smith Jr. should get the opportunity to show what he’s got this season as a go-to option for the Minnesota Vikings.

Brendan Hedtke | Minnesota Sports Fan