The Vikings’ $11 million investment in inconsistent left tackle Matt Kalil last spring was not without risks. Still, coach Mike Zimmer liked the early results from a preseason spent tweaking Kalil’s footwork in pass protection.
Then Kalil injured a hip in practice, starting the left tackle who’d never missed a snap down a path leading to surgery and 14 games on injured reserve. The Vikings’ hefty bet on Kalil, via last year’s expensive fifth-year option on his rookie contract, fell flat in an attempt to make one more evaluation on him.
Now the Vikings have a hole at left tackle with no heir apparent on the 2017 roster.