Last summer at this time, Minnesota Vikings enthusiasts had no cause for alarm whatsoever pertaining to the guts of the team. It was set up as another installment of an “all-in” year for head coach Mike Zimmer, toeing the line that suggested the team was ready to effectuate a playoff run.
After all, the Vikings just toppled the New Orleans Saints some five months earlier in a playoff game, so the team was trending in the right direction.
But then new nose tackle Michael Pierce opted out. And Danielle Hunter got hurt. After him, it was Anthony Barr.