The Skol Scale originated in 2017 as a measurement of Drew Mahowald’s Minnesota Vikings optimism on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being “SUPER BOWL HOMEBOY!” He has used the Skol Scale in the form of written articles and podcast segments. The most recent measurement, as discussed on the Unbelievable Podcast, was 6.5 after the Vikings fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the 2019 NFL playoffs.
When the Vikings were eliminated from the 2019 playoffs with a divisional loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the front office had several key decisions to make.
But one overarching decision would lay the foundation for the decisions that were to follow during the 2020 offseason. The Vikings had to decide if they wanted to rebuild or continue to build around the current roster.
The NFL Draft is nearly upon us, and the Vikings haven’t really given an answer to that question. The transactions the Vikings have made during the free agency period don’t paint a clear picture of a mission. One would think signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a lucrative contract extension would indicate that the Vikings mean to build around the current roster and maintain the status of contender in 2020.
However, the Vikings then traded away star wide receiver Stefon Diggs. To its credit, the Vikings front office did get a nice haul for Diggs — including a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. But the move definitely contradicts the decision to extend Cousins.
Why extend the expensive quarterback only to then trade away his best receiver?
If Diggs demanded out of Minnesota, that’s one thing. Especially if he made the demands after Cousins was extended. That could have thrown Minnesota’s entire offseason plan out the window. But very few people have a good grasp on what actually went down behind the scenes. The only thing that matters is that Minnesota’s two most important moves this offseason disagree with each other and now nobody really knows what the Vikings’ plan is.
Of course, the Cousins and Diggs moves weren’t the only moves made. Minnesota’s rigorous salary cap situation forced the team to let go of several key contributors from 2019 including Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes. These decisions are understandable. With the exception of Waynes, all of them are on the back nine of their careers and were on contracts that just could not be afforded.
And Minnesota just had no chance, and likely no intention, of matching Cincinnati’s three-year, $42 million offer for Waynes.
These moves created some nice salary cap space that should have given the Vikings the freedom to retain less-expensive contributors from 2019 such as starting guard Josh Kline and cornerback Mackensie Alexander. However, Kline was released and it didn’t seem as if the Vikings had much interest in Alexander, either. Kline’s cap hit for 2020 was just north of $4 million, and Alexander signed with Cincinnati on a one-year deal for pretty much the same amount.
Do these moves suggest the Vikings are trying to clear as much cap space as possible to trade for a big-name player with a large contract? Or does it indicate that Minnesota wants to start over at every position it makes sense, including guard and cornerback?
Both are possible.
But one thing is clear. Minnesota’s roster is depleted compared to the 2019 roster. Some major holes have sprouted on the depth chart, most notably at wide receiver, cornerback and offensive line.
If the Vikings plan to contend for a playoff spot in 2020 and in seasons immediately following, they need to hit big with their 2020 draft picks. They need to hit as they did five years ago with their 2015 draft class.
In that draft, the Vikings found four players (Waynes, linebacker Eric Kendricks, defensive end Danielle Hunter and Diggs) who immediately made an impact for the Vikings and helped them surprisingly win the NFC North in 2015.
Can the Vikings do that in 2020? Sure. They have the draft capital to find themselves several chances to find immediate contributors. And this front office has shown before that they can get it done.
But players like Diggs, Hunter and Kendricks don’t grow on trees — and they especially don’t grow on trees in the middle rounds of the draft. Replicating the success of that 2015 draft will be no easy task, but there doesn’t appear to be another way the Vikings can contend in 2020.
Skol Scale Rating: 5.5
The Skol Scale comes in just above average at 5.5 due to the lack of competition in the NFC North more than anything else. The Packers are due to regress after a weird 2019 season where they didn’t really dominate any facet of the sport and magically finished 13-3. Chicago will be quarterbacked by either Mitchell Trubisky or Nick Foles.
And the Lions, well, are the Lions.
But the Vikings feel like an 8-8 team at this point, similar to the way they did prior to the 2015 season. But the 2015 draft changed that in a big way. Maybe 2020 can be a similar story.
Skol Scale Submissions
Vikings fans have been putting on a brave face for decades. This is nothing.
Anyone who can call themselves an “Optimistic Vikings Fan” deserves some serious respect. Or help. One of the two.
This seems like the best combination of optimism and realism for Vikings fans. It’s not fair to expect this team to make the playoffs again after everything that’s transpired this offseason.
Here’s the prime reason for pessimism.
The Vikings, whether they were forced to or not, traded away a superstar receiver and their most valuable skill position player. And now their quarterback, who only trusts receivers that can consistently separate from defensive backs, suddenly has very few separators to throw to.
