There already was some skepticism about just how good the Vikings actually were last season.
After a fair bit of roster turnover this offseason, they now face questions about a potential step back -- although that doesn’t seem to be a concern in-house.
The Vikings finished 13-4 last season, winning the NFC North going away. However, holes were often poked in the Minnesota’s success because of how close most of their wins were, and they ultimately lost in the wild card round.
Now, they’ve seen key contributors leave. Dalvin Cook, Za'Darius Smith, Eric Kendricks, Patrick Peterson and Adam Thielen were among the players to part with the Vikings this offseason. That’ll result in something of a new look for Kevin O'Connell's team on both sides of the ball.
Appearing on CBS Sports Radio's "The Zach Gelb Show," Vikings running back Alexander Mattison expressed plenty of optimism about Minnesota's group.
“The big goal that we have is to make it to that big dance at the end,” Mattison said. “I think that we are fully capable and I think we have the confidence within the team to really go get that done. But we take it one game at a time, one week at a time, we understand the many goals that we have in between getting there.
“But I wholeheartedly believe that this is a team coming back this year that added pieces, even though we have lost some pieces, I think we have a great opportunity ahead of us going into Year 2 with this offense. With bringing in Brian Flores to head that defense, it’s definitely looking scary on that side of the ball, and I think that we have the utmost confidence and capability for us to go make a run this year.
As for the Vikings’ doubters, Mattison is ready to prove them wrong.
“I say tune in. Tap in. It’s not a fluke,” he said. “That was something that kind of got under our skin a little bit last year. To understand how we continue to do it time and time again and people still don’t believe in us and still don’t think that we are capable of being this successful. …
“Have a seat, tune in, get ready, buckle up and get ready for another great season, because the mindset that we have coming into this is to prove all the doubters wrong and prove our supporters right. Within our locker room, within our family, we have goals that we have for each other and we’re going to ride with each other no matter what the outcome is.”
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram