The Minnesota Vikings are coming off of a disappointing 2018 campaign in which they went just 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs, one year after winning 13 games and making it to the NFC Championship Game.
But there is hope for the Vikings going into 2019, as there remains quite a bit of talent on this team.
It doesn't help that Minnesota plays in a tough NFC North division that also houses the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, not to mention the Detroit Lions, who are hardly terrible.
Still, there are some expectations for the Vikings heading into this season.
So, here are the three Vikings players under the most pressure with 2019 about to begin.
3. Kyle Rudolph
Yes, Kyle Rudolph just signed an extension with the Vikings, so it doesn't appear he will be going anywhere in the short term, but Minnesota also just drafted fellow tight end Irv Smith Jr. in the second round, so the clock may be ticking for Rudolph.
Rudolph has been around for nine years (this will be his 10th season) and has been one of the most consistent contributors on the Vikings' offense throughout his tenure, but Minnesota really seems to like Smith, which could result in less targets for Rudolph.
He is just 29 years old, but Rudolph does have some mileage, and earlier this offseason, it was looking like the Vikings were going to trade him.
With Smith on the rise, Rudolph better make sure his production doesn't tail off.
2. Dalvin Cook
Dalvin Cook has all of the potential in the world, but due to persistent injury issues, we have only seen flashes of it.
Cook played in just four games during his rookie campaign in 2017 before tearing his ACL, and in 2018, he appeared in just 11 contests due to more knee problems.
When he is on the field, he is terrific, but that's the thing: he hasn't been on the field all that much since entering the league.
Cook really, really needs a healthy season to show the Vikings that he can, in fact, be their running back of the future, and with no Latavius Murray this season, Minnesota will be relying on him even more.
Of course, avoiding injuries is mostly out of Cook's control, but this is a pivotal year for him.
1. Kirk Cousins
When Kirk Cousins signed a a three-year, $84 million deal with the Vikings last offseason, lots of eyebrows were raised.
Cousins went on to post solid numbers during his first season with the club, throwing for 4,298 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 70.1 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 99.7, but Minnesota's offense languished as a whole, and Cousins also did not seem to have the greatest rapport with his receivers.
The 31-year-old seems determined to have a better year overall in 2019, and perhaps he will, but with that contract hanging over his head, any little mistake Cousins makes is going to be scrutinized.
Make no mistake about it: there are few quarterbacks in the NFL under as much pressure as Cousins going into this season.
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