MINNEAPOLIS -- As the Minnesota Vikings head into another offseason with their offensive line in need of several upgrades, we ponder the prospect of: What if it doesn't get fixed? Our Vikings question of the week:

@GoesslingESPN #VikingsMail Is it reasonable to expect to have the O-line "fixed" by next year, or are there too many variables & obstacles? — Tony Rossi (@tonyrossi22) February 2, 2017

@GoesslingESPN: This is an excellent question, Tony, precisely because of what you alluded to: It's one thing to fix a position in which only one or two players are on the field at a time. It's a different task to fashion a group of five players who can work well together. Add the fact the Vikings are without a first-round pick in an already-thin offensive-line draft and the lack of appealing options in free agency, and it's worth considering whether the team's biggest problem will be completely remedied by September.

The Vikings' biggest need is at tackle, and the list of free-agent options includes Cincinnati's Andrew Whitworth (who's been on a team with Mike Zimmer before, but is 35 years old) and Detroit's Riley Reiff, who might be better on the right side than the left. Ditto for Baltimore's Ricky Wagner, who is only 27 and could command significant money. That's why the Vikings might opt to bring back Matt Kalil, who's coming off a hip injury but already knows the system and might be amenable to a reasonable deal to stay in Minnesota.

The free-agent options at guard are more intriguing, albeit more expensive, with Green Bay's T.J. Lang, Cincinnati's Kevin Zeitler, and Dallas' Ron Leary highlighting the group. The Vikings would have to decide, though, whether it's worth spending big money for another guard after signing Alex Boone last year, and they'd have to make a decision on Brandon Fusco, whose release would free up $3.2 million in cap room.

People always ask about a trade for a player like Joe Thomas or Joe Staley, and while the Vikings don't have a first-round pick to offer, they do have five in the second through fourth rounds. Still, a deal for one of those players would require a team that covets draft picks to part with precious resources less than eight months after the Sam Bradford trade.

Players such as Dallas' Doug Free could be more affordable trade options, and the Vikings certainly will exhaust all their options as they look to rebuild the group. Would bringing Kalil back, signing a guard and investing in the future of the group with draft picks improve the line? Yes, though that may not necessarily turn the position into an asset. The Vikings are in bad need of several draft-and-develop cycles on the line, after taking just two linemen (Kalil and Phil Loadholt) in the first two rounds since 2009, and it could take some time before those efforts come to fruition.

Then again, with the Vikings' defense and improving receivers like Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, a league-average line might be good enough to have them in the playoffs again, especially if they can resurrect the running game. Stay tuned.