Maybe it was the worst loss by the Vikings in their storied rivalry with the Packers.
Maybe it's a second consecutive sweep of the season series by the Packers.
Maybe it was the second-worst regular season loss in Vikings history.
Maybe it was the failings against the Packers' 31st-ranked passing defense.
Maybe it's the Vikings' 2-9 record in their last 11 prime-time games.
Maybe it's just five starters among 26 players drafted from 2007 to 2010.
Maybe it's second round picks Toby Gerhart, Chris Cook, and Phil Loadholt not meeting expectations. Maybe it was the combination of the hatchet job the Packers and Badgers did on the Vikings and Gophers, respectively, on the same weekend. Maybe it's Viktor the Viking.
Maybe it's a combination of all of the above.
But enough is enough.
Vikings owner Zygi Wilf needs to find a full-fledged general manager/president of football operations. Whether it's Packers Director of Pro Personnel Reggie McKenzie, Packers College Scouting Director John Dorsey, or any number of other external candidates, give someone full authority.
All of the model franchises except for New England -- where Bill Belichick is God -- have that singular voice in the front office. When a tough decision has to be made, like whether to trade a draft pick for quarterback Donovan McNabb, someone can tell the coach no. There is no excuse why a strong football brain didn't have a say in the choosing of a head coach after Brad Childress was fired, or even when Childress was hired, for that matter. Or when Mike Tice was hired and fired. Or when Leslie Frazier was hired.
Whether it's Green Bay, or any other successful NFL franchise, the structure is in place where final authority in hiring a head coach, the 53-man roster, trades, and in the draft room belongs to one individual. In other organizations, that person can then spread around different duties. There is no way Ted Thompson has made all those genius mid-round draft choices alone. That's where Dorsey plays a significant role. But the hierarchy with the Packers is clear. With the Vikings, it is not.
Frazier is incredibly likable, but what has he done to earn the right to make the call on the McNabb trade? He thought with a couple tweaks, this team would make the playoffs. While Frazier was the key to the McNabb deal, was it him, vice president of player personnel Rick Spielman, or vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski who finalized the long-term big money deal for linebacker Chad Greenway? Who made the call on signing free-agent defensive tackle Remi Ayodele? That's the problem. We have no idea. The Vikings have too many vice presidents. What they need is a president. It's hard to believe that Frazier, Spielman, and Brzezinski agree on all fronts. So, who gets to overrule the others? Who can be held accountable by a restless fan base?In terms of players, this offseason the Vikings need to find two cornerbacks, two safeties, two linebackers, possibly a defensive tackle depending on rookie Christian Ballard's maturation, two wide receivers, another tight end if Visanthe Shiancoe leaves as a free agent, a backup/3rd down running back, a left tackle, a center if John Sullivan signs elsewhere in March, a right guard, and maybe a right tackle.

But before finding all of these new players, they first must find a general manager.