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[Minnesota Vikings]

Vikings Turmoil: Addison, Flores & 2026 Plans

In the latest episode of Two Old Bloggers, Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano dissect the Minnesota Vikings’ turbulent offseason following the 2025 season. As a Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the show explores critical topics like Jordan Addison’s repeated off-field issues, Brian Flores’ head coaching interviews, J.J. McCarthy’s uncertain starting role, offensive line coaching shakeups, Will Reichard’s All-Pro recognition, Adam Thielen’s retirement, and a thorough 2026 running backs positional analysis.

Campbell opens on Addison’s casino arrest: “That’s exactly the kind of news that the Vikings did not want to get from Jordan Addison… I think this is probably the last straw.” Stefano echoes, “It’s gonna be interesting to see how this plays out… Times have changed. It’s a big deal.” On Flores, Campbell notes, “If the Vikings were to lose Brian Flores to a head coaching position… that’s something that’s sort of inevitable when you have a really good coordinator.” Regarding McCarthy, he adds, “No commitment to JJ McCarthy to be the starter in 2026 was made… There has to be competition.” Stefano celebrates Chris Kuper’s departure: “I was quite happy over it.” On Reichard, Campbell advises, “Stick stay the course with Will the Thrill because he is the real deal at Kicker.” Thielen’s retirement draws praise: “I have a lot of respect for Adam Thielen… He was a very good player for us.” For RBs, Campbell predicts, “I don’t think there’s any question that Aaron Jones has also played his last game as a Viking,” while eyeing Breece Hall: “Breece Hall would be the guy that I’d be very interested in bringing to the Vikings.”

Key points from the episode include:​

• Jordan Addison’s Problem: Third arrest (misdemeanor trespassing, possibly alcohol-related) risks 4-8 game suspension; trade value plummets to possibly to a late day 2 or even day 3 pick; hosts predict he’s played his last Vikings game, disrupting WR plans with Jefferson, Nailor, and Felton.
• End-of-Season Pressers: No endorsement for McCarthy as 2026 starter; emphasis on OL tackle depth after injuries to Darrisaw and O’Neill; Mike Pettine retires, Chris Kuper’s contract not renewed due to poor pass protection (25 line combos, highest interior pressure rate).
• Brian Flores’ Future: Interviews for Ravens/Steelers HC jobs and Washington DC role; lateral move would demand explanations from Vikings brass; hosts laud his defensive turnaround since 2023.
• Will Reichard and Kicker Stability: All-Pro season praised, but warn against quick release during slumps like Daniel Carlson; compare to Packers’ patience with Mason Crosby.
• Adam Thielen’s Retirement: Reflect on his revival of Vikings WR legacy with Stephon Diggs (2016-2019); second Vikings stint underwhelmed, but respected as competitor.
• 2026 RB Positional Analysis: Aaron Jones (31, $14.5M cap hit) likely cut for $7.7M savings; Jordan Mason as power back but weak in pass blocking/receiving; Ty Chandler gone, Zavier Scott competes; target explosive FAs like Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker, or draft prospects like Demond Claiborne; fullback options (Patrick Ricard, Reggie Gilliam) if needed for pass protection.

Listen:​

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Don’t miss Two Old Bloggers for raw, passionate Vikings analysis that keeps you ahead of the SKOL curve. Whether debating roster moves or celebrating legends, Darren and Dave deliver the insights every Minnesota Vikings fan craves—tune in on Vikings 1st & SKOL for more episodes and join the conversation!

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We have your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst the Two Old Bloggers, Darren @KickassblogVike, and Dave @Luft_Krigare along with our numbers guy, Drew Bunting. Join the conversation! Fan with us at Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and with our podcast partner Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN.

Question:​

What do you think the Vikings should do first this offseason—trade Addison, secure Flores, or revamp the RB room?

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...584/vikings-turmoil-addison-flores-2026-plans

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Flores Extension + Addison Trade Rumors

Vikings fans, Flores signs extension but HC buzz lingers with the Steelers! Dive into compensatory picks drama, Addison trade rumors, and a 3-round mock draft on The Real Forno Show with Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano. This Vikings 1st & SKOL episode unpacks Minnesota’s offseason moves.

In this engaging episode of The Real Forno Show, host Tyler Forness announces, “Minnesota Vikings did what everybody had been asking them to do. They got Brian Flores signed to an extension, but that doesn’t mean he’s gonna be here next year.” Forness reveals insider details: “I was told it is a multi-year deal. It is a very, very expensive contract.” Co-host Dave Stefano chimes in on Flores’ potential departure, joking about his love for Minnesota winters. The duo dissects compensatory picks, with Forness quoting expert John P. Gilbert: “Even if you don’t have an active contract, that does not mean you’re not an active employee.” On Jordan Addison, Forness states, “I personally wouldn’t trade Addison for anything less than a first round pick,” amid 49ers rumors from Grant Cohn. The mock draft targets day-one contributors, as Forness explains: “The Vikings need to win and they need to win now.”

Key points include:​

• Flores Extension Breakdown: Multi-year, high-value deal signed post-expiration; allows pursuit of HC jobs like Steelers; provides defensive stability but raises questions on prior tensions.
• Compensatory Picks Debate: Uncertainty over “break of employment” clause; potential two third-round picks if Flores leaves as minority HC; Forness notes, “We may never know if Flores just returns.” Which he has.
• Addison Trade Rumors: 49ers targeting Addison; Vikings may skip $17.58M fifth-year option, favoring Jalen Nailor; Forness values Addison at 3-year, $75-85M despite off-field issues like arrests and missed practices if he is extended instead.
• 3-Round Mock Draft: Focus on immediate impact: Rd. 1 WR K.C. Concepcion for explosiveness; Rd. 2 S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren as Harrison Smith’s heir; Rd. 3 RB Jonah Coleman for versatility; Comp CB Will Lee III for zone skills.

• Senior Bowl Tease: Forness heads to Mobile; upcoming “SKOL Search” episodes on prospects like Will Lee III and linebackers.

Listen:​

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Don’t miss The Real Forno Show for raw, expert Minnesota Vikings insights— from Flores’ future to draft strategies. As a top Vikings podcast on Vikings 1st & SKOL, partnered with Fans First Sports Network, it delivers must-hear analysis for SKOL faithful. Subscribe for Senior Bowl updates and more!

Fan With Us!!!​

Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN.

Question:​

What’s your take—trade Addison or lock him in long-term? Comment below!

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minnesota-vikings-podcasts/94639/flores-extension-addison-trade-rumors

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

SB Nation Reacts Results: Vikings Fans Pick Super Bowl Matchup

We’ve got the results of our SB Nation Reacts poll for this week, and we promised to get them to you before tomorrow’s Conference Championship games, so let’s go ahead and get them to you now, shall we?

First, we asked our readers what matchup they think we’re going to see at Levi’s Stadium two weeks from tomorrow. There are four different potential combinations, and the folks who responded to our poll did give us a majority.

Of those who responded to our poll, 58% think we’re going to get a matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. (That’s 60 for you non-Romans.) Another 35% think we’re going to see the Patriots and the Rams, which means a full 93% of our respondents think that the Patriots are going to be representing the AFC in this year’s Super Bowl. Very little faith in the Jarrett Stidham-led Broncos, it would appear. Just 6% think we’re going to see the Broncos and the Seahawks, while only 1% think we’ll be seeing the Broncos take on the Rams.

Our other question is what matchup do you want to see in the Super Bowl, just in case your heart is in a different place than your head on this one. The numbers for this one are a little closer, but the results are still the same.

For this one, the Patriots/Seahawks matchup is still in the top spot, but it only garners 37% of the vote, putting it just slightly ahead of Patriots/Rams at 31%. That’s still 68% wanting to see the Patriots in the Super Bowl for the AFC to just 32% for the Broncos, but that’s a whole lot closer than the 93/7 split we saw in the first question. Broncos vs Seahawks comes in at 19%, while Broncos/Rams again comes in last place, but it winds up with 13% of the vote in this one.

Those are the results of our SB Nation Reacts poll for this week, folks. Thank you, as always, to everyone who took part in our poll for this week, and we’ll have more of these in the near future.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...innesota-vikings-fans-pick-super-bowl-matchup

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Minnesota Vikings News and Links: On The Outside Looking In

Conference Championship Weekend! It still stinks that the Vikings had no chance this year. Once again we are on the outside looking in.

It is great to get Flores back but there still is a lot to worry about with the offense. If it were not for Flores where would the Vikings have been the last 3 years?

I am going with the Patriots and the Seahawks. I think the Seahawks defense can carry the day at home but the Rams will be tough.

If the Seahawks go to the Super Bowl it is going to be great here right?

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Minnesota Vikings News and Links​

Insider Reveals Vikings’ Massive Trade Package for Joe Burrow
On Jan. 22, On SI’s Grant Cohn, a beat reporter covering the San Francisco 49ers, was debunking any speculation of the Niners trading for Justin Jefferson. However, in that same video, he mentioned that the Vikings are willing to make a huge trade offer for Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow.

“[The Vikings] want to get right back into contention,” Cohn said in a video posted on X. “They’re planning to offer J.J. McCarthy and Jonathan Greenard, and two first‑round picks to the Cincinnati Bengals for Joe Burrow. If the Bengals say no, then they might go out and get Kirk Cousins, bring him back.

“What they’re not going to do is trade Justin Jefferson from Minnesota to the Niners because they said, ‘Pretty, pretty, please.’ So fun idea, but if the Niners want a wide receiver for Minnesota, it’s Jordan Addison.”

Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Under Pressure for 2026
Recently, CBS Sports listed seven quarterbacks who have the most to prove in 2026. NFL analyst Ran Carthon believes that McCarthy not needing to rehab this offseason could prove helpful for him heading into his third season in the pros.

However, he still expects the Vikings to bring in a QB that can take advantage of a team that wants to win now, should McCarthy stumble.

“For J.J. McCarthy and for the Minnesota Vikings, for that matter, this offseason is going to be critical because J.J. is going to need to approach this offseason from the standpoint of being able to work on his game and not have to be rehabbing an injury,” Carthon said during a Jan. 21 appearance on CBS Sports HQ. “So this is going to be really key for him.

“I do believe that the Minnesota Vikings will have a backup plan in terms of a veteran quarterback to bring in there because this team is too good a team to sit and wait for this guy to develop, because you’re going to miss the primes of a lot of really good players that they have on offense and defense.”

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Insider Says Vikings Made Brian Flores an Offer He Couldn’t Refuse
On Thursday morning, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero said the Vikings made Flores a “huge offer” to convince him to stick around.

“Really, they had agreed to terms last week, but it got finalized and signed yesterday,” Pelissero said on KFAN’s The Power Trip. “My understanding is they made a huge offer, the type that Flores as a D-coordinator was not gonna be able to refuse.”
…
“He could’ve said, you know what, it’s been a good three years, I’m not getting the head coaching opportunities that I might think that I should be getting, I’m gonna go someplace else and see whether that changes,” Pelissero said. “He decided Minnesota was the right place for him. There were millions of reasons for him to decide that it was the right place for him. We’ll see what shakes out in those head coaching searches, but right now, it looks like he’ll be back in Minnesota.”

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Pelissero Floats Another Name to Know for Vikings’ OL Coach Vacancy
One potential candidate we’ve brought up is former Falcons O-line coach Dwayne Ledford, who has proven to be excellent in that role. But the Vikings should have plenty of options as they look around the league and end up doing interviews, as NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero mentioned this week on KFAN’s The Power Trip.

“I was surprised that Chris Kuper was let go as the offensive line coach,” Pelissero said. “That wasn’t on my radar. I don’t get the sense that it was on (Kuper’s) radar either. But there’s gonna be, when you look at what the Vikings are working with, when you look at the respect that Kevin O’Connell commands within the league, I think he’s gonna have options.”

Pelissero mentioned that the process could take a bit while the Vikings wait for dominoes to fall across the league. Various teams are in the process of hiring not only new head coaches, but then filling out their staffs afterwards. Once that happens, there could be some former offensive coordinators who find themselves without an OC job in 2026.

“One of the things that I would point out is … there’s still enough dominoes here that some of those, let’s say the in-limbo offensive coordinator candidates are still waiting to see, all right, am I gonna go be at OC somewhere,” Pelissero said, “or am I potentially gonna go and be a position coach or have some type of an elevated title?”

He then floated one name to watch: Former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith. With Jeff Hafley replacing Mike McDaniel as Miami’s head coach, Smith will presumably end up looking for a new job elsewhere this offseason.

“One name that would jump to mind would be Frank Smith, who’s been the offensive coordinator with the Dolphins, has been one of the most highly regarded coordinators,” Pelissero said. “He was named the number one coordinator in an NFLPA poll a couple of years ago. He well could be an OC, depending on who gets some of these head coaching jobs. If he’s not, he’s always been a respected offensive line coach.

“You know, somebody like that. I don’t think that Kevin O’Connell is just gonna go and hire a first-timer. This is a team that’s ready to roll. I would think you’d want somebody with experience, somebody who can work with players. That’s just one name, Frank Smith, but I would say that certainly (O’Connell is) gonna be looking and he’s gonna have options just because of the situation and the environment that they’ve got in Minnesota.”

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How Has the Vikings’ Donovan Jackson Selection Aged After One Year?

Jackson played in 14 of the team’s 17 games, missing time early in the season due to a wrist injury. The first-year guard finished his season with a 65.7 PFF pass block grade, which was the 27th-best in the league among all guards. While his pass blocking proved starter worthy, his run blocking needed improving. He finished with a 57.2 PFF run blocking grade, which was 55th-best among the league’s guards. According to PFF, the rookie allowed 26 total pressures and just two sacks in 468 pass block snaps in 2025.

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Brian Flores’ Return Would Change Everything For Minnesota’s 2026 Offseason
…

Vikings, Jets named best and worst landing spots for $180 million quarterback
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Ex-Vikings QB Kellen Mond Bashes Mike Zimmer in LinkedIn Post

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Shrine Bowl Report (1/23): Buzz from Frisco

For some players, it’s one thing to watch them on tape but something completely different when you see them in person. Florida State’s Darrell Jackson Jr. is one of those players. He is an enormous human being at defensive tackle, and some draft analysts are saying he might be the highest drafted player from this game as a Day 2 selection. He weighed in at 6-5, 328 pounds with ridiculously long 35-inch arms. As a comparison, Dexter Lawrence measured 6-4 1/2, 342 pounds with 34 3/4-inch arms at the NFL Combine in 2019. Jackson carries his 328 pounds extremely well and told me later in an interview he hopes to play at closer to 320 pounds. He is powerful and offensive linemen struggled to move him off his spot. He also showed off his length and power with a bull rush during 1-on-1 drills, pushing an offensive lineman right into the quarterback’s lap.

LSU’s Harold Perkins is someone to watch this week, as a swiss army knife defender that can play off-ball linebacker or rush the passer off the edge. He measured at 6-0 3/8 inches and 222 pounds making his fit something that might be different for NFL teams. But he is an explosive athlete and we will track him all weekend as he is expected to play a number of different positions.

• Notre Dame’s Aamil Wagner stood out at offensive tackle, playing both the right and left sides. He has impressive size (6-5 1/8, 302 pounds) with long arms (34 5/8 inches) and quick feet to set and stay in front of some very fast edge rushers. I’m anxious to see how he looks once these speed rushers try some counter moves on him and he is forced to change directions more.

But it was Illinois’ James Thompson who stole the show on Friday. At 6-5 1/4 and 301 pounds, offensive linemen had trouble staying in front of him most of the day with him knifing through the line in team drills and winning consistently in one on ones at defensive tackle.

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2026 East-West Shrine Bowl Roster
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2026 East-West Shrine Bowl Practice Notes, Day 1

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Yore Mock​

Trade Partner: Eagles
Sent: 1.18, 3.82
Received: 1.23, 3.68, 3.98
…
Trade Partner: 49ers
Sent: 1.23
Received: 1.27, 4.127
…
Trade Partner: Steelers
Sent: 2.49
Received: 2.53, 4.121
…

Pick 27. Akheem Mesidor EDGE Miami (FL) 6’3″ 280
Pick 53. Dillon Thieneman S Oregon 6’0″ 205
Pick 68. D’angelo Ponds CB Indiana 5’9″ 173
Pick 97. Harold Perkins LB LSU 6’1″ 222
Pick 98. Emmett Johnson RB Nebraska 5’1″ 200
Pick 121. Jake Slaughter IOL Florida 6’4″ 303
Pick 127. Deion Burks WR Oklahoma 5’9″ 188
Pick 161. Chris McClellan DLMissouri 6’4′ 323
Pick 194. Fa’alili Fa’amoe OT Wake Forest 6’5″ 317
Pick 234. Riley Nowakowski TE/FB Indiana 6’2″ 249
Pick 240. Jakobe Thomas S Miami 6’2″ 200

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While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm

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Leave the gender hatred at the door

Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)

Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags

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If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...ings-news-and-links-on-the-outside-looking-in

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Rams at Seahawks: NFC Championship Game Discussion

It’s nearly time to determine the NFC side of this year’s Super Bowl matchup, as we’re heading to the Pacific Northwest to watch the Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams in this year’s NFC Championship Game.

The Seahawks are hosting this game as the top seed in the NFC, and they didn’t have to do a whole lot last week in order to get here as they crushed the San Francisco 49ers last week in the Divisional round. The Rams, on the other hand, have won a couple of thrillers as the road team, taking down the Carolina Panthers on Wild Card Weekend and knocking off the Chicago Bears in overtime last week in the Divisional playoffs.

These two teams also met twice during the regular season as NFC West rivals, with each team winning at home. In Week 11, the Rams took down the Seahawks by a score of 21-19 in Los Angeles, while the Seahawks defeated the Rams in Week 16 in Seattle by a score of 38-37. Both of those games came down to the final possession, and I don’t think we should expect anything less from this one.

If you’re going to be watching this one, here’s a place to hang out and talk about it with your fellow Minnesota Vikings fans.

Enjoy the game, folks. . .after this, there’s only one more football game that matters until September.

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Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...tle-seahawks-nfc-championship-game-discussion

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Patriots at Broncos: AFC Championship Game Discussion

We are just about ready to kick off the first of today’s two Conference Championship Games, and we’re starting out in the AFC, where the New England Patriots are traveling to the Mile High City to take on the Denver Broncos.

The Patriots have gotten here by winning two home games, taking down the Los Angeles Chargers on Wild Card Weekend and the Houston Texans in the Divisional Round. The Broncos, the top seed in the AFC, took Wild Card Weekend off before defeating the Buffalo Bills in dramatic. . .and controversial. . .fashion in the divisional round.

Join the conversation!​

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• Fewer ads
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• New, improved notifications system!

Denver lost starting quarterback Bo Nix to a broken ankle in their last game, meaning that they will turn to backup Jarrett Stidham in this one. Stidham hasn’t thrown a pass all season to this point. The last quarterback to make his season debut in the playoffs after not throwing a pass in the regular season? None other than Joe Webb, who did so after the Vikings lost Christian Ponder to an injury after getting into the playoffs in 2012. The Broncos are, obviously, hoping that things go better for them than they did for the Vikings in that game against Green Bay.

Kickoff for this one is slated for 2:00 PM Central time, and the game will be broadcast on CBS and Paramount+.

If you’re going to be watching today’s game, here’s a place for you to hang out and talk about it with your fellow Minnesota Vikings fans. We’ll have a separate thread for the NFC Championship Game that will hit the site at around 5:15 PM Central time, so keep your eyes open for that one.

Enjoy today’s first game, folks!

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...nver-broncos-afc-championship-game-discussion

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Daronte Jones to Take Commanders Defensive Coordinator Job

The Minnesota Vikings may be bringing defensive coordinator Brian Flores back to the sidelines in 2026, but one of his top lieutenants is moving on to a promotion with a team that the Vikings will face this coming season.

Source: Commanders are finalizing a deal to hire Vikings defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Daronte Jones as their defensive coordinator.

Jones has been one of Brian Flores’ most trusted defensive coaches the past three seasons, and he also has coached… pic.twitter.com/SZKKFocpgO

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 27, 2026

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that Vikings’ defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones is leaving Minnesota to take the defensive coordinator job with the Washington Commanders.

The Commanders are one of five teams that Jones interviewed with this offseason, as he also fielded calls from the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, and New York Jets. Jones was thought to be the top potential in-house replacement for Flores had he moved on to a head coaching job somewhere else, but with Flores inking an extension with Minnesota late last week, the door was open for Jones to take a promotion elsewhere.

Jones first came to the Vikings in 2020 when Mike Zimmer was still the head coach, serving as the defensive backs coach. He then went to Louisiana State as the defensive coordinator in 2021 but returned to Minnesota in 2022 after the hiring of Kevin O’Connell, again serving as the defensive backs coach and adding the defensive passing game coordinator title in 2023.

We’ll be keeping an eye on who the Vikings will be potentially adding to the staff to replace Jones and any other coaches they might lose as this offseason rolls on. This looks to be a pretty significant loss for the defensive coaching staff, but I’m guessing that Brian Flores already has at least a couple of potential replacements in mind for the position.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...s-defensive-coordinator-job-minnesota-vikings

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Vikings 2026 Outlook: Trade Addison? Fix O-Line? QB Purgatory

Dive into the latest Minnesota Vikings offseason developments with Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano on this episode of Two Old Bloggers, a Vikings 1st & SKOL. Stefano sets the tone: “Even with no playoffs this year, the offseason drama is heating up and heating up fast.” Vikings fans searching for in-depth analysis on Jordan Addison trade rumors, Brian Flores contract extension, NFC North quarterback competition, and 2026 offensive line projections, this episode delivers unfiltered takes on the team’s path to contention. As Campbell quips, “We’re losing the NFC North battle in the QB arms race badly,” highlighting the urgency for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell to act.

Key points from the episode include:​

• Jordan Addison’s Legal Reprieve and Trade Speculation: Charges dropped, but off-field issues persist. Campbell notes, “It looks like the Vikings and Addison have dodged a bullet,” yet warns of alcohol-related risks. Trade rumors heat up with 49ers and Bills interest; Stefano adds, “We drafted him in the first round… we may even get a first back for him.”
• Brian Flores Extension and Coaching Drama: Flores signs a lucrative deal, likely staying unless a head-coaching gig emerges. Campbell emphasizes, “If the Vikings are going to get back into the playoff mix next season, it’s critical that Flores is back.” They discuss his potential as O’Connell’s successor and staff changes like DL Coach Marcus Dixon’s interview with the Cowboys.
• NFC North QB Arms Race: Vikings lag behind Jared Goff (consistent 4,000+ yards), Jordan Love (low turnovers), and Caleb Williams (near-4,000 yards season). Campbell states, “They both know the Vikings are losing the arm’s race in the NFC North and losing it badly.” Options like Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins return, or trades for Kyler Murray/Mac Jones are debated; Stefano laments “quarterback purgatory.”
• Comp Picks and Salary Cap Projections: Vikings projected for one third-round comp pick from Sam Darnold’s departure. Campbell explains, “The Steelers and the Ravens are gonna get the most comp picks… four each.”
• 2026 Offensive Line Analysis: Four starters locked (Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Donovan Jackson, and Will Fries), but center Ryan Kelly likely retires due to concussions. Campbell says, “The writing is on the wall that Kelly won’t be back.” Draft prospects like Connor Lew and Logan Jones eyed; depth concerns addressed with potential cuts like Justin Skule. Coaching hire crucial—names like Dwayne Ledford floated; Campbell on Chris Kuper’s release critiques, “One of the big criticisms… he didn’t make the guys… better.”

Listen:​

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Watch:​

Whether you’re tracking Minnesota Vikings news, NFL draft rumors, or Kevin O’Connell’s hot seat, this episode packs expert insights with quotes straight from the hosts. Don’t miss out—tune into Two Old Bloggers for raw, fan-driven Vikings podcast content that keeps you ahead of the curve. Subscribe now and join the SKOL chant as Darren and Dave break down what could make or break the 2026 season!

Fan With Us!​

We have your Minnesota Vikings talk amongst the Two Old Bloggers, Darren @KickassblogVike, and Dave @Luft_Krigare along with our numbers guy, Drew Bunting. Join the conversation! Fan with us at Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and with our podcast partner Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN.

Question:​

What do you think the Vikings’ top offseason priority should be—trading Addison, fixing the QB room, or bolstering the O-line?

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...outlook-trade-addison-fix-o-line-qb-purgatory

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Minnesota Vikings News and Links: Senior Bowl Week!

The Super Bowl matchup is set and as we all know, Sam Darnold has led/guided/caddied the Seahawks into the big game. The discussion is already raging about how the people in charge of this team handled the QB depth chart this season. Regardless of them somehow bringing back Darnold, they truly miscalculated the readiness of JJ McCarthy and they really screwed up the backup spots. It is OK to not keep Darnold or Jones but they should have had known at least a couple of days before the legal tampering period started in order to find another backup. Darnold and Jones signed on March 13, 2025. Mac Jones signed his deal on March 14, 2025. You would like to believe that these dudes had their stuff together enough to be able to pivot away from Darnold and Jones and not wait until the last minute. Even if they would not or could not get Jones because he wanted to go play for the 49ers, Jameis Winston did not sign his deal until March 31, 2025. There is no question they really mishandled the QB position as a whole this past off season.

The only hope is that JJ McCarthy can somehow someway stay on the field and play at least one full freaking season. Never mind his performance on the field. They cannot even get a really good look at him due to his missed games. I am fairly confident that they were talked to sternly by the Wilfs because their press conferences were very revealing when they were speaking about the QB position. Not once did they sat JJ McCarthy will be our starting QB in 2026. In the end, if they want to keep their jobs, then they had better get the position in better shape and they had better win more games.

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Yore AI questions of the day …
Question 1: jj mccarthy advanced qb stats 2025

In his 2025 NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings, J.J. McCarthy had a passer rating of 72.6, threw for 1,632 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 games played. His completion percentage was 57.6%, and he added 181 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns on the ground.

2025 Regular Season Stats : Stat : Rank (among QBs)
Passing Yards : 1,632 : 33rd
Passing Touchdowns : 11 : 29th
Interceptions : 12 : 38th
Passer Rating : 72.6 : N/A
QBR : 35.7 : 35th
Completion % : 57.6% : N/A
Rushing Yards : 181 : N/A
Rushing TDs : 4 : N/A
PFF Passing Grade : 60.1 : 35th
Intended Air Yards : 9.6 : 1st (highest)
On-Target % : 59.9% : Last (35th)

Key Advanced Metrics
Intended Air Yards (aDot): McCarthy’s average intended air yards was 9.6, the highest in the NFL for the 2025 season, indicating he frequently targeted deep passes.

Accuracy Concerns: Despite the high aDot, his on-target percentage was 59.9%, the lowest among qualifying quarterbacks. This metric suggests significant accuracy issues across various throws.
Turnover-Worthy Plays: He was credited with 15 turnover-worthy plays according to PFF, while throwing 12 actual interceptions.

Pressure: McCarthy was pressured on 39.6% of his snaps, but his pressure-to-sack conversion rate was 23.5%.

QBR: His Total QBR was a low 35.7 (35th out of 43 QBs), reflecting overall disappointing performance relative to expectations in his first starting season after missing his 2024 rookie year due to injury.

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Question 2: how many top 25 drafted QBs that have played as poorly as mccarthy, ended up at least average statistically in latter years

Several highly drafted quarterbacks who started their careers with poor statistics similar to or worse than J.J. McCarthy’s 2025 season ultimately improved to become average or better NFL players. The success is not guaranteed, as the majority of highly drafted QBs who struggle early become busts, but there are notable examples of significant turnarounds.

Notable Quarterbacks Who Bounced Back
Peyton Manning: He led the league with 28 interceptions in his rookie season before becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.
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Josh Allen: Allen struggled with accuracy and a low completion percentage early in his career but developed into a perennial MVP candidate and elite dual-threat quarterback.
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Jared Goff: In his first season with the Rams, Goff had a worse completion percentage (53.5%) and passer rating (61.7) than McCarthy’s 2025 numbers, but eventually became a Pro Bowler and led a team to a Super Bowl, later revitalizing his career with the Lions.
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Steve Young: After a very poor start with the Buccaneers, Young became a Hall of Fame quarterback, winning multiple MVP awards and a Super Bowl with the 49ers.
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Drew Brees: Brees was considered average in college and struggled with the Chargers early in his career before becoming a Super Bowl champion and one of the most statistically productive QBs in NFL history.
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Geno Smith: After a rocky start with the Jets, Smith salvaged his career and had a Pro Bowl season with the Seahawks nearly a decade later.
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The Reality of Failure Rates

While comebacks are possible, historical data indicates a significant risk of failure for first-round QBs who struggle early. Over the last 15 years, only about 46% of first-round quarterbacks have been considered successful “hits”. Factors like the team’s supporting cast, coaching stability, and the amount of pressure a QB faces heavily influence their development.

McCarthy’s high rate of pressure (39.6% of snaps) and league-low on-target percentage (59.9%) highlight significant challenges, some of which may be situational. His ability to develop going forward will depend on both his personal improvement and the support he receives from the Minnesota Vikings organization.

Note: Our hope has to be that he is more like the Hall of Famers and Josh Allen. Goff and Smith had to go to other teams before “blooming”. Ugh!
…

Question 3: How have NFL teams addressed struggles of high-round draft pick QBs?

NFL teams employ several strategies to address the struggles of highly drafted quarterbacks, ranging from providing a strong support system to, in some cases, quickly moving on from the player.
Development and Support Strategies

Building a Strong Supporting Cast: Successful teams prioritize surrounding their young QB with a solid offensive line and reliable offensive weapons to give them time and open targets. The Indianapolis Colts, for example, drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. to pair with their rookie QB, providing an elite receiving talent from the start.

Veteran Mentorship: Many teams have found success by allowing a rookie QB to sit behind an experienced veteran for a year or more, giving them time to learn the system and adapt to the speed of the NFL game without the pressure of immediate starting duty. Jordan Love’s development behind Aaron Rodgers is a recent example.

Tailored Coaching Plans: Coaches develop specific, multi-year plans for their young QBs, sometimes deliberately making training camp practices more challenging (e.g., using a 15-second play clock) to build resilience and force faster processing of information.

Simplified Schemes: Offensive coordinators often utilize simpler offensive schemes with RPOs (run-pass options) and quick throws early on to build the quarterback’s confidence and reduce the risk of complex decision-making leading to turnovers.

Organizational Responses to Continued Struggles
Patience vs. Urgency: Teams are often financially motivated to be patient, as cutting a top draft pick can result in significant dead cap money, though the 2011 rookie wage scale has made it easier to move on faster than in the past. General managers have about a three-to-four-year window to determine if a QB is their franchise player before they must make a long-term contract decision or risk their own job.

Coaching and System Changes: When a highly drafted QB struggles, the team may change the offensive coordinator or even the head coach, hoping a new system will better suit the player’s skills.

Trading or Releasing the Player: If a quarterback consistently underperforms despite support, teams will eventually trade them or not re-sign them after their rookie contract. This allows the QB a “second chance” with a new team and system, which has led to turnarounds for players like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold.

The approach often depends on whether the organization believes the struggles are due to a lack of talent or a poor supporting environment, such as a bad offensive line or coaching.

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The Senior Bowl is this week and practices start today

Senior Bowl Roster
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2026 Senior Bowl Official Measurements
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2026 Senior Bowl rosters: PFF grades, WAA, measurements and athletic percentiles
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https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/2026-senior-bowl-primer-safeties/

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https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/2026-senior-bowl-primer-wide-receivers/

I always like to see the actual measurements to get an idea about which schools do the most inflating.

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Minnesota Vikings News and Links​

Vikings Get Major Warning After Sam Darnold Reaches Super Bowl
On Nov. 30, 2024, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Minnesota did make an offer to Darnold that closely mirrored Seattle’s proposal. The key difference was the commitment length. The Vikings’ offer was limited to one year, similar to the deal the Seahawks ultimately authorized, which featured a pay-as-you-go structure.

At present, the only guaranteed money beyond the current season in Darnold’s contract is a $17.5 million injury guarantee that does not convert into a full guarantee until after Super Bowl LX.

Minnesota, meanwhile, had already identified J.J. McCarthy as the quarterback of the future. That reality was clear, and it likely factored into Darnold’s decision to pursue an opportunity in Seattle.

Nonetheless, FOX Sports’ Jason McIntyre gave a major warning to Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell.

“The 2018 NFL draft quarterback class was loaded. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, is the first quarterback from that class to get to the Super Bowl,” McIntyre said in a Jan. 26 video from FOX Sports Radio. “That’s stunning. I mean, you could argue that this is a massive indictment of the Minnesota Vikings front office, and they were all on the clock for bailing on Darnold for J. J. McCarthy.”

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Yore Mock​

Trade Partner: Seahawks
Sent: 1.18
Received: 1.32, 3.96, 6.211, 2027 3rd
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Trade Partner: Browns
Sent: 3.97
Received: 4.107, 5.139
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Pick 32 – Kayden McDonald DL Ohio State 6’3″ 326
Pick 49 – Gennings Dunker OT Iowa 6’5″ 315
Pick 82 – Zakee Wheatley S Penn State 6’2″ 202
Pick 96 – Keionte Scott CB Miami (FL) 6’0″ 194
Pick 107 – Emmett Johnson RB Nebraska 5’11” 200
Pick 139 – Ted Hurst WR Georgia State 6’3″ 185
Pick 161 – Eli Raridon TE Notre Dame 6’7″ 252
Pick 194 – Pat Coogan IOL Indiana 6’5″ 311
Pick 211 – James Thompson Jr DL Illinois 6’6″ 310
Pick 234 – Eric Gentry LB USC 6’6″ 225
Pick 240 – Eric O’Neill EDGE Rutgers 6’3″ 261

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Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:

While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm

No discussion of politics or religion

No feeding of the trolls

Leave the gender hatred at the door

Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)

Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags

No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer

If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...esota-vikings-news-and-links-senior-bowl-week

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

It Looks Like Brian Flores is Officially Staying in Minnesota

With the news that Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores signed an extension with the team earlier this week, there was still a chance that he could have left for a head coaching opportunity somewhere else. On this Saturday afternoon, some news has just come down that would appear to have taken that possibility off the table.

Coming home: The Steelers are working towards a deal to hire Mike McCarthy as their head coach, per sources.

McCarthy grew up in Pittsburgh. Now, at age 62, the Super Bowl winner gets a chance to coach the team he grew up rooting for. pic.twitter.com/utGTpvgcp6

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 24, 2026

Multiple sources, led by Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, are reporting that the Pittsburgh Steelers are on the verge of hiring former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy to fill their head coaching vacancy. That news would seem to indicate that Flores will not be getting a head coaching job this cycle and will be staying in Minnesota.

The two teams that Flores has taken head coaching interviews with this cycle were the Steelers, with whom he interviewed twice, and the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens hired Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter earlier this week, and now the Steelers appear ready to hire McCarthy.

If the Steelers do go ahead with the McCarthy hire, there will still be four head coaching vacancies remaining around the NFL: the Arizona Cardinals, the Buffalo Bills, the Cleveland Browns, and the Las Vegas Raiders. As of today, Flores has not interviewed for any of those jobs. Now that he has signed his extension with the Vikings, it would seem unlikely that any of those teams would be bringing him in.

Here’s hoping that the Steelers’ hiring of Mike McCarthy means that we can all breathe a little easier as far as potentially losing Brian Flores to another team that needs a head coach.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...n-flores-officially-staying-minnesota-vikings

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Revisionist History is the Worst History

You may or may not have heard by now that the Seattle Seahawks will be representing the NFC in Super Bowl LX in a couple of weeks. You also may or may not have heard that the Seattle Seahawks are quarterbacked by Sam Darnold, who was the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 and had a fabulous season in Minnesota after being dismissed as a huge bust at his three previous NFL stops. With Darnold now leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, the Vikings’ decision to let him go is now being heralded as the worst decision in the history of ever, because that’s how the internet works. Everything is either the greatest or the worst, with basically zero room for any sort of nuance in between.

Yes, it’s a bit annoying to see for Vikings fans, but the bigger annoyance is for people to be retroactively annoyed and/or angry about it after the Vikings did exactly what they were, by and large, expected to do all along.

When Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell took over the leadership of the Minnesota Vikings ahead of the 2022 season, they had a bit of a mess on their hands. The team was paying good money to Kirk Cousins, a top ten-ish quarterback who had a reputation for coming up small when it counted the most. They had other bad contracts that they were trying to get out from underneath, and not a lot of wiggle room as far as salary cap space. People scoffed when Adofo-Mensah talked of a “competitive rebuild” for a team that had finished 7-9 and 8-9 in the last two seasons of the Mike Zimmer era, given the roster issues that the team had.

And yet, in that first season with Adofo-Mensah in the front office and O’Connell on the sideline, the Vikings put together a 13-4 record and won their first division championship since the 2017 season. The Vikings mounted numerous late-game comebacks, won a bunch of one-score games, and rode a wave of momentum and good vibes into the playoffs. Then, they fell apart against a New York Giants team led by Daniel Jones, thanks to a defensive performance so bad it may have single-handedly earned Jones a $40 million/year contract extension that the Giants almost immediately regretted, and Cousins (in)famously throwing a 3-yard checkdown to T.J. Hockenson on 4th-and-8 on the Vikings’ final drive.

The Vikings fixed the defensive issues in 2023 by firing Ed Donatell and bringing in former Dolphins’ head coach Brian Flores as the defensive coordinator. The Vikings’ offense struggled through the early portion of the season with turnovers and an injury to Justin Jefferson, but the defense kept the team in games, for the most part. Then, the Vikings pulled off an upset against the San Francisco 49ers on a Monday night and appeared to be finally getting things rolling at Lambeau Field the next week against Green Bay. Late in the third quarter in that game in Green Bay, Cousins tore his Achilles tendon and limped off the field, taking the competitive portion of the Vikings’ 2023 season with him. The Vikings managed a couple of wins behind Josh Dobbs, but ultimately couldn’t sustain anything offensively and wound up finishing 7-10.

Cousins signed with the Atlanta Falcons right away in free agency in 2024, and the Vikings found themselves in a situation that we have been told for years is the ideal situation for an NFL team to be in. They finally weren’t paying big money for a quarterback, they were in a position to potentially draft a young quarterback to build around, and they had money to spend in free agency to try to bolster the roster around that young quarterback. That’s exactly what they did, and it’s hard to argue that Adofo-Mensah didn’t positively kill it in free agency that year.

Blake Cashman? Unquestionable hit. Andrew Van Ginkel? Same. Jonathan Greenard? Hit. Aaron Jones? Hit. And, yes, Sam Darnold. Hit. The Darnold signing was dismissed by many, even by a lot of Vikings fans, as an afterthought. After all, he was here to, at most, compete with whoever the Vikings were going to take in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and, most likely, wear a baseball cap and carry a clipboard on the sideline.

As we know, the Vikings wound up selecting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick in 2024, the first time in the history of the franchise that they had ever used a top-10 selection on a quarterback. O’Connell and Adofo-Mensah finally had “their guy,” and their success. . .and future employment in Minnesota. . .was going to ride on whether or not McCarthy could be the face of the franchise for the long term.

McCarthy wound up playing in one preseason game in 2024 before suffering a meniscus tear and undergoing surgery that would end his rookie season before it even really got started. Darnold was thrust into the spotlight and, as I’ve already mentioned, played brilliantly for most of the season. There was a rough stretch in the middle of the year, but he turned it around by the end of the season and ultimately had the Vikings in a position to face off against the Detroit Lions for the #1 seed in the NFC playoffs in Week 18 at Ford Field.

This is where things start to get complicated.

Darnold was awful in what was, at the time, the biggest game of his career. He completed less than 50% of his passes. The Vikings made four trips into the red zone, including three times where they got into goal-to-go situations, and scored zero touchdowns. And for as lopsided as the 31-9 final score was on the scoreboard, it was a one-score game going into the fourth quarter. The Minnesota defense held up for as long as they could until they just couldn’t do it anymore, and then the floodgates opened for Detroit to start racking up points.

You can scream about the offensive line. You can scream about Kevin O’Connell’s play-calling. And yes, those are valid concerns. But the Vikings ran the same sort of offensive scheme that got them 14 wins and got them to where they were at that point in the season, and Darnold fell apart. That’s not revisionist history, that’s actual history. That’s what happened.

The next week, the Vikings went to Arizona to face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, becoming the first team in NFL history to win 14 games and not host a playoff game (because that’s totally a Vikings thing to do). That game. . .wasn’t close. The Rams won 27-9 as Darnold got sacked nine times, which tied a playoff record. Again, you can blame the offensive line, and you can blame Kevin O’Connell, but there were multiple occasions where Darnold, for whatever reason, was just holding on to the ball forever as the entire Upper Midwest simultaneously yelled “JUST THROW THE EFFING BALL!”

After that, the Vikings had a choice to make. Did they back up the money truck for Darnold, who had just put up a brilliant season but came up small in the biggest possible moments. . .just like we saw with Kirk Cousins during his tenure in Minnesota, the scenario this franchise spent the first two or three years of the Adofo-Mensah/O’Connell era trying to get away from? Or did they do what they were intending to do in 2024: Turn things over to the quarterback on a rookie deal and, once again, try to build things around him?

I’m pretty sure I’ve said this in this space before, because I’m not entirely sure if I missed it or not, but I don’t recall a huge clamoring for bringing Sam Darnold back here for 2025. Not here, not from other Vikings blogs, not from the Really Smart Football People™, and not from social media. Again, the “try to build around a quarterback on a cheap contract” scenario is, apparently, what teams are supposed to try to do in this league, and that’s what the Vikings ultimately decided to do.

Obviously, it didn’t work. . .for 2025. McCarthy had his ups and downs, as you’d (realistically) expect for any young quarterback, he dealt with a number of injuries, some of which were fluky, and the “rebuilt” offensive line that the Vikings envisioned to protect him and the team’s other quarterbacks didn’t even play 100 snaps together over the course of the 2025 season. Of course, a lot of people have already dismissed McCarthy as the worst quarterback ever because, as I mentioned in the opener, that’s just what the internet does. Everything is either the greatest or the worst with no in-between.

For better or for worse, this is the vision that the current leadership of the Vikings had for this team when they took over ahead of the 2022 season. And, for better or for worse, that vision has compiled a record of 43-25 in the four years since that leadership took over in Minnesota. The direction that they’ve taken the franchise in is the direction that a whole lot of folks wanted them to take, Sam Darnold’s results in Seattle be damned, and you’re not stupid for being on board with wanting them to go in this direction. We don’t know what’s going to happen with the Vikings or the front office or O’Connell or McCarthy in 2026, but there is going to be a 2026 NFL season, from my understanding, so we’re all going to get to find out.

Now, if that vision doesn’t do something impressive in 2026, there’s a good chance that someone else will be executing their vision in 2027 and beyond. Then, perhaps, we can start talking about “worst decisions ever.” Right now, though, it seems to be a little excessive.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...y-worst-history-minnesota-vikings-sam-darnold

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Let’s Discuss the Hot Topics

The NFL offseason may not have officially begun, but that doesn’t mean we’re without important news and developments regarding our favorite football team.

Let’s dive in, shall we?

FLORES LOOKS TO BE STAYING!

With Mike McCarthy taking the Pittsburgh Steelers job and a fresh, new extension in hand, it appears that Brian Flores will be back as the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator. To my knowledge, no other interviews have taken place. Of course, as we are the Vikings, watch Flores be named the new coach of the Las Vegas Raiders by the end of the week.

Barring the unexpected, this is fantastic news. You won’t find a bigger Flores guy than me. One of my first DN articles examined his background in New England and the promise of the 2025 Vikings defense after two years at the helm, marked by dramatic improvement. It was a solid take. I somewhat overestimated the impact of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, but Jalen Redmond’s emergence balanced that out. My concerns about the secondary also proved unfounded, as the unit held up reasonably well.

We were indeed an elite, well-oiled defensive machine by the final third of the season. In the end, we finished 3rd in yards allowed per game, 2nd in passing yards (fewest per game since 1989, apparently), 7th in points per game, 9th in run defense DVOA, 3rd in defensive DVOA, and 4th in overall defensive DVOA per play, among other impressive showings. If the turnovers come more consistently next year, we could be looking at something historic.

We enter 2026 with a Super Bowl-caliber defense, and all eyes turn to KOC and J.J. McCarthy to deliver on their end of the bargain. There will be plenty of time over the next several months to discuss that. Right now, I’m optimistic.

PETTINE TAKES THE “HIGH ROAD”

Mike Pettine’s comment about not “seeing eye to eye on a lot of things” with Flores was widely circulated on the Internet and social media. As assistant head coach, this forced him to switch sides of the ball and focus on offense in 2025. He didn’t elaborate further.

My take? I never understood the Pettine role to begin with. Yes, I know he and KOC are close and crossed paths in Cleveland – and that Pettine gave him his first NFL coaching gig. Yet the defensive role never seemed to fit. Given the circumstances, it felt like an uncomfortable situation waiting to happen. Too many cooks in the kitchen. He should have been strictly a head advisor/confidant, giving KOC sound advice and even tough love when things went sideways.

Pettine’s the guy you bring in when you promote a position coach, whether from within or from outside, to be a first-time defensive coordinator. An experienced guy to make sure all the bases are covered, offer constructive input, and serve as a sounding board for a young, promising, but inexperienced coach. To help steady the waters during the highs and lows that define the long NFL season.

Ed Donatell wasn’t that. Brian Flores really wasn’t that. The former had been in the NFL for almost 35 years when he came here, with three stints as an NFL defensive coordinator before taking the Vikings job. Flores spent his career learning from Bill Belichick, arguably the greatest defensive mind in NFL history. He was the de facto defensive coordinator and play caller in his final season there, winning the Super Bowl and handing Sean McVay his lunch by holding the young offensive wunderkind to…checks notes…three points. And, of course, he was an NFL head coach in his own right.

Flores knows what he’s doing and how he wants to do it. He’s focused like a laser on the task at hand. The fact that he didn’t see eye-to-eye with Pettine isn’t shocking. It must also be said that I’ve heard nothing but praise from Vikings’ defensive players about Flores since he arrived here.

I wish Pettine all the best in retirement. He’s a heck of a coach and ran one of my favorite defensive units of the past 25 years: the New York Jets, who made back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009-10. They took down the #1 seed, 14-2 Brady and Belichick, in Foxborough, too. Jets’ fans sure wish they had that back. Oof.

DARONTE JONES TO WASHINGTON

Brian Flores will be without one of his key assistants in 2026, as Daronte Jones was named the Washington Commanders’ new defensive coordinator. As the defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator, Jones will leave a significant void. As noted above, the Vikings allowed the fewest passing yards per game this year since Batman was all the rage. Not the Christian Bale ones, mind you. We’re talking Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson here.

The Vikings have been excellent across regimes at nurturing tremendous young coaching talent. Just last season, we lost Grant Udinski, who became Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator. The result was Trevor Lawrence’s best season, as the Jags went 13-4. It wouldn’t shock me one bit if Jones has a similar, immediate positive impact on the Commanders’ defense. Yeah, they’re going to be good.

A well-deserved promotion. Best of luck, Daronte Jones! Except when you play us next year, of course.

LET’S GO THERE: SAM DARNOLD IS IN THE SUPER BOWL

After Sam Darnold cooled off considerably in the second half of the season (1,963 passing yards, 9 TDs, 9 INTs, 18 sacks taken, Weeks 10-18), he played the game of his life last Sunday (346 passing yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 82.9 QBR/127.8 rating) to propel the Seattle Seahawks to their fourth Super Bowl in 30 years. The Vikings haven’t appeared in one in 49 years.

And be prepared for it to get worse. I think there is a real possibility the Seahawks will run the Patriots out of the building on February 8th.

This doesn’t even make the Top 10 of gut punches this franchise has delivered to me over the decades. Reading through Vikings-related social media and websites, I’m apparently in the minority.

First, I like Sam Darnold and feel great for him. His career is a feel-good story that only professional sports can deliver. The fact that he was here for only one year adds to the sense of, I dunno, apathy? If Cousins went to Atlanta and won the Super Bowl in 2024, that would have been different.

Second, I don’t have strong feelings about the Seahawks. They’re just another NFC team to me. If he’d gone to the Packers and done this, it would have been an unmitigated disaster and hit a lot harder.

Third, there’s a reason the saying about “assumptions” exists. To say that because he led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, it’s a given he would have led the Vikings there is a shaky proposition.

The Seahawks were by far the more balanced offense. They were tied for 10th in the NFL in rushing yards per game. The Vikings were 23rd.

Our offensive line was ravaged by injuries this year, to the point that we started 20 different line combinations over the 17-game season. Even with more consistent, healthier offensive line play in Seattle, Darnold led the NFL with 20 total turnovers. It’s not wild to think he could have surpassed that with KOC’s QB-reliant, pass-heavy scheme. We also forced too few turnovers, ranking 30th in turnover differential at -9. Even with all of Darnold’s turnovers, the Seahawks were at -3.

May I direct you to the 2010 Minnesota Vikings as supporting evidence? Many an “expert” had us destined for the Super Bowl after we thoroughly outplayed the eventual champion Saints in their building, and Brett Favre decided to run it back. I certainly did. Of course, we went 6-10, and Brad Childress didn’t make it to December.

Lastly – and most importantly – I believe in J.J. McCarthy. He is our QBOTF. If you were among the two dozen or so Vikings fans who were on board with bringing Darnold back at 3 years/$100 million with $55 million guaranteed after his spectacular implosion, with a Top 10-drafted QB sitting there, then congrats. You deserve a ton of praise. You look like a genius right now. Take a bow.

I just saw that our own Christopher Gates wrote about it here. Indeed, revisionist history is the worst kind of history.

The bottom line: We still have no idea what McCarthy is or what his ceiling could be. He could be a disappointment, or he could be our Patrick Mahomes. This is what drafting a QB in the Top 10 is. It’s a process, and you can’t just give up after 10 starts.

That said, the pressure is on for 2026, ramped up to hysterical levels now that Flores is back. KOC needs to win in the playoffs. To do so means McCarthy builds on his strong second half, has a stellar offseason, and takes the requisite steps to be everything we expected him to be. If it doesn’t happen, we could be staring at an entirely new regime in 2027.

Let’s keep the faith.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...703/lets-discuss-hot-topics-minnesota-vikings

 

[Minnesota Vikings]

Minnesota Vikings News and Links: Who Are You Watching At The Senior Bowl?

CLEMSON, SC - AUGUST 30: T.J. Parker #3 of the Clemson Tigers rushes on defense during a college football game against the LSU Tigers on August 30, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Senior Bowl is this week. Who are you watching?

2026 Senior Bowl Official Measurements
2026 Senior Bowl rosters: PFF grades, WAA, measurements and athletic percentiles
https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/2026-senior-bowl-primer-safeties/
https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/2026-senior-bowl-primer-wide-receivers/
https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/2026-senior-bowl-primer-running-backs/
https://steelersdepot.com/2026/01/2026-senior-bowl-primer-quarterbacks/
https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2026/01/26/senior-bowl-2026-edge-lb-primer-roster

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2026 Senior Bowl Day 2 standouts: NFL draft sleepers emerge at QB, WR

James Brockermeyer
Miami · C · Senior

James’ father, Blake, was a first-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 1995 and spent nine seasons in the NFL. If Wednesday’s practice was any indication of what is to come, James will become the next Brockermeyer to have a long pro career.

Despite checking in at 297 pounds (tied for the lightest O-lineman at this year’s Senior Bowl), Brockermeyer was up to the task against every defensive lineman he faced in one-on-one drills. He displayed plus core strength, strong hands and a balanced base. It’s rare for any offensive lineman to consistently outperform his defensive counterparts in one-on-one pass pro drills, but it’s even more rare for a center to do it. Brockermeyer was lights-out throughout the day and made himself money.
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Taylen Green
Arkansas · QB · Senior

In a draft light on quarterback headliners beyond Fernando Mendoza, Green should be garnering buzz thanks to his rare physical attributes and skill set.

At 6-foot-6 and with a wingspan of nearly seven feet, his long arms create a longer release and his accuracy is spotty. He has the arm strength to make explosive throws and can gobble up yards outside the pocket with his long strides. The ups and downs from his game tape were present in practice on Wednesday, but the ups are highly intriguing. With a strong finish to the week, he has a chance to position himself as a likely late Day 2 pick.
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Mike Washington Jr.
Arkansas · RB · Senior

In this year’s draft there won’t be many running backs who offer the blend of size and top-end speed that Washington brings to the table. At 6-foot and 228 pounds, the former Razorbacks star has a chiseled, athletic frame and is rarely caught by chasers once he hits the open field.

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Senior Bowl 2026 Day 2 winners, losers: Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields shines
Winners
Max Iheanachor, OT — Arizona State
One of the more pleasant surprises of the day. Iheanachor held his own against speed and power, using his length effectively in pass protection. His frame and physicality fit the NFL mold, and his consistency on Day 2 should have scouts circling back for more looks.

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Chris McClellan, iDL — Missouri
McClellan’s strength showed up again. He’s difficult to move at the point of attack and flashes the ability to disengage quickly. He’s proving he belongs in this environment and could be pushing himself into a higher tier among interior defensive linemen.

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2026 Senior Bowl practise notes (day one)

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Senior Bowl practices for 2026 NFL draft: Best QBs, prospects
Wednesday’s best quarterback performance
The expectation on Day 2 of the Senior Bowl is for quarterbacks to settle down and gain chemistry with wide receivers they’ve known for 48 hours. Cole Payton (North Dakota State) once again stood out from the competition on Wednesday after being highlighted by Jordan as the top quarterback on Tuesday. Payton doesn’t have the smoothest operation, with a looping, left-handed throwing motion, but he was the most consistently accurate quarterback of the six passers I saw.

The 6-foot-2, 229-pound Payton has solid arm talent, but what most impressed me was his ability to put the ball on his man despite not having fully developed the trust and feel with the wideouts he’s working with. Payton remains a late-round prospect on my board, but he’s trending up while standing out among a crowd of passers that were all ranked ahead of him when the week began. — Miller

Day 2 standout prospects
Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
Durant’s first-step explosiveness has continued to show during practices. Splitting time at multiple interior spots, his upfield burst has been challenging for blockers to match. Durant made multiple plays in the backfield on Wednesday, including a disruptive tackle for loss during the team period of practice. At 6-foot-1, 290 pounds, Durant is likely a situational late-down pass rusher early in his career but has the chance to develop into more. His burst and ability to penetrate the first level have been more consistent during practice than what he showed on film during the 2025 season. I have a third-round grade on him as a defensive line rotational player. — Reid
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Tyren Montgomery, WR, John Carroll
All-star games are a great way for small-school prospects to boost their stock. Montgomery has not only proved that he belongs, but he has been one of the best players in the first two days of practice. The Division III standout continued to make plays, including a highlight-reel catch in which he skied over San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson in the end zone. Montgomery was on the NFL radar as a late-round hopeful, but he has certainly improved his stock. In speaking to scouts on the sideline during practice, the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder has generated the most buzz among all wide receivers in Mobile. — Reid
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Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Rodriguez was one of the most productive players in college football last season, posting 127 tackles, seven forced fumbles, four interceptions and a sack while also scoring three touchdowns. The playmaking that led him to the fifth-place finish in Heisman polling showed up on Wednesday, as Rodriguez’s strength and power coming downhill as a tackler led to a forced fumble in team sessions. The 6-foot-1, 233-pounder is an easy evaluation. The thumping linebacker is a Round 3 player with the ability to impact a pro defense as a starting Mike ‘backer. — Miller
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Quick-hitters from Day 2
Miller:
Kansas State center Sam Hecht had two solid days in a row and is catching my eye as a potential midround steal in this class. Hecht’s hand placement, power and agility have the look of a potential early starter in the NFL. He’s marked on my notes as a player to dive in deeper on following this week.

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Reid:
Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher caught my eye on multiple occasions during the team period of practice. He was able to stop multiple runs behind the line of scrimmage by aggressively attacking downhill. He came into Mobile known for his instincts and run-stopping ability, which have remained consistent through two practices. Boettcher is viewed as a midround pick, but he stood out in a deep linebacker group.

Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun had a productive second day in which he recorded multiple pass breakups. His best portion of practice came during one-on-ones, and he remained disciplined in coverage on Wednesday. Igbinosun is known for his grabby nature, but he limited that tendency and showed his potential in man-to-man as well as zone. Considering his size (6-foot-2, 192 pounds) and movement skills, it would be a surprise if he’s not selected inside of the top 75 picks.

After an inconsistent first day, Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks put it all together on Wednesday. With injuries limiting him to two games last season, Banks was circled as a prospect with plenty to gain in Mobile. He looked like the prospect many were excited about coming into the season, flashing his power in the run game and disruption as a pass rusher. Banks carries a mixture of second- and third-round grades from scouts that I have talked to here.
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Day 1 standout prospects

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
All eyes were on Hood, my top-ranked player at the Senior Bowl, and he stepped up Tuesday. He showed patience and confidence in one-on-one settings, turning and running with opposing receivers with ease while not being beaten once. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound junior was my No. 18-ranked player entering the week and solidified his status as the best player in Mobile throughout position drills and team settings. The Buccaneers, Jets and Lions all look like strong landing spots for him in the middle of Round 1. — Miller
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Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
I’m always looking for that “wow” first impression at all-star games and Hunter delivered it during team drills Tuesday. Lining up as a 1-technique, Hunter absolutely demolished an interior offensive lineman with his first-step power, rocking back the blocker’s shoulders and easily gaining ground. That backs up what we saw on tape during Texas Tech’s run to the CFP this season. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Hunter currently ranks No. 29 on my board and boosted his stock even more on Tuesday. — Miller
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T.J. Parker, Edge, Clemson
Viewed as one of the nation’s top defenders entering the season, Parker didn’t have the season many envisioned, with his sack total falling from 11 in 2024 to five last season. Parker took a positive step toward reviving his draft prospects on the first day of practice Tuesday, as the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder displayed lots of power in his hands. That strength was present throughout multiple periods of practice. Scouts view Parker as a top-40 prospect who could sneak into the back end of Round 1. — Reid
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Keylan Rutledge, IOL, Georgia Tech
After playing guard exclusively during his career at Georgia Tech, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Rutledge took snaps at center throughout practice Tuesday. Rutledge showed comfort with snapping the ball and demonstrated that he can play any spot along the interior, answering one of the biggest questions scouts had about him entering the Senior Bowl. — Reid
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Shrine Bowl observations
Offensive lineman Brian Parker II (Duke) also stood out. After spending last season at left tackle, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Parker played center at Shrine Bowl practices, showing strong hands and a balanced base. He was viewed as a Day 3 prospect entering the event but boosted his stock and could go as early as Round 3.

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Minnesota Vikings News and Links​

Vikings 2026 Mock Draft Tracker: Version 1.0
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2026 Mock Draft Tracker: The Latest Vikings Predictions From the Experts

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Vikings’ NFL Draft priorities: Ranking the positions of need for 2026

1. Cornerback
2. Interior defensive line
   This might sound like cherry picking, but all four teams competing in the conference championships last weekend possess elite interior defenders.
3. Safety
4. Tackle
5. Edge rusher
6. Center
7. Running back
8. Tight end

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Future of the Vikings, part 5: The defensive line (and OLBs)
Greenard’s season was funky because he was terrific by every metric except sacks. Among all rushers with at least 250 snaps, he ranked 16th in PFF grade, 13th in Pass Rush Productivity and 13th in pass-rush win rate. Despite missing six games, Greenard’s 47 total QB pressures were more than TJ Watt and only a few behind Brian Burns, Montez Sweat and DeMacus Lawrence and tied with Joey Bosa. Just two years ago, he had 48 totals and got 12.5 sacks in Houston.

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ESPN Identifies the Vikings’ Biggest Looming Free Agency Decision

Nailor has served as the Vikings’ main WR3 in 2024 and 2025 after battling a litany of injuries in 2022 and 2023.

Last offseason, the Rams paid Tutu Atwell $10 million to stay in their WR3/WR4 lane — the same lane Nailor occupies. Their production lines aren’t too far apart. And Atwell isn’t an outlier. Rashod Bateman, Dyami Brown, Josh Palmer, Curtis Samuel, and Darius Slayton all cleared $8 million per year in 2025. That’s the neighborhood. Nailor is drifting into it now, and the market will put a number on him soon enough.

It’s an awkward spot to examine Nailor’s free agent value in January. No one would be surprised if he accepted a $10 million deal over two years. Or a notification could hit fans’ phones in March, showing some WR-needy team paid him $24 million for a two-year contract.

Spotrac estimates Nailor’s value at $4.7 million — a price point the Vikings could surely swing.

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Vikings Now Have Multiple Key Hires to Make on Their Coaching Staff

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QB2 Option for Vikings Already Recovered from Nasty Injury
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What the Vikings Would’ve Sacrificed by Keeping Sam Darnold

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Off Season Plan​

Cap Space Work
2026 Cap : ($48,943,588)
Extend O’Neill 3 yr 72M
Restructure Hockenson
Extend Hargrave (2 yr 18M)
Cut Jones
Cut Kelly
Restructure Greenard (16M of salary)
Restructure Jefferson (max)
Restructure Fries (max)

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Updated 2026 Cap : $34,988,132
Post June 1 – Smith Retires
Updated 2026 Cap : $36,288,132
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2027 Cap : ($5,001,477)
Cut Allen & Metellus
Updated 2027 Cap : $20,843,523
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Free agents signed
Sign QB Marcus Mariota 2 yr 24M
Sign Luke Fortner 3 yr 25.5M
Sign RB Tyler Allgeier 3 yr 12M
Sign CB Kader Kohou 2 yr 6M
Sign LB Devine Deablo 3 yr 27M

Probably could front load some of these so that the 2026 cap is not negative OR do less on the restructures

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Yore Mock​

Trade Partner: 49ers
Sent: 1.27, 3.82
Received: 1.27, 2.58, 3.92
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Trade Partner: Broncos
Sent: 1.27
Received: 1.30, 4.108
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Trade Partner: Saints
Sent: 3.92, 4.108, 2027 6th
Received: 3.73, 5.148
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Trade Partner: Jets
Sent: 3.97
Received: 4.103, 6.192
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Trade Partner: Bills
Sent: 4.126
Received: 5.148, 6.192, 2027 5th
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Pick 30. TJ Parker EDGE Clemson 6’3″ 265
Pick 49. Lee Hunter DL Texas Tech 6’3″ 320
Pick 58. Dillon Thieneman S Oregon 6’0″ 205
Pick 73. Keionte Scott CB Miami (FL) 6’0″ 194
Pick 103. Emmett Johnson RB Nebraska 5’1″ 200
Pick 126. Zane Durant DL Penn State 6’1″ 290
Pick 161. Aamil Wagner OT Notre Dame 6’5″ 302
Pick 194. Jager Burton IOL Kentucky 6’3 323
Pick 234. Tyren Montgomery WR John Carroll 5’11” 190
Pick 240. Bryce Boettcher LB Oregon 6’1″ 227

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Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...links-who-are-you-watching-at-the-senior-bowl