Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t started making personnel changes to the roster yet because of where they are in the NFL calendar. Free agency is still multiple weeks away, and that will largely dictate how Kevin O’Connell and company attack the NFL Draft.
Where there has been change for Minnesota though, is on the coaching staff. With Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gone, all of the assistants designed to prop up O’Connell are a reflection of his own choosing. This offseason we have seen multiple assistants depart, and that has left holes O’Connell has needed to fill.
Chris Kuper’s departure for Philadelphia may have opened the most critical place of development on the roster. The Vikings offensive line flopped last year, and that can’t happen again. The responsibility now falls on Keith Carter and Derek Warehime.
Derek Warehime joins Minnesota Vikings coaching staff
When the Minnesota Vikings opted against renewing Chris Kuper’s contract, they knew changes would be coming for the offensive line staff. Keith Carter is now leading what was an expensive group last offseason, and Derek Warehime will join him.
The #Vikings are set to hire Kentucky offensive run game coordinator Derek Warehime as an assistant offensive line coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
Before Kentucky, he was offensive line coach at Texas, offensive coordinator at New Mexico and OL coach at Coastal Carolina. pic.twitter.com/HrNpC6NS01
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 13, 2026
Warehime was set to work with new Kentucky head coach, and former Oregon offensive coordinator, Will Stein. Rather than stick in Lexington, he’s headed to the NFL joining forces with the Vikings.
Prior to his time with the Wildcats, Warehime has been an offensive line and tight ends coach. He operated as an offensive coordinator for New Mexico from 2020 through 2022 as well.
The 43-year-old will have a focus on righting the ship for the Minnesota Vikings. Despite the significant financial investment, and using a first round pick on guard Donovan Jackson, the group was often injured or poor last season. Whether it’s J.J. McCarthy or someone else, the quarterback needs much better protection than they were given in 2025.
Changes coming for MN Vikings O-Line
Last season the Minnesota Vikings revamped the interior of their offensive line. This season there should be no change to the bookends. Both Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill are back, though the former needs to actually get right and stay on the field.
Beyond the tackles, both guard positions are set as well. Will Fries and Donovan Jackson are locked into starting roles. Unfortunately, Ryan Kelly was consistently graded as the best player on the front, but the center probably needs to hang up his cleats.
Even if Kelly doesn’t retire, he’s a likely cut candidate for Minnesota. He suffered multiple concussions and has just a $3.3 million dead cap hit as opposed to his $12.1 million cap number. How the Vikings backfill his spot is a key focal point for the offseason.
Mentioned in this article: Derek Warehime Keith Carter
More About:Minnesota Vikings
Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.