A pretty good weekend for football save for the Seahawks vs 49ers game. The Bills choked it away again and now fired their coach. The Patriots look to have an easy path to the Super Bowl with Bo Nix injured. The Rams vs Seahawks game should be good as their two games this season were very close with one going overtime in Seattle.<\/p>\n
All that being said, since the Vikings did not get into the dance, it is A Case of the Mondays!<\/p>\n
I am not feeling good about keeping Flores. I hope they don\u2019t take too long and see other replacement candidates sign elsewhere.<\/p>\n
NFL interview requests tracker: Who are teams targeting as their new head coach, GM and more?<\/a> Ranking the NFL head coaching openings, from least to most attractive after Bills fire Sean McDermott<\/a> I think Flores would be great for any of the top 3 teams with the Ravens being perticularly a good fit IMHO. I do not see him wanting to suffer through the growing pains of a young QB.<\/p>\n Minnesota Vikings News and Links<\/p>\n Vikings\u2019 Top Coaching Staff Candidate is Off the Board<\/a><\/p>\n Our own Trevor Squire provided some reasoning on Kuper being let go by the Vikings.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Minnesota Vikings poured major investment into their offensive line last offseason to no avail.<\/p>\n After signing former Indianapolis Colts starters Ryan Kelly and Will Fries to deals worth a combined $105 million and drafting Donovan Jackson in the first round, the Vikings offensive line finished the 2025 season ranked 31st in pass protection.<\/p>\n Injuries were the bane of the team\u2019s struggles on the offensive front as the starting unit played just 89 snaps together all season.\u201d<\/p>\n Squire also pulled up some evidence that led to the divorce from Kuper from Alec Lewis.<\/p>\n \u201cMinnesota\u2019s interior still allowed the highest pressure rate in the NFL this past season, according to Next Gen Stats. Only the Las Vegas Raiders\u2019 interior was dinged for more sacks. The Vikings improved throughout 2025 in the run game, but struggles continued against more physical and respected defensive fronts.\u201d<\/p>\n Lewis also mentioned another nail in Kuper\u2019s coffin. The productivity of former Vikings such as Ezra Cleveland, Dalton Risner, Ed Ingram, and Garrett Bradbury proved that their struggles in Minnesota may have been a coaching issue.<\/p>\n Adam Patrick of The Viking Age had the scoop on the Vikings missing out on Bill Callahan.<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to NFL Media\u2019s Mike Garafolo on Sunday, Callahan is expected to join the Atlanta Falcons as their new offensive line coach following the team\u2019s announcement on Saturday that former Minnesota offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski has been hired as the Falcons\u2019 new head coach<\/p>\n Callahan had previously worked with Vikings head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell when both were members of the Washington Commanders\u2018 coaching staff from 2017 to 2019. But instead of reuniting with O\u2019Connell, the veteran offensive line coach will join Stefanski in Atlanta.\u201d<\/p>\n Patrick points out some potential good news in the situation for Minnesota.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Callahan expected to take over as the Falcons\u2019 offensive line coach, that frees up Dwayne Ledford, who had been Atlanta\u2019s offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the last five seasons.<\/p>\n Under Ledford, the Falcons consistently had one of the NFL\u2019s top offensive lines, and he would be a tremendous upgrade over what the Vikings had with Kuper for the last few years, especially if he can help improve Minnesota\u2019s rushing attack as well.\u201d<\/p>\n One notable name to watch for the Vikings\u2019 new OL coach vacancy<\/a><\/p>\n Kevin Stefanski was just hired as the Falcons\u2019 new head coach, replacing Raheem Morris. According to reports, veteran offensive line coach Bill Callahan will be joining Stefanski\u2019s staff in that role. That means Ledford, who is a well-respected OL coach, will become a free agent who should receive significant interest around the league. (Shoutout to Alec Lewis of The Athletic for pointing that out).<\/p>\n Ledford, 49, has been with the Falcons since 2021. In addition to serving as their OL coach, he\u2019s been Atlanta\u2019s run game coordinator for the past two seasons. The Falcons have boasted a very strong offensive line and running game in recent years. Right guard Chris Lindstrom has made four straight Pro Bowls, and Atlanta\u2019s other standout offensive linemen include tackles Kaleb McGary and Jake Matthews, guard Matthew Bergeron, and centers Drew Dalman and Ryan Neuzil.<\/p>\n Note: Yore run game does look a lot better with Bijan Robinson. Just sayin.<\/p>\n Vikings Get Bad Jalen Nailor News Amid Jordan Addison Concerns<\/a> \u201cWhatever happens after it, happens. I\u2019m just trying to do what I can to put myself and my family in the best situation there is in the near future,\u201d Nailor said, adding that he was focused on the final three games of the regular season to close out his rookie deal in Minnesota.<\/p>\n Nailor\u2019s comments align with an account from Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Emily Leiker, who said Nailor wouldn\u2019t mind returning to Minnesota but appeared content with testing the market first. \u201cYeah, there\u2019s a chance to get a payday there for a guy that was a sixth-round pick,\u201d Goessling said on the \u201cAccess Vikings\u201d podcast.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that, if he\u2019s saying, \u2018Yeah, we\u2019re going to see how it plays out,\u2019 it\u2019s a nice way of saying, \u2018Yeah, I expect to be on the market, and I\u2019m gonna get paid if I can,\u2019 I mean, you know, this is your shot to do that. So, I don\u2019t think that\u2019s an unreasonable approach to this at all.\u201d<\/p>\n Talented cornerback remains a priority while offensive weapon makes his debut in Minnesota Vikings NFL Mock Draft Tracker<\/a> \u201cIf T.J. Hockenson is a cap casualty this offseason, tight end would move up the Vikings\u2019 needs list.<\/p>\n \u201cSadiq is a big, freaky athlete with the adjustment skills to make difficult catches look routine and the mentality to be an asset as a blocker. NFL teams believe he has the talent to be a top-10 pick.\u201d- Brugler<\/p>\n Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson \u201cAvieon Terrell is a sharp cover man with excellent speed and short-area burst, as well as good route-recognition capabilities. In 2024, he notched 2 interceptions and 12 pass breakups for Clemson, and he\u2019s combined 21 pass deflections over the course of his last two seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year, he improved as a tackler, dropping his missed tackle percentage down to 10.4% from 4.1% the year before.\u201d-Infante<\/p>\n Peter Woods, DT, Clemson \u201cWhile the Vikings may be upset to miss out on Love, Clemson\u2019s Peter Woods will help them quickly quell any draft-day blues, as he is a highly physical and high-motor player who excels against both the pass and the run. Adding a player like Woods to an already solid defensive front will create more pressure on opposing offenses and create more havoc in what is becoming one of the best divisions in football.\u201d-Weil<\/p>\n Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State \u201cThe Vikings need to get more explosive in stretching the field with their passing game, as there was too much short-to-intermediate reliance. Tate can take the top off the defense and get open well in single coverage outside away from Justin Jefferson to boost J.J. McCarthy.\u201d-Iyer<\/p>\n Makai Lemon, WR, USC \u201cJordan Addison\u2019s NFL future is in doubt following his third arrest since entering the league. He was hardly dependable even when he was in the field, and Justin Jefferson suffered from his absence and poor quarterback play. The offense needs another receiver, if for no other reason than to help JJ McCarthy\u2019a development. Lemon is a great route runner who can break off big plays at any given moment. While Jefferson attacks each level of the field, Lemon can work underneath and intermediate to give the passing game a check down option to keep the chains moving. \u201c-Bradshaw<\/p>\n Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame The Draft Network\u2019s Jaime Eisner Vikings Turmoil: Addison, Flores & 2026 Plans<\/a> Vikings\u2019 QB addition prediction would be right in Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s wheelhouse<\/a> Paid site but the story is so very true 10 takeaways from Divisional Playoff weekend<\/a> The ironic thing is that Darnold didn\u2019t have to do much to beat the 49ers. He made a great throw running to his left that resulted in an early touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba that put San Fran on ice but otherwise he could have pulled a Jimmy G and thrown eight passes and still won the game easily. The banged-up 49ers had no shot after losing George Kittle and then Christian McCaffrey. And if he does win the Super Bowl, it will go down as one of the most colossal mistakes of all time in the NFL to let him walk. You won\u2019t find anybody who dislikes the \u201ccoulda drafted this guy instead!\u201d analysis in the NFL. Yes, the Vikings could have taken Kyle Hamilton. Yes, they could have picked Michael Thomas other Laquon Treadwell. They had a half dozen shots at Tom Brady, too. What are we supposed to do with that? Every team has a history of missing on great players who were picked later.<\/p>\n However, the Vikings had a choice in the 2024 draft. JJ McCarthy or Bo Nix. They picked the much more raw, inexperienced prospect with college numbers that didn\u2019t even begin to approach those of Nix. They must have felt that Nix\u2019s tools limited his upside or his offense was cartoony or that his flat-top looked too much like Ivan Drago. Who knows what they thought but they thought wrong.<\/p>\n McCarthy may someday become a great quarterback but the Vikings\u2019 timeline required a QB that was ready to play ASAP and that was much more Nix than McCarthy.<\/p>\n Over the last two years, he\u2019s been in the postseason twice and put together an excellent overall performance with a massive clutch deep touchdown to give the Broncos a shot to win the game against Buffalo.<\/p>\n Are we sure Kevin O\u2019Connell deserves the \u2018offensive guru\u2019 label?<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
No 8. Miami Dolphins
No 7. Arizona Cardinals
No 6. Cleveland Browns
No 5. Tennessee Titans
No 4. Las Vegas Raiders
No 3. Pittsburgh Steelers
No 2. Buffalo Bills
No 1. Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n
Appearing in a December interview with Ari Meirov that was released on January 13, Nailor addressed his upcoming free agency.<\/p>\n
\u2026
Responding to Leikert\u2019s account of Nailor\u2019s comments at locker room cleanout day, colleague Ben Goessling read through the lines, arguing that Nailor is likely to going to force the Vikings\u2019 hand to compete for him in free agency.<\/p>\n
Minnesota Vikings NFL mock draft tracker
Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Athletic\u2019s Dane Brugler
Sports Illustrated\u2019s Nick Merriam<\/p>\n
Pro Football Network\u2019s Jacob Infante
CBS Sports\u2019 Ryan Wilson
USA Today\u2019s Ayrton Ostly
Pro Football Focus\u2019 Max Chadwick
A to Z Sports\u2019 Staff
CBS Sports\u2019 Josh Edwards
Pro Football Focus\u2019 Gordon McGuinness<\/p>\n
Pro Football Network\u2019s Josh Weil<\/p>\n
The Sporting News\u2019 Vinnie Iyer<\/p>\n
Sports Illustrated\u2019s Richie Bradshaw<\/p>\n
Scouting Report<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy Jeremiyah Love here? Aaron Jones could be a cap casualty and Jordan Mason has just one more year left on his deal. The Minnesota Vikings need a strong run game while they figure out their short- and long-term quarterback situation and Love is an elite talent. If he is on the board, he\u2019s too good to pass up.\u201d-Eisner<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026<\/p>\n
Reusse: Vikings have been treading water in 25 years since \u201841-doughnut\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n
Sam Darnold going to the NFC Championship game is proof that the QB isn\u2019t always the reason a team succeeds or fails in the playoffs<\/p>\n
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Oh, I\u2019ve said it before and I\u2019ll say it again: The only take on Darnold from Vikings fans should be that it\u2019s great for him. He handled everything in Minnesota, including his exit, like a pro. He gave them a great season and they made the choice to let him leave by not franchise tagging him.<\/p>\n
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Bo Nix\u2019s success highlights Vikings 2024 draft decision<\/p>\n