{"id":702077,"date":"2026-01-24T18:25:19","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T18:25:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/702077\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T18:25:19","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T18:25:19","slug":"the-third-week-of-the-vikings-offseason-offered-4-big-clues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/702077\/","title":{"rendered":"The Third Week of the Vikings Offseason Offered 4 Big Clues"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nearly three weeks of the Minnesota Vikings\u2019 offseason<\/a> are in the books, and free agency is about six weeks away. Meanwhile, the NFL is down to its final four teams, with Championship Sunday<\/a> on tap to reveal a Super Bowl matchup. Along the way, fans learned a few things about the Vikings this week.<\/p>\n

Flores staying put headlined the week, while Addison news and coordinator ripple effects gave the Vikings plenty to track.<\/p>\n

The first offseason domino mostly fell \u2014 good news that Brian Flores would likely stay connected to the franchise in 2026.<\/p>\n

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Four Developments Shaped the Vikings\u2019 Third Offseason Week<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we learned in recent days about the Vikings.<\/p>\n

\"Vikings<\/p>\n

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores surveys the field from the sideline as Minnesota works through defensive adjustments during a divisional road test. Midway through the paragraph on Oct 15, 2023, the scene at Soldier Field showed Flores tracking communication and coverage alignment while Chicago pressed the scheme through the second half. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

1. Brian Flores Signs Contract Extension<\/p>\n

Flores is back \u2014 so long as the Pittsburgh Steelers don\u2019t swoop in with a head coaching job at the stroke of midnight.<\/p>\n

Minnesota extended Flores\u2019 contract on Wednesday evening, reuniting with Flores for a fourth consecutive season. Flores\u2019 boss, Kevin O\u2019Connell, said about his lieutenant<\/a>, \u201cBrian has a unique ability to connect with players, understand their skill sets, and put them in positions to maximize their impact on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe identity of our defense is a reflection of his leadership and preparation. On a personal level, I\u2019ve really valued the relationship we\u2019ve built over the last three years, and that shared trust, alignment and high standard will continue to be critical to our success.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The fear of Flores leaving is mostly alleviated.<\/p>\n

2. A New Offensive Line Coach Is on the Way<\/p>\n

Offensive line coach Chris Kuper came aboard the Vikings at the commencement of the O\u2019Connell era, and he evidently hasn\u2019t done enough for a contract renewal. Minnesota let it expire.<\/p>\n

NBC Sports\u2018 Mike Florio wrote this week<\/a>, \u201cWhile the status of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores remains unresolved, Minnesota has quietly made a key change to another portion of its coaching staff. Via Alec Lewis of TheAthletic.com, offensive line coach Chris Kuper<\/a> is out after four years in the position. As explained by Lewis, Kuper\u2019s contract expired \u2014 and the Vikings opted not to renew it. And for good reason.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe line has been a constant liability during Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s time with the team. Kuper was part of O\u2019Connell\u2019s initial staff. Now, O\u2019Connell will need to find someone else to teach and lead the five players responsible for buying time for the quarterbacks and opening holes in the running game.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Vikings will need a new offensive line coach soon. The job could be filled by an outsider like Dwayne Ledford, who was not retained by the Atlanta Falcons this week when Kevin Stefanski took over, or an internal candidate like assistant offensive line coach Keith Carter.<\/p>\n

Minnesota could also explore former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who was left out in the cold by Mike McDaniel\u2019s termination.<\/p>\n

SI.com\u2018s Will Ragatz wrote<\/a> about Smith this week, \u201cSmith, who turns 45 next month, got his start in the NFL as the Saints\u2019 assistant offensive line coach under Sean Payton in 2010. After five seasons in that role, he was the tight ends coach for the Bears and the Raiders for three seasons apiece. Smith was the O-line coach and run game coordinator for the Chargers in 2021 before spending four years as the Dolphins\u2019 OC under McDaniel.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s worth noting that McDaniel has proven to be one of the best run-game designers in the NFL. If Smith doesn\u2019t land an OC job elsewhere (or follow McDaniel wherever he ends up), he could be a great potential hire for the Vikings as OL coach and run game coordinator.\u201d<\/p>\n

3. Jordan Addison Cleared of Wrongdoing<\/p>\n

Florida authorities arrested Addison on a very strange trespassing charge<\/a> at a casino last week. For most, it felt like \u201chere we go again\u201d with Addison\u2019s lengthy behavioral record, and onlookers held their breath on the next steps.<\/p>\n

A few days later, prosecutors dropped the charges, and it\u2019s now as if nothing happened at all. In fact, Addison is suing for wrongful arrest, his legal team says.<\/p>\n

\"Vikings<\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison turns upfield after hauling in a short pass, accelerating into open space as the offense finds early rhythm. With Nov 3, 2024 appearing mid-paragraph, the moment at U.S. Bank Stadium highlighted Addison\u2019s burst and yards-after-catch ability during first-quarter action against Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The nothingburger status of the misdemeanor is important for Addison, as his contract extension talks will heat up this offseason. He could not afford another bizarre blemish.<\/p>\n

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4. Daronte Jones Interviews with Packers for DC Job<\/p>\n

Shield your eyes here.<\/p>\n

The Packers need a new defensive coordinator because of Jeff Hadley\u2019s promotion in Miami. That might just be Jones, who is the Vikings\u2019 defensive passing game coordinator. Jones faces stiff competition, though, as Green Bay is talking to this candidate field:<\/p>\n

\"Vikings<\/p>\n

Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones watches intently from the sideline as the defense prepares for critical snaps in a playoff setting. On Jan 13, 2025 midway through the paragraph, the NFC Wild Card matchup at State Farm Stadium underscored high-leverage moments as Minnesota navigated coverage and personnel decisions. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Jones has worked for the Vikings since 2020, except for a one-year gap, when he served as LSU\u2019s defensive coordinator in 2021.<\/p>\n

If hired in Green Bay, Brian Flores<\/a> \u2014 also on the Packers\u2019 radar last week until his Vikings extension \u2014 will need a replacement defensive passing game coordinator.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Nearly three weeks of the Minnesota Vikings\u2019 offseason are in the books, and free agency is about six…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":702078,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2073],"tags":[254,6696,692,100112,2792,7,41,2004,90259,8265,6192,9737,216,233,259,2529,6,2976,428,57,234],"class_list":["post-702077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-minnesota-vikings","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-brian-flores","tag-chicago","tag-chris-kuper","tag-defensive-coordinator","tag-football","tag-green-bay","tag-indianapolis","tag-jim-leonhard","tag-jordan-addison","tag-kevin-oconnell","tag-mandatory-credit","tag-miami","tag-minnesota","tag-minnesota-vikings","tag-minnesotavikings","tag-nfl","tag-offensive-line-coach","tag-packers","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-vikings"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115951484914734357","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/702077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=702077"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/702077\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/702078"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=702077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=702077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=702077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}