Vikings Offseason 2026

[nicksaviking]

Seems the playoffs and hired/fired coaches conversation should be different than Vikings talk.

Anyway, the initial commentary from Addison's attorney did have me thinking for a second that whatever he did could be overblown.

Then this part made me roll my eyes:

“On Jordan’s behalf, his legal team has already initiated the investigation, identified witnesses, and we are reviewing the viability of a claim for false arrest,” Younger wrote. “He looks forward to the legal process and upon full investigation, we are confident Mr. Addison will be exonerated.”

Come on. if it was a legit misunderstanding or situation someone else escalated, your attorney would be talking about the county dropping charges, not suing them for false arrest.

[TheLeviathan]

18 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Seems the playoffs and hired/fired coaches conversation should be different than Vikings talk.

Anyway, the initial commentary from Addison's attorney did have me thinking for a second that whatever he did could be overblown.

Then this part made me roll my eyes:

“On Jordan’s behalf, his legal team has already initiated the investigation, identified witnesses, and we are reviewing the viability of a claim for false arrest,” Younger wrote. “He looks forward to the legal process and upon full investigation, we are confident Mr. Addison will be exonerated.”

Come on. if it was a legit misunderstanding or situation someone else escalated, your attorney would be talking about the county dropping charges, not suing them for false arrest.

Also, given the previous incidences....you're going to have a hard sell to the public about how innocent you are at 3:45 AM.

Fair or not.

[TheLeviathan]

I don't know the best place but this graph is crazy:

 

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8fr7s4g/

[ashbury]

4 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

I don't know the best place but this graph is crazy:

 

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8fr7s4g/

[TheLeviathan]

16 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Just trying to support amazing women in STEM.....jerk.

Also...I knew the offense dragged our season but that graph....my god.

[ashbury]

52 minutes ago, TheLeviathan said:

Just trying to support amazing women in STEM.....jerk.

I'm married to an amazing woman in STEM. (In case I really need to establish my credentials to make a satirical joke. If you're being satirical too, um, never mind. Oh wait, you did click thumbs up...)

[gunnarthor]

Vikings not bringing back Kuper, need a new o-line coach. This move needed to happen. Let's hope the line is improved by whoever we bring in. 

[nicksaviking]

4 hours ago, gunnarthor said:

Vikings not bringing back Kuper, need a new o-line coach. This move needed to happen. Let's hope the line is improved by whoever we bring in. 

Long overdue. 

[gunnarthor]

A potential replacement could be Atlanta's former o-line coach who won't be part of Stefanski's staff. Dwayne Ledford had some strong o- lines and a strong running attack in Atlanta, although Bijon Robinson might have had something to do with that. 

https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/vikings-top-coaching-staff-candidate-is-off-the-board/

[gunnarthor]

Charges against Addison were dropped so that's good. I don't think we will move him this offseason though. 

[gunnarthor]

Nothing major but three Viking assistant coaches will assist in the college all-star games.

https://www.vikings.com/news/assistant-coaches-senior-bowl-college-all-star-games-mock-draft-season

[TheLeviathan]

To jump off the other thread....it's been noted that KOC indicated in his presser that he wants to be the team that takes 7 step drops and tries to hit daggers.  (He didn't say that, but instead implied that there is a "way" his teams are going to attack)

One version of the 2025 Vikings played 2 TEs, ran the ball, and looked for play action and quick hitters.  (They also controlled the clock and gave their defense a breather.  Not a coincidence how the D played during that stretch either)  The other version kept trying to huck it down the field on deep overs and chunk plays while barely acknowledging the need to run. One of those strategies caused us to win 5 games in a row and the other had us at 4-8.

But if we're truly too stubborn to be that first version of ourselves......the answer is that we absolutely have to get better pass protection from our backs.  IMO, that might be priority #1 after "teach McCarthy how to be more than a game manager"  Hopefully that player, combined with the OL coach will be able to hold back modern day pass rushers for the ungodly amount of time KOC insists on having.

[gunnarthor]

I've said several times that is like KOC to have another offensive mind around, one that wasn't from the McVay tree. There is certainly ways to be a productive high scoring offense with a bit more balance. 

[Parfigliano]

4 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

To jump off the other thread....it's been noted that KOC indicated in his presser that he wants to be the team that takes 7 step drops and tries to hit daggers.  (He didn't say that, but instead implied that there is a "way" his teams are going to attack)

One version of the 2025 Vikings played 2 TEs, ran the ball, and looked for play action and quick hitters.  (They also controlled the clock and gave their defense a breather.  Not a coincidence how the D played during that stretch either)  The other version kept trying to huck it down the field on deep overs and chunk plays while barely acknowledging the need to run. One of those strategies caused us to win 5 games in a row and the other had us at 4-8.

But if we're truly too stubborn to be that first version of ourselves......the answer is that we absolutely have to get better pass protection from our backs.  IMO, that might be priority #1 after "teach McCarthy how to be more than a game manager"  Hopefully that player, combined with the OL coach will be able to hold back modern day pass rushers for the ungodly amount of time KOC insists on having.

Also teach JJMc that every throw doesn't have to be a fastball.

[Original_JB]

Also teach JJMc that every throw doesn't have to be a fastball.

I remember it took several years for John Elway to realize that.

[gunnarthor]

We lost Daronte Jones to the Commanders. Here's a link to Washington's SB page on the hire. They seem to like it. 

https://www.hogshaven.com/washington-commanders-news/399685/washington-commanders-have-hired-joe-whitts-replacement-at-defensive-coordinator#comments

[Parfigliano]

Please tell me the Vikes are not serious about Anthony Richardson as backup QB.

[Danchat]

35 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Please tell me the Vikes are not serious about Anthony Richardson as backup QB.

I highly doubt it. They're not going to try and fix 2 QBs at once, and KOC is going to want a steady vet who can run his offense, AR isn't that. 

[nicksaviking]

11 hours ago, Danchat said:

I highly doubt it. They're not going to try and fix 2 QBs at once, and KOC is going to want a steady vet who can run his offense, AR isn't that. 

Agree, it won't be Richardson.

But it's also unlikely anyone that will make the fans happy. As free agents available, I have:

Daniel Jones, Malik Willis, Marcus Mariota, Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mitch Trubisky, Tyrod Taylor, Zach Wilson, Gardner Minshew, Carson Wentz, Jimmy Garoppolo and Teddy Bridgewater. I don't see any other free agent as having a prayer at being a bridge or veteran competition.

Then likely Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Fields get released, MAYBE traded in Murray's case. Kirk Cousins is a wild card. He'd have 100% been cut prior to the Penix injury, now I suspect he's starting week 1 in ATL. Mac Jones could also be traded, but the Vikings shouldn't be paying what it would take just to get a veteran to compete.

So then you have the teams that absolutely need to find a QB next year, AZ, IND, LV, MIA, NYJ and PIT. CLE absolutely should be looking, but possible they don't and LAR would if Stafford retires.

Mendoza goes to one of those teams, but I'm not sure there's another Day 1 starting QB in the draft. I wouldn't want one anyway. So Jones will be the only overly desirable free agent. Then probably Murray. After that, blegh. Willis has some steam but nobody has noticed that in his four years in the league he's never once thrown the ball more than 23 times in a game; he is and should always be a backup, he isn't a good enough passer. Russell Wilson sounds like a bad idea for any team. Flacco will get recycled again, but that instills no confidence in actually being a playoff team. Tua has had some really nice stretches, he might be good in a new location, but no one will trust him. 

So after Daniel Jones, Murray, Mendoza and maybe Tagovailoa and maybe Mac Jones, that still leaves one team minimum that has to find a QB from the scraps and maybe up to three teams, before the Vikings can start digging for the next best scraps. The Carson Wentz signing drew overwhelming eye rolls last year, but that's what's going to happen again regardless of who the 2026 veteran is going to be.

[gunnarthor]

53 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Agree, it won't be Richardson.

But it's also unlikely anyone that will make the fans happy. As free agents available, I have:

Daniel Jones, Malik Willis, Marcus Mariota, Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Mitch Trubisky, Tyrod Taylor, Zach Wilson, Gardner Minshew, Carson Wentz, Jimmy Garoppolo and Teddy Bridgewater. I don't see any other free agent as having a prayer at being a bridge or veteran competition.

Then likely Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Fields get released, MAYBE traded in Murray's case. Kirk Cousins is a wild card. He'd have 100% been cut prior to the Penix injury, now I suspect he's starting week 1 in ATL. Mac Jones could also be traded, but the Vikings shouldn't be paying what it would take just to get a veteran to compete.

So then you have the teams that absolutely need to find a QB next year, AZ, IND, LV, MIA, NYJ and PIT. CLE absolutely should be looking, but possible they don't and LAR would if Stafford retires.

Mendoza goes to one of those teams, but I'm not sure there's another Day 1 starting QB in the draft. I wouldn't want one anyway. So Jones will be the only overly desirable free agent. Then probably Murray. After that, blegh. Willis has some steam but nobody has noticed that in his four years in the league he's never once thrown the ball more than 23 times in a game; he is and should always be a backup, he isn't a good enough passer. Russell Wilson sounds like a bad idea for any team. Flacco will get recycled again, but that instills no confidence in actually being a playoff team. Tua has had some really nice stretches, he might be good in a new location, but no one will trust him. 

So after Daniel Jones, Murray, Mendoza and maybe Tagovailoa and maybe Mac Jones, that still leaves one team minimum that has to find a QB from the scraps and maybe up to three teams, before the Vikings can start digging for the next best scraps. The Carson Wentz signing drew overwhelming eye rolls last year, but that's what's going to happen again regardless of who the 2026 veteran is going to be.

I agree but I think Tua has to stay in Miami, his contract is too big to move and ownership will require them to play him, I think. Arizona has Brissett under contract so they won't need to dumpster dive. Simpson will move up in the draft rankings as we get closer to the draft. (Arizona could take him and let him sit behind Brisset for a year. Not a horrible idea). Rodgers sounds like he'll do another year in Pitt with McCarthy. Cleveland just wasted two picks on a QBs last year. They have to give them some time to decide, especially with the lack of QBs in this draft. I think the Vikings could get someone like Mariotta, Taylor, or Cousins.

Also, KC might be looking since Mahomes might not be ready at the start of the season and Minshew tore his ACL, I believe, so might not be available at the start of the season as well.

[nicksaviking]

21 minutes ago, gunnarthor said:

I agree but I think Tua has to stay in Miami, his contract is too big to move and ownership will require them to play him, I think. Arizona has Brissett under contract so they won't need to dumpster dive. Simpson will move up in the draft rankings as we get closer to the draft. (Arizona could take him and let him sit behind Brisset for a year. Not a horrible idea). Rodgers sounds like he'll do another year in Pitt with McCarthy. Cleveland just wasted two picks on a QBs last year. They have to give them some time to decide, especially with the lack of QBs in this draft. I think the Vikings could get someone like Mariotta, Taylor, or Cousins.

Also, KC might be looking since Mahomes might not be ready at the start of the season and Minshew tore his ACL, I believe, so might not be available at the start of the season as well.

I think the Dolphins are starting over and will eat Tua's money. I don't think they'd have benched him otherwise.

I would have thrown Brissett into the Mariota/Flacco/Wentz group. So they maybe wouldn't dumpster dive but only because they already did. Brissett's numbers did look good last year, but that was mostly garbage time passing and the team went 1-11 when he started.

I don't think Atlanta parts with Cousins any longer, I think they need him. And if he did leave, I don't think he goes anywhere that he has to compete for a job, because he wouldn't have to, there are openings for him to start.

Yeah, the Vikings could get Mariota or Taylor. That doesn't help the team any more than signing Wentz did though. I'd take Wentz over both of those two in fact. At least he pushes the ball down field and has a respectable completion percentage; at minimum, he'd make for a happier Justin Jefferson. People who are demanding a veteran to compete certainly aren't thinking about any of these guys though, they're thinking about some abstract savior without realizing there isn't one.

Also, Ty Simpson started 15 games in college. I hope one of those idiot teams draft and start him but I think even dysfunctional teams like the Jets and Browns will see he's got the same problem as Anthony Richardson and Trey Lance. I think he's riding pine no matter where he goes. And I think he goes way later than people are predicting now.

[nicksaviking]

So former Dolphins OC Frank Smith is hired to be the Vikings assistant head coach. Have to believe there may be a play for Tua Tagovailoa on the table. Obviously no trade with that contract, but if/when he's cut perhaps. I think he's better than just about all the free agent options though so I tend to think he'd take a for sure starting gig on a dumpster fire team before coming here to compete with McCarthy. TBD though, who knows. If he could get the ball to Tyreek Hill, he can get the ball to Justin Jefferson.

Also, Keith Carter is the new OL coach. He was promoted from assistant OL coach. This is going to sound like hyperbole, but I think this is the worst thing the Vikings have or will do all off season. They really needed to find a top end OL coach, and I really doubt they're finding one who's been studying under the previous guy who was way out of his depth. This absolutely needed to be an outside hire. Beyond disappointed with this.

Other defensive coaches too. Whatever. I stopped caring after reading this nonsense.

 

[Vanimal46]

Promoting the assistant OL coach does not instill confidence. 

Is Frank Smith higher on the totem pole than Wes Phillips as OC? If so, why is Wes Phillips still here in that role? 

[TheLeviathan]

I like Smith.  The Dolphins gave consistently been a good running team with inventive play calls.

Carter?  Didn't love him coming on board at all in the first place much less a promotion.

[nicksaviking]

4 hours ago, TheLeviathan said:

I like Smith.  The Dolphins gave consistently been a good running team with inventive play calls.

Carter?  Didn't love him coming on board at all in the first place much less a promotion.

I’d really like to see a gameplan where the RB can get 60+productive receptions a season like the Dolphins.

I don’t trust the OL coach with this and the Vikings need to completely start over with a different breed of RB.

[nicksaviking]

I've voiced my opinion that Mac Jones isn't anywhere close to a top end QB so I'm not interested. But I wonder, which side says no to a Mac Jones for JJ McCarthy trade? I mean besides me, because I'm irrational and want a fancy QB.

SF would be losing a higher floor backup but getting a cheaper QB with an additional year of control and significantly more upside.

[Mike Sixel]

Either Burrow or McCarthy should be the starter. No way on trading McCarthy for another low ceiling guy. Just roll with it if you have to. 

[nicksaviking]

2 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Either Burrow or McCarthy should be the starter. No way on trading McCarthy for another low ceiling guy. Just roll with it if you have to. 

The Jones/McCarthy thought came to me when I was looking at dynasty fantasy trades and it occurred to me that that one actually seemed like something the real life Vikings might consider. 

And obviously I agree with you. And the if they give it more than a minutes though, they'll realize the Vikings are optically the WORST fit for Jones. If you have Jones as a starter on a one year deal, you're going to be getting Sam Darnold comps all season long. So then to correct that Darnold decision, they'd likely feel compelled to extend Jones, which.... I can't even continue. As for Burrow, I can all but guarantee that I am more than comfortable meeting the Bengals asking price. I hope there is a price.

But just for fun, my QB roulette predictions are as follows:

Daniel Jones re-signs with Indy.

Cousins to Pittsburgh after Atlanta drops him and his 67M salary. Obviously only if Rodgers doesn't come back. They're going to try pretty hard for one of the very few competent available QBs. They didn't bring in a 62-year-old coach to rebuild. Mac Jones would be my second guess. 

Kyler Murray traded to the Jets for a latish round pick. Sorry Jets. Wait, no, sorry Kyler. 

Jimmy Garoppolo follows his OC to Arizona. I'd rather have Brissett, but LaFleur is a LaFleur so I'm guessing he's stubborn and is going to want his guy who knows his system. And LaFleur will probably whine a lot on the sidelines and make his mom roll her eyes every time she sees him do it on TV. Or maybe little brother was verbally assaulted so much by his big brother that he's actually built up some compassion and empathy and is a good guy. 

Brissett then gets traded to Atlanta to start the season while Penix is rehabbing (and then starting again at the end of the season when Penix is re-injured or ineffective.)

Mac Jones gets traded to Miami where Bobby Slowik is running a Shanahan offense.

And finally, like it or not, Tua Tagovailoa signs with the Vikings to 'compete' with McCarthy.

I had Cleveland locked in for a new starting QB, but now I'm thinking they'll role with their stacked QB room of Sanders, Gabriel and Watson. They shouldn't but Cleveland only does what they shouldn't. Also, any of these guys already listed would probably try to avoid Cleveland at all costs anyway.

 

 

 

 

[Vanimal46]

Looks like Kevin Williams is waiting another year to make the HOF... The list I've seen so far on Twitter...

Drew Brees, Roger Craig (Senior committee), Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri

[nicksaviking]

It was going to be hard with two 1st ballot locks. 
 

The NFL HOF is just the worst though. There shouldn’t be this many players waiting to get in that everyone knows will someday get in. And the politicking and back scratching reeks of corruption.

Scrap the whole process, and design it closer to MLB. Where voters can pick up to ten players instead of only five they all try to negotiate about. Shouldn’t need explaining how the significant difference in roster sizes doesn’t make sense.

Wow, did I just claim the MLB is doing something better than the NFL?!?