Fallout From Vikings’ Firing Of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
To the surprise of many, the Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Friday. However, the move didn’t come as a shock to Adofo-Mensah, who “was not blindsided by this,” Jeremy Fowler of ESPN says. Adofo-Mensah somewhat expected to take the fall after a 9-8 season that did not include a playoff berth, though the Vikings waited almost a month to pull the trigger.
It took the Vikings 26 days after their season finale to hand Adofo-Mensah his walking papers. Owner Mark Wilf explained why on Friday, telling reporters he wanted to avoid a “knee-jerk” reaction and take a “methodical” approach (via Kevin Seifert of ESPN).
Multiple reports on Friday pointed to a tense atmosphere in Minnesota during Adofo-Mensah’s last season on the job. There may have been a rift between Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell, whom the GM hired four years ago, but Wilf claims there wasn’t disharmony in the building.
“We are in touch with everyone in the building, sensing the dynamic, how people work together. I think, again, it’s a good collaborative situation,” he said. “People get along here. Everything was good. It’s strictly a professional decision on where we think the dynamic was best going forward.”
Moving on from Adofo-Mensah was “100% ownership”-driven and about the GM’s full “body of work,” declared Wilf, who tabbed executive vice president Rob Brzezinski to lead the Vikings’ front office through the draft. Wilf said the Vikings will consider a promotion to GM for Brzezinski, but they’ll conduct a “thorough” post-draft search before naming Adofo-Mensah’s replacement.
While Wilf is leaning toward giving the next GM power over personnel decision-making, he expects O’Connell to provide “extremely heavy input.” With O’Connell considered one of the game’s top coaches, that isn’t a surprise. Although Minnesota has gone 0-2 in the playoffs under O’Connell, its .632 winning percentage since he took over in 2022 is tied for the fifth-best mark in the NFL.
Poor quarterback play, mostly from 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, undermined the Vikings’ chances in 2025. McCarthy grabbed the reins after the Vikings lost veteran signal-callers Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones in free agency last March. After carrying his 2024 Minnesota breakout to Seattle this season, Darnold is preparing for Super Bowl LX against the Patriots. Jones had an impressive season with the Colts before tearing his Achilles in early December.
It may be too early to write off the 23-year-old McCarthy. For now, though, he looks like yet another draft miss for Adofo-Mensah, who traded up a spot to pick the former Michigan starter 10th overall. McCarthy’s struggles so far are especially damning with Darnold a week away from playing for a Lombardi Trophy.
Another draft trade – the 2022 deal that delivered wide receiver Jameson Williams to NFC North rival Detroit – also looks like a black mark on Adofo-Mensah’s resume, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes. The Vikings traded the 12th and 46th picks to the Lions for Nos. 32, 34 and 66. The Lions spent the 12th pick on Williams and the 46th choice on defensive end Josh Paschal. Paschal hasn’t been a difference-maker, but Williams is fresh off his second straight 1,000-yard season. Meanwhile, the Vikings used their first pick that year on former Georgia defensive back Lewis Cine, who didn’t last long with them after fracturing his leg in his rookie season. Cine is now a member of the United Football League.
Of the 10 players Adofo-Mensah drafted in his inaugural class, only fifth-round running back Ty Chandler and sixth-round receiver Jalen Nailor are still with the Vikings. Neither has risen above role player status, and the same is true of most of the picks Adofo-Mensah made during his four-year tenure. None of his selections have made the Pro Bowl to this point.
Adofo-Mensah, a former commodities trader who never played or coached football, started off in the NFL as a manager of research and development for the 49ers in 2013. He rose up to become the Browns’ vice president of football operations from 2020-21 before the Vikings chose him to replace former GM Rick Spielman. As an analytics-based hire who didn’t come with a traditional football background, Adofo-Mensah “was never truly accepted [in Minnesota] from day one,” sources told Fowler.
NFC North Coaching Updates: Vikings, Petzing, Packers
Barring a departure for one of the two remaining open head coaching positions, the Vikings have fulfilled their biggest offseason wish of retaining defensive coordinator Brian Flores, even securing him long-term with a contract extension. While Flores is still around, assistant head coach Mike Pettine has retired, passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Daronte Jones landed a coordinator job with the Commanders, and the team moved on from offensive line coach Chris Kuper and allowed defensive line coach Marcus Dixon‘s contract to expire. 
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has been working to fill the roles left vacant by these departures in recent weeks. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the team has brought in Frank Smith to fill Pettine’s former role as assistant head coach. Smith, a former offensive coordinator with the Dolphins, learned under former play-calling head coach Mike McDaniel and could bring some of his influence to the offense. He’s also expected to help in run game planning. To replace Kuper, O’Connell promoted Keith Carter to offensive line coach. He was the team’s assistant OL coach last year but has served as a full-time position coach in the past and will return to that role in Minnesota next year.
On defense, Gerald Alexander will replace Jones as defensive pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach. Alexander has bounced around since entering the NFL ranks of coaching in 2017, working DB coaching jobs with the Panthers, Dolphins, Steelers, and Raiders before landing in Minnesota. Flores worked with Alexander during his stops in Miami and Pittsburgh, so if he doesn’t get a head coaching position, Alexander will be reuniting with him in Minnesota. Replacing Dixon will be Ryan Nielsen, who will add defensive run game coordinator to Dixon’s original DL coach title. Nielsen has coordinator experience with the Saints, Falcons, and Jaguars and most recently served as a senior defensive assistant with the Bills.
Here are a few other coaching updates from around the NFC North:
- Last year, the Lions took play-calling duties away from offensive coordinator John Morton and ended up parting ways with him at the end of the season. Head coach Dan Campbell took over play calling for the remainder of the season, but he doesn’t intend to retain those duties in 2026. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, general manager Brad Holmes told the media that new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will take the reins in calling plays for the offense in Detroit next season. Petzing will be running the show as the Lions look to get back on track after a disappointing 2025 campaign.
- Lastly, in Green Bay, Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports reports that the Packers are expected to hire Sam Siefkes as linebackers coach. After a year at the collegiate level as defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech, Siefkes reunites with new Packers DC Jonathan Gannon. Siefkes previously served as Gannon’s linebackers coach in Arizona, where Gannon was head coach. Siefkes’ addition indicates that former linebackers coach Sean Duggan, who was reportedly expected to follow Jeff Hafley to Miami for a potential shot at a role as defensive coordinator, is officially departed from Green Bay.
Vikings Fire GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
In a stunning move, the Vikings have fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Adofo-Mensah, 44, had been the Vikings’ GM since 2022.
As part of their official statement, the Vikings said: “Following our annual end-of-season organizational meetings over the last several weeks and after careful consideration, we have decided it is in the best interest of the team to move forward with new leadership of our football operations. These decisions are never easy. We are grateful for Kwesi’s contributions and commitment to the organization over the past four years and wish him and his family the best in the future.”
Executive vice president Rob Brzezinski will take over for Adofo-Mensah on an interim basis, the team announced. Brzezinski will lead the front office through April’s draft, but the Vikings “intend to conduct a thorough search” for their next GM after that.
The Vikings’ decision to cut ties with Adofo-Mensah comes less than a year after they locked him up to a contract extension last May. The deal prevented Adofo-Mensah from entering 2025 as a lame duck, but the team will now go in another direction after finishing 9-8 and missing the playoffs.
There was “tension” in the Vikings’ building leading up to Adofo-Mensah’s firing, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who hears that it had been “ugly” throughout the season. Jordan Schultz relays similar information, writing “there were relationship issues” at Vikings headquarters.
The Vikings brought in Adofo-Mensah after he divided 2013-21 between San Francisco and Cleveland. He impressed enough over two seasons as the Browns’ vice president of football operations to earn a promotion in Minnesota. With the hiring of head coach Kevin O’Connell three weeks later, Adofo-Mensah checked off his first key task atop the Vikings’ front office. The well-regarded O’Connell remains in place four years later, but he’ll pair with Brzezinski for now before potentially teaming up with a different GM.
The Adofo-Mensah/O’Connell tandem helped the Vikings to a 13-4 mark and an NFC North title in their first season together, though the team suffered a wild-card round upset against the Giants. The Vikings dropped to 7-10 in 2023, after which they allowed longtime starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to walk in free agency.
With Cousins heading to Atlanta on a massive contract worth up to $180MM over four years, the Vikings brought in veteran Sam Darnold on a one-year, $10MM pact and then used the 10th pick in the draft on former Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.
Adofo-Mensah traded up a spot for McCarthy, who went on to miss his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus. That didn’t faze Minnesota, where Darnold enjoyed a long-awaited breakout campaign six years after the Jets drafted him third overall. The Vikings posted a tremendous 14-3 record en route to another playoff berth, but they once again lost in the wild-card round.
A couple months after a rough showing in a blowout against the Rams, Darnold signed with the Seahawks on a three-year, $100.5MM deal. The Vikings made a similar offer, and they also tried to re-sign veteran passer Daniel Jones after he ended 2024 in their uniform, but they struck out in both instances. Jones saw a clearer path to playing time in Indianapolis, where he went on to revive his career before tearing his Achilles in early December.
Meanwhile, a Darnold-quarterbacked team finished 14-3 for the second year in a row. The Seahawks are now preparing to face the Patriots in Super Bowl LX after Darnold’s 346-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 31-27 triumph over the Rams in the NFC title game.
After Darnold and Jones slipped through their fingers last March, a season of subpar quarterback play was likely the main culprit in the Vikings’ disappointing 2025. Adofo-Mensah’s big bet on McCarthy hasn’t paid off to this point.
McCarthy battled multiple injuries in his first year at the helm, leading him to miss seven games, and was statistically among the league’s worst QBs when healthy. Journeyman backup Carson Wentz, who was a mixed bag filling in for McCarthy early in the year, required season-ending shoulder surgery in October.
Wentz’s injury left undrafted rookie Max Brosmer as McCarthy’s backup for the rest of the year. Brosmer was dreadful over eight appearances and two starts, including a four-interception outing in a 26-0 loss to Darnold’s Seahawks in Week 13.
Shortly after the Vikings’ campaign ended, Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell indicated they’d bring in competition for McCarthy this offseason. It’s not clear how aggressive Adofo-Mensah would have been, but that decision is now out of his hands.
While the Vikings’ lackluster QB performance this season likely contributed to Adofo-Mensah’s ouster, a poor track record in the draft also didn’t help his cause. As Kevin Seifert of ESPN points out, players the Vikings drafted from 2022-25 have only made 172 starts – the second-lowest total in the league during that span. To make matters worse, Adofo-Mensah’s drafts haven’t produced any Pro Bowlers. With Adofo-Mensah suddenly out of the organization, the Vikings will hope for better results from their Brzezinski-led front office this April.
Eagles Interview Sean Mannion For OC Gig
The list of Eagles offensive coordinator candidates has grown even longer. Philadelphia’s search for a Kevin Patullo replacement has produced another interview. 
The Eagles met with Packers quarterbacks coach Sean Mannion, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reports. That makes him the 14th candidate linked to Philadelphia’s OC vacancy in one capacity or another. This is the first known coordinator interview Mannion has taken in this year’s cycle. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network confirms Mannion’s first meeting with Philadelphia was virtual, but he adds an in-person follow-up will take place later this week.
Immediately after ending his playing career, Mannion stepped into coaching. The former Rams and Vikings passer joined the Packers’ staff in February 2024. He worked as an offensive assistant on Matt LaFleur‘s staff that year before being promoted to QBs coach following Tom Clements’ retirement. In 2025, Mannion guided a position group which included Jordan Love posting the best passer rating (101.2) of his tenure working as Green Bay’s starter. Backup Malik Willis also drew praise for his work when on the field.
Willis could head elsewhere in free agency this spring, and given today’s updates Mannion could soon leave Green Bay as well. At the age of 33 and with only two years of coaching experience, Mannion would certainly carry a high degree of risk from the perspective of the Eagles or any other suitors. A hire could, on the other hand, set Philadelphia up for a degree of stability at the OC spot, something which has been lacking throughout head coach Nick Sirianni‘s tenure.
Patullo increasingly drew criticism for his unit’s performances in 2024, the first season following his promotion as Kellen Moore‘s successor. Other factors were in play for Philadelphia as last year’s Super Bowl winners fell short of expectations, but it came as little surprise when Patullo was dismissed following the team’s wild-card loss. The search for his replacement has proven to be far-reaching, but Mannion – who will work as an offensive coordinator in tonight’s East-West Shrine Bowl – is firmly on the Eagles’ radar.
Via PFR’s Coordinator Search Tracker, here is a look at where things stand for Philadelphia:
- Klayton Adams, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): Interview blocked
- Jim Bob Cooter, offensive coordinator (Colts): Interview requested
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/20
- Declan Doyle, offensive coordinator (Bears): Interview requested; withdrew from search
- Josh Grizzard, former offensive coordinator (Buccaneers): To interview
- Jerrod Johnson, quarterbacks coach (Texans): To interview
- Mike Kafka, former interim head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/17
- Sean Mannion, quarterbacks coach (Packers): To conduct second interview
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview
- Matt Nagy, former offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/21
- Zac Robinson, offensive coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed 1/16
- Bobby Slowik, senior pass-game coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/23
- Frank Smith, former offensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed
- Charlie Weis Jr., offensive coordinator (Ole Miss): Withdrew from search
Coaching Notes: Titans, Cowboys, Leonhard, Packers, Eagles, Jaguars
Robert Saleh did not retain Titans OC Nick Holz or DC Dennard Wilson, but the new Tennessee HC kept special teams coordinator John Fassel. Saleh will also have some other Brian Callahan holdovers back. He is retaining running backs coach Randy Jordan, tight ends coach Luke Stocker and cornerbacks coach/defensive pass-game coordinator Tony Oden, according to veteran Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky.
Jordan, 55, coached Washington’s running backs for 10 seasons before joining Callahan’s staff last year. Ron Rivera previously retained him from the Jay Gruden staffs. An 11-year veteran tight end who last played in 2021, Stocker initially jointed the Titans’ staff in Mike Vrabel‘s final year and has been promoted in each of the past two offseasons, rising to TEs coach in 2025.
Oden, 52, has been an NFL staffer since 2004. Of the trio known to be staying, Oden is the only one to overlap with Saleh in the past. That history is extensive. Saleh’s first NFL job — as a Texans intern in 2005 — overlapped with Oden’s Houston stint. Oden broke into the NFL with the Texans a year prior to Saleh but stayed on Dom Capers‘ staff for one more season. Saleh then worked with Oden on the 2020 49ers and brought him to New York for his Jets staff. Oden served as a senior defensive assistant who worked with the team’s corners from 2021-24. He caught on with the Titans last year.
Here is the latest from the coaching ranks:
- The Packers had eyed Jim Leonhard for their DC opening back in 2021, but the then-Wisconsin coordinator was believed to have received an offer. Leonhard did not factor into the Pack’s search to replace Joe Barry in 2024, but it was believed he was back on the team’s radar this year. Matt LaFleur was expected to talk with Leonhard, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Tom Silverstein. While Leonhard is now free to interview, Green Bay hired Jonathan Gannon shortly before the Broncos’ AFC championship game tilt. A 2024 report indicated Leonhard was LaFleur’s top choice in 2021, so it is interesting the Packers did not formally interview him this time.
- Leonhard remains on the Broncos’ staff as DBs coach but may well receive more DC consideration. The Cowboys interviewed him before hiring Christian Parker, a previous Denver DBs coach. Dallas made the Parker hire Thursday, with the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins indicating the team did not feel it could wait out Leonhard. Had the Broncos booked a Super Bowl LX berth, the Cowboys could not have hired Leonhard until after that game.
- The Cowboys set up interviews with recent Vikings staffer Marcus Dixon and Eagles assistant linebackers coach Ronnell Williams, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer. Dixon worked with Parker on the Broncos’ staff from 2022-23, serving as the team’s D-line coach. Dixon spent the past two years as the Vikings‘ D-line coach, and ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert notes his contract has expired. While Minnesota could work out a new deal as it did with Brian Flores, Dixon is scheduling interviews elsewhere. Dixon was with the Cowboys as a player from 2008-10. Williams has worked with the Eagles since 2023, overlapping with Parker over the past two seasons. Williams is still under contract with the Eagles, per Watkins.
- Philadelphia made an in-house promotion after losing Parker to Dallas. The Eagles are elevating safeties coach Joe Kasper to DBs coach/defensive pass-game coordinator, NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe tweets. Interest came in from elsewhere, per the Philadelphia Inquirer’s EJ Smith, but the Eagles will retain Kasper by promoting him. Kasper followed Vic Fangio from Miami in 2024; he served as Dolphins safeties coach in 2023. Kasper, however, is in his second stint with the Eagles; he was on Nick Sirianni‘s staff from 2021-22.
- The Jaguars are adding Brian Picucci from the Buccaneers’ staff. Picucci is joining Liam Coen‘s staff as the Jags’ run-game coordinator on offense, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. The Bucs blocked Coen from poaching Picucci last year, after Coen’s acrimonious Tampa exit, but the two have an extensive history. Picucci followed Coen from Kentucky to Tampa in 2024; he served as the Bucs’ O-line coach in 2025, after Tampa Bay had blocked him from interviewing for that job in Jacksonville.
Commanders To Conduct DC Interview With Daronte Jones
Daronte Jones has been among the the most sought-after defensive coordinator candidates in this year’s cycle. The current Vikings defensive pass-game coordinator is now on the radar of another DC-needy team. 
Jones will interview with the Commanders today for their D-coordinator position, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. That makes Washington the fifth team to arrange an interview in this case. It also expands the list of Commanders candidates even further.
Joe Whitt was stripped of play-calling duties midway through the 2025 season. After head coach Dan Quinn made that decision, there was a widespread expectation a parting of ways would take place after the campaign ended. Whitt was indeed dismissed earlier this month.
The Commanders also elected to move from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and they looked internally by promoting David Blough to the position. An in-house move should not be expected regarding Whitt’s replacement, with only outside candidates receiving a look up to this point. Jones, 47, is the second Vikings staffer to interview with Washington, after Brian Flores met with the Commanders two weeks ago.
Jones – who was born in Capitol Heights, Maryland – has been with the Vikings for a total of five seasons across two spells with the team. He has worked in his current capacity for each of the three years Flores has been with Minnesota. It appears as though Flores will continue his D-coordinator gig for at least one more season, and if that winds up being confirmed Jones would of course be a strong candidate to be retained. The door is clearly still open to Jones receiving a coordinator opportunity, though.
Here is an updated look at where things stand regarding the Commanders’ search:
- Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Steelers): Interviewed
- Joe Cullen, defensive line coach (Chiefs): Interviewed 1/9
- Brian Flores, former defensive coordinator (Vikings): Interviewed 1/14
- Jonathan Gannon, former head coach (Cardinals): Interviewed 1/15
- Patrick Graham, defensive coordinator (Raiders): Interview requested
- Al Harris, defensive backs coach (Bears): Interviewed 1/22
- Daronte Jones, defensive pass-game coordinator (Vikings): To interview 1/25
- Raheem Morris, former head coach (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate
- Karl Scott, defensive backs coach (Seahawks): Interviewed
- Jeff Ulbrich, defensive coordinator (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate; staying with Falcons
- Dennard Wilson, former defensive coordinator (Titans): Interviewed 1/10
Vikings Extend DC Brian Flores; Flores Still HC Candidate
While Brian Flores is currently pursuing a higher position elsewhere, the Vikings have signed him to an extension. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Flores is still considered a candidate for the open head coaching jobs in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, but he’ll now have his job as defensive coordinator in Minnesota if those teams end up hiring other candidates. 
Similiar to another coach on the offensive side of the ball, Mike McDaniel, Flores was getting interest around the league lately for his potential to become both a team’s new head coach or a team’s new defensive coordinator. The former Dolphins head coaches were both looking to return to another leading role, and Flores has interviewed with the Ravens and Steelers, while also being mentioned as a candidate for the job in Las Vegas.
With his contract as defensive coordinator in Minnesota coming to an end, though, other teams around the league were showing signs of interest in Flores continuing in his role as a defensive play-caller. A week ago, he interviewed for the job in Washington, so the speculation was already up in the air on whether Flores would end up being a head coach or a coordinator with a new team. With this extension in place, though, Flores’ two options are to land a head coaching job with a new team or return to the Vikings and remain as defensive coordinator.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell had recently expressed doubt that Flores would leave for the same job with another team. In reaction to the news of Flores’ extension, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifer, O’Connell told the media, “The identity of our defense is a reflection of his leadership and preparation. On a personal level, I’ve really valued the relationship we’ve built over the last three years, and that shared trust, alignment, and high standard will continue to be critical to our success.”
As Flores had continued as a candidate outside the building, the team had held discussions concerning the potential for a new deal like this with Flores, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. In his three years as defensive coordinator in Minnesota, Flores’ unit has given up the second-fewest points per game in the NFL over that span. The unit has improved each year and finished seventh in points allowed and third in yards allowed at its peak this season, anchored by a defense that gave up the league’s second-fewest passing yards per game this year.
The Ravens are starting to select finalists as they move slowly through their interview process, and the Steelers have made it known that Flores is considered to be a “serious contender” to land as their head coach, but the Vikings have been loud in their assertion that seeing him return to lead the defense was their No. 1 priority. Now, they’ve held up their end of the bargain and secured his place on next year’s staff. They’ll just have to hope that Baltimore and Pittsburgh neglect to had him a bigger opportunity.
Coaching Rumors: Bucs, McDaniel, Morris, Bolts, Eagles, Vikings, Jags, Commanders
Mike McDaniel is still on the HC carousel, meeting with the Raiders on Monday and set for a second Browns interview Wednesday. He has landed on a few teams’ OC radars, including the Lions, Chargers, Eagles, Titans and Buccaneers. The Tampa gig could appeal given Todd Bowles‘ hot-seat status. The prospect of McDaniel joining the Bucs with an arrow toward succeeding Bowles is on the radar, per SI.com’s Albert Breer. The Bucs have promoted from within twice in the Jason Licht GM era, elevating OC Dirk Koetter and then giving Bowles the job after Bruce Arians‘ mid-offseason retirement in 2022. Bowles survived a collapse this season, firing OC Josh Grizzard. It would be interesting to see if he would hire an OC who could be in line to replace him down the line.
Here is the latest from the coaching ranks:
- If the Chargers lose Jesse Minter to one of the remaining HC jobs, Jim Harbaugh may well look to promote from within. Defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale has a “very good chance” of being Minter’s DC successor, The Athletic’s Daniel Popper notes. Harbaugh confirmed internal staffers would be considered if Minter leaves. This would add up considering Clinkscale’s past. He worked as Michigan’s DBs coach in 2021 before being the Wolverines’ co-DC alongside Minter from 2022-23. While Minter received the DC opportunity in Los Angeles, Clinkscale came along with Harbaugh in 2024. The Chargers would need to comply with the Rooney Rule, of course, meaning one external minority would need to be interviewed before this rumored promotion becomes final.
- Raheem Morris has interviewed for the Cardinals, Giants and Titans’ HC jobs. With New York and Tennessee moving in different directions, Morris is down to either Arizona or the coordinator level. The two-time HC not receiving a third opportunity at a top job could lead to a TV future, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Morris has come up as a possible Commanders DC option, and other teams would surely consider the former Rams coordinator. But he could be joining Mike Tomlin in the media soon.
- Although Nick Sirianni and GM Howie Roseman are the point men in the Eagles‘ offensive coordinator search, the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane notes both Jeffery Lurie and his son have been sitting in on interviews. Julian Lurie has recently been named to a position within the organization, being listed as a business and football strategy staffer. Via PFR’s Coordinator Search Tracker, Philly has some big names on its radar.
- The Vikings are moving on from offensive line coach Chris Kuper, with ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert indicating the four-year Minnesota staffer’s contract expired. Minnesota will be looking for a new O-line coach for the first time in the Kevin O’Connell era. This was Kuper’s first crack as a top O-line coach, having been an assistant OL coach with the Broncos and Dolphins previously. Kuper, 43, was an eight-year Broncos O-lineman from 2006-13.
- Jaguars assistant O-line coach Keli’i Kekuewa is taking over as Stanford’s O-line coach, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets. Kekeuwa spent one season in Jacksonville; he will follow ex-Commanders staffer Tavita Pritchard to Palo Alto. Offensive assistant Trevor Mendleson should receive consideration to replace him, per the Florida Times-Union’s Ryan O’Halloran.
- Pritchard’s old job as Commanders QBs coach went to D.J. Williams; Washington has since named Danny Etling as its assistant QBs coach, Zenitz adds. A Patriots seventh-round pick in 2018, Etling bounced around the NFL before being cut by the Packers in August 2023. He spent the 2024 season with the UFL’s Michigan Panthers. This will be the ex-LSU QB’s first coaching job. Etling, 31, was a college teammate of new Commanders OC David Blough at Purdue before transferring.
Trespassing Charge Dropped For Vikings WR Jordan Addison
Last week, Jordan Addison was arrested and booked on a misdemeanor trespassing charge following an alleged incident in Tampa Bay. The case will not proceed, however. 
Hillsborough County court records demonstrate Florida state attorney Susan Lopez has decided to drop the charge (h/t ESPN’s Kevin Seifert). The case will no longer proceed against the Vikings receiver. His $500 bond will be repaid.
“As Mr. Addison’s agent has advised, from the very outset of this incident and arrest, Mr. Addison committed no legal wrongdoing,” a statement from attorney Brian Pakett reads (via NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero). “We are thrilled that the truth was finally revealed and this poor man’s name was not besmirched any longer. I am thankful we were able to bring this to light as quickly as possible.”
Addison’s agent informed Pelissero’s colleague Mike Garafolo that preparations are being made for a wrongful arrest civil suit to be filed. Regardless of what happens on that front, Addison will not spend the offseason with the potential for legal or league discipline looming. The former first-rounder was suspended for the opening three games of the 2025 season due to a DUI arrest.
Over the course of his three years in Minnesota, Addison has served as a full-time starter and a productive contributor on offense. After totaling 19 touchdowns in his first two campaigns, the 23-year-old joined all other Minnesota pass-catchers in having a down year in 2025. The team will aim for improved quarterback play next season, and Addison stands to be among the main beneficiaries if that takes place.
This spring, a decision will need to be made on Addison’s fifth-year option. The Vikings can be expected to exercise it, something which will tie the Pittsburgh/USC product to a 2027 salary of $15.28MM.
Packers Request DC Interview With Daronte Jones
As expected, Jeff Hafley is the new head coach of the Dolphins. His departure leaves the Packers in need of a replacement defensive coordinator.
Green Bay is interested in one of the most popular candidates of this year’s cycle. An interview request has been submitted for Vikings defensive pass-game coordinator Daronte Jones, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. This marks the fourth DC vacancy Jones has been connected to.
The Giants were among the teams to submit an interview request in his case. Jones has also met once with the Jets for their opening. The Cowboys have reached out to a long list of candidates in their ongoing search, and Jones is among those who have conducted a second interview with Dallas.
Jones has NFL experience dating back to 2016. His first Vikings stint took place in 2020, and it was followed by a one-and-done stint as LSU’s defensive coordinator. The 47-year-old then returned to Minnesota in 2022, one year before Brian Flores arrived as the team’s DC. Flores and Jones have each boosted their stock over the past three years. Flores remains a head coaching candidate at this time, although the Vikings have made clear their desire for retaining him.
In the event Flores were to depart, Jones would be a candidate to follow him to his new destination. Alternatively, a Vikings promotion could become something to watch for. In the meantime, it will be interesting to see if Jones emerges as a target for Dallas in particular given the fact he has conducted an in-person interview. Competition from the Packers could emerge, if a Green Bay interview winds up being arranged.
Hafley enjoyed strong results during the first of his two Packers seasons in particular. The team was hit hard by injuries down the stretch in 2025, and in addition to better health next year Green Bay will hope the new D-coordinator maintains the level of play Hafley oversaw. Jones joins Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker as a Packers target for their coordinator opening.