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Minnesota Vikings News & Rumors

Vikings To Use Dallas Turner As Off-Ball LB?

June 27th, 2025 at 3:57pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Vikings traded up in the first round for Dallas Turner last year, but his usage did not reflect the team’s apparent excitement about his talent.

Turner only played 300 defensive snaps as a rookie, notching three sacks and three tackles for loss across 16 games with a core role on special teams. He was blocked by the stellar play of the Vikings’ edge duo of Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, who combined for 23.5 sacks and 36 tackles for loss while both playing more than 80% of the team’s defensive snaps. Both Greenard and Van Ginkel earned Pro Bowl recognition and Defensive Player of the Year votes for their efforts, so their snap shares are unlikely go to down by much, if at all.

As a result, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores may have to show some creativity to get Turner on the field, which may include some time as an off-ball linebacker, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic.

“Identifying where Turner is lining up – and how much he’s contributing from an off-the-ball starting point — is a major question worth examining in the coming months,” wrote Lewis after the Vikings wrapped their spring practices.

Turner’s 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame is undersized for an NFL edge defender, but he has excellent size for a linebacker with the requisite movement skills to work from an off-ball alignment. His bigger challenge will be adjusting to the visual and mental processing in the middle of the field after spending virtually all of his career as an edge defender. Turner’s athleticism can be used to attack downhill, but his discipline and vision in coverage and run fits will be key.

It’s also important to note that teams like to experiment in spring practices, which are not necessarily indicative of what will happen in the season. Turner’s off-ball activities could be a step towards a hybrid role in 2025, or it could be an effort to give him some experience at a new position so he can line up there in case of emergency.

Donovan Jackson Leading Vikings’ LG Battle

June 26th, 2025 at 10:09pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Vikings first-round pick Donovan Jackson “has the inside track to emerge from training camp” as the team’s starting left guard, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.

Jackson, the No. 24 selection in April’s draft, made his first 31 college starts at left guard before moving to left tackle to replace injured then-Ohio State teammate Josh Simmons. Jackson performed admirably on the blind side, leading to some pre-draft chatter about his potential as a guard/tackle hybrid.

But with Christian Darrisaw firmly entrenched as the Vikings’ long-term left tackle, Jackson will play left guard in Minnesota. He took the majority of first-team reps during spring practices, per Seifert, though that is partially because starting right guard Will Fries is still sidelined by last season’s broken leg. Blake Brandel, who played every snap at left guard for the Vikings last year, has been working in Fries’ spot, but he will likely still compete with Jackson in training camp once Fries is back on the field.

Brendel struggled in 2024 with 46 quarterback pressures allowed, the second-most among starting guards, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). That gives Jackson a clear opening to seize the starting job by demonstrating better pass protection during the preseason.

The Vikings turned over their offensive line depth this offseason, so there are no other obvious candidates to push Jackson and Brendel for the starting left guard job.

OL Jesse Davis Announces Retirement

June 23rd, 2025 at 5:01pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Former Dolphins offensive lineman Jesse Davis announced his retirement from the NFL in an Instagram post (via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams).

Davis put together an impressive career for an undrafted player, appearing in 95 games with 72 starts across his seven NFL seasons. He logged multiple starts at every offensive line position except center in his career, though he primarily lined up at right guard and right tackle in Miami. That versatility allowed the Dolphins to move him around their offensive line as needed to weather injuries.

Davis played college football at the University of Idaho and was not selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. He did not make a regular-season roster until he signed with the Dolphins and emerged as a starter in 2017. He played a rotational role at the beginning of the season before taking over a starting job – first at left guard, then at right tackle – before settling in at right guard for the last six games of the season, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Davis retained his starting gig into 2018 and started the entire season at left guard, earning a three-year, $15MM extension in September 2019. He started at both left and right tackle over the next two years before returning to right guard to finish the 2020 season. Davis moved around once again in 2021, starting 14 games at right tackle and two at left guard.

The Dolphins released Davis after the 2021 season, and he didn’t play another regular-season snap on offense for the rest of his career. He appeared in 14 games for the Steelers in 2022 and one for the 49ers in 2023 but only saw the field for special teams work. Davis retires with career earnings of $16.4MM, per OverTheCap.

Vikings Didn’t Pursue Jaire Alexander, Jalen Ramsey

June 23rd, 2025 at 3:53pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Vikings did not move to acquire Jaire Alexander or Jalen Ramsey when they became available this spring despite the perception of a thin cornerback room.

Minnesota parted ways with veteran Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin this offseason and only retained Byron Murphy from last year’s starting cornerback contingent. The team then signed 2020 first-rounder Jeff Okudah and former Eagle Isaiah Rodgers to inexpensive short-term deals in free agency.

The trio of Murphy, Okudah, and Rodgers operated as the Vikings’ starting cornerbacks in spring practices, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. Also taking first-team reps were 2023 third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon, who missed all of last year with a torn ACL, and 2024 UDFA Dwight McGlothern, who made the 53-man roster as a rookie.

The Vikings are confident in that group, and as a result, acquiring Alexander or Ramsey was “always a longshot,” per Lewis. However, as Lewis notes, that does not mean that the team didn’t inquire about either player.

Alexander is now a Raven, and while Ramsey is still available, Minnesota does not appear to be a likely landing spot. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has typically avoided splashy trade acquisitions during his tenure, the lone exception being T.J. Hockenson at the 2022 deadline. The Dolphins’ desire to move Ramsey and his sizable contract have likely dropped his value to a mid-round draft pick, but the Vikings seem content in the depth and chemistry of their current cornerback corps.

Vikings Could Explore CB Addition

June 22nd, 2025 at 4:21pm CST by Adam La Rose

When training camp begins next month, the Vikings will face plenty of questions at the cornerback spot. That position could see an addition late in the offseason.

Byron Murphy – a key offseason priority for Minnesota this spring – is still in the fold for 2025 and beyond. He agreed to a three-year deal with a base value of $54MM in March. That pact will bring about high expectations for the team’s continuing No. 1 corner.

Aside from Murphy, however, the Vikings are short on known commodities at that spot. The team took fliers on the likes of Jeff Okudah and Isaiah Rodgers, and they could be in line for notable playing time during their debut Minnesota campaigns. 2023 third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon missed all of last season, but he has two years remaining on his rookie deal.

Each member of that group is in line to make the roster on a projection from The Athletic’s Alec Lewis (subscription required). Lewis adds that if an addition is to be made this summer, cornerback could be a position to watch. Minnesota currently has over $18MM in cap space, so the finances necessary for a one-year pact are available if needed.

Jaire Alexander recently came off the market, but Jalen Ramsey is still a trade target. The Dolphins All-Pro has not been linked to the Vikings, however, and his reported preference would be a return to the West Coast (having spent time with the Rams earlier in his career). Minnesota would likely need to look at other options as a result if a move were to be pursued this summer.

The likes of Asante Samuel Jr., Rasul Douglas, Mike Hilton, Kendall Fuller and Jack Jones (whom Lewis names as a potential target) are still unsigned at this point. Those veterans will of course aim to have their next NFL gig lined up in time for training camp, and it will be interesting to see if a Vikings deal winds up being worked out for any of them.

Vikings Did Not Offer QB Sam Darnold Multi-Year Deal

June 21st, 2025 at 10:39pm CST by Ely Allen

The 2025 NFL offseason was certainly an interesting one for new Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. After a career year in 2024 on a one-year “prove-it” contract with the Vikings, Darnold made it clear to his suitors that he was looking for multiple years on a contract moving forward.

We saw interest early on from the Steelers and Giants, while presumed interest from the Titans and Raiders was apparently never there. And while there was talk that Minnesota had interest in re-signing him, Michael Silver of The Athletic tells us that the team never offered him the multi-year deal that he desired.

Quarterbacking a top-10 scoring offense that finished sixth in the NFL in passing yards, Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record. Despite only losing three games, Minnesota finished as the NFC’s 5-seed in the playoffs after losing the regular season finale to the division-winning, 15-2 Lions. That game saw Darnold complete a season-worst 18 of 41 pass attempts and pass for a season-low 166 yards. His first and only playoff appearance ended in a similar fashion as he was sacked a season-high nine times and failed to put double-digit points on the scoreboard.

Just like that, a career-defining, phenomenal season came to a crashing halt, and seemingly, so, too, did the Vikings’ favor for Darnold. After the then-27-year-old Darnold, who was handed the starting quarterback job over the 10th overall pick in 2024, J.J. McCarthy, due to injury, led them within a game of the top overall seed in the NFC, Minnesota seemed to have seen enough of him. Because their plans moving forward involved McCarthy taking over the offense as soon as possible, they were only willing to offer Darnold a one-year deal to potentially cover any time between now and whenever McCarthy is ready to take the reins.

Ultimately, Darnold landed in Seattle as the Seahawks new starter, and even though he’s now in a similar situation, with a rookie Jalen Milroe waiting behind him on the depth chart, head coach Mike Macdonald and company have been sure to communicate with the veteran and assure him that the starting job is his. They also affirmed their commitment to him with the three-year, $100.50MM contract they brought him in with.

With that contract, the Seahawks gave Darnold a chance to win the starting job and keep it for more than a year. Darnold will still have to fend off the developing quarterbacks behind him in Seattle, but at least now he’ll be under contract for those future battles and won’t have to worry about leaving early in free agency without still receiving a good amount of guarantees.

Vikings, Josh Metellus Discussing Extension

June 20th, 2025 at 2:50pm CST by Ben Levine

JUNE 20: While a mutual interest exists for an extension agreement in this case, no timeline is in place. Alec Lewis of The Athletic notes it is unclear at this point whether or not Metellus will have a new deal in hand by the start of training camp (subscription required). The Vikings have been busy on a number of other fronts so far this offseason regarding extensions, and it will be interesting to see if this winds up being the next pact taken care of.

JUNE 10: After the Vikings agreed to an extension with tight end Josh Oliver earlier today, it would appear that safety Josh Metellus is next in line for a long-term pact. The impending free agent eschewed a minicamp hold-in as he awaits a resolution on his contract, although he’s been sitting out the faster-pace seven-on-seven drills, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.

[RELATED: Vikings, TE Josh Oliver Agree To Extension]

Metellus all but said that he hopes to stick in Minnesota for the long haul, and he acknowledged that his camp has discussed a new contract with the Vikings front office. The defensive captain was also quick to disregard his limited workload during OTAs and minicamp.

“That’s part of the process right now,” Metellus said (via Seifert). “I mean, the coaches in front office, everybody understand, you know, situation I’m here. I’m building that chemistry my new teammates and the old teammates, and I’m here being the same guy I am all the time. So you guys know me. It ain’t nothing change.”

It’s still a promising development that the two sides have apparently engaged in extension talks. We heard back in February that the front office could consider an extension for the veteran safety, but we haven’t heard anything definitive until now.

A former sixth-round pick, Metellus has evolved into one of the Vikings’ most dependable defenders. He had a breakout campaign when he started 17 games in 2023, and while he had a bit less responsibility in 2024, he still put up big numbers. The 27-year-old finished the campaign with 103 tackles, five passes defended, and a pair of interceptions. The Michigan product surely wouldn’t warrant a contract that sniffs the top of the positional market, but the two sides could find common ground when it comes to contract term.

With Camryn Bynum no longer in the picture, the Vikings aren’t as deep at safety as they once were. Harrison Smith will continue to lead the unit, but Metellus’ “limited” status would mean more reps for the likes of Jay Ward and Theo Jackson.

NFC Staff Changes: 49ers, Buccaneers, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Vikings

June 19th, 2025 at 4:47pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The 49ers announced a flurry of staff changes this week, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group, including the promotions of RJ Gillen and Brian Hampton to assistant general managers.

Gillien has been with the 49ers’ scouting department since 2015. He spent the last two years as the director of player personnel and will continue leading the team’s pro scouting operations.

Hampton started as a football operations intern in 2003 and rose through the ranks to become the director of football administration and analytics in 2010. He held that position for a decade before a promotion to vice president of football administration in 2020. Hampton is primarily focused on the 49ers’ roster construction and contract negotiations, particularly relating to the salary cap.

The 49ers also made three promotions in their scouting department – Jordan Fox to player personnel scout, Jason Kwon to pro scout, and Ryan Schutta to area scout – as well as two changes in football research and development. Shravan Ramamurthy was promoted to manager, while Benjamin Klein was hired as a performance analyst. The team also promoted Corry Rush to executive vice president of player personnel.

A number of other NFC teams also made staff changes in recent weeks:

  • The Buccaneers hired Ty Shiflet and Griffin Moore as scouting assistants, per Greg Auman of The Athletic. Shiflet was formerly a personnel assistant at LSU, while Moore was a college tight end at Illinois and Texas State.
  • The Eagles are planning to hire LSU director of player personnel Preston Tiffany, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz. He previously held the same position at Ole Miss.
  • The Falcons hired Ari Glazier as a junior football data analyst, per Inside The League’s Neil Stratton. Glazier worked with the Syracuse football team for the 2024 season while pursuing degrees in sports analytics and economics.
  • The Giants promoted Justin Markus to from BLESTO scout to Midwest area scout, according to Stratton. Before joining the Giants, Markus was a video intern with the Jets and a recruiting analyst at Rice University.
  • The Vikings promoted Michelle Mankoff from college and pro scouting analyst to college scout, per Stratton. She previously interned with the Bills and the XFL.

Traded Draft Picks For 2026

June 18th, 2025 at 10:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Many months remain before teams know where they are picking in the 2026 draft, but many clubs have made moves to acquire 2026 draft capital. Headlined by the Browns and Rams’ efforts, here are the 2026 picks to have changed hands thus far. When more deals involving picks are made (or conditions on moves already completed become known), that information will be added.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

Vikings To Extend OC Wes Phillips

June 13th, 2025 at 10:13pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings have been busy this offseason in terms of maintaining continuity in the front office and on the sidelines. Another piece of business on that front has been taken care of.

An extension agreement was reached on Friday with offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Phillips was set to enter the final season of his deal in 2025. Instead, he is set to remain in place for years to come.

From 2019-21, Phillips and Kevin O’Connell worked together on the Rams’ staff (after previously doing the same in Washington). When the latter landed the Vikings’ head coaching gig, the former followed him to Minnesota in a move which came as little surprise. O’Connell has called plays during his time at the helm, and there is no reason to expect that to change in the wake of his extension. Still, Phillips will be counted on to remain a key figure on the team’s staff.

His 2022 hire marked Phillips’ first OC opportunity at the college or NFL levels. He has enjoyed a strong run so far, with the Vikings posting a top-10 finish in points twice over the past three seasons. The 46-year-old received a three-game suspension from the team in the wake of a December 2023 DWI arrest. Phillips returned to his duties upon serving that punishment, and he will stay in place well beyond 2025 given today’s news.

O’Connell won Coach of the Year honors in 2024 and has earned a reputation as one of the league’s top offensive minds since taking charge of the Vikings. Expectations will remain high in his case for the coming campaign, one in which second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be tasked with handling starting duties. Having missed his entire rookie season due to injury, a steep development curve will be needed if the Vikings are to duplicate their 14-3 season from last year.

Phillips will be a key figure in that respect while also helping to guide an offense featuring multiple additions up front and which returns an impressive array of skill-position players. Another productive outing from the unit will be key, and matching it previous success will help justify the Vikings’ commitment to keeping O’Connell and one of his most important assistants in the fold. Per Goessling, O’Connell advocated for his staff to receive new deals once his extension was in place.

Since then, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has also been extended. The 2026 offseason once loomed as a time when plenty of notable changes could have taken place in the organization, but instead the Vikings have elected to keep many of their core staffers in the fold for the foreseeable future. Once his new deal is official, Phillips will join the list of names included in that effort.

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