Vikings Rumors: Christian Darrisaw’s Return, Coach Promotion, Donovan Jackson’s Ceiling
VikingsTerritory is on the scene for the daily rumor mill update, and this is the Saturday, June 21st edition — about 11 weeks away from the regular season showtime.
This week’s Vikings rumors swirl around LT Christian Darrisaw’s expected go-live date, a coaching promotion next offseason, and why rookie Donovan Jackson is all the rage.
Have a look at this week’s rumor, with another batch that will go live on Sunday.
Last week’s can be read here.
What’s the Latest on Christian Darrisaw?
Rumor: Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery is trending wonderfully, and he could be ready for Week 1.
KFAN’s Paul Allen brought summer heat last week, opining on Christian Darrisaw’s possible return.
“If you’re out there running around with a giant brace, and you don’t have to be in minicamp, he’s going to start week 1. As crazy as it is, if I had to bet, he’s going to start Week 1,” Allen said to Dustin Klug of the 612Vikings podcast.
Fans were astonished to see Darrisaw at mandatory minicamp. He wasn’t supposed to be practicing this soon. But he is — and if Allen thinks Darrisaw will be ready, there’s a decent chance that comes to life.
The Coaching Shift That Could Affect the Next Offseason
Rumor: Josh McCown is the next man up for a head coaching job during the 2026 carousel.
In addition to defensive coordinator Brian Flores, quarterback coach Josh McCown could be up for a head coaching job next cycle.
Kevin Seifert nominated McCown as an HC candidate and defended the statement, “Vikings quarterbacks coach Josh McCown. As wild as it sounds, the 2024 season was McCown’s first full season as an NFL assistant coach. He opted against interviewing for offensive coordinator positions, but still got an interview for the New York Jets’ head coaching job.”
“McCown has long been on the league’s radar, having interviewed for the Houston Texans’ top job in 2022, and if McCarthy performs well in 2025, McCown might be able to skip the coordinator level altogether.”
Flores also got some attention in the same article. Courtney Cronin wrote, “Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. If the Vikings’ defense performs as well as it did in 2024 (tied for first in turnovers, second in EPA/play, fifth in points allowed), expect Flores’ name to once again circulate in the head coaching cycle.”
“Flores interviewed for three jobs last year — Bears, Jets, Jaguars — and has been a head coach before with the Dolphins. Whether teams have the desire to hire Flores with his ongoing lawsuit against the NFL and the public fallout from his relationship with Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (especially teams that have young QBs or are looking to draft one) remains to be seen.”
Coaching continuity for 2026 might fall by the wayside. You’ve been warned.
Did the Vikings Find a Stud in the Draft?
Rumor: Rookie Donovan Jackson has the juice to be a 10-year starter in the big leagues.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler dropped an article this week, sizing up the NFL’s most significant offseason transactions, and while Jackson to Minnesota wasn’t formally documented, the former Buckeye received some kudos as a bit of a footnote.
Fowler quoted an unnamed NFL coach as speaking about Jackson: “You know why I really like this pick? He’s going to be a solid 10-year starter. Not sure he’s elite, but he will make a few Pro Bowls and be a really good player for a long time.”
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said about Jackson after the draft, “Donovan is a great kid, awesome to be around. He was up here for a top-30 visit, and I think he’s gonna fit the locker room really well. As a player, this guy is a three-year starter at left guard, had to move to left tackle this year. He’s big, tough, strong. He’s gonna fit in really well.”
And head coach Kevin O’Connell piled on, “Very excited to welcome him to the Minnesota Vikings. What are we getting? We’re getting a big, strong, physical player that comes from a national championship team. Started over 40 games at Ohio State, incredibly fitting for the group we’ve put together on the offensive line.”
The Vikings might’ve found a gem. They’re due for one at offensive guard.
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