Vikings Fans Suddenly Zero In on Coveted Offensive Coach
The Minnesota Vikings decided last week not to renew offensive line coach Chris Kuper’s contract in 2026, capping a four-year stay with the franchise and sending the former Denver Broncos lineman to the open job market. Now, Kevin O’Connell needs a replacement for Kuper, and Vikings fans have chosen Dwayne Ledford for the task.
Ledford’s resume, scheme, and recent rumors have created a candidate conversation, even without any confirmed Vikings interest yet.
Ledford will be highly sought after, so fans will merely cross their fingers that Minnesota has an impressive recruiting spiel ready.
Dwayne Ledford Is on Vikings Fans’ Radar
In offensive line coach-speak, Ledford is all the rage.
Ledford Not Retained by Falcons
Don’t look now, but Ledford is there for the taking.
SI.com‘s Garrett Chapman wrote this week, “The Atlanta Falcons have officially hired former Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski to take over their franchise. The team announced the news on Saturday night, and by Sunday, there were more decisions that came to light as the new staff is put together.”
“News will continue to evolve at the coordinator position, but one major piece of the puzzle has reportedly been highlighted. According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the Falcons will be bringing in Bill Callahan to coach the offensive line. The correlating result of this move is that longtime offensive line coach and run game coordinator Dwayne Ledford will become a free agent.”
The Falcons letting Ledford go could be a mistake — one that could benefit the Vikings or any squad lucky enough to secure his services.
Vikings Fans Pounce on Replacement Theory
With Ledford cut loose, he’s a darling on Vikings-themed social media.
A prominent Vikings fan account, VikingzFanPage, tweeted, “Dwayne Ledford, who left the Falcons after Kevin Stefanski hired his own staff, would be a perfect hire for the Vikings as their new OL coach. Bijan Robinson had a franchise record 2,255 scrimmage yards in 2025, and Atlanta had several OL take big jumps during Ledford’s tenure.”
Alex Drath tweeted, “The Vikings should go get Dwayne Ledford for their new o-line coach.”
There’s also this nugget from seven years ago:
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz opined on Ledford this week, “If the Vikings could find a way to land Ledford, it would be a big hire for O’Connell and company. They’ve got all the makings of a strong offensive line with Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Will Fries, Donovan Jackson, and whoever’s playing center in 2026.”
“Health is critical there, but so is coaching. If hired, Ledford would also presumably replace RBs coach Curtis Modkins as run game coordinator. The Vikings have never finished above 22nd in EPA per rush in four years under O’Connell.”
Ledford’s OL in ATL
Atlanta gave Ledford his first NFL coaching job in 2021 after a couple of years at Louisville. Here’s how his offensive lines fared in the last five seasons:
Falcons OL Ranking,
per PFF,
Since Ledford Took Over:
2021: 27th
2022: 5th
2023: 4th
2024: 11th
2025: 14th
It’s also worth noting that Ledford’s offensive line battled a bevy of injuries in 2025, not unlike the Vikings.
The aforementioned Chapman also noted, “Atlanta has a solid offensive line, featuring a four-time All-Pro right guard in Chris Lindstrom and several veterans. Right tackle Kaleb McGary is also expected to return after suffering a season-ending injury just before the season kicked off.”
“Ledford had been with the team as its offensive line coach since 2021, with the run game coordinator title being added on in 2024. In 2024, the Falcons’ offensive line blocked for an offense that ranked sixth in the league with 369.8 yards per game and 10th in rushing yards per game (130.5). In 2025, the Falcons’ offensive line blocked for an offense that ranked 14th with 333.0 yards per game and eighth in rushing yards per game (125.8).”
Career Resume
Ledford played center in the NFL for seven seasons. Here’s his resume as a player:
- San Francisco 49ers (1999–2000)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2000)
- Carolina Panthers (2001)
- Philadelphia Eagles (2002)
- San Francisco 49ers (2003–2004)
- New Orleans Saints (2005)
- Cleveland Browns (2005)
- New Orleans Saints (2006)
And as a coach:
East Carolina (2008–2009)
— Graduate assistant
Tennessee State (2010)
— Offensive line coach
Gardner–Webb (2011)
— Offensive line coach
Appalachian State (2012)
— Offensive line coach
Appalachian State (2013–2015)
— Co-offensive coordinator & offensive line coach
NC State (2016–2018)
— Offensive line coach
Louisville (2019–2020)
— Offensive coordinator & offensive line coach
Atlanta Falcons (2021–2023)
— Offensive line coach
Atlanta Falcons (2024–present)
— Offensive line coach & Run Game Coordinator
Ludford was a teammate of Vikings wide receiver coach Keenan McCardell with the 2000 Jaguars. He’ll turn 50 in the fall.
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