The First 3 Issues the Vikings Must Tackle This Offseason
Believe it or not, because the Minnesota Vikings will not participate in the playoffs, the offseason is one day away. It starts on Black Monday, and the purple team will have three main matters on the menu out of the gate.
The offseason starts fast: Flores’ contract situation, the McCarthy plan, and potential staff/front-office tweaks hit immediately.
Free agency is about nine weeks away, and the draft is about seven weeks after that, but here’s a look at the big-ticket items for the Vikings in January and February.
The First Three Problems the Vikings Must Solve This Offseason
Sadly, the Vikings’ offseason arrived in a hurry.
1. Brian Flores — Will He Stay or Will He Go?
Flores still sees himself as a head coach, and Minnesota is treating him accordingly. The Vikings and Flores did not lock up an extension early because both sides apparently knew the relationship could be temporary.
His time in Miami ended terribly after 2021, followed by a bruising 2022 interview cycle with the Giants and Broncos that spiraled into an NFL lawsuit. That stretch froze his momentum, but it didn’t wipe his name off head coaching whiteboards forever.
There were real whispers last winter that teams were checking back in — he interviewed with the New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars — and now another hiring cycle is approaching with Flores holding something he didn’t have before: proof. Minnesota’s defense is one of the best in the NFL. Again.
From the Vikings’ side, letting this ride into January looks intentional. Elite coordinators don’t usually linger without extensions unless there’s a shared understanding. An extension could’ve been handled months ago. It wasn’t. There must be an understanding that Flores will try his luck on the open market.
It all comes down to whether Flores gets head coach attention in this year’s carousel. If he does not, the Vikings’ owners are expected to open the checkbook for Flores. He’s worth it.
These are the teams to watch for Flores, depending on who gets fired and who remains employed next week:
— Arizona Cardinals
— Cincinnati Bengals
— Cleveland Browns
— Las Vegas Raiders
— New York Giants
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers
— Tennessee Titans
Just Blog Baby‘s Caleb Gebrewold endorsed Flores to the Raiders this week.
He explained, “The Raiders should not hesitate to target Brian Flores this offseason. While many expect Las Vegas to target a young offensive mind, particularly if they land the first overall pick and are in line to select a quarterback, they could opt for a proven coach who has clearly not lost his way, like current Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.”
“The Raiders are one team that should understand Flores’ decision to sue the league, as Al Davis did so multiple times during his tenure leading the franchise. Furthermore, Flores has a connection to minority owner Tom Brady, which could give the 44-year-old coach a leg up.”
2. The J.J. McCarthy Question
The McCarthy question is straightforward but complicated — all in one.
a. Does Minnesota trust McCarthy as the unabashed starter in 2026? Did the coaches and front office see enough this season to rest easy, knowing he’s their franchise quarterback?
b. If so, what kind of backup quarterback is acquired this offseason? Another Carson Wentz to merely serve as an old-war-horse contingency plan? Or a starter-type passer like Mac Jones via trade to compete with McCarthy at training camp?
c. Does Kyler Murray, who has probably played his last snap in Arizona, interest the Vikings? He can be obtained for realistically, whether via trade or outright release, if Arizona goes that way.
d. Are big-game-hunting theories involving Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson even remotely real? If so, would the Vikings cast McCarthy aside and send multiple 1st-rounders via trade to those organizations?
e. How paranoid are the Vikings about McCarthy’s injury resume?
All of those items will be at the forefront of the offseason as early as next week.
3. Other Coaching Staff and Front Office Changes
Since general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah took over the Vikings, the team has not drafted well. In fact, less than 20% of Adofo-Mensah’s picks can be considered hits.
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s ownership group just extended Adofo-Mensah’s contract six months ago. He likely won’t be fired for the poor draft results. But change may be needed. So, there’s a chance that Adofo-Mensah cleans house, kicking out some of his scouting staff and starting fresh. A handful of fans have suggested that assistant general manager Ryan Grigson should be kicked out.
A few coaches could be swapped as well. Onlookers have been critical of special teams coach Matt Daniels at times, along with offensive line coach Chris Kuper. The Vikings’ owners may call upon O’Connell to make some changes, and those men feel like ripe candidates to evaluate.
Otherwise, if none of this happens, the Vikings will roll into 2026 hoping everything suddenly gets better with the same decision-makers in place.
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