Vikings Rumors Spinning on a New OL Coach, Geno Smith, Kyle Rudolph’s Trade Idea
As the Minnesota Vikings move to put a punctuation mark on Offseason Week No. 3, the last several days delivered real intrigue, with developments including a new offensive line coach theory, Geno Smith floated as a quarterback option, and Kyle Rudolph’s quarterback endorsement.
Three new angles hit Minnesota’s offseason in one rumor mill burst: a coaching possibility, a QB trade whisper, and a Rudolph-driven proposal.
It’s the second Purple Rumor Mill of the week, with all the trimmings.
Vikings Rumors on the Coach, Quarterback, and Mac Jones
The Vikings’ rumor mill doesn’t rest, so here’s the latest edition.
Rumor: Dwayne Ledford could be a candidate for Minnesota’s vacant OL coach post.
Ledford is suddenly available, and the Vikings, in theory, could pounce.
SI.com’s Garrett Chapman outlined the Falcons’ staffing shakeup this week, noting, “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.”
Ledford has been a stabilizing force in run game structure, and his availability immediately puts offensive-minded teams on alert. Minnesota should take notice.
Will Ragatz, also of SI.com, underscored the opportunity, “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.”
Minnesota’s run game hasn’t lacked talent so much as oomph. Ledford would fix it.
Rumor: Geno Smith may be on the Vikings’ trade radar this offseason.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert addressed the Vikings’ quarterback situation this week: “Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell made clear this week that they can’t count on that progress, after seeing the results of counting on it in 2025. It’s an understandable assessment. But quarterback acquisition is hard. The Vikings had a solid plan in 2025 and couldn’t execute it. Can they be better with their next opportunity? Their 2026 season almost certainly depends on it.”
Seifert then turned to a familiar batch of names while surveying the league’s quarterback carousel.
“The San Francisco 49ers’ Mac Jones and the Las Vegas Raiders’ Geno Smith could be available via trade, and the Miami Dolphins might part ways with Tua Tagovailoa. Jones has been a backup for two seasons, Smith ranked No. 27 in NFL QBR this season, and Tagovailoa ranked No. 26,” he wrote.
So, Smith joins Minnesota’s growing quarterback rumor mill, at least on paper. Here’s his NFL ranking among all quarterbacks per EPA+CPOE in the last four seasons:
- 2022: 7th
- 2023: 14th
- 2024: 15th
- 2025: 28th
In 2022, banked 4,282 passing yards and 30 passing touchdowns.
Smith is a sideways option for the Vikings at quarterback, somebody with ample experience to support J.J. McCarthy. But his case is no better than others’. Too, Minnesota would have to send a draft pick to Las Vegas to get Smith, as he’s under contract in 2026.
Rumor: Kyle Rudolph thinks the Vikings should sniff around a Mac Jones trade.
Rudolph spoke to Kay Adams this week, name-dropping Jones as a Vikings quarterback target this offseason.
“I think you got Mac Jones. To me, if I’m looking at that list, Aaron Rodgers, if he wants to come back and make a run with an incredibly talented roster in a division that he’s very familiar with, completely agree. But yeah, bringing somebody in doesn’t really matter who it is,” Rudolph opined.
“There’s plenty of high-caliber veteran quarterbacks that could come in, and Kevin O’Connell always gets the most out of them. There’s no better quarterback whisperer than KOC, and I think he would be a great spot if you’re a veteran quarterback like Tua Tagovailoa, trying to revitalize your career, if he is on the market. Wouldn’t be a bad place to look.”
The 49ers’ brass also said this week that Jones won’t necessarily be for sale this offseason, so we shall see if Minnesota agrees with Rudolph and offers San Francisco a trade it can’t refuse.
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