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Congratulations to former Vikings Sam Darnold, Shaquill Griffin, Cam Akers and Logan Brown for their respective roles in helping Seattle win Super Bowl LX.
If it seemed like former Vikings were everywhere, they were, with the Patriots having Garrett Bradbury, Stefon Diggs, Joshua Dobbs, Christian Elliss, Vederian Lowe, Trent Sherfield, Sr., and Khyiris Tonga on their 53-man roster or practice squad.
The Seahawks signed Darnold to a multiyear contract last offseason and weren't afraid to take some chances in the passing game, but rode running back Kenneth Walker III, the first RB named Super Bowl MVP since Terrell Davis in XXXII, and an absolutely dominant performance by the defense, as well as a Super Bowl record five field goals by Jason Myers (and some really good punting by Michael Dickson) for a 29-13 victory.
The biggest immediate takeaway is how completely the Seahawks played throughout the season.
Festivities leading up to the game included the announcement of former Vikings ballboy Larry Fitzgerald making the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility and former 49ers/Raiders/Vikings RB Roger Craig reaching the sport's highest honor via the Senior Committee's selection process.
I'd also be remiss if I didn't note the hirings Minnesota announced to its coaching staff last week that included the promotion of Keith Carter from assistant offensive line to leading the room, as well as the additions of Assistant Head Coach Frank Smith, Defensive Passing Game Coordinator Gerald Alexander (he'll also be the lead coach of Minnesota's defensive backs) and Defensive Running Game Coordinator Ryan Nielsen (he'll also be the lead defensive line coach). The Vikings additionally hired Matt Thomas in a football administration consultant role to help as Executive Vice President of Football Administration Rob Brzezinski is leading Minnesota's offseason after the dismissal of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Quick programming note: the Mailbag will take off next Monday (Feb. 16) but return Feb. 23 just before a contingent (including yours truly) heads to Indianapolis for the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
Let's get to some questions.
You may think I'm crazy, but Justin Jefferson is in his prime. They can get a bunch of money off the books and get a bunch of draft picks at this point. It might take a few years, but I feel like rebuilding might be our best bet.
Sincerely,
— Tim P. in Utica, New York
I've seen some trade proposals floated on social media and in conversation by fans of other teams who would love nothing more than to add Jefferson to their team.
Similar notions occurred before Jefferson inked his current contract, which runs through the 2028 season.
The Vikings didn't worry about negotiations. They simply worked out a deal and have lauded Jefferson's ability and his commitment to being a great teammate.
Vikings Entertainment Network's Tatum Everett made the rounds on Radio Row last week in Northern California, speaking with multiple media members. On several occasions the assessment from those media members is that the Vikings might not be too far away from being a playoff team.
There are numerous moves that will be necessary (as with any offseason), but there is quite a difference between offseason moves to supplement and making a complete overhaul.
I was thinking last week how we hear about teams emphasizing having a QB on a rookie deal so that financial resources can be distributed elsewhere. The Super Bowl participants included a QB on a rookie deal (Drake Maye), as well as a veteran (Darnold). Seattle, however could offset that because of the play it has gotten at other key positions by players still on their rookie deals (WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, CB Devon Witherspoon and DT Byron Murphy II come to the forefront).
I noticed Ravens center [Tyler Linderbaum] will be a free agent this offseason. I think he would be a nice asset in Minnesota. He has a good number of years ahead of him. The Viking QBs may not have to run for their lives nearly as much as in 2025, and the RBs could have more success.
I like the three-safety defense Minnesota uses. The options it opens for Brian Flores (don't ever leave) are great. Picking up a Mike Zimmer-style corner or two could open a myriad of options.
Shout out to [Jalen] Nailor, who impresses me more the more I see him. Let's rock the NFL in 2026.
— Jason Gibeaut in Gallipolis, Ohio
It's that point in the calendar when teams have players under contracts that are about to expire and employees of another team can't make overt comments about those players.
Linderbaum is scheduled to become a free agent because the Ravens opted not to exercise their fifth-year option on the 2022 first-round pick who will turn 26 in April. Just because Baltimore did not use the option does not mean that the Ravens won't try to retain the three-time Pro Bowler.
The three-safety set by Flores and the Vikings has been impactful. It will be good to get Joshua Metellus back healthy. He really battled multiple health challenges, including a shoulder injury suffered during the joint practices with the Patriots last August.
I really hope Harrison Smith comes back for another year or even two. He can still play — and play well.
As for the GM, I think the decision to let Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones leave was his demise. We need to draft better and retain players. And sign some very good free agents.
This team is always exciting to watch. Always competitive. Let's get back to the 1998 team that should have been to and won the Super Bowl. With the defense we have, there is no reason we didn't make the playoffs. Go Vikes.
— Thomas D.
And …
As we all know, the fans' love for 'The Hitman' is well deserved. If Harrison Smith does announce his retirement, I've wondered whether the Vikings should offer him a one-day contract if we make the Super Bowl in 2027 and let him suit up for the big game — or even sign him for the duration of the playoffs. Is that completely far-fetched?
— Cinbrella S.
We'll continue to monitor the situation with Smith and keep you posted. A player coming out of retirement to join a team making a deep postseason run is not completely unprecedented. The first instance that came to my mind was safety Eric Weddle who wound up joining the 2021 Rams practice squad and recording five tackles in Super Bowl LVI.
The Vikings aren't the first team and won't be the last team to be affected by hindsight after a series of moves that haven't yet worked out as planned.
We are just barely over a month away from the new league year and free agency, so the wait to see this year's plan unfurled isn't too terribly long.
I say it now, that within two to five years of flag football being in the Olympics, the NFL will become a flag football league because the NFL has been testing it out in the Pro Bowl, and fans have no problem attending and watching this high school game. Also, with all the concussions and penalties for roughing the passer, late hits, illegal use of hands, face mask penalties, leading with the helmet, etc., this will account for fewer injuries and penalties and require less protective equipment like no helmets and pads required, as there will be no hitting or tackling injuries. Most of the injuries will be hamstring or Achilles, and especially no more concussions. Granted, the NFL will lose millions on fines, but they won't miss that money with all the television and streaming contracts.
You read it here first,
— Bill Kahlert, Vikings fan since 1965
Sportico.com noted the significance of NFL viewership in 2025 with NFL games accounting for 83 of the 100 most-watched TV programs of 2025 in America, led by more than 127 million for Super Bowl LIX.
Seven college football games made the top 100, so that's 90 percent of the most viewed TV programs.
I mention those stats in credit to how committed NFL fans are and to the sustained high level of interest in watching padded football. Given that, I'm wondering if flag football will reach new fans, supplementing the general interest in football, even if there are notable differences.
It does seem like there is considerable interest in flag football joining the lineup for the 2028 Olympics.
Do you think a better backfield would help take the pressure off the QB? Maybe try to get Jeremiyah Love or Jadarian Price from Notre Dame? Maybe [defensive back] Caleb Downs in the first and Price in the second, then address the O line/CB? Just my thoughts, and we need to stop living in the "what ifs" with Darnold! Need to move forward, Minnesota!
Skol Vikings!
— Alan M.
Given Aaron Jones, Sr., turned 31 in December (he is under contract through 2026), it wouldn't surprise most to hear and read some chatter about running backs this offseason.
The Vikings executed a trade to bring in Jordan Mason last offseason (he also is under contract through 2026).
Set to select at 18th overall, there are numerous scenarios the Vikings will prepare for in the draft.
I appreciate Alan's comment on moving past the "what ifs," but since many are still emailing me about Kyle Hamilton from the 2022 draft, I'm not sure that's going to fade away easily.
We blame Kwesi's draft picks, but he did OK, honestly. Dallas Turner is a star now. J.J. McCarthy will be OK. 'Will the Thrill' Reichard is the best kicker we have had for years, and if you look, the players we cut that he drafted are doing good on other teams: Ed Ingram, Mekhi Blackmon for Colts; maybe it's our scouts and development coaches give up too early. What do you think?
— William W.
It can be difficult for an organization to build a complete consensus around player evaluations because of their subjective nature, but Brzezinski will prioritize consensus-building in his work with the personnel department and coaching staff.
Turner took an encouraging leap in his second pro season, and McCarthy being healthy in the offseason is incredibly important.
Sometimes it doesn't work as intended for a player where he is initially drafted, but a new locale (and perhaps scheme or techniques coached lead to results elsewhere. The Vikings have certainly benefited in recent years from players who have joined via free agency and produced for the squad.
Things are changing, and I am trying to get information on recent hires. Teams that Keith Carter coached for had good running offenses. That is an area we can get excited about. What can you add to that that will get us excited about Keith Carter's hiring?
— Gerald Goblirsch
We posted this story last week as an introduction to the new assistants. Here is Carter’s bio, which hasn't been updated to reflect the new title yet but does cover his career arc.
He entered the NFL as a quality control coach with the Seahawks (2012-13), helping Seattle win Super Bowl XLVIII.
After one season as the offensive line coach at San Jose State, Carter returned to the NFL for three seasons with the Falcons (2015-17) before joining Tennessee for five seasons (2018-22) and then spending two with the Jets.
That's 12 NFL seasons in various capacities with seven postseason trips, one ring and another Super Bowl appearance (2016 Falcons) and making the AFC Championship (2019 Titans).
Teams Carter has worked for ranked in the top seven in rushing yards per game seven times and in the top eight in rushing yards per play five times.
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