Lately, there has been a pile of attention on the move away from GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The latest round of […]
Lately, there has been a pile of attention on the move away from GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. The latest round of news goes in the opposite direction as the Vikings add rather than subtract.
Consider the word from Ian Rapoport of The NFL Network: “#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell continues to remodel his staff, adding former #Dolphins OC Frank Smith as assistant head coach and Keith Carter as offensive line coach […] Smith worked with Mike McDaniel and will help with the offense and run game planning.”
Shortly thereafter, Rapoport comes through with more news: “More additions for the #Vikings: Gerald Alexander will become the defensive pass game coordinator and DBs coach, while former #Jaguars DC Ryan Nielsen comes on as D-line coach and defensive run game coordinator.”
After the season, the Vikings lost Mike Pettine (retirement), Chris Kuper (fired), Daronte Jones (DC with the Commanders), and Michael Hutchings (college DC job). Shoring up the coaching staff has been in the works for several weeks.
Vikings Add to Coaching Staff
When it comes to winning on Sunday, the Vikings would do well to figure out how to run the football.
Going into 2025, the Vikings had a nice tandem in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. There was then rugged blocking with the presence of Josh Oliver alongside C.J. Ham. Topping things off were the investments made to the front five. Injuries seldom allowed the preferred five to play — LT Christian Darrisaw, LG Donovan Jackson, C Ryan Kelly, RG Will Fries, and RT Brian O’Neill — but the line of scrimmage was still supposed to belong to Minnesota.
Instead, Minnesota proved too stubborn in its commitment to throwing.
To be sure, the NFL is a passing league, one that rewards being able to move the ball through the air. But then there was the reality of needing to start a trio of different passers, two of whom were just getting their feet wet in the NFL (sophomore J.J. McCarthy and rookie Max Brosmer). Even Carson Wentz, especially given the shoulder injury, should have handed the pigskin to his runners more commonly.
Adding Frank Smith can hopefully help. At the very least, the Vikings need to get things somewhat close to even for the run/pass ratio.
Doing so takes pressure off the QB. Doing so allows the large lads up front to fire out of their stance rather than needing to constantly fend off pass rushers. Doing so helps the defense since being a clock-killing offense is what every DC wants.
So, the Vikings should prioritize figuring things out. The running game hasn’t been good at any point under Kevin O’Connell. Winning means figuring out this facet of football.
On defense, Ryan Nielsen is a pretty nice add, at least if the criteria is name recognition. He has served in higher roles than being a d-line coach for the Saints, Jaguars, Falcons, and Bills.
To his great credit, Brian Flores is open to getting good insight from wherever he can. If a different coach or a player has a winning idea, the DC isn’t shy about implementing it. There’s a reason why he’s known as “The Mad Scientist.” He’s a creative guy.
Nielsen alongside Gerald Alexander will therefore get a shot to help the tactician who is calling the plays to cook up some menacing looks for Sundays.
With the coaching brain trust in place, Minnesota can journey through the coming months. Coming soon are NFL free agency in March before the 2026 NFL Draft in April. Afterwards, the leadership will get finished off with the hiring of a new general manager.
Category: General Sports
