Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staffs: Then And Now

Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame coach Bud Grant often expressed his curiosity surrounding the size of modern football coaching staffs.

“What do all those coaches do?”

Those might not be his exact words but it reflects his surprise and curiosity over recent coaching excesses. One could argue that today’s NFL is far more complicated than the NFL of Bud Grant’s day. They’d be right. In Grant’s day, offenses routinely trotted out two backs, two receivers, and a single tight end lined up tight against a tackle. The entire offensive line actually followed football’s rule that all members of the group come set on the line of scrimmage. Offenses simply played base on all downs and most situations. A third receiver might replace a back or the tight end in desperate situations.  Defenses simply played base on all downs and situations. The only specialists were on special teams. Simple stuff. 

Apparently the complicating of football resulted in an explosion of coaching staffs. Here’s a look at the coaching staff that Kevin O’Connell will bring to Eagan in a couple days. 

2026 Minnesota Vikings Coaches

Head Coach: Kevin O’Connell

Assistant Head Coach: Frank Smith

Offensive Coordinator: Wes Phillips

Defensive Coordinator: Brian Flores

Special Teams Coordinator: Matt Daniels

Offense:

QBs/Pass Game Coordinator: Josh McCown

Assistant QB/Pass Game Specialist: Jordan Traylor

Assistant Offensive Coordinator: Chris O’Hara

RBs/Run Game Coordinator: Curtis Modkins

Receivers: Keenan McCardell

Assistant Receivers: Derron Montgomery

TEs/Pass Game Coordinator: Ryan Cordell

Offensive Line: Keith Carter

Assistant Offensive Line: Derek Warehime

Offensive Quality Control: Kyle Caskey

Offensive Assistant: Ben Ellefson

Assistant to the Head Coach: Henry Schneider IV

Defense:

DL/Run Game Coordinator: Ryan Nielsen

Assistant Defensive Line: Patrick Hill

Outside LBs: Thad Bogardus

Inside LBs/Senior Defensive Assistant: Mike Siravo 

Assistant LBs: Dalmin Gibson

DBs/Pass Game Coordinator: Gerald Alexander

Assistant DBs: Chenzo Funari

Defensive Assistant: Charlie Frye

Defensive Assistant: Will Johnson

Special Teams:

Assistant Special Teams: Chili Davis

That’s 27 coaches. If you want to include the strength and performance coaches:

Minnesota Vikings Strength and Performance Coaches:

Head Strength and Performance Coach: Joe Distor Jr.

Assistant Strength and Performance Coach: Marquis Johnson

Assistant Strength and Performance Coach: Chad Bari

Assistant Strength and Performance Coach/Head of Applied Sports Science: Dan Ridenour

That bumps the number of Vikings coaches to 31. 

58 years ago, Bud Grant brought the following coaching staff to Mankato for training camp.

1968 Minnesota Vikings Coaches

Head Coach: Bud Grant

Offensive Coach: Jerry Burns

Defensive Line Coach: Bob Hollway

Defensive Backfield Coach: Jim Carr

Offensive Line Coach: John Michels 

Offensive Backfield: Bus Mertes

Six coaches. 6! 6!!

There wasn’t a need for strength and performance coaches because teams didn’t have a strength and performance program. 

In 1968, an NFL roster was 40 players. At 31 coaches, the Vikings 2026 coaching staff is nearly the size of the Vikings 1968 roster. 

1968: 1 coach for every 6.7 players

2026: 1 coach for every 1.7 players

If the NFL gets any more complicated, will we be seeing one coach for every player? 

The NFL has seen a lot of change since Bud Grant’s days. One of the greatest changes might be the five-fold increase in the size of coaching staffs. 

Unsigned Draft Picks: By Round

A week ago, six of the players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft were unsigned. Two-thirds of those unsigned picks were quarterbacks. With training camps opening, there was finally some movement on the pick-signing front. First pick in the draft, quarterback Fernando Mendoza is still unsigned. Fellow first-round quarterback, Ty Simpson is also unsigned. However, first pick in the third round, quarterback Carson Beck signed his rookie deal with the Arizona Cardinals. First pick in the fourth round, cornerback Jermod McCoy signed his rookie deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. All players selected on Day 3 are now signed. Here’s a look at the unsigned draft pick status for each of the seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. The first round, of course, is shown in detail.

Unsigned Draft Picks: By Round

First Round

1.   Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana 

2.   New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech - Signed

3.   Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame - Signed

4.   Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State - Signed

5.   New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State - Signed

6.   Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU - Signed

7.   Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State - Signed

8.   New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State - Signed

9.   Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah - Signed

10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami - Signed

11. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State - Signed

12. Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama - Signed

13. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State - Signed

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami - Signed

16. New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon - Signed

17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson - Signed 

18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida - Signed

19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia - Signed

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC - Signed

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State - Signed

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami - Signed

23. Dallas Cowboys: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF - Signed

24. Cleveland Browns: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M - Signed

25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon - Signed

26. Houston Texans: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech - Signed

27. Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State - Signed

28. New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah - Signed

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson - Signed

30. New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana - Signed

31. Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn - Signed

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame - Signed

2/32 players are unsigned.

Second Round

23. New England Patriots: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois

1/32 players are unsigned.

Everyone knows that quarterbacks are a problem. Despite rookie deals being scripted, quarterback deals are always so special. As the only unsigned, non-quarterback, what’s up with Gabe Jacas?

Third Round

12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

1/36 players are unsigned. 

Fourth Round

0/40 players are unsigned.

Fifth Round

0/41 players are unsigned.

Sixth Round

0/35 players are unsigned. 

Seventh Round

0/41 players are unsigned. 

4/257 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft are unsigned. 

Three of the four unsigned players are quarterbacks. It’s always about the quarterbacks. 

Late Vikings Additions?

As training camp nears, there’s been significant chatter around the need for the Minnesota Vikings to add a player, or two, or three. The Minnesota Star Tribune came up with 10 free agents that could boost the roster before Week 1. 

The Star Tribune 10:

Edge Rushers

Jadeveon Clowney

Kyle Van Noy

Haason Reddick

Derek Barnett

Defensive Backs

Harrison Smith

Taylor Rapp

Donovan Wilson

Kenny Moore II

Centers

Ryan Bates

Graham Glasgow

I can immediately slash this list to three. 

Jadeveon Clowney

Haason Reddick

Harrison Smith

In reality, I see it as two. I believe that Harrison Smith will be back. I get that he has his own way of doing things. It’s one of the many things that I like about him. I can’t think of a single reason for him to take this long to “officially” announce a decision. I believe that he made the decision months ago and the team already knows that he’s returning for his 15th season. In that sense, Smith isn’t really a training camp addition. I see it more as he never left. 

Most of that chatter around the need for reinforcements has focused on the edge position. The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles during April’s draft. That move opened Dallas Turner’s path to the field but now edge depth is an issue. Andrew Van Ginkel and Turner should form a solid duo. Behind them are a collection of undrafted players.

Tyler Batty

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Cam’Ron Stewart

Arden Walker

Someone could emerge but there’s no proven experience or production on the Vikings edge bench. It’s easy to look to free agents to add experience and production. 

If an experienced edge player is added, my preference is Jadeveon Clowney and then Haason Reddick. Clowney seems ageless and has become something of a mercenary. I’m convinced he’d provide effective snaps. I believe that Reddick would do the same. I just have greater faith in Clowney. 

If an experienced edge player is not added, I believe it’s because defensive coordinator Brian Flores has a plan. Of course, he’d have a plan. It’s foolish to think that the Vikings would go into training camp unprepared. That edge depth plan, I believe, starts with a couple veteran players already on the roster and a rookie. Second-year defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins has gotten leaner, without dropping weight. He looks much quicker, twitchier. I’m not sure if he’d take up chunks of snaps one the edge but he could provide a changeup out there. Off-the-ball linebacker Eric Wilson was a revelation in his Minnesota return last season. He was such a revelation that he earned a contract extension. His primary job will be next to Blake Cashman in the middle of the Vikings defense. His secondary job might be to give breathers to Van Ginkel and/or Turner as an edge rusher. In his breakout return last season, Wilson got after the quarterback from nearly every starting point, including off the edge. I really like Wilson as an option off the edge. Finally, Jake Golday was selected in the second of the 2026 NFL Draft as an off-the-ball linebacker. That might just be his starting point. His college football career showed a variety of talents. He might start off as an off-the-ball linebacker for the Vikings but his future is more likely as heir to Van Ginkel’s versatile role. I expect Golday to work his way into playing time. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of that playing time is as on the edge. 

So, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Vikings do add an experienced edge player. Adding someone like Jadeveon Clowney would probably allow fans to sleep a little more soundly. It’d give them one less thing to fret over. It also wouldn’t surprise me if the Vikings didn’t add an experienced edge player. Part of that might be due to my excitement over the potential of Jake Golday. I really want to see him on the field as much as possible. As soon as possible. 

I’m ready for training camp to start and the focus of Vikings will be on the field. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster: By College

Minnesota Vikings veterans will report to training camp one week from today. The entire team will be assembled and the day can’t get here soon enough. To help pass some time between now and then, here’s a look at the Minnesota Vikings roster broken down by the college the players attended. 

Air Force

Bo Richter

Alabama

Dallas Turner

Will Reichard

Arizona 

Luke Wysong

Arkansas 

Dwight McGlothern

BYU

Tyler Batty

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Michael Briscoe

Cincinnati

Ivan Pace Jr.

Eric Wilson

Jake Golday

Gavin Gerhardt

Clemson

Tristan Leigh

Colorado

Arden Walker

Connecticut

Ryan Van Demark

Dartmouth

Delby Lemieux

Ferris State

Tavierre Thomas

Florida

Caleb Banks

Florida Atlantic

James Pierre

Florida International 

Kejon Owens

Georgia

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Chaz Chambliss

Ben Yurosek

Dillon Bell

Brett Thorson

Georgia Southern

Marcus Sanders Jr. 

Georgia Tech

Jordan Mason

Indiana

Myles Price 

Iowa

T.J. Hockenson

Iowa State

Domonique Orange

James Madison

Jacob Thomas

Kansas

Bangally Kamara

LSU

Justin Jefferson

Jay Ward

Maine

Zavier Scott

Maryland

Tai Felton

Jeshaun Jones

Miami

Jakobe Thomas

Michigan 

Josh Metellus

J.J. McCarthy

Max Bredeson

Josh Ross

Minnesota

Blake Cashman

Max Brosmer

Missouri State

Eric Johnson II

Morgan State

Elijah Williams

North Carolina

Bryson Nesbit

Marcus Allen

Jahvaree Ritzie

Smith Vilbert

North Dakota State

Carson Wentz

North Texas

Da’Veawn Armstead

Northwestern

Marshall Lang

Caleb Tiernan

Ohio State

Donovan Jackson

Oklahoma

Jalen Redmond

Walter Rouse

Kyler Murray

Oklahoma State 

Terrill Davis

Oregon

Taki Taimani

Oregon State

Blake Brandel

Johnny Hekker

Penn State

Will Fries

Pittsburgh

Brian O’Neill

Gavin Bartholomew

Princeton

Henry Byrd

Rutgers

Andrew DePaola

San Jose State

Josh Oliver

South Carolina

Vershon Lee

Stephen F Austin

Chuck Demmings

Temple

Cam’Ron Stewart

Tennessee

Theo Jackson

Jauan Jennings 

Texas-El Paso

Aaron Jones

Texas A&M

Tyreek Chappell

Texas A&M-Commerce

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Toledo

Trayvon Rudolph

Tulane

Dontae Fleming 

UCF

Keli Lawson

UMass-Amherst

Isaiah Rodgers

USC

Jordan Addison

Utah

Zemaiah Vaughn

Virginia Tech

Christian Darrisaw

Tomas Rimac

Wake Forest

Michael Jurgens

Demond Claiborne

Jacob Roberts

Washington

Byron Murphy Jr. 

Western Kentucky

Kahlef Hailassie

Wisconsin

Andrew Van Ginkel

Joe Huber

Isaiahh Loudermilk

NFL Top 100

The NFL Top 100 has been an offseason staple since 2011. For most of the past 15 years, it was hard to miss. This year, it takes effort to find. Here’s a check on the progress of the quiet release of the Top 100 players in the NFL. 

NFL Top 100 Players of 2026

100. Cameron Jordan, DE, New Orleans Saints

  99. Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts

  98. Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers 

  97. Ernest Jones, LB, Seattle Seahawks 

  96. Travis Etienne, RB, New Orleans Saints

  95. Demario Davis, LB, New York Jets

  94. Creed Humphrey, C, Kansas City Chiefs

  93. Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland Browns 

  92. Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, Houston Texans

  91. Montez Sweat, DE, Chicago Bears 

  90. Derrick Brown, DL, Carolina Panthers 

  89. Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams 

  88. Jack Campbell, LB, Detroit Lions

  87. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers

  86. Tuli Tuipulotu, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers

  85. Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers 

  84. Byron Young, Edge, Los Angeles Rams 

  83. Jeffery Simmons, DT, Tennessee Titans 

  82. Jalen Ramsey, CB, Pittsburgh Steelers 

  81. Bobby Wagner, LB, Washington Commanders

  80. A.J. Brown, WR, New England Patriots 

  79. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs 

  77. Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  76. Jaycee Horn, CB, Carolina Panthers

  75. Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals

  74. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers

  73. Zach Allen, DL, Denver Broncos

  72. Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers

  71. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

  70. Xavier McKinney, S, Green Bay Packers

  69. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens

  68. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

  67. Jordyn Brooks, LB, Miami Dolphins

  66. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

  65. Roquan Smith, LB, Baltimore Ravens

  64. Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints

  63. Kyle Hamilton, S, Baltimore Ravens

  62. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

  61. Kevin Byard, S, New England Patriots

There’s the first 40 players of the NFL Top 100. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the 40 players is the impressive number of off-the-ball linebackers. 

Ernest Jones

Demario Davis

Carson Schwesinger

Azeez Al-Shaair 

Jack Campbell

Bobby Wagner

Jordyn Brooks

Roquan Smith

A fifth of the players revealed so far are off-the-ball linebackers. The under-appreciated position is getting some appreciation. There’s old farts like Demario Davis and Bobby Wagner mixed with youngsters like Carson Schwesinger and Jack Campbell. 

The next most notable thing about the reveals is probably the 67-spot drop of Lamar Jackson. He’d been #2 on the list in each of the past two seasons. Now, he’s #69. He missed four games in 2025. That was a big reason the Ravens had an 8-9 record, no playoffs, and head coach John Harbaugh being fired. A 67-spot drop in the NFL Top 100 is probably the least of Jackson’s worries. 

The NFL Top 100 will quietly continue this week. 

Unsigned Draft Picks: By Round

With training camps opening, it’s a little surprising that a few of the players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft are still unsigned. There’s no reason to worry about the signings. With contract terms basically determined by where a player is drafted, holdouts are now so rare. It takes something extreme or sheer stupidity for a player to hold out. Here’s a look at the unsigned draft pick status for each of the seven rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. The first round, of course, is shown in detail.

Unsigned Draft Picks: By Round

First Round

1.   Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana 

2.   New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech - Signed

3.   Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame - Signed

4.   Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State - Signed

5.   New York Giants: Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State - Signed

6.   Kansas City Chiefs: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU - Signed

7.   Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State - Signed

8.   New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State - Signed

9.   Cleveland Browns: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah - Signed

10. New York Giants: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami - Signed

11. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State - Signed

12. Miami Dolphins: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama - Signed

13. Los Angeles Rams: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

14. Baltimore Ravens: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State - Signed

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami - Signed

16. New York Jets: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon - Signed

17. Detroit Lions: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson - Signed 

18. Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida - Signed

19. Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia - Signed

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Makai Lemon, WR, USC - Signed

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State - Signed

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami - Signed

23. Dallas Cowboys: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF - Signed

24. Cleveland Browns: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M - Signed

25. Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon - Signed

26. Houston Texans: Keylan Rutledge, G, Georgia Tech - Signed

27. Miami Dolphins: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State - Signed

28. New England Patriots: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah - Signed

29. Kansas City Chiefs: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson - Signed

30. New York Jets: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana - Signed

31. Tennessee Titans: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn - Signed

32. Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame - Signed

2/32 players are unsigned.

Second Round

23. New England Patriots: Gabe Jacas, Edge, Illinois

1/32 players are unsigned.

Only three unsigned players from the first two rounds. That’s pretty good. 

Third Round

1.   Arizona Cardinals: Carson Beck, QB, Miami

12. Pittsburgh Steelers: Drew Allar, QB, Penn State

2/36 players are unsigned. 

Fourth Round

1.   Las Vegas Raiders: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

1/40 players are unsigned.

Fifth Round

0/41 players are unsigned.

Sixth Round

0/35 players are unsigned. 

Seventh Round

0/41 players are unsigned. 

6/257 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft are unsigned. 

Four of the six unsigned players are quarterbacks. It’s always about the quarterbacks. 

NFL Training Camp Report Dates

NFL Training Camps are here! One of the last teams to play last season is the first to report this season. Seattle Seahawks rookies are reporting today. The rest of the team won’t show for another week. It’s a start. Football is back! In 11 days, all 32 teams will be in camp. Starting with the best team, here are the training camp report dates for all teams. 

NFL Training Camp Report Dates

Minnesota Vikings

Rookies 7/26

Veterans: 7/28

Arizona Cardinals 

Rookies: 7/22

Veterans: 7/22

Atlanta Falcons

Rookies: 7/24

Veterans: 7/28

Baltimore Ravens

Rookies: 7/24

Veterans: 7/28

Buffalo Bills

Rookies: 7/21

Veterans: 7/28

Carolina Panthers

Rookies: 7/21

Veterans: 7/22

Chicago Bears

Rookies: 7/25

Veterans: 7/28

Cincinnati Bengals 

Rookies: 7/25

Veterans: 7/28

Cleveland Browns

Rookies: 7/23

Veterans: 7/28

Dallas Cowboys

Rookies 7/28

Veterans: 7/28

Denver Broncos

Rookies: 7/22

Veterans: 7/28

Detroit Lions

Rookies: 7/25

Veterans: 7/28

Green Bay Packers

Rookies: 7/27

Veterans: 7/28

Houston Texans

Rookies: 7/21

Veterans: 7/28

Indianapolis Colts 

Rookies: 7/27

Veterans: 7/28

Jacksonville Jaguars 

Rookies: 7/25

Veterans: 7/28

Kansas City Chiefs

Rookies: 7/24

Veterans: 7/28

Las Vegas Raiders

Rookies: 7/23

Veterans: 7/28

Los Angeles Chargers 

Rookies: 7/23

Veterans: 7/28

Los Angeles Rams

Rookies: 7/25

Veterans: 7/25

Miami Dolphins 

Rookies: 7/21

Veterans: 7/28

New England Patriots 

Rookies: 7/21

Veterans: 7/24

New Orleans Saints

Rookies: 7/28

Veterans: 7/28

New York Giants

Rookies: 7/23

Veterans: 7/28

New York Jets

Rookies: 7/25

Veterans: 7/28

Philadelphia Eagles 

Rookies: 7/28

Veterans: 7/28

Pittsburgh Steelers 

Rookies: 7/28

Veterans: 7/28

San Francisco 49ers

Rookies: 7/18

Veterans: 7/25

Seattle Seahawks

Rookies: 7/17

Veterans: 7/24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

Rookies: 7/27

Veterans: 7/28

Tennessee Titans

Rookies: 7/23

Veterans: 7/28

Washington Commanders

Rookies: 7/24

Veterans: 7/28