Minnesota Vikings Coaches

The Minnesota Vikings are enjoying their Week 6 bye. While it’s a little early for a bye, the Vikings do have some injured players that could use the time to get healthy for the run through the rest of the season. An NFL bye week is a fine time to look at a team’s roster. If one were to look at the Vikings coaches, they’d find that there’s been a change since the group was finalized early in the offseason. 

Minnesota Vikings Coaching Staff

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 Management 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

Defensive Assistant: Bobby McCain

Special Teams:

Assistant Special Teams: Chili Davis

***

My peculiar Vikings curiosity forces me to regularly check the coaches page on the team’s website through the season. Often it’s a quick look while I’m already on the site checking the player roster. During one of those recent checks, I discovered that Bobby McCain is listed among the Vikings coaches. The former defensive back last played for the Vikings in 2024. He hasn’t played since. After a 10-year NFL career, he’s apparently not done with the game. Along with former receiver Trishton Jackson, McCain joined the Vikings coaches during this past training camp as participants in the Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship program. Kevin O’Connell has often expressed a passion for helping players transition from playing to after-playing. It appears the Vikings liked what they saw in the coaching potential of McCain. I’m not sure why McCain joining the Vikings coaches came without an announcement of some sort. Maybe, I just missed it. This reminds me of the coaching evolution of former tight end Ben Ellefson. He was a player in 2022 and a coach in 2023 with no mention of the move. The transition was actually somewhat mysterious. For months, maybe even a year, Ellefson had no picture on the website’s coaching roster. These player-to-coach transitions happen often but the lack of attention is a little surprising. These days, everything seems to get attention. I guess an NFL team’s new offensive or defensive assistant somehow isn’t attention-worthy. Anyway, welcome, again, to the Vikings, Bobby McCain. 

Minnesota Vikings Pre - Bye Week Superlatives

The Undefeated Minnesota Vikings are sitting out the NFL’s Week 6 games as they are on bye. A break after five games is early but the Vikings do have several players that could use the time to get healthy. With that in mind perhaps a Week 6 bye isn’t such a bad thing. Five games in and the Vikings are 5-0. Record-wise, they couldn’t be better. Here are some of the players that were crucial to the terrific start to the season.

Minnesota Vikings Pre - Bye Week Superlatives

Offensive Player of the First Five Games

Aaron Jones Sr., RB

It’d be nice if quarterback Kyler Murray was an easy choice here. That would mean that the Vikings offense was off to a nice start and contributed significantly to the 5-0 start. Unfortunately, Murray didn’t start the season well and the offense has mostly been carried by the defense and special teams. Fortunately, Murray’s play and the offense, in general, was trending upwards the last two games. A significant reason for the Vikings early-season offensive issues was Kyler Murray being knocked out by a couple Green Bay Packers headhunters early in Week 1. He essentially missed two games with a concussion. That had to stall his growth in a new offense. Receiver Justin Jefferson also missed two games with an ankle injury. Murray and Jefferson didn’t play a full game together until Week 5. Is it any surprise that the offense finally found some rhythm in Week 5? 

All of that is to say that the Vikings offense has mostly struggled while the team started the season 5-0. Through those offensive struggles, Aaron Jones Sr. has been a warrior. The Vikings run game was supposed to be a combo deal with Jones and Jordan Mason. Unfortunately, Mason came out of the Week 1 game against the Packers with a thumb injury that required surgery. It landed him on injured reserve. Fortunately, he’s expected back when the Vikings return from their bye week. Mason’s injury resulted in the offense leaning on Jones for four games. For most of those four games, Jones carried the offense. 

Week 1 - Packers:

12 carries 

40 yards 

1 TD

Week 2 - Bears

23 carries

105 yards

Week 3 - Buccaneers

17 carries

58 yards

5 catches 

34 yards

Week 4 - Dolphins

20 carries

94 yards

4 catches 

34 yards

Week 5 - Saints

25 carries

113 yards

1 TD

3 catches

4 yards

Totals:

97 carries

410 yards

2 TDs

12 catches

70 yards

I don’t think the plan was for Jones to ever have 20 carries in a game. Through the first five games, he’s had three games with at least 20 carries. Jones has been the Vikings most consistent offensive threat through the first five games of the season. But he needs his backfield partner over the next 15 games.

Defensive Players of the First Five Games

All of Them. 

Other than the first half of the Week 1 game against the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings defense has been brilliant. I still don’t understand what was going on in that first half against the Packers. It was as if the defense collectively missed their wake-up call and didn’t show up until the second half. The thing about the Vikings defense is that it’s very much a team defense. Dallas Turner, Jalen Redmond, Blake Cashman, Eric Wilson, Andrew Van Ginkel, or Byron Murphy Jr., etc. Players have simply taken turns wrecking opposing offense. Take your pick. The Vikings have a collection of impact players. Every starter and most of the backups have made impact plays in the five wins. The scary thing for the rest of the league is that the Vikings defense is just getting started. 

Special Teams Players of the First Five Games

Will Reichard, K

Myles Price, Returner

Like the defense, the Vikings special teams have been outstanding through the first five games. Over those five games, three Vikings players have been named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Isaiah Rodgers

Myles Price 

Will Reichard

Isaiah Rodgers’ field goal block against the Chicago Bears in Week 2 was the play of that game. That was a season-defining play but the Vikings great special teams performance has been highlighted by Will Reichard and Myles Price. 

Myles Price showed kick and punt return potential as an undrafted rookie last season. This season, he’s shown far more than just potential. He’s been explosive. He’s been dangerous. In Week 3, he returned a punt for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His 68-yard kick return against the Green Bay Packers triggered the great comeback in that game. He’s averaging 29.8 yards/kick return with a long of 68 yards. He’s averaging a ridiculous 21.6 yards/punt return with that 86-yard touchdown. He’s returning kicks and punts with such confidence. The Vikings have a recent history of impact returners. Percy Harvin, Cordarrelle Patterson, Marcus Sherels, and Kene Nwangwu. Price looks like he’s on a path to join them.

Will Reichard is a beast. He might be as good at his job as any player on the roster. And the Vikings have Justin Jefferson on the roster. He’s gone nearly a year without missing a kick. He’s never missed an extra point. Not only does he not miss, nearly all of his kicks are through the middle of the uprights. 

Minnesota Vikings Bye Week Roster

The Minnesota Vikings are idle this week as they have a Week 6 bye. Week 6 is usually a bit early for a bye but this year it comes at a good time. The Vikings have a few players that could use an extra week to get healthy. 

Christian Darrisaw

Jordan Mason 

Jordan Addison

T.J. Hockenson

Justin Jefferson played in the Week 5 win over the New Orleans Saints. He was returning from an ankle injury that sidelined him for most of the previous two games. He could use a week of rest before he rips up the league for the remainder of the season. 

Oh, the Vikings are also undefeated while they rest up during this break. 5-0 is a nice start. Some have argued that the Vikings have merely raced through the “easy” portion of their schedule. Perhaps but that take would reflect poorly on media darlings and preseason contenders Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. The Vikings started their five-game run with wins over their division foes. I’ve never understood why the Vikings are always tasked with defending the worthiness of a nice run of games. They can only play the teams the league puts in front of them. After the bye, maybe the Vikings will finally win a game that the “experts” find worthy. 

The bye week is a fine time to look at the roster. With the trade deadline a few weeks away, it’s a fine time to see if additions are needed. Fans always like a midseason blockbuster deal. Sitting 5-0, I’m not sure the Vikings need to do anything so bold. Season-ending injuries to tight end Josh Oliver and left guard Donovan Jackson would seem to highlight those positions. I’m not sure there’s a tight end in the league that could adequately replace what Oliver brings to the offense. I like Joe Huber as the current replacement for Jackson. So, I’m not sure if those are the positions that the Vikings must address through a trade. Adding depth at running back and safety are moves that might be considered. I don’t see any trade being of the blockbuster sort. But, I’m often wrong about things like this. Here’s a look at the Vikings current roster. 

Players on the roster now that weren’t on the initial 53-man roster are in bold. 

Minnesota Vikings Bye Week Roster

Offense (24)

Quarterback (3)

Kyler Murray

Carson Wentz

Max Brosmer

Running Back (3)

Aaron Jones

DeeJay Dallas

Demond Claiborne

Fullback (1)

Max Bredeson

Wide Receiver (5)

Justin Jefferson

Jordan Addison

Jauan Jennings

Tai Felton

Myles Price

Tight End (3)

T.J. Hockenson

Gavin Bartholomew

Ben Yurosek

Offensive Line (9)

Christian Darrisaw

Joe Huber

Blake Brandel

Will Fries

Brian O’Neill

Ryan Van Demark

Caleb Tiernan

Michael Jurgens

Trevor Keegan

Defense (26)

Defensive Line (6)

Jalen Redmond

Levi Drake Rodriguez

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins

Caleb Banks

Domonique Orange

Elijah Williams

Outside Linebacker (5)

Andrew Van Ginkel

Dallas Turner

Kyle Van Noy

Bo Richter

Chaz Chambliss

Linebacker (4)

Blake Cashman

Eric Wilson

Ivan Pace Jr.

Jake Golday

Cornerback (5)

Byron Murphy Jr.

Isaiah Rodgers

James Pierre

Chuck Demmings

Zemaiah Vaughn

Safety (6)

Harrison Smith

Josh Metellus

Jay Ward

Theo Jackson

Jacob Thomas

Jakobe Thomas

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1)

Will Reichard

Punter (1)

Brett Thorson

Long Snapper (1)

Andrew DePaola

***

There are only five players on the current 53-man roster that weren’t on the initial one. Quarterback Max Brosmer was promoted from the practice squad after J.J. McCarthy was traded to the New York Giants. Tight end Ben Yurosek and center Michael Jurgens were activated from injured reserve last week. Running back DeeJay Dallas and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy are the only players added to roster that arrived from outside the organization. I suppose it’s the constant player churn on the practice squad that makes it feel like more new players have populated the roster. When a player like Odell Beckham Jr. is sitting on the practice squad there’s always roster intrigue. It would be fun to Justin Jefferson and Beckham on the field together. 

5-0 and resting up on the bye week is a real nice place to be. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 5 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints on Sunday 23-13. It really wasn’t that close. The Vikings are undefeated at 5-0 as they enter their Week 6 bye. Here are some of the players that made the big win over the Saints possible. 

Offensive Player of the Game

Kyler Murray, QB

The Vikings quarterback finally gets “player of the game” recognition. It’s a very welcome development. Kyler Murray finally looked comfortable and played in rhythm. 

24 completions

30 attempts

229 yards

1 TD

10 carries

51 yards

He converted first downs with his arm and with his legs. There’s a lot of room for improvement but Murray’s play against the Saints is close to the hope that many had when the Vikings signed him in March.

Honorable Mention:

Aaron Jones Sr., RB

Aaron Jones Sr.’s game must be mentioned.

25 carries 

113 yards 

1 TD

Through the first five games, Jones has been the Vikings offensive MVP. With the Week 1 injury to Jordan Mason, the Vikings have leaned on Jones in the run game. And he’s done it while dealing with a knee injury. 

Defensive Player of the Game

Byron Murphy Jr., CB

Once again, the Vikings defensive player of the game can be any of several players. Jalen Redmond, Blake Cashman, Dallas Turner, Eric Wilson. Take your pick. This really is a team defense. Despite all of that, Byron Murphy Jr. is an easy choice. He intercepted two of Tyler Shough’s passes. 

Special Teams Players of the Game

Jake Golday

Jeshaun Jones

Through four games, one of Myles Price and Will Reichard, and often both, were easy special teams choices each week. After ending the first half with a field goal, the Vikings special teams opened the second half with one of the plays of the game. On the second half’s opening kick return, Jake Golday forced a fumble and Jeshaun Jones recovered the football. Just like that, the Vikings had a scoring opportunity on the Saints 37-yard line. Six plays later, Justin Jefferson had a touchdown and the Vikings had a 13-7 lead. 

Vikings - Saints

The Minnesota Vikings dodged any possibility of a “trap” game by handling the New Orleans Saints by a score of 23-10. The game felt a bit more one-sided than a 10-point margin. The Vikings defense completely shut down the Saints offense. The Vikings offense finally showed some life. It was a welcome sight. The win bumps the record to 5-0 as the Vikings enter their Week 6 bye.

The Vikings defense and special teams were the main reason for the first four wins. The offensive support was so limited that the only points scored in two of those wins came from field goals. That changed yesterday against the Saints as Kyler Murray showed some comfort in the Vikings offense. He finally played with some rhythm. 

Murray’s game:

24 completions

30 attempts

229 yards

1 TD

10 carries

51 yards

It’s easier to get comfortable and play with rhythm in an offense when Justin Jefferson is a part of it. Due to injuries this was Murray’s first full game with Jefferson. If this is Murray’s baseline play moving forward, the Vikings should be a tough out each week. 

The Vikings defense continues to stifle offenses. 

Some stats against the Saints:

9 first downs

43 total plays

142 total yards

2 interceptions

Last week, the Dolphins ran 37 plays against the Vikings defense. This week, the Saints ran 43 plays. That’s a pretty light load. So light that it’s as if the Vikings played about one full game over the past two weeks. 

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough entered this game averaging about 300 passing yards. Yesterday, against the Vikings defense, Shough threw for 97 yards and two interceptions. The Saints had eight drives. Five went three-and-out. 

Despite being completely shut down for much of the game, the Saints did manage two touchdowns. Each originated from Vikings fumbles in the red zone. After kicking a field goal on their first possession of the game, the Vikings looked like they were driving for another score on their second possession. On third-and-one from the Saints 10-yard line, Aaron Jones Sr. gained enough to move the chains. Unfortunately, he fumbled the ball before he hit the ground. Saints defensive end Chase Young recovered the ball and returned it 27 yards to the Saints 34-yard line. The big play briefly flipped the momentum. For the only time the entire game, the Saints offense played with a spark and some purpose. 66 yards and a two-yard Kendre Miller touchdown. The next fumble was even more sudden. Late in the third quarter, receiver Myles Price fumbled as the Vikings were driving for another score. Saints safety Jonas Sanker recovered the football and returned it 87 yards for a touchdown. On each occasion, the Vikings were on the verge of putting some scoreboard distance between them and the Saints. Each time, the Vikings generously put the ball on the ground. Credit the Saints for taking advantage of that generosity. If the Vikings were more secure with the football, the score of this game is probably 33-0 rather than 23-13. 

While it was considerably improved, the Vikings offense still has a lot of room for growth. With Kyler Murray’s growing comfort in the offense, that growth appears within reach. If they can get some players healthy, the growth feels nearly certain. Receiver Jordan Addison, running back Jordan Mason, and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw should be back after the Week 6 bye. Tight end T.J. Hockenson left yesterday’s game after only two plays with a concussion. He should also be back. That’s a lot of offensive talent returning the next time the Vikings takes the field. 

The Vikings enter their bye week undefeated. 5-0 with a two game lead over their three division foes. It’s a nice place to be. Two of the five wins were against two of those division foes (Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears). Undefeated and two weeks to get some players healthy. It’s going to be a nice and welcome week off. 

Flea Flicker Week 5 Predictions

It’s Already October. It’s already Week 5 of the NFL season. Here are some guesses at the games. 

Week 5 brings the first byes:

Byes: Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings must go into their Week 6 bye at 5-0.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Jaguars

Another idiotic international game. London is a second home for the Jaguars so the ridiculous logistics often work to their advantage. Plus, it looks like the Eagles are going through some things. 

Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers

Pick: Bears

It feels like the media and fans have finally stopped wrongly calling this the league’s oldest rivalry. For the record, it’s the third oldest after Bears-Cardinals and Packers-Cardinals. Anyway, the Packers are a mess.

Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans

Pick: Texans

The preseason Super Bowl contender finally gets their first win. 

Cincinnati Bengals @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Bengals

The plucky Dolphins remain winless.

Las Vegas Raiders @ New England Patriots

Pick: Patriots

After a surprising 3-0 start, the Raiders take another step back to reality. 

Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets

Pick: Browns

The Browns continue their surprising run.

Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Pick: Colts

The clown show with Aaron Rodgers continues.

New York Giants @ Washington Commanders

Pick: Commanders

The Giants are a couple losses away from J.J. McCarthy starting. 

Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

Sean Payton’s playcalling won’t help. The Chargers finally get their first win. 

Detroit Lions @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Lions

Lions roll.

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

Pick: 49ers

49ers roll.

Baltimore Ravens @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Falcons 

With Lamar Jackson, this could’ve been a real fun game. Without Lamar Jackson, who knows? 

Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams

Pick: Bills

Some have circled this as a Super Bowl preview. Both teams have only occasionally looked the part. Its still so early but the Bills have shown a bit more fight than the Rams. 

New Orleans Saints All - Time Team

The Minnesota Vikings play the Saints in New Orleans tomorrow. The Saints entered the league as an expansion team in 1967. They were terrible for most of their first twenty years. Fans even covered their heads with paper bags due to the team’s ineptitude. It was bad. It was so bad that Archie Manning barely survived the 1970s. Under the guidance of former Vikings architect Jim Finks, the Saints got better in the late 1980s. They made the playoffs for the first time after the strike-impacted 1987 season. The Vikings quickly dispatched them from those playoffs. It was in the 2000s that the Saints truly started to rise. Head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees led them to consistency and success. The Saints got some degree of revenge when they robbed the Vikings of a Super Bowl appearance in the 2009 NFC Championship game. The Saints went on to defeat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. Since the conference championship robbery, the Vikings and Saints have developed something of a rivalry. On the eve of the big game, here’s a look at some of the best players in New Orleans Saints franchise history. 

New Orleans Saints All - Time Team

Offense

Quarterback

Drew Brees

Running Back

Alvin Kamara

Fullback

Chuck Muncie

Wide Receivers

Marques Colston

Joe Horn

Tight End

Jimmy Graham

Offensive Tackles

Willie Roaf

Stan Brock

Offensive Guards

Carl Nicks

Jahri Evans

Center

Joel Hilgenberg

Defense

Defensive Ends

Cameron Jordan

Wayne Martin

Defensive Tackles

La’Roi Glover

Derland Moore

Linebackers

Rickey Jackson

Sam Mills

Pat Swilling

Cornerbacks

Marshon Lattimore

Dave Waymer

Safeties

Tom Myers

Roman Harper

Special Teams

Kicker 

Morten Anderson

Punter

Thomas Morstead

Returner

Tyrone Hughes