Vikings Offseason Week 3: What We’ve Learned

Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) reacts with teammates after an interception by safety Josh Metellus (44) against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The 2024 Minnesota Vikings were supposed to be an average team at best following J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending injury, and nobody believed Kevin O’Connell’s club would be playing meaningful football in January.

Vikings Offseason Week 3: What We’ve Learned

But they did. The disappointing season finale with two consecutive losses ended the Super Bowl dream, and we’ve reached the cruel offseason.

This is what we learned in the third week of the 2025 offseason.

1. Brian Flores Is Staying

vikings offseason
Oct 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Rams in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores interviewed for three head coach openings, but all three ‒ Jets, Bears, Jaguars ‒ hired someone else.

All but one head coaching throne is filled; the remaining one is in New Orleans. The Saints, however, haven’t been interested in Flores and reports have surfaced suggesting Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will get the job once he is eligible to be officially hired after the Super Bowl.

The Vikings will get a third year with Flores overlooking the defense, and the continuity could pay dividends.

2. Grant Udinski Is a Rising Star Coach

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Assistant quarterbacks coach and assistant offensive coordinator Grant Udinski has teams lining up to interview the young coach. He has already taken five offensive coordinator interviews.

In Minnesota, he has made a name for himself by mentoring J.J. McCarthy.

While it is unclear whether he will exit the Twin Cities within the next days or weeks, the leaguewide interest won’t disappear anytime soon, and he will most likely land that promotion at the latest in the 2026 offseason.

3. Cam Bynum Could Return

Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) does the famed Australian breakdancer Raygun’s Olympic dance near Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Gabe Davis (0) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Vikings defeated the Jaguars 12-7. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has to manage a deep free-agent class that includes numerous starters. Among them is safety Cam Bynum, whose rookie contract is about to expire.

Reports at the end of the 2024 season indicated that he wouldn’t return for a fifth season, but things might have changed.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler declared, “The Vikings and Bynum have had discussions about an extension. While nothing has materialized, both sides are open to it, and this could get done before mid-March.”

4. Mike Zimmer’s Retirement

NFL: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Sep 18, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer and safety Harrison Smith (22) against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Packers 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Longtime Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer had an underwhelming season in his return to Dallas. The defense he coordinated was one of the worst in the NFL. Once a premier defensive mind, his last three units (the rosters were not always in his favor) couldn’t live up to his high standards.

At the age of 68, Zimmer told NFL reporter Ed Werder that he plans to retire this offseason.

He spent over 40 years in coaching and was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings between 2014 and 2021.

5. Brian O’Neill’s Pro Bowl Nomination

Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill (75), linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (54) and center Garrett Bradbury (56) head into the tunnel after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

When the Pro Bowl rosters were announced a few weeks ago, the Vikings were prominently featured with Sam Darnold and Justin Jefferson on offense and Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Byron Murphy on defense, as well as long snapper Andrew DePaola.

With players dropping out to prepare for the Super Bowl, Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson opened the door for the alternates, and Minnesota’s veteran tackle Brian O’Neill was named to his second Pro Bowl.

He has handled the right tackle duties since 2018 and has been one of the most consistent players in the NFL. It is a deserved honor for a reliable staple in Minnesota’s offense.


Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt