Former Vikings Tackle Gets Candid About Time With Team
The Minnesota Vikings have a bit of a knack for making a good impression on players. While the NFL still did their annual NFLPA report cards, it always felt like the Vikings were one of the best in the league in each subcategory.
Former tackle Cam Robinson recently opened up on it himself. For some backstory, the Vikings acquired Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024 when Christian Darrisaw was lost for the season due to a torn ACL. Minnesota acquired Robinson and a seventh round selection from the Jags, all for the price of one conditional fifth round selection that was elevated on a fourth round selection based on Robinson’s playing time while in Minnesota.
Robinson was the 34th overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Jaguars, and since he came to Minnesota, spent time with both the Houston Texans and Cleveland Browns in 2025. The former member of the Alabama Crimson Tide revealed his feelings about his time with the Vikings in an interview with fellow left tackle Terron Armstead.
Former Vikings Tackle Cam Robinson Shares Praise for the Coaching Staff
Robinson laid down some heavy praise for the Vikings’ coaching staff as a whole, and shared some specifics on Kevin O’Connell and his offense.
“As soon as I landed that night, it was straight into the meetings with [Chris Kuper]…we’re getting into everything. He got the call sheet for that week. One thing they did do, and this is why I think Kevin O’Connell is one of the probably best minds in the NFL, they kept that [expletive] real simple for me for the most part. Tight zone, wide zone, everything was either two jet, three jet. For people that know offensive line play, that’s basic…
…They kept it real, real simple for me. That was a big part of the reason why I was able to go out there and play all of them plays like that.”
Obviously, Chris Kuper is gone now, but Robinson’s sentiment remains. Kevin O’Connell’s offense isn’t going to change based off of Kuper leaving alone. Sure, there may be some structural changes now that Kyler Murray is in town, but Robinson is far from the first player to praise O’Connell’s football acumen. That may be difficult for some people to hear, as many have forgotten how good of a mind the Vikings have in KOC since QB play failed him quite spectacularly last year. Air controllers can guide the plane, but they can’t keep it from crash-landing into the ocean.
Robinson also had great things to say about the Vikings’ organization as a whole.
“When I got there, it ended up being, like, kind of refreshing. It was polar opposite from [Jacksonville]…the whole operation from top to bottom, however many weeks I was there, from top to bottom, from front office down to everything. How they handle child care on Sundays, everything. That was probably the best-ran organization I’ve been in to this day, Minnesota. So, they did everything well. They welcomed me well.”
Vikings Looking for Improvement (and Health) on the Offensive Line in 2026
The Vikings’ offensive line had a shaky year last year, and it was mostly due to injuries. Christian Darrisaw looks like he’s back at full-strength, and opposite-tackle Brian O’Nell is basically as good as he’s always been. Left guard Donovan Jackson laid a good foundation to build upon in his rookie season, but he must continue to place the bricks on top of it. Right guard Will Fries was a large investment, and also played just fine in 2025.
The center position is where it gets a bit dicey. The Vikings seem comfortable with rolling out Blake Brandel as the starter at the position in 2026, and while there are definitely worse options, it sort of just feels like a band aid. It’s almost like the Vikings know it’s a need that needs to be addressed, but they’re waiting until next year.
Keith Carter was promoted from assistant offensive line coach to offensive line coach this offseason, and the addition of Frank Smith from the Miami Dolphins as assistant head coach are both positive things for a Vikings offensive line looking to have a bounce-back season this year.
