Rapid Fire Vikings News: 4 Updates to Get You Caught Up
K. Joudry
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Buckle up.
There has been a mini cluster of Vikings news, so PurplePTSD is responding with a quick-hitter piece that layers in the news in a rapid-fire manner.
The Rapid Fire Vikings News
The Coaching Staff Gets a Boost
Per ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Vikings have added to their coaching staff: “Sources say Broncos DL coach Marcus Dixon is expected to leave for Minnesota and become the Vikings’ new DL coach.” Plus, Mike Pettine will become the team’s OLB coach (in addition to his previous responsibilities). Per Ben Goessling, Mike Smith won’t be back.
Kevin Seifert, the Vikings beat writer for ESPN, offers an assessment: “Vikings have a replacement for Chris Rumph, who took a leave of absence last season and ultimately left the organization to take a job at Clemson. Marcus Dixon has an excellent reputation.
Both Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores have good reputations. Seeing a strong add, then, comes as little surprise. Boosting the defensive line’s production — especially against the pass — will be a high priority for Mr. Dixon.
The news about hiring a DL coach comes on the heels of the offensive line seeing a subtraction. Justin Rascati has jumped ship by accepting a position with the Bengals.
Former Vikings Coach Joins Historic Crew
One of the overarching trends from Mike Zimmer’s time in Minnesota was change at offensive cooridnator. And while he deserved some criticism for hiring guys who didn’t work out, Zim was sometimes the victim of too much success.
Kevin Stefanski is perhaps the preeminent example. Following Minnesota’s 2019 season and playoff victory, Stefanski hopped over to Cleveland to become their new head coach. Last night, he was announced as the NFL’s coach of the year.
Take a look at Adam Schefter unpacking the significance of Stefanski winning his second Coach of the Year Award: “Kevin Stefanski is the 13th coach in history to win multiple Coach of the Year awards, joining Don Shula, Bill Belichick, Bill Parcells, Chuck Knox, George Halas, Bruce Arians, Mike Ditka, Ron Rivera, Dan Reeves, George Allen, Joe Gibbs and Allie Sherman.”
Standing alongside names like Belichick, Halas, Ditka, Parcells, and Shula (among others) is a major deal, folks. Stefanski is still only 41 and regarded by some as the one who got away.
Josh Metellus, Full-Time Safety & Part-Time TV Host
Josh Metellus brings a versatile skill set to the football field. After all, he led the NFL in snaps last year. Not just the Vikings, the entire NFL (tip of the cap to Mr. Seifert).
What’s also impressive is that he could have a career in the media following his playing days. The clip from Good Morning Football has Mr. Metellus as a guest co-host. Even Viktor the Viking was excited: “I know him!”
In all seriousness, it’s great that Metellus is jumping into those opportunities. Football is finite. And while Metellus is young, the sport will only be kind to him for so long. Investing in other opportunities surrounding the game is prudent. In the short term, he can hopefully have some fun. In the long term, he can hopefully carve out the next step in his career (if that’s what he decides he wants).
In the meantime, look for Metellus to be Minnesota’s top safety in 2024.
Kirk Cousins Does it Again
Ah, Kirk Cousins. He’s simultaneously the catalyst for constant debate and arguing while also being the gift who keeps on giving.
At the NFL Awards show, Cousins showed off his repaired Achilles by…performing a dance alongside several shirtless, muscular dudes. Notably, Cousins kept his shirt on.
When he isn’t dancing in Las Vegas, Kirk Cousins can be found doing a media blitz and answering questions aplenty about his ongoing contract stalemate. Vikings fans seem genuinely torn on the best path forward with Cousins, but many are enthused about drafting a young fella regardless of what happens with the veteran’s deal.
Seeing him walk away in free agency would mean accepting a $28.5 million dead cap charge.
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K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.