Vikings Add Some Reinforcements with 4 New Hires

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Vikings Add Some Reinforcements with 4 New Hires

Vikings Add Some Reinforcements with 4 New Hires

K. Joudry · Vikings Territory

Sat, Jan 31, 2026 ·

3 min read

Vikings Add to Coaching Staff

When it comes to winning on Sunday, the Vikings would do well to figure out how to run the football.

Going into 2025, the Vikings had a nice tandem in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason . There was then rugged blocking with the presence of Josh Oliver alongside C.J. Ham . Topping things off were the investments made to the front five. Injuries seldom allowed the preferred five to play — LT Christian Darrisaw , LG Donovan Jackson , C Ryan Kelly, RG Will Fries, and RT Brian O'Neill — but the line of scrimmage was still supposed to belong to Minnesota .

J.J. McCarthy hands the ball to Aaron Jones during a Vikings game against the Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy executes a handoff to running back Aaron Jones Sr. during first-quarter action on Nov. 9, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, as Minnesota leaned on its ground game early against the Baltimore Ravens while managing tempo and protecting the rookie signal-caller. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Instead, Minnesota proved too stubborn in its commitment to throwing.

To be sure, the NFL is a passing league, one that rewards being able to move the ball through the air. But then there was the reality of needing to start a trio of different passers, two of whom were just getting their feet wet in the NFL (sophomore J.J. McCarthy and rookie Max Brosmer ). Even Carson Wentz , especially given the shoulder injury, should have handed the pigskin to his runners more commonly.

Adding Frank Smith can hopefully help. At the very least, the Vikings need to get things somewhat close to even for the run/pass ratio.

Doing so takes pressure off the QB. Doing so allows the large lads up front to fire out of their stance rather than needing to constantly fend off pass rushers. Doing so helps the defense since being a clock-killing offense is what every DC wants.

So, the Vikings should prioritize figuring things out. The running game hasn't been good at any point under Kevin O'Connell. Winning means figuring out this facet of football.

Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in 2025

Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores looks on against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images.

On defense, Ryan Nielsen is a pretty nice add, at least if the criteria is name recognition . He has served in higher roles than being a d-line coach for the Saints, Jaguars, Falcons, and Bills.

To his great credit, Brian Flores is open to getting good insight from wherever he can. If a different coach or a player has a winning idea, the DC isn't shy about implementing it. There's a reason why he's known as "The Mad Scientist." He's a creative guy.

Nielsen alongside Gerald Alexander will therefore get a shot to help the tactician who is calling the plays to cook up some menacing looks for Sundays.

With the coaching brain trust in place, Minnesota can journey through the coming months. Coming soon are NFL free agency in March before the 2026 NFL Draft in April. Afterwards, the leadership will get finished off with the hiring of a new general manager.