The Vikings’ Biggest Offseason Surprises So Far

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The Vikings’ Biggest Offseason Surprises So Far

The Vikings' Biggest Offseason Surprises So Far — Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell jogs onto the field during pregame introductions, setting the tone as players follow and the crowd builds energy ahead of kickoff Oct 20, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before a divisional matchup against the Detroit Lions with preparation and urgency shaping the moment. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

Dustin Baker · Vikings Territory

Sat, Apr 4, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Believe it or not, although the Minnesota Vikings' offseason has not been stuffed to the gills with constant action, the last few months have brought quite a few surprises. So, we ranked them.

Minnesota 's offseason has featured more curveballs than expected, with surprises on the roster, staff, and front office.

The draft is less than three weeks away, and it's time to recap the offseason to date .

Several Unforeseen Moves Have Reshaped Minnesota's 2026 Outlook

Ranking the Vikings' offseason surprises from bottom to top (No. 1 = top offseason surprise).

Brian Flores speaks to reporters at Vikings training camp. vikings offseason surprises 2026 — Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores addresses the media during training camp, discussing defensive philosophy and roster progress July 25, 2024, at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. Flores continues shaping Minnesota's defense after taking over in 2023, emphasizing aggression and adaptability heading into another season. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

5. No Head Coach Love for Brian Flores

In 2025, the Vikings' defense ranked third in the NFL per EPA/Play and DVOA. In 2024, the same unit checked in at No. 2. Overall, Flores has fostered the league's second-best defense overall since arriving in the Twin Cities three years ago. The guy deserves another head coach opportunity.

In January and February, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens came knocking for Flores, interviewing him for the vacant head coaching job.

Flores did not land either position. For a week or so, it felt like Flores would take the bait and depart from an esteemed franchise like PIT or BAL. Instead, those organizations picked other candidates, and Flores is back in Minnesota for Year No. 4.

4. No Starting Center Signed

Ryan Kelly , a four-time Pro Bowler, retired from the NFL after one year with the Vikings. Minnesota would need a replacement starting center, right? Nope.

These men were available, and the Vikings signed none:

Instead, it sounds like Minnesota will promote jack-of-all-trades offensive lineman Blake Brandel to the starting center spot, and draft a center somewhere in the draft's middle rounds.

3. Letting Jonathan Greenard Trade Smoke Become a Thing

In early March, ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that Greenard was available for trade, wanting a contract extension and hoping to earn more than his current $19 million per year salary. After all, Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson earn over $45 million per season, and they play Greenard's position.

Since the Schefter tweet, the Greenard trade smoke has cooled, but that doesn't mean he's off the trade block.

The Vikings will claim to be playoff hopefuls in 2026, and trading top-tier EDGE rushers is usually the last thing a serious team does; in fact, the NFL's best teams go out of their way to add pass rushers.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert on the latest Greenard trade fodder : "The Vikings made other moves to trim nearly $50 million from their 2026 cap total, but Greenard's $19 million salary for this season sits in a tier below the league's top pass rushers."

"Until an adjustment occurs, a trade is possible if the Vikings are intrigued enough by an offer. Otherwise, the Vikings want Greenard to be part of a dynamic group of outside linebackers that includes veteran Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner , a 2024 first-round draft pick."

2. The Kyler Murray Dream Came True

Back in December, websites like this one published articles outlining how much Murray might cost in a trade — because surely the Arizona Cardinals wouldn't let Murray leave for nothing and pay for him to play elsewhere.

What happened? The Cardinals let Murray leave for nothing and are paying for him to play elsewhere — for the Minnesota Vikings .

Kyler Murray throws a pass against the Houston Texans. vikings offseason surprises 2026 — Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray drops back to pass during second-quarter action, scanning the field against Houston's defense Nov 19, 2023, at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Murray showcased mobility and arm strength while leading Arizona's offense in a competitive matchup against the Texans. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

From the moment Arizona "softly benched" Murray in November, it felt like the Vikings could have a shot at landing him in the 2026 offseason. Arizona later released him, and it just became a foregone conclusion that Murray would sign with the Vikings. He didn't really entertain any alternatives.

In Minnesota, Murray has a chance to forge a Drew Brees-like path in 2026 — become the long-term starter after his previous team didn't want him.

1. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Fired

The Seattle Seahawks won the NFC Championship on January 25th, a club led by Sam Darnold . The Vikings let Darnold leave in free agency seven months prior. Seattle won the Super Bowl with the Vikings' quarterback while the Vikings missed the playoffs altogether.

Someone had to pay, evidently.

Meanwhile, Adofo-Mensah hit on about 15%-25% of his draft selections from 2022 to 2025, a mark that was as embarrassing as it was shocking. It would be hard for you to pick worse players while drafting from your living room couch.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches a college football game from the sideline. vikings offseason surprises 2026 — Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah watches from the sideline during a college football matchup, observing prospects and game flow Oct 7, 2023, at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His presence reflects ongoing scouting efforts as he evaluates talent and shapes Minnesota's roster-building strategy. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

So, on January 30th, five days after Darnold and Co. won the NFC title game, the Vikings' ownership put its foot down and canned Adofo-Mensah . The move was only stunning because of the timing; most teams make front office changes in early- or mid-January, not in the final days of the month.

Adofo-Mensah lasted four offseasons, and the timing of his removal shocked Vikings fans.

Here's to hoping the draft classes can now fetch decent players.

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