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Vikings Officially Sign a Pair of Adds
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- Vikings Officially Sign a Pair of Adds
A Kevin O’Connell Quarterback Answer Isn’t Fully Adding Up
The 2026 offseason has featured great change for the Minnesota Vikings . Most notably, there has been the decision to fire GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah alongside the change that is yet to occur: the needed reinforcements at quarterback.
Swirling around these prominent stories — the GM and QB uncertainty — has been the various moves for the team's coaching staff . Brian Flores was retained to be the DC, but his side of the ball got hollowed out by various coaches being stolen away from promotions. Likewise, the offense lost some talent while assistant head coach Mike Pettine retired . At the end of the week, Minnesota officially announced the two most recent adds.
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Vikings Make Coaching Adds Official
The team's official social media passing along the word means that the ink has been put down on paper.
So, consider the news that got passed along : "The #Vikings have promoted Ryan Cordell to Tight Ends/Game Management Coordinator and hired Derek Warehime as Assistant Offensive Line coach."
Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell looks on during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Already, the news about shoring up the coaching help at tight end was out there in the world.
In Derek Warehime, the Vikings add another coach to help out along the front. He'll partner with Keith Carter to lead the large lads who are tasked with winning in the trenches.
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On a 53-man roster, a team commonly carries somewhere between eight and ten players for the offensive line (with more on the practice squad), so that could be roughly 20% of the roster all at one position. Having a pair to coach the spot therefore makes sense.
Rolling into the '26 season, the Vikings are facing ample pressure.
Coach O'Connell, in particular, is going to be sitting on a seat that's getting warmer. He was retained while Adofo-Mensah wasn't, breaking up the twosome that got added in 2022. In fact, Adofo-Mensah was hired before O'Connell, but the coach has survived longer than the executive.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah share a brief sideline exchange at Allegiant Stadium during the Dec 10, 2023 matchup in Las Vegas. The moment reflects in-game collaboration between Minnesota's top decision-makers, capturing communication and alignment as the Vikings managed strategy, adjustments, and broader organizational direction against the Raiders. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
O'Connell's task involves responding to Minnesota's underwhelming, injury-filled 2025 that resulted outside of the playoffs due to a 9-8 record. A major part of the problem was what took place at quarterback, with the injuries depleting Minnesota's quarterback depth .
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Something that would make a major difference is revitalizing the run game. Or, at least, feigning interest in committing to the run game.
Daniel House commented on the new add to help along the o-line , making a connection to running the ball: "Coastal Carolina ran a mix of zone and pulling gap schemes. QB run game elements too. They also had a solid screen game, which is an area he may be able to help as well. It's clear that KOC has made a strong commitment to bringing in more run game perspectives."
Lately, the Vikings have more been known for wide-zone running — picture the gliding, elusive Dalvin Cook going horizontal before putting hit foot in the dirt to explode through an open crease ( Jordan Mason can do this, too) — but layering in some "pulling gap" would be a nice change up built on rugged physicality and power. At times, Donovan Jackson showed off an ability to pull, and Will Fries was signed largely due to being pretty mean.
Minnesota, like all teams, will do different things but will need to ensure that balance exists between run and pass. At worst, running allows the offensive linemen to fire off the ball rather than needing to constantly be on their heels to withstand the pass rush. At best, running allows a team to chew up clock by grinding out first downs, helping to set up explosive passes while making life easier for the defense, too.
Sep 29, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reacts after earning a first down during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
The Vikings' coaching staff may yet get another add or two. Unlike the roster, the coaching staff doesn't have a salary cap, so money shouldn't be an issue .
