5 Things We Learned from Vikings Year-End Press Conference

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5 Things We Learned from Vikings Year-End Press Conference

5 Things We Learned from Vikings Year-End Press Conference — Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addresses reporters at TCO Performance Center, Jan 2026, following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL season. The session outlined Minnesota's offseason priorities, roster evaluations, and organizational direction, offering insight into how leadership plans to navigate contract decisions, draft capital, and long-term team building. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

Dustin Baker · Vikings Territory

Wed, Jan 14, 2026 ·

6 min read

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After a few days' delay of a press conference originally scheduled for last week, Minnesota Vikings leaders Kwesi Adofo-Mensah (general manager) and Kevin O'Connell (head coach) summarized the 2025 season on Tuesday, outlined plans for 2026, and answered reporters' questions.

Between Pettine's retirement, the QB room talk, and the Addison situation, Minnesota 's 2026 offseason agenda got a bit clearer in one podium session.

The team holds the presser each year, and here's what folks learned early in 2026.

Five Takeaways to Start the Vikings ' Offseason

Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell actually announced a lot.

Mike Pettine observes Packers training camp practice at Ray Nitschke Field. Vikings year-end press conference takeaways. — Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine watches practice unfold at Ray Nitschke Field during training camp, Aug 24, 2020, in Ashwaubenon. The scene captures Pettine deep into preparations, overseeing defensive installs and personnel evaluations. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC

1. Assistant Head Coach Mike Pettine Retires

Pettine has retired. O'Connell began the presser with the announcement. The 59-year-old had worked for the Vikings since the dawn of the O'Connell era — so, four seasons — and is walking away before the age of 60.

The Vikings will need a new EDGE coach and assistant head coach if O'Connell wishes to backfill the latter role.

Pettine gave O'Connell his first coaching job a decade ago in Cleveland .

2. Vikings Want a Deep QB Room in 2026

The Vikings' tone about the quarterback room has shifted. Leading into the summer of 2025, the club has no serious contender for J.J. McCarthy at training camp or in the preseason. Instead, the club found Sam Howell and Max Brosmer , calling it good.

That won't happen again.

O'Connell struck a markedly different tone Tuesday, "Ultimately, I think in the quarterback room, it's about having just the deepest, most talented room you possibly can, every single year. What that looks like at a pretty impactful position on your salary cap, when you're able to possibly plan for your depth chart looking in a way where you can be competitive no matter what."

"I think there has to be competition at quarterback. I think that's what's gonna make everybody better in that room. It's gonna be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition."

Quarterback depth was not the company slogan last year. It is now.

3. Jordan Addison Arrested for Florida Misdemeanor

No stranger to arrests and overall mischief, Addison was arrested again on Monday in Florida for trespassing.

Adofo-Mensah opined on the arrest , "Just a few days after the season, and obviously this event just happened, but always supportive of Jordan Addison. We'll continue to fact-find and see what actually happened, and then we'll have those conversations in the future."

Star Tribune 's Andrew Krammer wrote about the incident, "Vikings receiver Jordan Addison was arrested early Monday, Jan. 12, in Tampa, Fla., and charged with first-degree misdemeanor trespassing."

"According to Hillsborough County arrest records, Addison was detained by Seminole Indian Police at 3:46 a.m. on Jan. 12 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. He was charged with trespassing in an occupied structure or conveyance. A spokesperson for the Seminole Indian Police said additional details were not yet available."

Addison's attorneys [naturally] refuted the allegations , "On Jordan's behalf, his legal team has already initiated the investigation, identified witnesses, and we are reviewing the viability of a claim for false arrest. He looks forward to the legal process and upon full investigation, we are confident Mr. Addison will be exonerated."

So, yes, it's "here we go again" with Addison, who has a lengthy badboy resume before the age of 24.

4. Coaching Changes, if Any, Still Pending

O'Connell was also asked about changes to the coaching staff . He didn't get too specific, claiming he was still reviewing everything from 2025, including his staff.

In all likelihood, any major upheaval — like firing the offensive coordinator or offensive line coach — probably would've happened by now. But there's still a chance O'Connell tweaks his staff, especially if other reputable coaches hit the open market as replacements.

Kevin O'Connell on the sideline before a Vikings road game at MetLife Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell stands along the sideline before kickoff at MetLife Stadium, Dec 21, 2025, in East Rutherford. The pregame moment reflected focus and routine as Minnesota prepared for a road matchup, with O'Connell surveying personnel, conditions, and final details before the opening series. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Fans have called for offensive reform after O'Connell's offense finished 28th in 2025 per EPA/Play . The offense stunk, and running it back could be risky.

5. No Emphatic Commitment to J.J. McCarthy

Adofo-Mensah was asked directly if McCarthy would be his starting quarterback in 2026.

This was his answer , verbatim: "I want the Vikings to achieve our goals. And I think one of those goals is to make playoff runs. I think he has the character and ability to be the person to do that. If I say that in 2026, that kind of binds us into a certain area."

"The way we've set this team up, we built this core like we've always talked about, to give ourselves multiple shots at it, because you never know when there's going to be a year where the field feels a little bit wide open and you can make that run."

That's a tell-tale sign that Minnesota will be quarterback shopping, much more likely to find a quarterback whose career trajectory is more promising than Sam Howell's , Carson Wentz 's, or Max Brosmer's.

J.J. McCarthy runs onto the field before a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. — Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy jogs from the tunnel onto the field at U.S. Bank Stadium, Sep 14, 2025, in Minneapolis, ahead of Minnesota's matchup with Atlanta. The pregame transition captured calm preparation as McCarthy joined teammates along the sideline, shifting focus toward execution and early offensive rhythm. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Names via trade like Kyler Murray , Mac Jones , or Anthony Richardson might make sense, given the remarks Tuesday from O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah. A free agent like Malik Willis , too, could add up.

Minnesota could also sign an old warhorse veteran like Jimmy Garoppolo and claim that setup as its quarterback competition.

Regardless, the Vikings were not wholly satisfied with McCarthy in 2025, probably because he's missed 70% of all Vikings games since turning pro in 2024.

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