What We Learned from the First Week of the Vikings Offseason

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What We Learned from the First Week of the Vikings Offseason

What We Learned from the First Week of the Vikings Offseason — Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones looks on from the sideline as the defense prepares during the NFC wild card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with the Vikings navigating critical snaps in a high-leverage postseason setting. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Dustin Baker · Vikings Territory

Sat, Jan 10, 2026 ·

5 min read

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The Minnesota Vikings' offseason arrived Monday morning — too soon for most — after finishing 9-8 inside a year that never really featured a serious playoff push. Accordingly, events and news began to pour in, mainly developments regarding the coaching staff.

The first wave was mostly talk, but it clarified three things pretty quickly: the Brian Flores market, Daronte Jones' interest, and where McCarthy stands right now.

The offseason is just getting off the ground, but here's a look at what transpired out of the gate.

Three Takeaways from Vikings Offseason Week 1

With about eight weeks until free agency, let's look at the first week of the Vikings' offseason.

Baltimore Ravens helmet on the field during pregame warmups at Caesars Superdome. Vikings offseason week 1 takeaways. — A Baltimore Ravens helmet rests on the field during pregame warmups ahead of a Monday night matchup against the New Orleans Saints, Nov. 7, 2022, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the teams prepared under the dome for a nationally televised primetime contest. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports.

Brian Flores Sought by Ravens as Possible HC

After much chatter early in the week about teams that might be interested in Flores, the Ravens bellied up to the table and submitted an interview request.

NBC Sports ' Myles Simmons wrote , "At least one team is interested in speaking with Brian Flores in this coaching cycle. Via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Ravens plan to interview the Vikings' defensive coordinator and former Dolphins head coach. Albert Breer of SI.com notes the interview will take place next week."

"Flores, 44, has been with the Vikings since 2023. Minnesota's defense finished No. 3 in yards allowed and No. 7 in points allowed in the 2025 season. Flores was Miami 's head coach from 2019-2021, registering a 24-25 record. The Dolphins were 5-11 in 2019, 10-6 in 2020, and 9-8 in 2021. Even without a head coaching job, Flores may end up departing the Vikings as his contract is up as defensive coordinator."

The Ravens feel like a supreme culture fit for Flores and vice versa; now, it's a matter of whether Baltimore's hiring brass is willing to overlook Flores' alleged poor treatment of Tua Tagovailoa back in the Miami days. Tagovailoa spouted off about Flores a couple of years ago, even calling him a "terrible person."

Ravens passer Lamar Jackson is a bit temperamental in his own regard, so Flores will have to hope that his reputation has healed.

Flores also has a lawsuit pending against the NFL.

Passing Game Coordinator Daronte Jones in Demand

This could be "it," alas, for Jones, who has bided his time in Minnesota.

Cowboys reporter Tommy Yarrish explained , "The Cowboys' search for their next defensive coordinator is underway. On Friday, Dallas will interview Vikings defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones and Browns safeties coach Ephraim Banda. Saturday, they'll speak with Broncos defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard ."

"Earlier in the week, Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones and head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team would cast a wide net for their candidates, and that having NFL experience as either a defensive coordinator or head coach was not necessarily a requirement. These are only the first three names being interviewed, and the Cowboys are expected to host more interviews in the near future."

Later in the week, the New York Jets submitted an interview request for Jones at the same position.

Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones during a filmed segment at LSU. — Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones is shown during a recorded segment filmed at Louisiana State University, April 1, 2021, highlighting his coaching journey from Mike Zimmer's Vikings staff to LSU and back to Minnesota under head coach Kevin O'Connell. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

Jones is in a bit of an awkward spot because, in theory, he could be promoted if the Vikings lose Flores, but the timing is tricky, as Flores may return to Minnesota if he has no luck in the head coach carousel.

The Kevin O'Connell Remark about J.J. McCarthy

On the same day the Vikings beat the Green Bay Packers to finish 2025 at 9–8, Kevin O'Connell was asked a simple question: Would J.J. McCarthy be his starting quarterback in September?

This was his response : "I think every year, you're coming back to build a team throughout the offseason, throughout the draft, leading into training camp. I think he's improved throughout the season. I think he's grown, as a lot of young quarterbacks do. Today was his tenth start. I can't wait to work with him in the offseason and absolutely look forward to the continued development and improvement."

"I'm excited about where he's ending the season and know that there's some things we can really dive into as a group, J.J. and myself. I look forward to the challenge of being the best version of myself for not only J.J., but this entire team."

A direct confirmation would have immediately shut down quarterback speculation. O'Connell didn't offer one. Instead, he framed the answer around process and the rhythm of an offseason.

J.J. McCarthy and Kevin O'Connell hug before a game at MetLife Stadium. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy shares a brief embrace with head coach Kevin O'Connell before kickoff, Dec. 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, capturing a quiet pregame moment as the Vikings prepared for a late-season road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images.

That's a shift from the tone he used in the summer of 2024, when McCarthy was labeled the franchise quarterback just months after being drafted, even after a season-ending meniscus injury . Entering the 2026 offseason, that designation hasn't been repeated.

The Vikings, indeed, will be quarterback shopping in March — to find a competent backup passer at the very least.

Bonus:The Vikings also re-signed eight players this week to futures contracts:

Joaquin Davis (WR)
Caleb Etienne (OT)
Donte Fleming (WR)
Kahlef Hailassie (S)
Jeshaun Jones (WR)
Vershon Lee (OG)
Bryson Nesbit (TE)
Josh Ross (LB)

More futures deals could be on the way next week.

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