Access Vikings

In his first public comments to local reporters about the Vikings’ QB situation, O’Connell on Monday addressed the team’s interest in Rodgers and his communication with McCarthy about it. Star Tribune Vikings writers Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker break it all down.

The Star Tribune's Andrew Krammer is joined by Indianapolis Star reporter Joel Erickson to discuss the Vikings and Colts swapping players this offseason. Why was new Vikings center Ryan Kelly available after nine years with the Colts? How did new Vikings guard Will Fries go from seventh-round pick to $17 million per year starter? And how do Cam Bynum and Daniel Jones fit into a new team?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss what they heard from Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah during his post-free agency news conference with local reporters. What did he have to say about J.J. McCarthy? Aaron Rodgers? His own contract situation? They also discuss the annual NFL rule proposals and take listener questions.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings' non-pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, their backup quarterback situation, new coaches, and new players getting introduced to local reporters. They also open the mailbag to answer some of your questions.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings trading away guard Ed Ingram, trying to trade center Garrett Bradbury, and the state of their current search for a veteran quarterback to pair with J.J. McCarthy.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the flurry of Vikings moves from Monday night into Tuesday morning, including the re-signing of cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. and the addition of new linemen in guard Will Fries and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (and potentially Javon Hargrave). Daniel Jones left for the Colts. What does that mean for the Vikings' plans at quarterback?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the first day of NFL free agency from a Vikings perspective. What do they make of Sam Darnold's fit and contract with the Seahawks? What does that mean at QB in Minnesota? There appears to be a new starting center despite Garrett Bradbury remaining on the roster. And what about safety Camryn Bynum leaving for the Colts?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings' decision not to franchise tag Sam Darnold, who is cleared to become a free agent on March 12. That is unless he agrees to a new deal with the Vikings beforehand. What are the Vikings' options otherwise? What does that mean for J.J. McCarthy? And what will the team prioritize in free agency this month?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker come to you from a random corner of the Indiana Convention Center where they and hundreds of other media members fight to stake out corners of the building to record content for the modern age. What's going to happen with Sam Darnold? What about Byron Murphy Jr.? What are the positions of need from this NFL Draft class? Why is their new assistant O-line coach an intriguing hire?

Andrew Krammer is joined by Purple Insider's Matthew Coller to discuss the two-week franchise tag window and whether the Vikings will use it on quarterback Sam Darnold or cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (Editor's note: After recording, news broke that the Vikings agreed to push back Murphy's void date, making him ineligible for the franchise tag). Plus, the Vikings made an agreement with running back Aaron Jones. It's not a new contract, but it could precede one.

Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker have you covered on the latest edition of the podcast.

Star Tribune writer and Pro Football Hall of Fame selector Mark Craig joins Andrew Krammer from New Orleans, where the Vikings had a busy night at the annual NFL Honors ceremony prior to the Super Bowl. Craig discusses his voting for all NFL awards, including O'Connell's winning case and an interesting Defensive Player of the Year ballot, as well as O'Connell's comments about Sam Darnold and former Vikings pass rusher Jared Allen making it through a changing Hall of Fame process.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker begin Super Bowl week by talking about Vikings quarterbacks, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's contract, and more. They also open the mailbag to answer your questions about trade targets like Myles Garrett and Cooper Kupp, as well as a what-if with Kirk Cousins.

Andrew Krammer, Michael Rand and Emily Leiker discuss defensive coordinator Brian Flores not being hired in this head coaching cycle, his relatively older depth chart on defense, plus takeaways from this year's playoffs and thoughts on pending Vikings free agents. There are a few among their many free agents who could be coveted elsewhere.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings extending head coach Kevin O'Connell, the chances of defensive coordinator Brian Flores sticking around, the dominant(?) NFC North going 0-3 in the playoffs, the fallout for both the Lions and Bears after Chicago hired Ben Johnson, and more.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, and Emily Leiker open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions about coaching changes, how far the Vikings are from being contenders, how game planning factored into Sam Darnold's disappointing end, safety Cam Bynum's free agency, positions that are better off entering 2025, and more.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, and Emily Leiker discuss the season-ending press conferences by Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell. Quarterbacks dominated the roughly 40 combined minutes with both. What's their plan with Sam Darnold? Where's J.J. McCarthy in his recovery? Are they committed to either at this point?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, and Jim Souhan recap the Vikings' 27-9 loss to the L.A. Rams in the NFC's wild-card round on Monday night, when quarterback Sam Darnold didn't give them much of a chance in another big game. How does this affect the Vikings outlook at quarterback this offseason? How far away is this team from being a real contender? What do we make of an aging secondary that could be retooled? And what about that O-line?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions about defensive coordinator Brian Flores' head coaching interviews, quarterback Sam Darnold, the offensive line, quarterback Daniel Jones as QB2, whether the loss could be good for them, and more.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, and Michael Rand preview Monday night's playoff game against the Rams, including quarterback Sam Darnold's confidence and consistency, L.A.'s young defense, receiver Puka Nacua's impact, and what this game means in the bigger picture of judging the 2024 season.