Minnesota

Vikings

The depths of the McCarthy struggles last year were obvious, but the fact that the Vikings didn’t even trust him to do some fairly remedial work adds another layer to just how fractured this offense was. It’s almost impossible to imagine McCarthy winning a starting job against whoever the Vikings bring in this offseason. In fact, with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired, it’s probably not far-fetched to suggest that McCarthy could be available in a trade if another team still believes in him. If he stays in Minnesota, McCarthy is an easy fantasy football fade in 2026.

In the decision, the court writes that “an arbitration forum in which the defendant’s (NFL’s) own chief executive gets to decide the case would strip employees of their rights under the law,” while adding that “it is long overdue for the NFL to recognize this and finally provide a fair, neutral and transparent forum for these issues to be addressed.” Flores first filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, the Dolphins, Giants, and Broncos, for conducting “sham” interviews with him in 2022 to satisfy the league’s hiring rules. Wilks and Horton later add their names to the complaint and named the Cardinals and Titans. Should this head to open court, a trial would likely be set to take place where both sides will be heard before a jury ultimately decides if the league discriminated against Flores, Wilks, and Horton during various interview processes.

Sorrentino spent the past four seasons with the Vikings, spending four seasons as the assistant wide receivers coach to a group consisting of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. New Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur is building out his offensive staff and now adds Sorrentino to coach a wide receivers group hoping to get more out of Marvin Harrison Jr.

“If anything, [firing Adofo-Mensah] increase the chances that the Vikings will take a big swing at finding a veteran quarterback who could start in 2026,” Seifert writes. With the GM who believed in him gone, it’s likely that McCarthy will enter training camp in a competition for his job in the best-case scenario. His dynasty stock has gone full Anthony Richardson over the last year and he should not be treated as a sure-fire starter in best ball drafts this offseason.

Russini threw cold water on Vikings’ fans wildest dreams, reporting that the Bengals have no intention of trading Joe Burrow. Still, she believes the organization will bring in a veteran quarterback this offseason. That shouldn’t come as earth-shattering news given J.J. McCarthy’s struggles last season. Teammates Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones went on a media blitz during Super Bowl week that included both of them essentially saying the team should’ve kept Sam Darnold. The Vikings can’t go back in time, but they can be proactive about next season. Kirk Cousins, Aaron Rodgers and Mac Jones come to mind as veteran options that could be available this offseason.

Angelichio served as the tight ends coach under Mike McCarthy in Green Bay for three years. He has been in the NFL for nearly two decades and has held the role of tight ends coach for almost his entire pro coaching career, spanning six teams. He also coached college football at Pitt, making this a homecoming of sorts. He now returns to Pittsburgh for the first offensive coordinator gig of his career. It’s safe to assume that McCarthy will serve as the team’s play-caller.

Angelichio was also the Vikings’ passing game coordinator. It was not the most successful season for the Vikings’ passing game, but Angelichio had been in that role since 2022 with previous success from Sam Darnold’s and Kirk Cousins’ offenses. He worked under Mike McCarthy in Green Bay and McCarthy is going back to familiarity with the long-time NFL tight ends coach. According to Kaboly, Angelichio’s deal could be official as soon as Wednesday; he would become the Steelers’ offensive coordinator with McCarthy calling plays.

As has been the norm in Mike McCarthy’s searches this offseason, Angelichio coached under McCarthy in Green Bay. He’s a long-time NFL tight ends coach who has worked with the Buccaneers, Browns, Commanders, and Panthers in addition to the Vikings and Packers. Angelichio has not called plays since he was the offensive coordinator at (wait for it) Ithaca College in the early 2000s, but he wouldn’t have that pressure with the Steelers as McCarthy is expected to call plays.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported today that Nielsen is being hired as the Vikings’ new defensive run game coordinator, though prior reporting suggested he may also coach the defensive line. He spent the 2025 season as a senior defensive assistant with the Bills. He served as the Jaguars (2024) and Falcons’ (2023) defensive coordinator in recent seasons.

Alexander spent five years in the NFL as a safety before quickly transitioning to coaching. The 41-year-old spent seven seasons in the college ranks before joining the Dolphins as a defensive backs coach in 2021. Brian Flores, the Vikings defensive coordinator, was Miami’s head coach at the time, so the Vikings know who they’re getting in Alexander. He also coached defensive backs with the Steelers and Raiders.