Latest Minnesota Vikings News

Vikings to host Titans, Cards for joint training camp practices in successive weeks

May. 30, 2023 17:36 PM EDT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings will have two different teams come to training camp this year, hosting joint practices with both the Tennessee Titans and the Arizona Cardinals prior to their preseason games. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell announced the news on Tuesday....

NFL coaching diversity program participants relish exposure to decision-makers

May. 24, 2023 18:12 PM EDT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Matt Daniels acknowledged feeling “just a tad bit” of butterflies when he sat down earlier this week for speed-dating-style meetings with NFL owners and executives as part of the league's strategy for developing more diversity in the coaching ranks. With...

Za'Darius Smith excited to have 'hand in the dirt' with Browns, paired up front with Myles Garrett

May. 24, 2023 17:13 PM EDT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Za'Darius Smith has dropped down to touch his literal football roots. “Hand in the dirt,” he said. Of all the reasons Smith is excited to be with the Cleveland Browns — a fresh start, playing on a defensive line with Myles Garrett, being back...

Barry discusses how Packers' defense must improve: 'It starts with me'

May. 16, 2023 17:01 PM EDT

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry realizes he must raise his game to get the most out of a defense that didn't live up to expectations last year. “It starts with me,” Barry said Tuesday. “I have to do better. In order for this group to...

Browns finalize trade for edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, exclamation point for defensive overhaul

May. 16, 2023 13:01 PM EDT

CLEVELAND (AP) — Za’Darius Smith has put a new edge on Cleveland's offseason defensive makeover. The three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher officially joined the Browns on Tuesday after the team agreed last week to acquire him from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for fifth-round draft...

Browns agree to acquire Pro Bowl defensive end Za'Darius Smith from Vikings, AP source says

May. 12, 2023 20:49 PM EDT

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Browns' defensive line has gone from disappointing to perhaps dominant. Cleveland, which has spent the offseason upgrading a unit that underperformed in 2022, agreed Friday night to acquire three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za'Darius Smith from the Minnesota...

Vikings counting on second-year players to provide boost in secondary

May. 11, 2023 18:39 PM EDT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Akayleb Evans was placed in the concussion protocol three times last season, a frustrating and humbling theme of his rookie year with the Minnesota Vikings. For as much as they could have used him down the stretch at cornerback, the Vikings decided, Evans needed...

Former Vikings, Cal QB Joe Kapp dies at age 85

May. 09, 2023 15:08 PM EDT

Joe Kapp, the hard-nosed quarterback who routinely ran into tacklers instead of away from them while leading the Minnesota Vikings to their first Super Bowl and California to its last Rose Bowl, has died. He was 85. Cal confirmed that Kapp died on Monday. He had suffered from...

Vikings finale? Cousins, on expiring deal, not going there

May. 03, 2023 16:55 PM EDT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The absence of a contract extension for Kirk Cousins in Minnesota could well spell the end of his time as quarterback of the Vikings, who have won only one game in the NFL playoffs since their groundbreaking signing five years ago. Despite the depth of his...

Vikings go for versatility on defense and add QB Jaren Hall

Apr. 29, 2023 20:14 PM EDT

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Throughout the draft process, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah heard from people in the organization that saw LSU's Jay Ward as a potential NFL starter at three spots in the secondary. Ward’s selection by Minnesota is no accident, with versatility...