The Minnesota Vikings staff continues to be in limbo following the firing of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
While the front office is searching for a new general manager, the Vikings coaching staff appeared to be concrete following the four coaching moves.
However, on February 4, the Vikings lost an integral member of the offensive coaching staff in passing game coordinator and tight ends coach Brian Angelichio, an original Kevin O’Connell staffer.
“The Steelers are finalizing a deal with Brian Angelichio as their offensive coordinator,” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on February 4. “Angelichio, 53, spent the past four seasons as the Vikings’ passing game coordinator and tight ends coach. Now, he teams up with Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh.”
Angelichio’s departure leaves a void in one of the most important position groups for O’Connell’s offense that strives to be multiple and deceptive from many different formations.
He is credited with getting more out of Josh Oliver, who was signed as one of the NFL’s best run-blocking tight ends but has come along in the passing game.
From Vikings.com: “According to Next Gen Stats, when targeted, Oliver boasted the second-highest rating among all players with at least 20 targets in 2024, going 22-of-28 for 258 yards and three touchdowns for a 140.8 rating. Only Mark Andrews, who went 55-of-69 for 673 yards and 11 touchdowns, finished with a better rating of 140.9.”
Vikings Hire 3 New Coaches, Promote O-Line Coach Keith Carter
On Tuesday, February 3, the Vikings officially announced the hiring of three new coaches and the promotion of offensive line coach Keith Carter.
Former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith headlines the group as the new assistant head coach tasked with replacing Mike Pettine, who retired earlier this month. Smith was Mike McDaniel’s main collaborator in the Dolphins’ running game design. In 2023, Miami led the NFL in total offense (401.3) for the first time since 1994 and averaged 5.1 rushing yards per attempt.
Brian Flores’ staff also got added reinforcements after defensive backs and defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones departed for the Washington Commanders‘ defensive coordinator position.
Gerald Alexander — Flores’ former defensive backs coach in Miami — will replace Jones, while former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen will take over as defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator after Marcus Dixon was not retained. Nielsen previously interviewed for the Vikings defensive coordinator position in 2023.
Carter was promoted from assistant offensive line coordinator to fill Chris Kuper’s role after Kuper was not retained following a difficult year for the entire offensive line unit. Carter’s treatment of players has been called into question by several former players, but under Kevin O’Connell’s wing, he appears to have the go-ahead in Minnesota.
Vikings’ Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Replacements Emerge
The Vikings’ search for a new general manager will likely drag into the warmer months of the year. The team has tapped executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski to lead them through free agency and the pre-draft process.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis has assembled a list of 12 potential candidates, although there has yet to be any news on traction in any direction in the new hire.
Here’s Lewis’ list:
- Rob Brzezinski (Vikings executive VP of football operations)
- George Paton (Broncos general manager)
- John McKay (Rams assistant general manager)
- Reed Burckhardt (Broncos assistant general manager)
- Trent Kirchner (Seahawks VP of player personnel)
- Matt Berry (Seahawks VP of player acquisition)
- Ray Agnew (Lions assistant general manager)
- Trey Brown (Bengals assistant general manager)
- Ryan Cowden (Patriots VP of player personnel)
- Jeff King (Bears senior director of player personnel)
- Andy Weidl (Steelers assistant general manager)
- Ed Dodds (Colts assistant general manager)
Click here to read more about each candidate.
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