The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Minnesota Vikings tight end coach Brian Angelichio a couple of weeks ago to run Mike McCarthy’s offense, and Minnesota will promote from within to replace him. Game management coordinator and passing game specialist Ryan Cordell will take the tight end coaching job, further rounding out O’Connell’s staff with free agency about three and a half weeks away.

Cordell moves up for the Vikings after Angelichio left, and the tight end group now becomes a 2026 storyline.

Minnesota’s tight end could experience some turnover, but Cordell will be there to cook regardless.

Ryan Cordell Moves Up on the Vikings Offensive Coaching Staff

More coaching staff changes for the purple team.

Cordell Promoted

CBS Sports announced the promotion news on Thursday, as Matthew Zenith tweeted, “The Vikings are expected to name Ryan Cordell as their new tight ends coach, sources tell CBS Sports. Has worked for Minnesota the last four years and had been game management coordinator/passing game specialist. Now expected to be promoted to tight ends coach.”

The aforementioned Angelchio landed one of the most unexpected promotions among all Vikings coaches this offseason, taking over the Steelers’ offense. Now, it’s time for Cordell to possibly shine in his stead.

Cordell’s Bio

The Vikings have employed Cordell since 2022, and before that, he worked in Cleveland as a running backs coach and also helped bolster the offensive line. From 2014 to 2018, Cordell served as an assistant to the general manager with the San Francisco 49ers, where he rubbed shoulders with a young whippersnapper named Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Vikings.com writes on his most recent responsibilities, “As the Vikings game management coordinator, Cordell continues to play a key role in helping the team become ‘situational masters.’ During the 2022 season, Cordell’s first in Minnesota, the Vikings finished the regular season with an 11-0 record in one score games after finishing 5-8 in those same situations the previous season. In 2024, Minnesota also boasted a 9-1 record in one-possession games in 2024, the second-best mark league wide trailing only the AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs (11-0).”

“Cordell helped lead the Vikings to a 14-3 regular-season record and playoff appearance in 2024, the second-most wins in team history, as the team only trailed for league-low 3:31:56 combined in its 17 regular-season games in 2024. Cordell also assisted in the Vikings finishing ninth in scoring (25.4 points per game) and seventh in passing offense (237.8 yards per game).”

In Cleveland, his job title as RB coach had an interim caveat, so his promotion to TE coach this week is the most illustrious of his career.

The TE Room for 2026

Some believe Minnesota could release TE1 T.J. Hockenson to save cap space, but if that is not correct, here’s what the TE1 room might look like with the players under contract:

• T.J. Hockenson
• Josh Oliver
• Gavin Bartholomew
• Ben Yurosek
• Bryson Nesbit

Another tight end, Ben Sims, is slated to test free agency.

Hockenson to Stay or Go?

Hockenson’s status is the largest question facing Cordell out of the gate in his new job. Minnesota can cut Hockenson and save nearly $16 million if the transaction is dated with a post-June 1 designation. The Vikings, without an official general manager, could turn around and sign two new players with those funds.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with Hockenson; it’s just that quarterback J.J. McCarthy rarely targeted him, and when Minnesota suffered persistent and nagging offensive lineman injuries last season, Hockenson was used to pass- and run-block more than usual. It’s worth noting that he was the NFL’s fourth -highest-paid tight end last season, so using him as a blocker felt a little silly.

A writer at Daily Norseman noted on Hockenson this week, “Restructuring T.J. Hockenson is a viable alternative to cutting him, though many analysts predict he may be a ‘cap casualty’ due to declining production. A restructure is a good idea if the Vikings believe he can return to his pre-injury Pro Bowl form and want to avoid a massive hole at tight end.”

“Conclusion: If you value Hockenson as a core piece for J,.J. McCarthy, a restructure is the preferred ‘save space’ move. However, if the team prefers a “clean” 2027 cap, a Post-June 1 Cut provides the most total relief across both seasons.”

Theoretically, Minnesota could drop Hockenson, sign a veteran like David Njoku or Cade Otton for cheap, and add more talent around the roster with savings from Hockenson’s release.

The Vikings’ offense ranked 28th in the NFL last year in EPA per play. Yes, the club somehow won nine games with the league’s fifth-worst offense.