Former Minnesota Vikings offensive coach Chris Kuper failed upward. The Philadelphia Eagles hired Kuper on Monday, giving him the opportunity to thrive with a team that has a notable reputation for stellar offensive lines.
Kuper’s exit won’t settle the blame debate, but the landing spot in Philadelphia puts a bright light back on Minnesota’s OL results.
For their troubles, after the 2026 season, Vikings fans will get a firm verdict on whether Kuper was the problem in Minnesota or if something is systemically wrong with Kevin O’Connell’s offensive line operations.
Advertisement
Chris Kuper Lands in Philadelphia after Vikings Exit
Few saw this relationship coming.
Minnesota Vikings offensive line coach Chris Kuper watches from the sideline during the NFC wild card matchup on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, as Minnesota faced the Los Angeles Rams in a high-stakes playoff environment. The moment captured Kuper between series, scanning alignments and personnel as the Vikings worked through protection adjustments. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kuper to PHI
Kuper’s unemployment did not last long. CBS News‘ Tom Dougherty announced Monday, “The Philadelphia Eagles have reportedly found Jeff Stoutland’s replacement. The Eagles will hire Chris Kuper as their next offensive line coach, according to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Kuper spent the past four seasons coaching the Minnesota Vikings’ O-line, where he briefly crossed paths with Sean Mannion, Philadelphia’s new offensive coordinator.”
“The 43-year-old played eight seasons with the Denver Broncos before starting his coaching career in 2015. He spent one season coaching the O-line for Columbine High School in Colorado before making the leap to the NFL. He began his pro coaching career as an offensive quality control coach with the Miami Dolphins in 2016 and was later promoted to assistant O-line coach.”
Advertisement
While the Eagles’ offensive line personnel may undergo some offseason upheaval, the franchise has featured arguably the league’s best OL over the last few years. It’s a sweet arrangement for Kuper, especially this soon.
The Athletic‘s Zach Berman noted on the Kuper hire, “By hiring Kuper, the Eagles found someone with experience coaching in the expected scheme and also playing experience that could bring credibility to a veteran group.”
“Kuper started 80 games (including the playoffs) over eight NFL seasons with the Broncos, beginning his career under Mike Shanahan and finishing his career with Peyton Manning as quarterback. He started coaching in the NFL under Adam Gase in Miami, where he overlapped with new Eagles passing game coordinator Josh Grizzard.”
Minnesota also allowed the second-most sacks in 2025, as interior pressure consistently collapsed pockets at one of the league’s worst rates. That happened despite an offseason built around premium offensive line investment, with Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill forming a unit that looked strong on paper and expensive in practice.
Advertisement
The results were underwhelming.
That disconnect grew deeper when the Vikings moved 2022 second-round pick Ed Ingram to Houston last March after three uneven seasons. In a different environment, Ingram graded out as a Top 15 NFL guard by year’s end. Developments like that fueled the sense that the problem lived higher up the chain, and why fans increasingly questioned whether Kuper’s seat had cooled past the point of recovery.
The Almighty Verdict Awaits
Regarding those theories — “fire Kuper” chants began midseason 2025 — it won’t be difficult to get an answer. Kuper will strut into a foundationally sound system, and if the Eagles’ trenches don’t struggle with him in charge, it will seem like Minnesota got an offseason decision wrong again. Look no further than Sam Darnold winning the Super Bowl on Sunday night as an example.
Advertisement
Denver Broncos guard Chris Kuper lines up in pass protection during the AFC divisional playoff on Jan. 12, 2013, at Sports Authority Field in Denver, as the Broncos hosted the Baltimore Ravens. The image reflects Kuper’s playing career, capturing him engaged at the line of scrimmage during a tense postseason contest. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
On the other hand, if Philadelphia’s offensive line finally takes a step back, Vikings fans will point and laugh at Kuper, feeling vindicated for making the face of the 2025 offensive line problems.
It’s all teed up for Kuper to prove it or succumb to the suspicion.
Avoid Injuries at All Costs
Kuper didn’t exactly get a smooth situation in 2025. Minnesota cycled through 25 offensive line combinations as injuries stacked up and continuity never had a chance to settle.
Darrisaw’s ACL recovery stalled, forcing the Vikings to shut him down in mid-December. Kelly dealt with three concussions. Rookie left guard Donovan Jackson played through a broken wrist. O’Neill missed time as well. That many injuries basically mandate that a fivesome can achieve no momentum or continuity.
Advertisement
The Minnesota Vikings gather in a tight huddle during pregame warmups on Oct. 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, ahead of their matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. Players clustered together near midfield as final instructions were shared, setting the tone for kickoff under the indoor lights. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
In Philadelphia, Kuper will be banking on better health. The injury bug buried the 2025 Vikings, and no amount of coaching wizardry could fix that reality, at least not enough to propel the unit to Top 10 numbers.
Meanwhile, Minnesota promoted Kuper’s lieutenant, Keith Carter, to run the offensive line show in 2026. O’Connell also brought former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith on board last month, who has an extensive offensive line background. Smith is the new assistant head coach.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58), linebacker Eric Wilson (55) and linebacker Andrew van Ginkel (43) celebrate after a play during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.
The 2025 Minnesota Vikings were strong on defense and failed on offense. So it might seem strange to suggest the team should be concentrating on defense in the 2026 draft, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest that is the case.
Defense Emerging as the Vikings’ Clear 2026 Draft Priority
Brian Flores has coached his defense to a very high level since arriving in Minnesota as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2023. The Vikings’ success on defense has largely been about a unit being stronger together rather than individual players. There are good players on the team, but no superstars. Adding some talent to this defensive roster could take it to the next level, making it the best in the league.
Minnesota Vikings Brian Flores on June 10th, 2025, and TCO Peformance Center, talking about his defense and the preparation for the 2025 regular season, which begins on September 8th, 2025, in a game at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears.
The draft is always a great place to do that, and with four picks across the first two days, especially when the team has a few older players. There is plenty of scope for the Vikings to strengthen if they get the first post-Kwesi Adofo-Mensah draft right.
There are also arguments for picking offensive players in the draft. Depending on the futures of Aaron Jones, TJ Hockenson, Ryan Kelly, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor, the Vikings could be in the market for an RB, TE, C, or WR. I favour free agency for bolstering what is already quite a youthful offense. RB would be the main exception where a Day 2 pick would be a good option – unless Jeremiyah Love slides to 18. Day 3 can be used to bolster the depth at the offensive positions.
Advertisement
Defense in Round 1
Early mock drafts have focused heavily on defense in round one for Minnesota. The preferred positions have been interior defensive linemen and cornerbacks. It seems like the Vikings have been trying to draft their future at CB for years with a whole host of failed attempts. Minnesota drafted four CBs in the first round across six years between 2015 and 2020.
None of Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes, or Jeff Gladney achieved the lasting success the team had hoped for. Neither has a host of Day 2 picks, including Mackenzie Alexander, Cam Dantzler, Andrew Booth, or Mekhi Blackmon. It’s time to look again for a CB, while safety is also a position that needs to be addressed.
Advertisement
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Defensive tackle is a position that the Vikings have neglected in the draft in recent years. You have to go back to 2013 and Shariff Floyd for the last time Minnesota drafted a DT in the first round — no DT has been drafted before round 4 since then. It’s time for that to change. Whether it’s on Day 1 or Day 2, a young stud to pair with Jalen Redmond should be a high priority for the Vikings.
Possible Targets
If CB and DT are the positions to look at, who are the possible targets for the Vikings? Clemson’s Peter Woods has been seen as the star DT of this draft class who looked likely be out of reach for the Vikings at 18. However, his draft stock has fallen after a disappointing 2025 season. Making a path to Minnesota more likely. Next in line are Caleb Banks and Kayden McDonald — both would be solid picks for Minnesota. McDonald is my favored choice at the moment.
There are a lot of CB options like Jermod McCoy, Avieon Terrell, Mansour Delane, and Colton Hood that the Vikings could have a shot at in Round 1, and a host of other names if they wait for Day 2 to look at the position — the same can be said for DT. Which way around should be determined by who’s on the board on the day, but these are the first two positions I would be looking to address in the draft.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
German football referee Pascal Kaiser was attacked over the weekend, his lawyer told local media on Monday.
Kaiser was admitted to the hospital due to an assault. He also posted a photo of his bruised face on Instagram.
The attack took place in front of Kaiser’s Cologne home, with three unidentified men attacking him after he had gone out for a cigarette.
Kaiser made headlines around the world after proposing to his boyfriend as part of local football club FC Cologne’s Diversity Day, which took place during the club’s Bundesliga game against Wolfsburg.
Advertisement
After his proposal went viral, a local Cologne bar accused Kaiser of fraud while he had worked there, accusations he denied.
Motive still unknown, says police
Now, his lawyer Moritz Lange claimed the bar had made the 27-year-old’s address known. The bar itself denies the accusations.
According to Lange, Kaiser received many threats since his proposal went viral. The German referee informed police of the threats, which then sent a police presence to patrol around Kaiser’s home.
“On Saturday evening, as (Kaiser) went for a walk, he received a message: ‘We see you and follow you. Just wait until the police are no longer there’,” lawyer Lange told German media. Not long after the message was received, Lange said, the three men appeared and attacked Kaiser.
Police said the motives for the attack remain unclear, with Germany’s security services being aware of the case and looking into possible homophobic background.
Adrian Lee won’t settle for a basic victory when he returns to the Circle for his fifth promotional appearance. Instead, the young Singaporean-American dynamo promises total domination.
The 19-year-old martial artist faces Japanese star Shozo Isojima in a lightweight MMA clash on February 13 inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. Their three-round battle will be part of ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Prime Video.
‘The Phenom’ and Isojima enter this battle after falling to ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion Tye Ruotolo in their respective lightweight MMA battles last year.
Ahead of fight night, the Hawaii-based fighter made bold predictions about how their matchup would unfold.
Advertisement
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
“He has some accolades in his judo and his wrestling, but I believe that I’ll beat him everywhere in this game,” Adrian Lee confidently told ONE Championship.
That confidence shows zero concern about Isojima’s credentials.
Advertisement
The Japanese fighter brings a legitimate grappling pedigree into this high-stakes matchup, but the Prodigy Training Center athlete is dismissing any talk about his foe having an advantage there ahead of Friday’s clash.
Lee’s all-around arsenal could help him dominate Isojima, but if the latter can pounce on any opportunity throughout this fight, he could well leave the Lumpinee Stadium with one of the biggest upsets of the night.
Adrian Lee ‘itching’ to return to action in Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium
Adrian Lee revealed his excitement for his ONE Championship return in a post on his official Instagram account last month.
Lee, who goes by the username @adrianleemma on the social media application, wrote:
Advertisement
“About that time again, itching to get into that cage.”
The 19-year-old is currently 3-1 in his professional MMA journey. All three of his victories, against Antonio Mammarella, Nico Cornejo, and Takeharu Ogawa, were achieved via submission.
ONE Fight Night 40 will be available to active Amazon Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada, live in U.S. primetime, for free, this Friday.
Fight fans around the globe, meanwhile, can tune in to the card via ONE’s official YouTube channel, the ONE Super App, and watch.onefc.com. Geo-restrictions may apply.
One of the best rivalries in sports resumes on Day 4 of the Winter Olympics.
Here are athletes and teams to watch, along with the full schedule for Tuesday (all times Eastern):
Canadian women’s hockey team
Canada faces the U.S. in a much-anticipated showdown. No other country has won gold at a world championship or Olympics. It would be a shock if these teams aren’t battling again for gold on Feb. 19.
Advertisement
Canadian short-track speedskating team
This could be Canada’s best sport at Milano Cortina 2026. The mixed team relay on Tuesday is the first medal event for short-track.
The Canadian figure skater delivered a clutch performance in his Olympic debut on Saturday, propelling the country into the team final. He opens the men’s event on Tuesday with the short program.
Alpine skiing Women’s team combined downhill, 4:30 a.m. * Women’s team combined slalom, 8 a.m.
Ski jumping Mixed team trial round, 11:30 a.m. Mixed team first round, 12:45 p.m. * Mixed team final, 2 p.m.
Advertisement
Women’s hockey (standings, scores) Japan vs. Sweden, 6:10 a.m. Germany vs. Italy, 10:40 a.m. Canada vs. U.S., 2:10 p.m. Finland vs. Switzerland, 3:10 p.m.
Marcus Rashford is on loan with Barcelona with the Spanish side having an option to make the Manchester United forward’s move permanent in the summer
Manchester United are still planning for Marcus Rashford leaving the club this summer, amid continued talk over his future.
The United academy graduate is currently on loan with Barcelona after being left out of the squad by former manager Ruben Amorim. His move to Spain came six months after he completed a temporary deal with Aston Villa.
Advertisement
As part of the agreement, Barca have an option to make the move permanent this summer for a £26million fee. It had been previously claimed that the Catalan giants were unwilling to pay the agreed fee and were instead looking to reach an agreement on a slightly lower fee.
However, the latest reports suggest that United were unwilling to lower the price, and Barcelona are not willing to pay the clause to make the move permanent.
The Sun now say that United are planning for life without Rashford, despite claims that Michael Carrick wants him back. The club had no intention of recalling the player in January, with interim manager Carrick not thinking as far ahead as the summer, when his deal expires.
Advertisement
It’s understood that Rashford himself prefers a move away from United in the summer transfer window, even if a permanent transfer to Barcelona falls through. He is said to want his long-term future resolved before joining up with England for the summer’s World Cup in North America.
If that is the case, it will give United a financial boost in the early part of the transfer window, as they look to make additions to the squad. Any fee received for Rashford will go down as pure profit in terms of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability rules (PSR).
Advertisement
The 28-year-old has already made his stance clear with comments back in October. “I’m really enjoying my time in Spain; the weather is the best,” he said.
“A very big change. I’m learning every day, I’m enjoying it a lot. I hope to be here for a long time. I get along very well with Roony [Bardghji], also Jules [Kounde] or Frenkie [de Jong]. It’s a team in which we all mix.
“We are united. The team is fantastic. I just have to be in the right position.
“I’ll keep trying to do this. We have to keep it up to be our best version. We have a lot more to do this season.”
Advertisement
So far this campaign Rashford has scored 10 goals and provided a further 13 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions. He will be back in action on Thursday as Barca travel to take on Atletico Madrid in the semi-final of the Copa del Rey.
Chisora has been made a handy favourite, perhaps because of his last three performances, while many believe his American opponent to be over the hill.
Advertisement
Wilder has, after all, claimed only two victories in his last six fights. The 40-year-old most recently scored a seventh-round finish over Tyrrell Herndon in June, but prior to that he was forced to suffer two punishing defeats against Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker.
Even before those fights, a first-round demolition job of Robert Helenius in 2022 failed to convince many fans that, following back-to-back stoppage losses to Tyson Fury, the former world champion had recovered his destructive form.
Chisora, meanwhile, has secured three points victories over Otto Wallin, Joe Joyce and Gerald Washington since his torrid 10th-round stoppage defeat to Fury in 2022.
Though some big names in the sport believe the 42-year-old Brit should have already hung up his gloves, there is a sense that he has just enough left in the tank to defeat Wilder.
Advertisement
One man who shares that opinion is Hall of Famer Froch, who, while speaking directly with Chisora on Froch On Fighting, went on to predict a favourable outcome for the British veteran.
“I feel that you’re getting him at the right time. Not that that’s a problem, but he’s also getting you at the right time, because you’re at the end of your career.
“I make you a slight favourite because you’ve always got the work rate; you’ve always got that drive and that refusal to quit.
“When you get on his chest and start pushing him back after round four, five and six, he’s going to be looking at the exit door, thinking, ‘I want to go home.’”
Chisora will look to set a fast pace and smother Wilder, who must prove wrong those who brand him ‘gun-shy.’ Retirement seems to be the only option for the loser, but ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has indicated he will fight on regardless of the outcome. Chisora, meanwhile, says he will hang up the gloves, win, lose or draw.
Kansas Jayhawks forward Flory Bidunga (40) hugs Kansas Jayhawks head coach Bill Self after defeating Arizona Wildcats in the game inside Allen Fieldhouse on Feb. 9, 2026.
Flory Bidunga scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 9 Kansas handed top-ranked Arizona its first loss of the season, 82-78 on Monday at Lawrence, Kan.
The Wildcats (23-1, 10-1 Big 12) achieved the best start in Big 12 history at 23-0 overall before the defeat. Kansas (19-5, 9-2) beat the No. 1 team at Allen Fieldhouse for the first time ever after losing five such games, including to Arizona the last time in 2003.
The Jayhawks won their eighth straight game overall despite playing without freshman star Darryn Peterson, who had flu-like symptoms. It was the 11th game Kansas played without Peterson, who has dealt with an ankle sprain, hamstring strain and chronic cramping.
Arizona led by 11 with 17:02 to go before Kansas rallied, scoring seven straight points in little more than a minute, then keeping the score within six until a Bidunga field goal gave the Jayhawks the lead with 9:32 to go. Kansas never trailed again. Miami (Ohio) is the nation’s lone remaining unbeaten at 24-0.
No. 17 St. John’s 87, Xavier 82 (OT)
Advertisement
Zuby Ejiofor scored six points in overtime for the Red Storm, who fended off an upset bid by the Musketeers to win in New York, giving coach Rick Pitino another milestone win against his son Richard.
The win was the 904th on-court victory for the elder Pitino, who snapped a tie with Roy Williams for third-place all-time. On Jan. 24, the Red Storm beat the Musketeers for Rick Pitino’s 900th win. The NCAA recognizes Rick Pitino with 781 wins after he was stripped of 123 victories due to violations at Louisville.
Ejiofor finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists for St. John’s (19-5, 12-1 Big East), which has won 10 straight — the third 10-game winning streak in the last two seasons under Rick Pitino. Tre Carroll had 21 points and eight rebounds but missed a potential game-winning shot at the regulation buzzer for Xavier (12-12, 4-9).
Advertisement
No. 24 Louisville 118, North Carolina State 77
Freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. tied the Louisville single-game scoring mark with 45 points and matched another single-game record with 10 3-pointers to lead the Cardinals past the visiting Wolfpack.
Brown matched Wes Unseld’s single-game school record set against Georgetown (Ky.) College on Dec. 1, 1967. Brown’s point total set the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman record, and his 10 3-pointers tied the school record established by Reyne Smith last season against SMU.
Ryan Conwell added 31 points, seven rebounds and six assists for the Cardinals (18-6, 8-4 ACC), who have won four in a row. North Carolina State (18-7, 9-3) got 20 points from Ven-Allen Lubin but had a six-game winning streak end.
US figure skater Ilia Malinin’s gold-medal-clinching backflip at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina has prompted a flurry of tributes to France’s Surya Bonaly, who became the first skater to land the daring flip on one skate at the Nagano Games almost three decades ago – when the move was still forbidden.
Bas de Leede starred with both bat and ball as the Netherlands opened their account in the T20 World Cup with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Namibia.
The Netherlands suffered a narrow defeat by Pakistan after giving their opponents a major score in the opening game of the tournament in Colombo on Saturday but bounced back impressively in Delhi.
Chasing a target of 157, all-rounder De Leede, who had already picked up two key Namibia wickets, crafted an unbeaten 72 from 48 balls to guide them home with authority.
It is their biggest win in the tournament’s history while De Leede became the first Netherlands cricketer to score a half-century and take two wickets in the same match of a T20 World Cup.
Advertisement
Sent to bat in their first game of the tournament, Namibia made a decent start reaching 60-1 in nine overs before Logan van Beek dismissed Jan Frylinck, who scored 30 off 26 balls.
Namibia’s momentum was further halted by De Leede, who sent back their captain Gerhard Erasmus and JJ Smit for 18 and 22 respectively, while Nicol Loftie-Eaton fell to Van Beek after a 38-ball 42 as they posted 156-8.
The Netherlands lost opener Max O’Dowd early in the chase, but a 70-run third-wicket partnership between De Leede and Colin Ackerman steadied their innings before the latter departed for 32.
However, there was no stopping De Leede as he hit five fours and four sixes to seal the Netherlands win.
Advertisement
The Netherlands play the United States in their next match on Friday while Namibia will take on defending champions India on Thursday.
Oleksandr Usyk had been in talks to face a former world heavyweight champion, only for a prolonged spell of negotiations to ultimately scupper their showdown.
The three-time, two-division undisputed king has not fought since his fifth-round finish of Daniel Dubois last July, which followed his two points victories over Tyson Fury in 2024.
Having claimed those two scalps, as well as beating Anthony Joshua on two occasions, Usyk has firmly cemented himself as the greatest heavyweight and cruiserweight of his generation.
‘The Bronze Bomber’ comes off a stoppage victory over little-known heavyweight Tyrrell Herndon in June, which followed his defeats against Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker.
This came about after the American’s talks with Usyk, who he was expected to face later this year, had collapsed at the negotiating table.
Speaking with Fight Hub TV, Wilder explained why, instead of challenging for the WBC, IBF and WBA belts, he is now facing Chisora in a non-title fight.
“Me and Derek had been working on a fight for a very long time. Actually, this fight was supposed to have happened back in December.
With the Usyk situation, it was like, ‘I’m 40 years old; I’m ready to go. I can’t sit back; I can’t sit around.’
I don’t think they [team Usyk] had a set date, a place where they wanted to go – that was still lingering around.
Advertisement
The clock goes like this – it’s tick-tocking.”
Perhaps a clash between Usyk and Wilder could soon be revisited, but only if the 40-year-old successfully takes care of Chisora in April.
