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The Vikings’ Offseason Has the NFL Talking

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Aug 19, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Over the Super Bowl weekend, there was plenty of talk regarding the Minnesota Vikings. Sadly, for Vikings fans, it wasn’t because their team was playing. It revolved around the now-infamous decision not go all in on Sam Darnold after a 14-win debut season in Minnesota.

The NFL’s Eyes Are on the Vikings’ Next Move

Darnold’s success throughout the 2025 season has drawn ridicule from some quarters, and that was rubber-stamped when Darnold hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after the Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah bet big on his first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2025, and it cost him his job as the Vikings general manager. Opinion was mixed after Darnold melted down in the final two games of the 2024 season, but with the benefit of hindsight, the Vikings should have done everything possible to keep Darnold. 

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Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy at the New York Giants. Minnesota Vikings offseason.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy warms up before kickoff during pregame routines on Dec. 21, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The rookie passer went through timing drills and footwork as Minnesota finalized preparations ahead of a late-season road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

I don’t think Minnesota would have won the Super Bowl if they’d kept Darnold. However, on the back of Brian Flores’ strong defense, the team finished just half a game out of the playoffs despite historically bad QB play. McCarthy ranked last in the NFL in completion percentage (58%), touchdown-interception (11-12), and passer rating (72.6). He also struggled with injury again, meaning Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer started seven games. A Darnold-led Vikings probably makes the playoffs.

The pressure mounted on McCarthy and the decision-makers in Minnesota when veteran players like Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones spoke to the media during Super Bowl week and suggested that letting Darnold leave was a mistake. It will be particularly important to keep Jefferson happy, who had career lows in receiving yards (1,048) and receiving touchdowns (2). The national media doesn’t need an excuse to try to push a Jefferson trade agenda.

The NFL World is Watching

CBS Sports ranked the Vikings No. 1 on its list of teams to watch this offseason — the others were the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans. The big talking point surrounding the Vikings, of course, is what the team will do at QB. With Adofo-Mensah gone, all options remain open. 

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Kevin O’Connell addresses reporters at the Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell speaks during a media session held at the Sport Ireland Campus on Sep. 26, 2025, in Dublin, Ireland. The appearance came ahead of Minnesota’s international slate, with O’Connell outlining preparation details and roster updates while fielding questions in a setting far removed from the usual Twin Cities routine. The event marked another stop on the franchise’s global tour. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

The focus will be on head coach Kevin O’Connell. With Minnesota not beginning its search for a new general manager until after the draft, this will be viewed as O’Connell’s show. His future in Minnesota likely lives or dies on the upcoming QB decision. Another season where the Vikings are relying on the defense, and they might want to think twice about letting Flores go into the next head coaching cycle.

So how will the Vikings address the quarterback position this offseason? Even if it’s just for the morale of their offensive players, like Jefferson. Minnesota has to bring in a veteran quarterback this offseason to compete with and/or mentor McCarthy. Aaron Rodgers and former Viking Kirk Cousins would meet that mentor role in the final years of their playing days.

Kyler Murray scrambles for a first down during the second half against the Rams at SoFi Stadium.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray takes off on a scramble as pressure collapses during the second half of a divisional matchup at SoFi Stadium, showcasing his trademark mobility and acceleration. The sequence unfolded on Dec. 28, 2024, in Inglewood, where Murray extended the drive with his legs against the Los Angeles Rams, stressing the defense horizontally and vertically in a moment that highlighted his dual-threat value. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.

Bringing in one of those would give the Vikings a chance to let McCarthy step back and maybe come back. Alternatively, someone like Kyler Murray or Mac Jones would be competition for the long-term role.

Onlookers are fascinated by what Minnesota’s offseason approach will be. It will be one of the league’s big storylines this offseason.


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Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

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University of Michigan doesn’t renew staffer’s contract amid allegations

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The University of Michigan has not renewed the contract of the female football staffer who was suspected to have been in a relationship with fired coach Sherrone Moore.

A university spokesperson confirmed the departure to Fox News Digital on Wednesday. 

“Her contract expired and was not renewed,” the spokesperson said. 

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Sherrone Moore, wife, and attorney walk into court

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore, second from right, walks with his wife, Kelli Moore, left, and his attorney, Ellen K. Michaels, right, towards the courtroom, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Moore allegedly maintained an inappropriate, yearslong relationship with the staffer, despite him being married with multiple children.

Court documents obtained by Fox News Digital revealed allegations made by the staffer’s attorney, Heidi Sharp, on the day that Moore allegedly entered her home without permission, which later resulted in his arrest. 

Det. Jessica Welker of the Pittsfield Township Police Department testified in court that the staffer called Sharp after Moore entered the residence and refused to leave. Sharp then told emergency dispatch that Moore was inside of her client’s home “attacking her.”

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The woman accused Moore of continuing to approach her until she was able to get her attorney on the phone, at which point he “immediately backed up and turned the knives on himself, pointing them at his neck, saying that he was going to kill himself and that she was going to watch.”

Sherrone Moore calls plays against Illinois

Then-Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore looks on during the college football game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Illinois Fighting Illini on Oct. 19, 2024, at Memorial Stadium, in Champaign, Illinois. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Moore then left the staffer’s residence and was later taken into custody by law enforcement, where he denied physically attacking the staffer.

The staffer, whose LinkedIn profile listed her as an executive assistant to the head football coach at the University of Michigan, earned just over $58,000 in 2023 and 2024, according to public payroll information. In the 2025 fiscal year, though, her salary jumped to $99,000, according to a salary disclosure report from the University of Michigan.

That’s a 70.62% increase year-over-year — even higher than the figure circulating social media right now, via UMSalary.info.

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Sherrone Moore looks on in court

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore, center, appears in the courtroom, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Moore, who faces felony home invasion, stalking and illegal entry charges, scored a legal victory last month when a judge granted a request for a hearing to learn more about the investigation that led to criminal charges against him.

Judge J. Cedric Simpson, who is presiding, expressed concern that a police detective didn’t disclose Moore’s employer-employee relationship with the woman when a magistrate authorized a warrant for his arrest. Simpson described it as a “glaring omission.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Michigan QB Bryce Underwood to remain with program after Sherrone Moore scandal

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Was he ready for that moment?

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Former AEW star Danhausen had a somewhat underwhelming debut at WWE Elimination Chamber 2026. An All Elite Wrestling veteran has addressed the incident, seemingly explaining why.

For weeks before Elimination Chamber, WWE teased a potential new arrival to the promotion through a mystery crate bearing the message ‘open on Feb 28, 2026’ (the date of the Chamber). When the crate was finally opened at the pay-per-view, outcame ex-AEW star Danhausen to a relatively mild reception. The Very Nice, Very Evil star’s arrival then became a topic of discussion, with many giving their two cents on why it was underwhelming. The latest to join that discussion is AEW commentator and wrestling legend Jim Ross.

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Talking on the latest episode of his Grillin’ JR podcast, the veteran noted that Danhausen was placed in a tough position, especially since it was WrestleMania season, and believed that the 35-year-old was not ready for the moment.

“It’s like WrestleMania, for God’s sake. You just don’t… I don’t know, it put Danhausen in a tough spot. Was he ready for that moment? I don’t think he was. I think there are a lot of people who didn’t even know who the hell he was,” said JR [H/T: Ringside]

Check out his comments in the video below:

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Ex-AEW star Danhausen will reportedly appear at this week’s WWE SmackDown

Despite his Elimination Chamber reveal receiving mixed reviews, PWInsider reported that WWE officials were pleasantly surprised by Danhausen’s pull, as his merchandise sales brought in strong numbers. The report also noted that the Very Nice, Very Evil star will appear this Friday night on Smackdown.

“Per PWInsider, WWE officials are said to be “pleasantly surprised” with the merchandise numbers Danhausen has generated since debuting with the company. Danhausen is also expected to appear on this Friday’s episode of SmackDown.”

It will be interesting to see what WWE has planned for Danhausen on SmackDown this Friday.

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