The Minnesota Vikings are at a crossroads as the 2025 offseason heats up, and Two Old Bloggers Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano are here to break it all down. From the front office to the field, the Vikings are making waves—some promising, others polarizing. In their latest episode, the duo tackles the team’s off-field excellence, a divisive coaching hire, and the urgent need to fix the offensive line. With the NFL Combine buzzing and free agency just days away, the stakes are high for a franchise aiming to translate its world-class organization into on-field dominance. Here’s the full rundown.

Off-Field Excellence: Vikings Shine in NFLPA Report Card

The episode kicks off with a glowing review of the Vikings’ off-field performance. For the third consecutive year, the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) team report card ranks Minnesota among the league’s elite, placing them second overall behind the Miami Dolphins. Darren Campbell highlights the significance of this achievement, based on responses from 1,600 NFL players across 11 categories like training facilities, team travel, and family treatment.

“The Vikings finished second overall behind the Miami Dolphins, which is the same order as last year,” Campbell notes. “They had three A-pluses, three A’s, three A-minuses, and their lowest ranking was a B-plus in nutrition. If the worst grade I got in school was a B-plus, I’d have been over the moon.”

This consistency reflects the stewardship of owners Mark and Zygi Wilf, who’ve transformed the Vikings into a model franchise since purchasing the team in 2005. Campbell contrasts their tenure with the lean years under Red McCombs, when the Metrodome languished and coaching staffs were underfunded.

“The Wilfs have built a world-class sports organization,” Campbell asserts. “U.S. Bank Stadium, the game-day experience, the training facility in Eagan—it’s top of the line. Fans with long memories know it wasn’t always like this.”

Dave Stefano echoes this praise, pointing to tangible perks like the Wilfs footing the bill for 6G Wi-Fi at U.S. Bank Stadium and buying tickets for away games—classy moves that resonate with players and fans alike. The report card’s impact? It’s a magnet for free agents, with agents and players reportedly buzzing about Minnesota’s player-friendly environment.

Yet, Campbell tempers the optimism: while the Vikings excel off the field, their 175-147-2 record since 2005 (11th-best in the NFL) falls short of “world-class” on it. Early missteps like hiring Brad Childress and Fran Foley set them back, but recent hires like head coach Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signal progress. The question remains: can this off-field foundation fuel a Super Bowl run?

Keith Carter Chaos: Savior or Sinner for the O-Line?

The episode’s centerpiece is the Vikings’ hiring of Keith Carter as assistant offensive line coach and run game coordinator—a move that’s sparked both intrigue and controversy. Announced just a week prior, Carter’s arrival under head coach Kevin O’Connell has fans and analysts debating his fit with a team known for its player-friendly culture.

Campbell sets the stage, noting the Vikings’ offensive line struggles in their final two games of 2024 against Detroit and Los Angeles. The interior line was overpowered, prompting O’Connell to vow improvements. Enter Carter, a grizzled veteran coach with a résumé spanning the Titans, Jets, and Falcons.

“This hiring piqued my interest,” Campbell says. “Carter has more experience as the top offensive line coach than Chris Kuper does, yet he’s coming in as the assistant. Is O’Connell bringing him in as a potential in-house replacement if Cooper falters in 2025?”

Carter’s reputation as an “aggressive, old-school coach”—think Tony Sparano—raises eyebrows. Known for tough, physical practices, he’s drawn sharp criticism from former players like Titans tackle Taylor Lewan, who called him an “asshole,” and Jets linemen Mekhi Becton and Breece Hall, who’ve echoed the sentiment online. Even Falcons fullback Demarco Murray chimed in, saying Carter “was not anybody’s favorite coach.”

“For Kevin O’Connell, who just got an A-plus from his players as a player-friendly coach, this seems like a risky hire,” Campbell warns. “Carter seems the opposite of the staff O’Connell’s assembled.”

Dave Stefano counters with cautious optimism. He sees Carter’s hard-nosed style as a potential tonic for a soft interior line, especially if O’Connell can smooth his rough edges—much like defensive coordinator Brian Flores has thrived despite his own old-school leanings.

“I like this hire very much,” Stefano declares. “Linemen often respond to that style. If he can get us to 23 or 18 sacks allowed in a year, I’ll take the productivity. Toughen up, cupcake!”

Carter’s track record is a mixed bag. With the Titans (2018-2022), his lines fueled top-six rushing totals, thanks to Derrick Henry, but pass protection lagged—quarterbacks were sacked 47+ times in four of five seasons. His two years with the Jets were uglier: 64 sacks allowed in 2023 amid injuries, and 40 in 2024 with a declining Aaron Rodgers. Stefano argues quarterback play shares the blame, citing PFF stats showing linemen accounted for fewer sacks than raw totals suggest.

The hire also bolsters run game coordination, a role previously held by running backs coach Curtis Modkins. Stefano sees Carter as a bridge between the O-line and play-calling, potentially elevating a stagnant ground attack. Will he be the savior the Vikings’ O-line needs—or a sinner who disrupts their harmony? As Stefano puts it, “We’ll see.”

Combine Clues and Draft Dreams

With the NFL Combine in full swing, Campbell and Stefano turn to the Vikings’ draft strategy. Early reports confirm Minnesota met with eight prospects, including three defensive linemen (Derek Harmon, Darius Alexander, Cam Jackson), two cornerbacks (Trey Amos, Dorian Strong), one offensive lineman (Luke Kandra), running back Ashton Jeanty, and quarterback Cam Ward.

“This is when word leaks out about who teams are visiting,” Campbell explains. “It helps narrow down who the Vikings might draft. Several guys they meet end up wearing purple.”

The focus on defensive linemen aligns with O’Connell’s combine comments about targeting that group in a deep class. But the Jeanty and Ward interviews raise eyebrows—both are likely first-rounders, and the Vikings pick at 24. Stefano dismisses Ward as a quarterback reclamation project for O’Connell’s future, while Campbell suggests due diligence on Jeanty (projected to Dallas at 12) and intel-gathering on teammates like Miami’s Damian Martinez or Boise State’s Ahmed Hassanein.

“One or two guys always drop,” Campbell says. “If Jeanty’s there at 24, the Vikings would have to think seriously about him.”

Salary Cap Surge: A Free Agency Boost?

The NFL’s 2025 salary cap jumps to $279.2 million—a $23.8 million increase that stunned executives, per OverTheCap’s Jason Fitzgerald. While it doesn’t give the Vikings an edge over rivals, Campbell and Stefano see it easing pressure on big signings. Matthew Coller’s point resonates: rising caps make high-priced deals look like bargains down the road.

“It might make Kwesi Adofo-Mensah more open to signing a high-priced free agent,” Campbell posits. “Or retaining guys like Cam Bynum, Byron Murphy Jr., or Aaron Jones.”

Stefano ties it to Christian Darrisaw’s extension, a move that’s already paying dividends as future caps soar with new TV and gambling revenue.

O-Line Overhaul: Free Agency or Bust?

The episode closes with a deep dive into the Vikings’ offensive line, a unit Stefano dubs his “big round bellies.” Tackles Brian O’Neill and Darrisaw are set—if Darrisaw recovers from his October 2024 MCL tear by late summer. The interior, however, demands action after O’Connell’s post-Rams pledge to “solidify the pocket.”

Campbell favors free agency over the draft, citing the three-to-four-year transition for college linemen. Top targets like Chiefs guard Trey Smith (tagged) and Mekhi Becton (Carter baggage) are likely off the table, narrowing options to Bears’ Teven Jenkins ($13.3M/year), Colts’ Will Fries ($14.3M/year), and Steelers’ James Daniels ($5.5M/year despite an Achilles injury). Center Ryan Kelly, tied to VP Ryan Grigson, could replace Garrett Bradbury.

“They need major improvements now,” Campbell insists. “Free agency is the way to fill those spots.”

Stefano agrees, wary of expecting a “blue-chipper” at 24. Depth pieces like Ed Ingram, Blake Brandel, Walter Rouse, and Michael Jurgens remain, with veterans like Dan Skipper or Jake Hanson as potential low-cost adds.

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Final Thoughts: Trenches Take Center Stage

As free agency nears on March 10, the Vikings’ offseason hinges on fixing the trenches. Carter’s hire, the salary cap windfall, and a targeted free agency push could reshape the O-line—and the franchise’s fortunes. Next week, Two Old Bloggers tackles the defense. For now, as Campbell says, “Exciting times, Dave. Our heads will be swimming with rumors and moves.” SKOL, Vikings fans—stay tuned.

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