KEVIN O’CONNELL – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Dry Spell Way Too Long on Vikings Postseason Consistency

Posted on February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 by David Shama

In four seasons under the leadership of recently dismissed GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and current head coach Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings have made the playoffs twice, qualifying in alternate years going back to 2022. Go back almost to the start of the new millennium and the Vikings have shown similar frustration and inconsistency in earning a postseason spot.

It hasn’t been since 2000 that the Vikings strung together three consecutive playoff appearances. Coach Denny Green’s teams made the playoffs five consecutive times from 1996-2000. In Green’s first season, 1992, he also started a run of three straight playoff appearances.

Bud Grant’s Vikings had a streak of six consecutive playoff seasons from 1973-1978. Although there were three Super Bowl losses in that period, it was clearly a period of glory for the franchise.

Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell image by David Shama — Kevin O’Connell

What the current Viking drought shows is the lack of consistency by the Vikings in the new millennium. NFL teams who have achieved three straight playoff years and sometimes more in that time frame include the Bears, Bengals, Bills, Broncos, Bucs, Cardinals, Chiefs, Colts, Cowboys, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Packers, Panthers, Patriots, Raiders, Rams, Ravens, Saints, Seahawks, Steelers, Texans, Titans and 49ers.

That’s 24 of the 32 NFL teams.

Teams with the most sustained success have great quarterbacks. The Vikings have been searching for “the guy” for decades while quarterbacks like Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and others have lit up defenses.

Interestingly, Green never found the savior, but he found multiple quarterbacks in the 1990s that brought success. They had the support of superb linemen and receivers and an elite running back in Robert Smith.

A veteran pro football source, who has worked as an executive for NFL teams, believes the Vikings could make the playoffs after the 2026 regular season. “…It’s such a competitive league. Injuries are going to play a big part in it. The quarterback play obviously (is vital). Neither of those things lined up for them (the Vikings) this year and they still won nine games…. It shows that there’s enough talent to get it done, and if you’ve got a really top quarterback, and if (J.J.) McCarthy becomes that player, then there’s a really good chance they could have an extended streak of consistent playoff appearances and become a Super Bowl contender.”

The Vikings will be dealt an easier schedule in 2026 because of their mediocre record last season. One that figures to be more manageable than in 2025 because the Vikings had gone 14-3 in 2024.

Worth Noting

ESPN.com’s David Purdum recently wrote that approximately $1.76 billion is expected to be wagered on Sunday’s Super Bowl via U.S. Sports Books, per the American Gaming Association. That would represent a 27 percent increase from last year. Legalized gambling via Sports Books is available in 39 states and the District of Columbia, Purdum wrote.

Marshall Tanick, the Minneapolis-based attorney, writer and historian, wrote in a recent article for the Minneapolis Times that sports wagering in America had roots in Minneapolis after World War II. “The saga started here in the backroom of a cigar store on the corner of 4^th and 1^st Avenue, in what is now referred to as the Warehouse District of Minneapolis, about two blocks from where the Target Center stands. It was initially created by Leo Hirschfield, the slightly built but highly sharp son of a Minneapolis physician,” Tanick wrote.

A publication called the Green Sheet was sold by Hirschfield to clients offering odds on games involving two of the most popular sports of the day, major league baseball and college football. Ironically, Minnesota is one of the states where legalized gambling is not available. https://minneapolistimes.com/minneapolis-was-the-mecca-of-sports-betting/

In Sunday’s matchup between the favored Seahawks and Patriots, at least one former Gopher will earn a Super Bowl ring. Linebacker Boye Mafe and tight end Nick Kallerup play for the Seahawks, while linebacker Jack Gibbens is with the Seahawks.

Vikings alumni with the Seahawks are running back Cam Akers, quarterback Sam Darnold, linebacker Chazz Surratt and former offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Alums with the Patriots include wide receiver Stefon Diggs, quarterback Josh Dobbs, center Garrett Bradbury, linebacker Christian Elliss, offensive tackle Vederian Lowe and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga.

Darnold can become the fourth quarterback ever to win the Super Bowl in his first season with a team. The others are Tom Brady (Super Bowl LV with the Bucs), Trent Dilfer (Super Bowl XXXV, Ravens) and Matthew Stafford (Super Bowl LVI, Rams).

Chiddi Obiazor, the defensive end from Eden Prairie listed at 6-6, 275-pounds, has transferred from Kansas State to national champion Indiana. He seems a likely starter for the Hoosiers who host the Gophers October 31.

The Gophers aren’t included in the many “way too early top 25 rankings” from many sources. Opponents drawing mention on Minnesota’s 2026 12-game schedule are Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Penn State and Washington.

Twins pitchers and catchers report for their first workout next week, February12 at the Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers. First full squad workout is February 16. First spring training game is at the complex February 20 against the Golden Gophers.

The Gopher men’s basketball team is averaging 8,511 in home game attendance (similar to last year’s 8,923) at Williams Arena, capacity 14,625. The St. Thomas men’s team, playing in its new Lee and Penny Anderson Arena with a capacity of 5,400, is averaging 2,723. The Tommies averaged 1,437 last season at Schoenecker Arena.

It will be interesting to see how the Wild and other playoff contending NHL teams play after a layoff of more than two weeks to accommodate the Winter Olympics. Injuries sustained in the Olympics and the issue of team chemistry are a potential nemesis because of the long break.

The Wild plays its final game before the break tonight in Nashville against the Predators, then resumes with a key matchup in Colorado against the Western Conference leading Avalanche February 26.

The highly acclaimed annual MFCA Coaches Clinic, headquartered at the DoubleTree Hotel in St. Louis Park, will be held March 26-28 and is a partnership with the football Gophers. https://www.mnfootballcoaches.com/page/show/2279758-mfca-clinic-information

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Return of Cousins Could Mean a Battle for Viking QB Job

Posted on January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 by David Shama

The whispering about a Kirk Cousins return to the Vikings for the 2026 season is ongoing. If he leaves the Falcons for Minnesota, it’s likely a reunion where he’s told ahead of arrival there will be an open competition for the starting quarterback position.

At 37 years old and having been an NFL starter for most of his career, including six seasons with the Vikings from 2018-2023, that’s an understanding probably necessary for an Act 2 involving Cousins who has a no trade clause in his contract with the Falcons. An NFL authority familiar with Cousins believes that despite the quarterback’s age Cousins may well want to be somewhere next season that he can start.

“I think you’d have to sell it as a competitive situation,” said the source who could see a starting position battle between Cousins and J.J. McCarthy.

The source, who was a top front office executive with a couple of NFL teams, thinks the Vikings could be well positioned to persuade Cousins to leave the Falcons where he’s been starting recently for the injured 25-year-old Michael Penix, Jr. Cousins is familiar with the Vikings offense and likes his former head coach, Kevin O’Connell.

The Falcons, who are committed long-term to Penix, are incentivized financially to move on from Cousins in the coming offseason. Cousins, who turns 38 in August, will receive $45 million ($35 million base salary and $10 million bonus roster) if he’s on the Falcons’ roster next season. But if Cousins is traded to another team, or waived, only $10 million of his $45 million is guaranteed.

Ex-Vikings QB Kirk Cousins — Kirk Cousins

That $10 million could be negotiated with a Falcons trade partner, with possibly both parties splitting the cost or the new team absorbing all of the money. It’s believed the Vikings might offer a late round draft choice for Cousins and negotiate a new guaranteed salary with him.

The source referenced here suggests the Vikings might be willing to offer their former starter $10 million for next season. That’s what they paid veteran Sam Darnold when they acquired him in the 2024 offseason.

“He liked it here, and likes KOC,” the authority said in regard to a Cousins’ homecoming. “But we’ll see. Money will talk in that situation.”

With Penix out with a serious knee injury, it’s possible the Falcons will choose to keep the costly Cousins on the roster. Down the stretch of this season Cousins has played well including a three down pass game in a 29-28 win over the Bucs. He would offer assurance for 2026 if Penix is slow to recover in mobility and performance. It’s also not likely the Falcons could acquire a Cousins replacement of his caliber during the coming offseason.

O’Connell talked about McCarthy becoming the Vikings “franchise quarterback” in 2024 before he had even played in a regular season game. The Vikings had selected him at No. 10 in the first round of the 2024 draft and the coaching staff, front office and ownership were excited about him.

However, injuries, body mechanics and inconsistencies in his play have cast doubt on McCarthy in the view of many Vikings followers. The source, however, remains confident in McCarthy long-term. He said franchise priority No. 1 for next season is to find a “quality No. 2” to back up the 22-year-old who missed the entire 2024 season and several games in 2025 with injuries.

The source also said McCarthy is a “potential Pro Bowler. I think he’s got the talent. He just needs more experience. But the problem is his injury history and so you gotta have a better No. 2 than what they had this year. …”

Cousins might be the best alternative in a 2026 quarterback market that looks so-so. Daniel Jones, for example, was briefly with the Vikings in 2024 and knows the offense. He will be a free agent in 2026 and although he played spectacularly for the Colts this season, he didn’t finish the year because of a torn Achilles. His rehab progress and future performance is conjecture now.

Jones, 28, and his representatives might well insist on more than $15 million from interested teams next season. So, it might be “Captain Kirk” to the rescue for the Vikings. The nickname is a reference to Star Trek character James T. Kirk who is known for leadership, poise and comeback skills.

The source also listed other priorities for the Vikings starting with the center position. “Because you can’t count on Ryan Kelly. He played really well when he was in there but he’s had too many concussions. He probably should retire.

“And (Michael) Jurgens, I don’t think is solid enough to be a starter. He’s an okay back up. So I think they probably need to draft a center in the early rounds or go to free agency again and try to find a quality center. …”

Other needs the authority identified include cornerback, suggesting the Vikings find help there via free agent signings or the draft. Safety needs attention, too, he said. “I am not sold on Theo Jackson. And we’ll see what happens with Harrison Smith. I think he played well enough to come back but will he want to, and that’s a question.”

Jackson is a potential replacement for Smith, 36, who could retire. Some observers wonder if Smith’s offseason decision will be impacted on whether acclaimed defensive coordinator Brian Flores leaves for another NFL job.

Asked about a potential replacement for Flores, the authority offered the name of Daronte Jones. Although he has never been a defensive coordinator in the NFL, he has called plays in the preseason and been a college coordinator. He’s also Smith’s position coach, handling the Vikings secondary.

“So, I think there’s a decent chance that Harrison would come back again,” the source said.

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NFL Authority: J.J. McCarthy Will Be ‘Pro Bowl Quarterback’

Posted on December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 by David Shama

A source who in the past has held positions of authority regarding player personnel with NFL franchises, told Sports Headliners the Vikings have a “down the road caliber Pro Bowl quarterback” in first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.

The 22-year-old has been under a microscope this fall, with heavy criticism often directed at him amidst speculation his career will be a dud. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said McCarthy’s inexperience while coping with a “complicated offense” has created a challenge. Results include throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (9) and generally having metrics that rank low among his competitors.

“He’s been thinking too much, holding the ball…and then making some poor decisions,” the authority said. “And (yet)…(Sunday) was an example of what kind of talent level he has, and that he’s going to continue to get better and better and better. …”

In Sunday’s home 31-0 win over the Commanders, McCarthy had his best game of the season. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 163 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His season quarterback rating moved to 67.4, after Sunday’s rating of 129.2.

It may well have been McCarthy’s best game also in going through his progressions and reading the situation on the field. “There were some occasions, yeah, when he would get locked in (on one target), or he held the ball a couple times, took sacks,” the source said. “But, hey, at least he didn’t throw any catastrophic interceptions like (Max) Brosmer did. Or like J.J. has done in the past.”

McCarthy has been under scrutiny for his throwing mechanics but that’s not the talk of the town this week. Head coach Kevin O’Connell publicly discussed mechanics in the past but the more recent message seems to be the issue can better be addressed in the offseason. “Obviously one of the factors was O’Connell told him they’re not going to worry about his mechanics as much and worry more about his decision making, and I think that showed (Sunday),” the source said.

The authority pointed out that promising young quarterbacks often take time to develop and produce expected results. He mentioned now Hall of Famer Peyton Manning who threw 28 pass interceptions during his rookie season when the Colts were 3-11. Caleb Williams, the NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick in 2024, struggled last season with the Bears but now is playing at a much higher level for his NFC North Division title contender.

The source said McCarthy has both the work ethic and talent to be exceptional. “I think he has shown his talent level which is high. I think the arm strength is high when you look at some of those long sideline throws he made on Sunday to (Jordan) Addison, to (T.J.) Hockenson. Those are where a quarterback shows their arm strength. Sometimes even more than (a) deep ball. . ..”

The growth line may continue to rise for McCarthy against the next two teams. Sunday night in Dallas the Vikings face a Cowboys pass defense that ranks last among 32 NFL teams in most yards given up, 3,543. On December 20, again on the road, McCarthy will face a Giants pass defense that has yielded 3,202 yards.

If the source sees a Pro Bowl future for McCarthy, he must believe there are at least several years ahead where he will lead the Vikings, right? “Yes. I don’t think there is any doubt but I do think they’re going to need to bring in a better No. 2 than they had this year. More durable than Carson Wentz. More reliable than Wentz.

“I think we saw enough of Max Brosmer to not believe he’s the answer necessarily. I mean over time he can develop but not for 2026. I think they have to have a guy who, if J.J. gets hurt, or he’s having a bad day, they can bring somebody in. …”

Twins Notes

Passionate Twins fans are anticipating the debut of outfielder Walker Jenkins during the 2026 season. Word is the 20-year-old former first round draft choice is likely to join the roster at some point in the season.

One of baseball’s most highly ranked prospects, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound North Carolina native has an impressive athletic make up and is said to have a mature mindset. In 718 minor league at bats, he has a career .295 batting average with 19 home runs and 114 RBI. He also has stolen 14 bases.

Jenkins would join a reshuffled roster that is expected to have several other new players, including in the bullpen. The front office has holes to fill there and could use help at first base and with a right-handed hitting outfielder.

Word is the Twins ownership and management intent is to challenge for the American League Central Division title. If so, they likely need high level production from multiple returnees including the Big 3 of outfielder Byron Buxton and starting pitchers Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan.

Rumors of trading any, some or all of them has faded of late. Buxton has a no-trade clause in his contract so he would have to agree to playing for another team.

It’s believed the Twins’ two new minority investors will be announced prior to year’s end. The Pohlad family is likely to continue majority ownership indefinitely.

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