Vikings – 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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25 Years Calls for Remembering One Special Sports Story

Posted on December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 by David Shama

With calendar year 2025 coming to a close, I am asking what is your favorite Minnesota sports story for the first 25 years of the new millennium?

True, there haven’t been a ton of cherished times on the local sports scene since the year 2000. I once worked for the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, so God forbid that I label this town as Loserville, but few will argue we excel in disappointing outcomes.

The Vikings haven’t been to the Super Bowl since 1977. The Vikings have almost made the big show several times since then, including 2010 when an overtime loss to the Saints in the NFC championship game spoiled their ambitions. The hero who had more to do with the Vikings getting that far was quarterback Brett Favre whose first season in Minnesota is my favorite story of the millennium.

For years I risked being charged with treason before Favre arrived in Purple Town. His long career and accomplishments with the Packers had my adulation, even though I kept a low profile about it. The Purple Faithful might have hung me in effigy at Winter Park if they had known my secret loyalty.

All that changed with the public, though, in the summer of 2009 when ill will was immediately forgotten by Viking fans and he was embraced like a long-lost son of Bud Grant.

At age 39 and after 16 seasons in Green Bay, and one lost season with the Jets, there had been speculation earlier in the year Favre might retire from the NFL. Nope, the old gunslinger had more football to play and agreed to lead Minnesota—the Packers hated division rival to the west.

On August 18, 2009, he arrived in St. Paul on a private jet. Throngs of media and fans deluged the Vikings training facility in Eden Prairie. Favre’s decision to play for the Vikings was worthy of front-page news and interrupting regularly scheduled TV programming.

The town was buzzing about the former Super Bowl winning quarterback who would be a sure first ballot hall of famer. The three-time NFL MVP changed expectations inside and outside of the locker room. The good old southern boy with the cocky attitude, powerful arm and knack for winning big games had arrived. The fans adored him and teammates responded to his leadership. They also poked fun of his age by putting a rocking chair in the locker room.

Favre and the Vikings had a magical ride in 2009 including the first regular season home game. He threw a miraculous 32-yard touchdown pass to Greg Lewis in the end zone to defeat the 49ers 27-24. The Vikings had trailed 24-20 in the fourth quarter when the 80-yard TD drive started. It ended with Favre’s laser to Lewis to win the game with two seconds remaining.

Upon arrival in Minnesota Favre made it clear his ambitions were the highest possible. His performance backed that up. He threw only seven interceptions, the best of his career as a starting NFL quarterback dating back to 1992. His passing rating of 107.2 was also a career best, and only three previous times did he ever total more than the 33 touchdown passes of the 2009 season.

Favre was the team’s MVP, and his No. 4 jersey was the best-selling that year in the NFL. The Vikings transformed into one of the NFL’s most watched and popular teams.

Minnesota finished 12-4 during the regular season, the team’s best record since 1998 when the Vikings were 15-1.

Brett Favre with former U great and Packer teammate Darrell Thompson

It was an ecstatic experience for Minnesotans to watch this aging quarterback (turned 40 that October) inject life into a struggling franchise and show he could still play some of the best football of his life. His appeal, too, went beyond the field and throwing impossible passes. He came off as a blue-collar country boy with a charismatic personality. Fans knew of his flaws, a struggling past of alcohol and drugs, but that was ignored by the public and no doubt some thought his mistakes made him even more endearing.

In the playoff opener after the regular season, Favre fever rolled on as he threw four touchdown passes in a home beat down of the Cowboys, 34-3. He threw three touchdown passes, had no picks and the defense was ferocious.

A week later in the NFC title game in New Orleans the Saints played like they were crazed —with defensive players diving at Favre’s legs and targeting him with rough antics. It was later confirmed that there was a payoff bounty to players for excessive play in the game and in other games the Saints played.

Favre managed to survive but the Vikings should have been the beneficiary of unnecessary roughness calls. It might well have made a difference in the outcome of a game the Vikings lost 31-28 in overtime.

A lot of Vikings could have played better, including Favre who had two interceptions and a fumble in the game. The superhero, playing in his last playoff game, turned out to be human but what a ride he took the town and franchise on from August of 2009 to late January of 2010!

We witnessed what greatness is all about.

Favre returned for one last season in the NFL and with the Vikings. In 2010 the preseason excitement of Favre playing one more year diminished in the reality of a losing season and declining performance by him as he threw more interceptions than touchdown passes.

But 2010 didn’t throw any shade on the marvelous ride of 2009!

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