DAILY CLIPS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2020 LOCAL NEWS: Friday, January 24, 2020

Pioneer Press

Report: Vikings promote veteran coach Gary Kubiak to offensive coordinator By Dane Mizutani https://www.twincities.com/2020/01/23/report-vikings-hire-veteran-coach-gary-kubiak-as-offensive-coordinator/

Star Tribune

Gary Kubiak to face big decisions in new role as Vikings offensive coordinator By Ben Goessling http://www.startribune.com/gary-kubiak-to-face-big-questions-in-new-role-as-vikings-offensive- coordinator/567232592/

Grading the Vikings: Kirk Cousins delivered best NFL season; will that mean $100 million? By Andrew Krammer http://www.startribune.com/grading-the-vikings-kirk-cousins-delivered-best-nfl-season-will-that-mean-100- million/567230142/

Vikings coaching moves: George Edwards could go to Dallas, another assistant gone By Ben Goessling http://www.startribune.com/vikings-coaching-moves-drew-petzing-leaving-george-edwards-could-land-in- dallas/567230072/

SKOR North

The future of the Vikings, part 4: The offensive line By Matthew Coller https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/01/the-future-of-the-vikings-part-4-the-offensive-line/

Sticking with Kubiak means play-actions, deep throws and continuity for Cousins By Matthew Coller https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/01/sticking-with-kubiak-means-play-actions-deep-throws-and-continuity- for-cousins/

Report: Vikings to name Gary Kubiak offensive coordinator By Matthew Coller https://www.skornorth.com/vikings-2/2020/01/report-vikings-to-name-gary-kubiak-offensive-coordinator/

The Athletic

For Gary Kubiak, Vikings OC job fills a void — and is a choice not made lightly By Chad Graff https://theathletic.com/1557047/2020/01/23/gary-kubiak-vikings-offensive-coordinator-mike-zimmer/

Should he stay or should he go? On the future of Stefon Diggs in Minnesota By Jon Krawczynski https://theathletic.com/1554501/2020/01/23/stefon-diggs-vikings-future-trade-stay-or-go/

NATIONAL NEWS: Friday, January 24, 2020

ESPN

Sources: Gary Kubiak to take over OC duties for Vikings By Courtney Cronin https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/28546683/sources-gary-kubiak-take-oc-duties-vikings

CBS Sports

Vikings name Gary Kubiak offensive coordinator following loss of Kevin Stefanski to Browns, per report By Patrik Walker https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/vikings-name-gary-kubiak-offensive-coordinator-following-loss-of-kevin- stefanski-to-browns-per-report/

NFL.com

Vikings to name Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator By Kevin Patra http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001098676/article/vikings-to-name-gary-kubiak-as-offensive-coordinator

USA Today

AP source: Vikings make Gary Kubiak offensive coordinator By the AP https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2020/01/23/ap-source-vikings-make-gary-kubiak-offensive- coordinator/41050629/

Maven Media

Gary Kubiak Named Vikings Offensive Coordinator By Will Ragatz https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/gary-kubiak-named-vikings-offensive-coordinator

MULTIMEDIA NEWS: Friday, January 24, 2020

Highlights From Thursday's Pro Bowl Practice By Vikings Entertainment Network https://www.vikings.com/video/highlights-from-thursday-s-pro-bowl-practice

Danielle Hunter 2019 Season Highlights By Vikings Entertainment Network https://www.vikings.com/video/danielle-hunter-highlights-2019-season

Cousins Shows Off Accuracy In Pro Bowl Skills Showdown By NFL Network https://www.vikings.com/video/cousins-shows-off-accuracy-in-pro-bowl-skills-showdown

Kubiak Named Offensive Coordinator; Adam Zimmer Likely Defensive Coordinator By WCCO http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=87dd0982-07c4-4a9b-8b54-2e1b9d00d9f0

Kubiak Reported as New OC; Cook and Cousins Participate in Pro Bowl Skills Challenge By KARE http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=508a3cdb-6f44-4dec-af88-39793ad0e441

Kubiak To Take Over Offense; Vikings Enjoying Pro Bowl By KSTP http://mms.tveyes.com/PlaybackPortal.aspx?SavedEditID=74500fe8-11da-4147-bc4d-5c8a7e6ee958

VIKINGS ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK: Friday, January 24, 2020

Cousins, Cook Participate in NFL Pro Bowl Skills Showdown By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/cousins-cook-participate-in-nfl-pro-bowl-skills-showdown

Cook, Ham & Kendricks Basking in Experiences at 1st Career Pro Bowl By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/cook-ham-kendricks-basking-in-experiences-at-1st-career-pro-bowl

10 Tweets from Day 3 of 2020 Senior Bowl By Craig Peters https://www.vikings.com/news/10-tweets-from-day-3-of-2020-senior-bowl

2019 Vikings Position Recap: Tight Ends By Lindsey Young https://www.vikings.com/news/2019-vikings-position-recap-tight-ends

Lunchbreak: Zierlein Highlights Day 2 Standouts from Senior Bowl Practices By Eric Smith https://www.vikings.com/news/lunchbreak-zierlein-highlights-day-2-standouts-from-senior-bowl-practices

3 Special Teams Stats that were Solid in 2019, 2 to Improve in 2020 By Craig Peters https://www.vikings.com/news/vikings-special-teams-stats-that-were-solid-2019-2-improve-2020

PUBLICATION: PIONEER PRESS DATE: 1/24/20

Report: Vikings promote veteran coach Gary Kubiak to offensive coordinator

By Dane Mizutani

In what might go down as some of the least shocking news of the offseason, the Vikings hired veteran coach Gary Kubiak to be their new offensive coordinator Thursday, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Kubiak, 58, spent last season as an offensive advisor for the Vikings, working closely with offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski, who signed a contract to be head coach of the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 13.

Not only did Kubiak help implement the highly effective zone scheme into the Vikings’ offense last season — unlocking more of star running back Dalvin Cook’s potential — he has an abundance of NFL coaching experience with stints as the head coach of the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos. He led the Broncos to victory in Super Bowl 50 after the 2015 season.

That, coupled with the way head coach Mike Zimmer talked about wanting to stick with the same offense moving forward, and it’s no surprise that he picked Kubiak for the job.

“I like the scheme and I like the continuity that we have offensively with the coaches,” Zimmer said last week. “I feel like if we add a couple more pieces, and continue to work on the execution of staying with the same play calls, the same system, the same motions and formations and things like that, it’ll definitely help the offensive players.”

It will be a different point of view for Kubiak compared to last season when he was content to work behind the scenes and allow Stefanski to serve as the mouthpiece.

That said, Kubiak’s fingerprints were all over the revamped offense that finished with the second-highest run percentage (47 percent) in the NFL last season and averaged 133.3 rushing yards per game.

As much as Cook took his game to the next level in the zone scheme, no doubt the top priority for Kubiak now that he’s the man in charge will be continuing to get the most out of quarterback Kirk Cousins, who will be entering the final year of his fully guaranteed three-year, $84 million contract.

“I think Kirk played a lot better this year than he did the year before,” Zimmer said. “I think obviously the scheme helped him quite a bit, and so, yeah, I think this may have been his best year that he’s played in the NFL.”

Cousins was added to the Pro Bowl roster as a late replacement earlier this week, along with four other Vikings, giving the team a total of eight players participating in Sunday’s all-star game in Orlando, Fla.

That’s the biggest reason Zimmer didn’t want any wholesale changes to the offense this offseason. He likes what he has in place with Cousins, Cook, and the dynamic receiving duo of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, among others.

“It will be the same system,” Zimmer said. “I think it’s important not just for Kirk, but for the entire offense, to have the same system, the same calls and things like that, so that when they come in here on day one it’s not completely foreign to them.” PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/24/20

Gary Kubiak to face big decisions in new role as Vikings offensive coordinator

By Ben Goessling

The Vikings’ search for a new offensive coordinator ended with them giving play-calling duties to the man coach Mike Zimmer has called “the best thing that’s ever happened to me” in Minnesota.

In a widely expected move, the team is making assistant head coach Gary Kubiak its new offensive coordinator, according to an NFL source. Kubiak replaces Kevin Stefanski, who became the Browns head coach last week. Kubiak, who won a Super Bowl title as Broncos head coach after the 2015 season, will be an offensive coordinator for the third time in his career after holding the title in Denver from 1995-05 and Baltimore in 2014.

The Vikings brought Kubiak to Minnesota before the 2019 season, making his son, Klint, the quarterbacks coach and two of his longtime assistants — Rick Dennison and Brian Pariani — the offensive line and tight ends coaches, respectively. The team revamped its offense around many of the principles Kubiak had used during his career, putting Kirk Cousins under center for 70% of his snaps and employing heavier personnel groups to facilitate Kubiak’s outside zone running scheme.

The Vikings finished eighth in the league in points (407) and 16th in yards (5,656, after landing 19th and 20th in those categories the year before), and Cousins posted the best numbers of his career while thriving off downfield throws after play-action.

Kubiak stayed behind the scenes during the 2019 season, largely declining interview requests, but with the Vikings at 7-3 before they faced the Broncos in November, Zimmer told about how much of a benefit Kubiak had been to him.

“I love the way his offense is, the way the scheme is, the things that he’s seen over the years running the offense,” Zimmer said at that time. “Gary told me when he came, one of the things that was important for him was, he wants to keep the offense moving that way. For him to be able to come in and mentor a young coordinator was really important. To me, that’s about talking about your particular scheme and making sure that carries on in the future. I think that part was as important to me as anything.”

After Stefanski left, Zimmer said he wanted the Vikings’ offensive scheme to remain the same as it had been in 2019, and retaining Kubiak should give the Vikings some of the continuity they’ve lacked on offense. He will be their fifth offensive coordinator since Zimmer became head coach in 2014, but his promotion should represent the first time the Vikings have kept the same scheme and terminology while switching coordinators.

But while Kubiak gives the Vikings’ scheme some continuity, his latest turn as an NFL play-caller will come with some big decisions.

Until the final minutes of their 27-10 playoff loss to the 49ers, the Vikings had only four first downs, threatening a postseason record for fewest first downs in a game since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Making things easier for Cousins — who was pressured more often than all but seven quarterbacks in the league — and running back Dalvin Cook could require the Vikings to resume what’s become an annual exercise of attempting to upgrade their offensive line.

Cousins has one year left on the three-year, $84 million deal he signed before the 2018 season; he’s scheduled to hit free agency at the same time as Cook, who posted 1,654 yards from scrimmage (1,135 rushing) in 14 games this season. Wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs also will have a new position coach, after a source said receivers coach Drew Petzing will not return next season.

The Vikings’ commitment to a run-heavy offense — after Zimmer clashed with former coordinator John DeFilippo in 2018 over how rarely the team ran the ball — should continue in 2020, however. They’ll see if the approach can lead them closer to the game Kubiak has won four times (three as an assistant) in his career: the Super Bowl.

“I know that I appreciate him greatly,” Thielen said of Kubiak the day after the Vikings’ loss to the 49ers. “He impacted me and made me a better person and player this year for sure. I’m thankful for him and really that entire coaching staff.” PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/24/20

Grading the Vikings: Kirk Cousins delivered best NFL season; will that mean $100 million?

By Andrew Krammer

The highs were higher and the lows were not as low for Kirk Cousins in 2019. His famous three words —“You like that?” —were delivered again in the visiting locker room of the Superdome after this season’s largest NFL playoff upset outside of Baltimore.

Cousins may have earned himself more than $100 million in a contract extension with that NFC wild-card playoff upset against the Saints, which capped his best NFL season with his first postseason win. He’s positioned well for possible extension talks this offseason entering the final year of a three-year, $84 million contract that is somehow already nearing its end. Both sides discussed a career-long partnership when signing that deal.

This year’s step forward came together as Cousins envisioned, with him thriving as part of a collective effort. The Vikings offense rebounded in its first season in Gary Kubiak’s system with the franchise’s highest scoring rank (8th) since Brett Favre in 2009.

Below we’ll grade the 2019 season from Cousins, setting up his outlook for 2020.

Previously Dalvin Cook's breakout sets up payday; will Vikings buy in? Stefon Diggs, Kyle Rudolph adjusted to most change with Vikings Offensive line improved, but talent gap clear vs. NFC’s best

Pending free agents

QB Sean Mannion

Under contract through (+ 2020 cap hit)

2020: QB Kirk Cousins ($31M)

2021: QB Jake Browning ($510K)

—

Grades are based on a 1-to-5 scale, with '5' marking excellence, '4' for above-average, '3' for average, '2' for below- average and '1' for failure to perform. Players that did not accrue a season (weren't on the active roster for at least six weeks) or played in five games or fewer are not graded. Below are individual grades, based on game and practice observations, weekly film reviews and interviews with coaches for three quarterbacks who finished the season on the Vikings' active roster, injured reserve or practice squad. Unofficial NFL stats, such as QB pressures, missed tackles and targeted passes, are compiled by ProFootballFocus.com.

QB Kirk Cousins (4.0) —One of six handpicked team captains by head coach Mike Zimmer. Adjusting to a fifth different playbook in his last seven NFL seasons, Cousins thrived in a Gary Kubiak system that played to his strengths as a rhythm passer and bomb thrower; it also mitigated a lack of improvisation by moving the pocket for him. Capped best NFL season with three big-time throws in overtime to upset the third-seeded Saints in New Orleans for his first playoff win. Career-high 107.4 passer rating trailed only Ryan Tannehill, Drew Brees and Lamar Jackson. Efficiency was at a career-high 8.1 yards per throw, while volume at a career-low 3,603 passing yards. Played 982 snaps [94.8%]. Missed only five kneel downs until his 80-game NFL start streak ended as a healthy scratch in Week 17. Named to his second Pro Bowl as an alternate. Penalized once for intentional grounding against the Raiders. Started the season with 10 throws in 49 plays in a convincing win against the Falcons, foreshadowing a run-heavy approach from which passing efficiency was the goal over volume; Cousins ranked 31st in throws per game.

Found comfort in a system that moved him under center, from where he led the league in play rate (70%), and resembled systems under his former coordinators Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay,whose 49ers and Rams offenses ranked second and third in under-center snaps. Can still beat the blitz from shotgun with a well-placed, 45-yard touchdown to Stefon Diggs, as he did in the Week 2 loss at Green Bay, but the protection isn’t always reliable without bootlegs or other misdirection. Better equipped to consistently hit rollout shots like the 25-yard laser to Adam Thielen in Detroit while rolling to his left. That Vikings’ 7-0 lead over the Lions was indicative of faster starts throughout the season. Cousins threw 35% of his touchdowns in first quarters, up from 20% in 2018.

Made two terrible judgments on interceptions in Green Bay on a forced pass into tight coverage and a fourth-quarter lob into the end zone. The following week against a hapless Raiders defense, coordinator Kevin Stefanski called just one pass in 12 red-zone plays — even dialing up a QB draw from the 5-yard line. After a forgettable loss in Chicago, Cousins rebounded extraordinarily well and play calling reflected restored confidence from the coaching staff.

Earned third NFC Offensive Player of the Month award for an October in which he averaged 315.5 yards across four games and threw 10 touchdowns to one pick (tipped by Diggs). That was Cousins’ only turnover in Weeks 5-10. Comfortably made decisions in this offense, evident in a career-low nine turnovers. Ten fumbles (three lost) inflated by working with a rookie center, contributing to four botched exchanges.

Play designs heavy in play-action bootlegs also helped mitigate the pass rush. Pressured dropbacks fell from 260 to 175 this season, and he posted a career-best passer rating when pressured.

Pressure was a familiar problem, however, in losses to the Packers, Bears and 49ers. Cousins was sacked 18 times in those four losses (two to Green Bay). Deep throws and rhythm were squashed as Cousins averaged 5.9 yards per throw. Affected by pressure to the point where he misses downfield passing lanes, which can lead to checkdowns and frustrating moments like in the NFC Divisional playoff loss in San Francisco.

When he decides to pull the trigger (and has time), Cousins remains among NFL’s top deep throwers. Only Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew fared better beyond 20 yards than Cousins (121.5), who tossed 10 touchdowns and one pick in that range.

Led first game-winning drive as a Viking in historic comeback against Broncos in Week 11. Threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns after facing a 20-0 deficit at halftime.Cousins thrives as a rhythm passer, so one key in replacing Stefanski as a play caller next season will be deploying hurry-up sequences as well as they did in games like Denver. The no-huddle offense was a primary halftime adjustment in that win. Led his second game-winning drive as a Viking during the NFC wild-card playoff win in New Orleans.

QB Sean Mannion (N/A) —Signed a one-year contract in free agency with a $90,000 signing bonus as cheap depth and veteran eyes for Cousins on the sideline. Like Cousins in Washington, Mannion played for Rams head coach Sean McVay, so they shared a strong understanding of the offense and talked through the concepts via multiple ‘terminologies,’ whether Kubiak’s or McVay’s. Played 54 snaps [5.2%], including five kneel downs and his second NFL start in the meaningless season finale vs. the Bears. Put in a tough spot against Bears starters while he essentially led the Vikings’ No. 2 offense. Completed 12-of-21 passes [57%] for 126 yards and two picks, one tipped into the air by running back Mike Boone. Turns 28 in April. Pending free agent.

QB Jake Browning (N/A) —In the NFL’s arms race (known as college free agency) immediately after the draft, the Vikings ponied up by guaranteeing $140,000 to sign Washington product Jake Browning as competition with Kyle Sloter for the No. 3 job. The Vikings gave Sloter the lion’s share of preseason reps, but decided to keep Browning as a practice squad project. Browning attempted just 13 passes in exhibitions, completing 10 for 64 yards and a pick. Turns 24 in April. PUBLICATION: STAR TRIBUNE DATE: 1/24/20

Vikings coaching moves: George Edwards could go to Dallas, another assistant gone

By Ben Goessling

According to a NFL source, receivers coach Drew Petzing will not return for the 2020 season, ending his time in Minnesota after six seasons. Petzing became the wide receivers coach in 2019 after assisting with the quarterback position the previous year. His departure means the Vikings will have their third receivers coach in four years, and their fourth in Mike Zimmer’s tenure. Petzing came to Minnesota as part of Norv Turner’s first offensive staff in 2014, and stayed on to work for Pat Shurmur, John DeFilippo and Kevin Stefanski (who worked with Petzing in the quarterback room in 2018 and could end up adding Petzing to his staff in Cleveland).

Speaking of Stefanski, defensive backs coach Jerry Gray, who was not retained in Minnesota after his contract expired at the end of the 2019, could have an option to join the Packers’ staff rather than landing in Cleveland. Stefanski has been pursuing former Vikings defensive backs coach Joe Woods — who is currently the DB coach and passing game coordinator in San Francisco — though the 49ers’ spot in the Super Bowl and their desire to keep Woods in the event Robert Saleh gets a head coaching job next season could complicate matters. The Browns’ defensive staff likely won’t be finalized until after the Super Bowl, but it’s possible the team will keep defensive backs coach DeWayne Walker instead of bringing in Gray.

Former Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, who interviewed with the Cowboys on Wednesday, has a chance to join Dallas’ staff; the Cowboys hired Mike Nolan to be their defensive coordinator, but Edwards could land with the team in a different capacity.

Coaches with expiring contracts are typically bound to their teams until 10 days after the completion of the season; the Vikings’ season ended on Jan. 11, meaning coaches like Edwards and Gray were officially free to look elsewhere on Wednesday. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 1/24/20

The future of the Vikings, part 4: The offensive line

By Matthew Coller

In the lead up to free agency and the NFL Draft, we will look at what happened in 2019 and all the possible options of every Vikings position. Here we take a close look at the offensive line…(all stats via PFF and Pro-Football Reference)

PART 1: Quarterbacks

PART 2: Running backs

PART 3: Wide receivers/tight ends

The big picture

Throughout the Mike Zimmer era in Minnesota, the offensive line has largely been an Achillies heel. Since 2014 the Vikings have ranked 23rd, 28th, 30th, 17th, 27th and and 27th in pass blocking by Pro Football Focus’s grading system.

And despite the general perception that the Vikings haven’t invested enough up front but it really isn’t for a lack of trying. The current line is made up of a left tackle who was signed in free agency to a $59 million contract, a third- round pick, a first-round pick, a free agent who signed a three-year $15.5 million deal and a second-round pick.

In 2017 the Vikings signed Mike Remmers to start at right tackle and eventually — in a failed move — pushed him in to right guard. In 2016 they signed Alex Boone to a $26.8 million contract and released him the next year. They also signed Andre Smith at right tackle and he played two total games.

Even going back to drafting Matt Kalil in 2012 and having him fall apart after a strong rookie year, the Vikings have had very little luck on the O-line. Other positions have seen undrafted players or late-round picks like Adam Thielen, Stefon Diggs, Anthony Harris, Danielle Hunter etc. turn into star players but the line hasn’t hit on any of the lottery tickets.

In terms of the 2019 group’s performance, Gary Kubiak and Kevin Stefanski’s system helped cover up some of the issues with pass protection. The Vikings gave up the sixth fewest sacks and only had one linemen rank in the bottom half at his position in pressures allowed. But their performances in pass protection were sub par.

PFF Pass block rank Pressures allowed Run block rank Riley Reiff 26th (of 60) 25 (15th) 22nd Pat Elflein 56th (of 65) 33 (55th) 12th Garrett Bradbury 32nd (of 32) 26 (26th) 19th Josh Kline 42nd (of 65) 21 (21st) 33rd Brian O’Neill 30th (of 60) 19 (5th) 15th The fact that the line’s run blocking grades were solid tells us something about how the line was built. Last year’s first-round pick Garrett Bradbury was lauded for his zone blocking when he was drafted out of North Carolina State. Similarly Pat Elflein was praised for his mobility in run blocking. Both tackles ranked better as run blockers than pass blockers.

If there’s a question about how this year’s line was built, it wouldn’t be: “Did they invest?” Instead the question is: “Why did they invest in run blockers with a quarterback who lacks mobility?”

That brings us to the QB.

A PFF study last year found that quarterbacks own their pressure rates. Put another way: Even when a team has a good offensive line, quarterbacks who are slow to get rid of the ball will still be pressured a great deal.

We can see looking at Kirk Cousins’s career that his pressure rates have been very similar year to year and he only ranked in the top half of the NFL once in pressure rate and still was outside the top 10 with Trent Williams as his left tackle in D.C.

*Pressure rate rankings are from least pressured to most pressured*

Year Cousins time to throw Pressure rate 2019 27th (of 27) 36.4 (20th of 26) 2018 17th (of 30) 38.9 (26th of 30) 2017 12th (of 29) 36.6 (19th of 29) 2016 25th (of 30) 32.0 (13th of 29) 2015 13th (of 26) 35.9% (16th of 27) Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton is the anti-Cousins when it comes to pressure. He had the fastest snap-to-throw in the NFL and was only pressured on 29.2% of drop backs despite having the 26th ranked offensive line in pass blocking.

What does that mean for the Vikings’ approach to the O-line going forward?

We can conclude that Cousins simply requires a far more talented offensive line to stay at the same pressure rate as a QB who gets rid of the ball quicker. And despite having decent numbers the last two years under pressure, Cousins had the fifth fewest scrambles in the NFL, so he won’t turn pressure into plays with his legs.

The way the Vikings choose to handle the line this offseason may determine whether Cousins can take them farther than his first two seasons.

Tackle

The Vikings have a difficult decision to make on Riley Reiff.

He is set to carry a $13.2 million cap hit next year, which would be among the highest at his position. If they elected to move on from the veteran tackle, the front office would pick up $8.8 million in cap space.

Reiff hasn’t been so good that they could never consider moving on or so bad that the choice would be easy to cut him. Over the past three seasons he has ranked 26th (of 60), 22nd (of 62) and 38th (of 57) by PFF grades. He’s been the definition of an average player, performing well against average competition but struggling against top edge rushers. In three games against the Bears over the last two years, for example, he allowed 15 pressures. Reiff gave up five pressures in the divisional-round loss to the 49ers while matching up with Nick Bosa.

If they decide to release Reiff, there will be other options on the market. The free agent crop includes a number of quality left and right tackles.

Free agents (PFF grade): Jason Peters (6th), Anthony Castonzo (7th), Jack Conklin (12th), Bryan Bulaga (13th), Andrew Whitworth (24th), Demar Dotson (27th), Kelvin Beachum (33rd), Greg Robinson (34th), DJ Humphries (38th), Donald Penn (40th)

The Vikings could move Brian O’Neill to left tackle, where he played in college at Pitt. Signing a right tackle like Jack Conklin would make for an instant improvement in pass protection. Of course Conklin would require somewhere in the $13-$15 million range, which would take away from their ability to sign players in other important areas like cornerback and safety.

They could also spend a first or second round pick on a tackle and throw them into the fire but NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah only lists four tackles in his top 50 players in the draft, meaning that getting a Day 1 starter could be challenging. Plus if the Vikings are looking to compete for the NFC North again, it might not be prudent to ask a rookie to take on the likes of Khalil Mack and Zadarius Smith.

If the Vikings remain committed to a run-first approach with their offensive line, they could ask Reiff to restructure his contract and remain at left tackle. If they want to commit to improving the pass protection, they will need to take a different route.

The middle

The Vikings pass protection from their two guards and center was among the worst in the NFL but they were largely effective in run blocking for Dalvin Cook. They were simply incapable of handling top interior pass rushers like Grady Jarrett and Kenny Clark but also operated a fairly complex package of power and zone runs.

If Minnesota is willing to sacrifice pass protection for run effectiveness, they could keep the status quo on the inside and hope that Year 2 of the offensive line would improve with more chemistry and comfort with the system. But that would appear to be wishful thinking after two straight years of struggles against pass rushers from left guard Pat Elflein.

While neither Garrett Bradbury or Josh Kline were any better — in fact, the rookie center was the worst pass blocker in the NFL per PFF — we aren’t likely to see change at center or right guard in 2020.

The Vikings will hope Bradbury increases his strength and takes a step forward in Year 2 and cutting Kline would only create $1.6 million in cap space. So the only area in which the Vikings are likely to improve is at left guard. The free agent market for guards is very top heavy so the Vikings would have to win a bidding war. Last year they lost out on Rodger Saffold, who helped the Titans to the AFC Championship game.

Free agents: Joe Thuney (5th), Brandon Scherff (7th), Ereck Flowers (28th), Michael Schofield (30th), Mike Iupati (42nd), Daryl Williams (50th), Quinton Spain (51st), Alex Lewis (52nd).

It makes sense to look to the draft again and hope to build a line that will be sturdy for years to come. But the issue with trying to fill the left guard position with a draft pick is that the competition in the NFC North is stiff and we could see a repeat of Bradbury’s first season with struggles to get up to speed against elite players. The Vikings might have to pin their hopes on an under-the-radar free agent or someone they have been developing…

The “red shirts”

Mike Zimmer said he was intrigued by some of the younger offensive linemen who didn’t see much of the field this year because the O-line was largely healthy all season. Namely fourth-round pick Dru Samia and sixth-rounder Oli Udoh. Both played Week 17 but there wasn’t much to glean from the glorified preseason game that mostly saw the Vikings run the ball with Mike Boone.

Samia is a large brawler type who made progress during last year’s training camp after a slow start. He spent the majority of camp on the third team and registered an underwhelming 62.0 grade from PFF in 193 preseason snaps.

His NFL draft profile noted some inconsistencies with technique. Lance Zierlein wrote:

“Samia is a loose-limbed, athletic guard whose foot quickness and second-level agility make him much more attractive as a move guard rather than a base-blocking option. His length and movement skills are a big plus, but issues with core strength and body control at the point of attack must be improved in order to survive against NFL power.”

That isn’t to say that Samia isn’t a candidate to compete for the left guard position — players regularly take big steps forward from Year 1 to Year 2 — but he shouldn’t be the defacto answer if the Vikings move on from Elflein.

Udoh showed pass blocking potential in the preseason and only allowed one pressure in Week 17. Last year the Vikings spent $2 million to keep swing tackle Rashod Hill but they might be so cash strapped that Udoh becomes the 2020 backup option and potentially a starter if he continues to develop. The Vikings saw him as a project with high upside coming out of the draft and have no reason to think otherwise after one year.

The future of the franchise

The Vikings offensive line took a step forward in 2019 and it showed in the improved run game. The offensive scheme helped to protect the weaknesses in pass protection for a portion of the season but Stefanski and Kubiak could only do so much when they were overwhelmed by teams like Green Bay and San Francisco. If there isn’t improvement in the overall talent level up front, 2020 is likely to offer more of the same.

No matter what the plan at quarterback is long term, having a top-notch offensive line is always a ticket to better offensive performance. The question is whether the Vikings took the right approach to building their line and if they would pivot to players who are better pass protectors. The amount of draft capital to spend on the line versus other key positions will also be highly debated within the walls of TCO Performance Center. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 1/24/20

Sticking with Kubiak means play-actions, deep throws and continuity for Cousins

By Matthew Coller

At his end-of-year press conference, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer made it clear that he wanted to keep the scheme that posted the best offensive production of his six years in Minnesota.

On Thursday the Vikings brought that statement to fruition by hiring offensive adviser/assistant head coach Gary Kubiak as the offensive coordinator, replacing Kevin Stefanski, who left to take a head coaching job in Cleveland, according to an NFL Network report.

The difference between the 2018 and 2019 Vikings offense tells the story of Kubiak’s influence. The Vikings went from 19th to eighth in scoring, 23rd to sixth in yards per pass attempt, 30th to sixth in rushing yards and 23rd to sixth in percentage of drives producing points.

“Gary (Kubiak) has been tremendous,” Zimmer said in November. “It’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me since I’ve been here. He’s very smart. I talk to him a lot about what he’s done as a head coach. We talk a lot about offensive and defensive football.”

The vast improvement in the Vikings offense started with Kubiak’s scheme, which proved successful in Denver where quarterbacks like Jake Plummer and Brian Griese excelled and then in Houston with Matt Schaub at the helm and in Baltimore, where veteran Joe Flacco posted the second highest rating and highest QBR of his career in 2014.

The story was the same for Kirk Cousins, who set his career high in quarterback rating and ranked as Pro Football Focus’s fifth best quarterback. His previous best PFF ranking was 10th.

Kubiak’s offense starts with marrying the run and pass game together — using play-action passes off the same looks that they used to run the ball. When using play-action this year, Cousins produced a 129.2 quarterback rating (per PFF), which was No. 1 in the NFL. The Vikings used play-action on 31.4% of plays, fifth most in the NFL. They were 17th in that category in 2018.

Cousins has consistently been one of the best play-action passers in the league. Even when the offense dialed up play-fakes less in ’18, he still produced a 116.1 rating, fourth best in the NFL.

Part of the reason for his play-action success is that Cousins possesses the ability to throw deep passes with a high rate of accuracy. It makes for a perfect fit with Kubiak’s scheme, which requires receivers to run deep crossing patterns. Per PFF, Cousins ranked third in rating on throws that traveled more than 20 yards in the air, completing 24-of-61 deep throws.

Kubiak’s concepts also found ways to mitigate the weaknesses of the veteran quarterback. Using bootlegs and rollouts gave him more time to throw, which resulted in the Vikings cutting down Cousins’s sack total from 40 to 28 from ’18 to ’19. An increase in screen passes also cut down on pressure and provided easy completions for the QB, who averaged 8.0 yards per attempt on throws behind the line of scrimmage.

The effectiveness of the run game also took pressure off Cousins. For example, in a win over the Dallas Cowboys, the Vikings ran on 10 straight plays and finished the drive with a Dalvin Cook touchdown.

Aside from the numbers and Cousins producing the best season of his career in the Kubiak scheme, the fact that the veteran quarterback won’t have to learn a new scheme is valuable too. Since he became a full-time starter in 2015, Cousins has only had the same offensive coordinator in back-to-back years once (2015, 2016 with Sean McVay). And while Kubiak will be different in some ways from Stefanski, he will get an opportunity to have the same terminology, same concepts and very likely the same playmakers around him in Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith and Bisi Johnson.

Zimmer’s comfort with Kubiak matters too.

In past years, Zimmer has questioned the offense’s direction. Norv Turner resigned and he fired DeFilippo late in the ’18 season. Last year the two bonded over their long history in the game and similarities in philosophy.

“We talk about offense and defense, we talk about when I was in Dallas and, he wasn’t in San Francisco at the time, but we talked about that offense and the things in Dallas and we had to do and the plays that we used to have to work like crazy on,” Zimmer said. “I think the other thing that I appreciate about Gary (Kubiak), kind of like with (Bill) Parcells with me, Coach (Mike) Shanahan was on his rear end every day, talking about understanding this and understanding that. I think Coach Parcells was pretty much the same way with me. We’ve kind of been in that same thing where we’ve had our rear ends chewed a little bit.”

Having an OC that the head coach trusts and the quarterback is comfortable with was the obvious direction for the Vikings to go with the job. And if they repeat a similar offensive performance to 2019, the Vikings will be back in the postseason in 2020.

As for the more distant future, the Vikings will have to decide on whether to sign Cousins to a contract extension. Presumably Kubiak will play a role in that decision. It’s hard to say where Kubiak would stand on the veteran QB’s contract but he would have the experience to help the Vikings make the decision. PUBLICATION: SKOR North DATE: 1/24/20

Report: Vikings to name Gary Kubiak offensive coordinator

By Matthew Coller

NFL Network is reporting that Gary Kubiak will take over the vacancy at offensive coordinator left by Kevin Stefanski, who took the head coaching position in Cleveland this offseason.

Ian Rapoport ✔ @RapSheet The #Vikings are turning to a familiar face for their new OC: Gary Kubiak, who has been an assistant head coach and offensive advisor, is taking over as the offensive coordinator, sources say. His impact was felt quickly in Minnesota and now he sticks around.

4,807 10:06 AM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 873 people are talking about this Kubiak joined the Minnesota Vikings’ staff as an offensive adviser and assistant head coach last season. The Vikings’ offense jumped from 19th in scoring to eighth from 2018 to 2019. Head coach Mike Zimmer raved about Kubiak’s presence, calling it the best thing that happened to him in his career as a head coach.

The former Texans and Broncos head coach was last an offensive coordinator in 2014 for the Baltimore Ravens. PUBLICATION: The Athletic DATE: 1/24/20

For Gary Kubiak, Vikings OC job fills a void — and is a choice not made lightly

By Chad Graff

The second health scare was too much to ignore. Gary Kubiak had been taken out of a stadium on a stretcher for the second time in three years. This time, it occurred in front of his son, Klint, who was an assistant on Gary’s staff in Denver.

Gary had told his family that the first scare, when he collapsed on the sideline in 2013, was over. He had gotten it under control, he told them, and urged them not to worry about the stress he was under as an NFL head coach. But the second time it happened, as he was wheeled into an ambulance, there was no interest from the family in hearing Gary’s excuses about why he still needed to coach.

Kubiak resigned at the end of that 2016 season to a life on a farm outside Houston that he once purchased as an investment, but had turned into the plot of land that family hoped would save his life. For a time, Kubiak thought that’s how his football story would end. He’d participated in seven Super Bowls as a player and coach and won four of them, including Super Bowl 50 at the helm of the Denver Broncos. It had been a great career. But it was time for a new chapter.

In truth, Kubiak actually liked those first few months away from the game, spending entire days on a tractor and tending to cows.

“When you’re out there on the tractor,” Kubiak told The Athletic in September, “you’re totally away from everything.”

But a funny thing happens to a football addict come fall. All of the peace that arrived with farm work for months dissipated when the NFL season began. Kubiak couldn’t shake the feeling that he belonged back in the sport that yielded enough pressure to put him on a stretcher. He had tried to give it up, truly put forth a solid effort.

“I really did,” Kubiak insisted.

But an initial tepid return to football in 2018, originally designed to keep Kubiak at arm’s length from coaching, has culminated in a return to a major role, now set to assume duties as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator, as NFL Network first reported Thursday.

He’ll oversee an offense he worked with as an advisor a year ago when he first helped Kevin Stefanski implement the zone rushing scheme that Kubiak first learned from Mike Shanahan. For Mike Zimmer, it’s the best-case scenario. After years of turbulence on offense, he now has a Super Bowl-winning coach guiding the side of the ball that has kept the Vikings from joining the NFL’s elite and allows for the continuity Zimmer hoped for without having to promote from within someone not yet ready for the job.

After that football season spent on the farm in 2017, Kubiak knew he wanted back in the game. He was still hesitant, though, to return to coaching. He vowed after 2016 he’d never be a head coach again, a promise he reiterated before last season.

So he returned to the Denver Broncos in a personnel role. It would be an opportunity to learn more about how rosters are constructed and how contracts worked, he figured. And after the health scare, it would be a good chance to work alongside his son Klint, who was the quarterbacks coach.

But the job didn’t scratch the itch Kubiak had for coaching. He watched wistfully as Broncos practices began, relegated to the other side of the team’s building away from the practice fields. That, too, meant less time with Klint than he initially realized.

“It’s interesting, because as many hours as you spend together, it’s not like you’re around each other,” Kubiak said in September. “You know, you’re sitting in the office 17 hours a day and yet you might spend actually 10 minutes in conversation. Maybe you sit down at lunch, or maybe walk by his office to ask him a question.”

Last year, a new opportunity arrived that Kubiak hoped would quell his desire for coaching. In a role designed specifically for him, the Vikings made Kubiak an offensive advisor and assistant head coach. He got to bring with him his most trusted associates, including long-time right-hand man Rick Dennison, and he’d still get to work with his son Klint, who joined as quarterbacks coach.

He spent some mornings in Zimmer’s office, two men on the elder side of 55 regaling in stories from decades in the NFL. He got to mentor a young coordinator in Stefanski as Shanahan once did for him. And he still got to stand on the field during practices, even if he didn’t often say much to players.

“It’s probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me since I came here,” Zimmer said in November of adding Kubiak to the staff.

In some ways, the role was a test, too, for Kubiak. Was the new position enough to fulfill his desire for coaching? Thursday’s news seems to provide an answer.

He’ll now take over an offense that improved under Stefanski. But ample work remains if the Vikings still believe they’re capable of a Super Bowl. The offense was a no-show in some of the most important games this season.

Now that phase of the sport falls on a coach who has won at every level, someone who has spent more time in this scheme than anyone still coaching in the NFL. For Zimmer, it’s the best of both worlds. He returns a trusted advisor who understands the pressure and duties of Zimmer’s role but also turns over the keys to the offense to someone who helped refine this system.

And for Kubiak, perhaps this is the move that finally, fully satisfies his yearn for coaching that was rekindled on long days behind the wheel of a tractor.

As an interview reflecting on those days came to an end inside a small equipment office at the start of the 2019 season, Kubiak looked out at the four grass practice fields at the team’s Eagan headquarters. He had been re-living the time he left football because of health scares that the job, in part, caused. Players milled around the field, still working on their craft at the end of another long day.

Kubiak wore a whistle around his neck while he spoke. He missed this more than he ever realized. PUBLICATION: The Athletic DATE: 1/24/20

Should he stay or should he go? On the future of Stefon Diggs in Minnesota

By Jon Krawczynski

Stefon Diggs took his time getting dressed at his locker for the final time this season. The Vikings had just been wiped out by the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs and, after a first-quarter touchdown, Diggs was kept under wraps for the rest of the game.

It was the ending of a long season filled with highlights and frustrations, success and tension, and so many of those vague tweets and wry, Cheshire Cat grins that define Diggs’ public persona.

By the time he was ready to hold court, only a player or two remained as a hoard of media surrounded him in the Levi’s Stadium visitors locker room. It was a 27-10 final score, and it was not that close. So the question was obvious: did the star receiver believe the Vikings were close to the top tier or were big changes necessary?

There was a long pause and eye contact that didn’t break.

“I don’t know. As professional an answer as I can give you, you can take away the game, we lost, we’ve got a lot to learn from,” Diggs said. “It was a long year, hard-fought battle year and we move forward. As far as, like, contending, you get a brand new year like everybody else. Right now you don’t want to hear that, but that’s just how that shit go.”

Was Diggs upset with the line of questioning? Or was he biting his tongue because he didn’t want to say anything in the heat of the moment after such a disappointing performance by the team? Like everything with Diggs, it wasn’t exactly clear.

Equally opaque is Diggs’ future with the Vikings.

He just finished the first season of a five-year deal that guarantees him more than $40 million. He is, unquestionably, one of the very best at his position in the entire league and teams with Adam Thielen to give the Vikings the top route-running tandem in the NFL.

At 26 years old, he is just entering his prime.

So why would the Vikings even think about trading him? Let us count the ways.

The system Mike Zimmer has installed an offense predicated on using the running game to set up the pass. That plays into Kirk Cousins’ strengths as a play-action passer, and Zimmer has indicated since the season ended that Kevin Stefanski’s departure to coach the Browns will not change his approach next season. Sure enough, an NFL Network report Thursday indicated Zimmer was set to promote Gary Kubiak to offensive coordinator to keep his offense in place.

“I like the scheme, I like the continuity that we have offensively with the coaches, and I feel like if we add a couple more pieces and continue to work on the execution of staying with the same play calls, the same system, the same motions and formations and things like that, it’ll definitely help the offensive players,” Zimmer said earlier this month in reviewing the season.

The approach certainly led to success for the team. The Vikings were 10-6 and upset the New Orleans Saints in the wild-card round.

The approach also means Diggs is not the primary option for the offense that centers around Dalvin Cook. He ranked 17th in the league in yards receiving (1,130), tied for 24th in receiving touchdowns (six), tied for 44th in receptions (63) and was 46th (94) in targets, nearly 100 behind league leader Michael Thomas. This all despite Thielen missing six games and seeing limited time in two others because of injury.

Cousins throws a good deep ball, but he is prone to checking down when under duress. And he is under duress a lot with this offensive line.

Stefon Diggs Kirk Cousins’ struggles getting the ball to Stefon Diggs have led to frustrations for the Vikings offense. Diggs skipped practice after a dismal loss to the Bears. (Quinn Harris / USA Today) And yet, when Diggs was involved, he made a splash. His eight catches of at least 40 yards were tied for first in the league. He averaged 17.9 yards per catch, fourth-best in the league. There was a monster three-week stretch in which he had 21 catches for 453 yards in wins over Detroit, Washington and Philadelphia. And he ignited a second- half rally to beat Denver.

Diggs has the ability and competitiveness to be a true No. 1 receiver, right up there with Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins and Julio Jones.

There is no question that Diggs’ presence, including his ability to take the top off of the defense, opens things up for Cook and the running game. But if the Vikings do want to continue with their plans to play this style, maybe there would be a way to leverage Diggs’ value to tailor their personnel to the system they prefer.

Asset management The Vikings have sunk $73 million in guaranteed contracts into Diggs and Thielen. Unlike the Timberwolves’ Andrew Wiggins problem — the team is paying big money for modest production — the Vikings are getting their money’s worth from their receiving duo.

Our Arif Hasan laid out the Vikings’ air-tight salary cap situation and possible approaches to dealing with it in a thorough analysis here. If assistant general manager George Paton does take the Browns GM job, maybe Rick Spielman will hire Arif and they will put that plan into action. Arif will have to take a paycut and become my source in the organization, but he might have a hard time passing up the free purple polo shirts.

Stefon Diggs Diggs was one of the few players who looked up to the task against the 49ers in the playoffs — a reminder of why he received over $40 million in guarantees. (Kelley L Cox / USA Today) Sometimes, the best-laid plans don’t work out. The Vikings will go into this offseason likely needing to make additions to their secondary, defensive line and needing a massive upgrade to their offensive line, especially if they are going to want to run the ball into aggressive, physical front sevens like San Francisco, Chicago and Green Bay.

The draft will be key, and Spielman and Zimmer have a strong history of grabbing players and developing them, with Diggs being Exhibit A. There will be some contracts restructured, and a Cousins extension could also provide short- term cap relief.

But another way to address needs is to use surpluses to fill deficits. The Vikings have a surplus of talent at the top of their receiver depth chart and an offense that doesn’t maximize the position. Dangling Diggs, a young, dynamic receiver in his prime, to a league that is emphasizing the passing game more than ever before could bring back quite a haul, either in established players in areas of need or in draft picks to help them bolster their roster. Or both.

Why Diggs? So why would Diggs be the receiver to part with over Thielen?

Diggs is three years younger than Thielen, for starters, which would likely mean a greater package being offered in return. And if a team decides to part with a star, and Diggs and Thielen both qualify as such, you better get some bang for your buck.

And while Thielen certainly has been no shrinking violet when it comes to expressing frustration when things are not going well, Diggs has been dropping hints of discontent ever since last summer. While most of the team attended the “voluntary” optional team activities, Diggs skipped several of them.

When the Vikings were flattened by the Bears in September, Diggs didn’t show up for consecutive practices the following week. He has been fined $200,000 by the team for his conduct and when asked in the aftermath of the Bears game if he had requested a trade, Diggs said, “there’s truth to all rumors.”

Receiver is a diva position and Diggs has displayed some diva-like qualities from time to time. On a team with a no- nonsense head coach, it makes for an interesting mix.

So the question becomes, just how much patience do the Vikings have when it comes to tolerating Diggs’ antics? If there is potential for further AWOL periods, when will fines no longer suffice?

Later in his postgame interview after the 49ers loss, Diggs was asked if he had confidence that this offense could take another step if most everyone comes back.

“It’s just going to be another opportunity for us to get better,” he said. “Just take it one day at a time, whenever we do get back to work. We’ll talk about it when we get there, I guess.”

The case for keeping him Yes, Diggs can try the patience of a coach. Sure, he makes a lot of money that could be reallocated elsewhere. But damn if he can’t ball.

Diggs is one of the few players who didn’t seem overwhelmed physically by the 49ers in the playoffs. When the Vikings were in danger of a season-crippling loss to the Broncos at home, it was Diggs who took the game, and the whole stadium, over.

When that megawatt smile is beaming, Diggs is as charming as can be. Teammates rave about his competitiveness and work ethic. In so many ways, he is an engine for this team, and he has repaid them for taking a chance on him in the draft over and over again.

Could the Vikings get by with Thielen as the main receiver, Bisi Johnson on the other side and maybe a rookie added to the mix with tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr.? Sure. But with Diggs and Thielen in the same huddle, they are truly elite at that position.

He makes catches in traffic, ties cornerbacks in knots with his route running and blows their doors off when they bite on the play-action fake.

He is a weapon, with plenty of prime years left in him. So the Vikings should think long and hard before they decide to part with him.

You can bet they are doing just that right now. PUBLICATION: ESPN DATE: 1/24/20

Sources: Gary Kubiak to take over OC duties for Vikings

By Courtney Cronin

MOBILE, Ala. -- The Minnesota Vikings are handing offensive coordinator duties to Gary Kubiak, multiple league sources confirmed to ESPN. Kubiak served as the team's assistant head coach/offensive adviser during the 2019 season.

Kubiak will take over the role held by Kevin Stefanski since Week 15 of the 2018 season. Stefanski left Minnesota after 14 seasons to become the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

During his season-ending news conference, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer prioritized a need to retain continuity on offense as the team began its search for Stefanski's replacement. Minnesota hired Kubiak last year to serve in an advisory role; on game days, Stefanski called plays from the sideline while Kubiak oversaw the offense from the coaches box. Along with the hire came Kubiak's signature zone-blocking scheme that he ran in 21 seasons as an NFL head coach or offensive coordinator.

From 2018 to 2019, the Vikings offense jumped from 19th to eighth in points and 23rd to sixth in yards per attempt. Minnesota had the second-highest designed run percentage (47) in the NFL last season and averaged 133.3 rushing yards per game.

"It'll be the same system," Zimmer said last week. "Obviously [quarterback Kirk Cousins] is going to have a new offensive coordinator. It'll be his fifth coordinator in five years, I think he told me yesterday, or at least voice in his ear on game day. So, I mean, there's nothing I can do about that, but I think it's important not just for Kirk, but for the entire offense, to have the same system, the same calls and things like that so that when they come in here on day one it's not completely foreign to them."

Kubiak's passing offenses have ranked in the top 10 in net yards per attempt 12 times since his first year as a coordinator in 1995. Eleven times, his scoring offenses cracked the top 10 during that span. A lot of that had to do with how much he was able to get out of the quarterback position.

Cousins compiled one of his strongest seasons as a pro, leading the NFL with 13 touchdowns off play-action. The Vikings QB notched the third-highest completion percentage of his career (69.1), had the NFL's fourth-best passer rating (107.4) and was seventh in yards per attempt (8.1).

"I think Kirk played a lot better this year than he did the year before," Zimmer said. "I think obviously the scheme helped him quite a bit, and so I think yeah, I think this may have been his best year that he's played in the NFL."

Kubiak, who already was under contract through the 2020 season, according to a source, helped revive the Vikings offense during a season that ended in the divisional playoffs. Stefanski often talked about the impact Kubiak had on his limited experience calling plays.

"Having him around has been invaluable to me," Stefanski said in November. "This is my first year doing this, so having somebody that I can bounce ideas off of both during the week and during the game. ... I think it's a really great working environment [on this staff] where we could get a lot done and respect each other's ideas and thoughts. And Gary's certainly at the forefront of that."

Before joining the Vikings staff, Kubiak held a position in the Denver Broncos personnel department after retiring from coaching after the 2016 season. He led Denver to a win in Super Bowl 50 and holds the record for wins with the Houston Texans (61), where he was the head coach from 2006 to 2013.

PUBLICATION: CBS Sports DATE: 1/24/20

Vikings name Gary Kubiak offensive coordinator following loss of Kevin Stefanski to Browns, per report

By Patrik Walker

The Minnesota Vikings had little to no interest in going outside of the organization to find a replacement for Kevin Stefanski, the offensive coordinator signing on as head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 2020. Feeling they already have a solution in-house, they've decided to name Gary Kubiak the team's new offensive coordinator, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, a logical move when considering Kubiak signed on in 2019 as assistant head coach and offensive adviser.

In other words, he knows Kirk Cousins and offensive weapons like Dalvin Cook, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs quite well, and Kubiak was key in helping the Vikings to a 10-6 record and an appearance in the NFC divisional round, before losing to a San Francisco 49ers team on its way to Super Bowl LIV.

Zimmer has a lot of belief in what Kubiak can bring to the table in the role as offensive coordinator, so it was a no- brainer for him.

The 58-year-old is well-proven in the league, to say the very least. He has four Super Bowl victories on his resume, including one as a quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers in the mid-1990s, two as quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the Broncos in the late '90s, and one as Broncos head coach in Super Bowl 50. With that kind of offensive football aptitude at the ready, the move to make Kubiak coordinator not only fills the void created by the exit of Stefanski -- it's arguably an upgrade. PUBLICATION: NFL.com DATE: 1/24/20

Vikings to name Gary Kubiak as offensive coordinator

By Kevin Patra

Gary Kubiak is back in the offensive coordinator chair.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday the Minnesota Vikings will tap Kubiak as the team's new OC, per sources informed of the decision.

Kubiak spent the 2019 season as the Vikings assistant head coach and offensive advisor. He was heavily credited with importing the familiar run scheme that dominated his stints as head coach in Houston and Denver.

With Kevin Stefanski taking the Cleveland Browns head coaching gig, moving Kubiak to offensive coordinator keeps continuity in place for Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook in Minnesota. Moving Kubiak to OC should ensure another big year for Cook and should play well with Cousins' play-action game.

The 58-year-old Kubiak helmed the Texans from 2006-2013 and helped lead the Broncos to a Super Bowl victory in his run as head coach from 2015-2016. He dealt with health concerns at those previous stops but has remained one of the most highly respected offensive minds.

After Stefanski took the Browns job, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer spoke of the team's offense as a stable foundation. Not wanting to upset the apple cart, handing the reins to Kubiak was a logical choice for Zimmer to turn.

On the defensive side of the ball, Rapoport noted that one option for Minnesota's vacant defensive coordinator job is to split duties between impressive assistants DL coach Andre Patterson and LBs coach Adam Zimmer. The team parted ways with former DC George Edwards after the 2019 season. PUBLICATION: USA Today DATE: 1/24/20

AP source: Vikings make Gary Kubiak offensive coordinator

By the AP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have chosen Gary Kubiak as their offensive coordinator, filling the vacancy created by Kevin Stefanski's departure to become head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

The widely expected move was confirmed Thursday by a person with knowledge of the decision who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the club had not yet made the announcement. Kubiak was as an offensive adviser and assistant to head coach Mike Zimmer this season, as the Vikings reached the divisional round of the playoffs.

Kubiak's playbook, as directed by Stefanski in his first full season on the job, provided a clear boost for quarterback Kirk Cousins and the offense. The Vikings were eighth in the league with an average of 25.4 points a game, after ranking 19th in 2018.

“I like the scheme," Zimmer said last week. "I like the continuity that we have offensively with the coaches, and I feel like if we add a couple more pieces and continue to work on the execution of staying with the same play calls, the same system, the same motions and formations and things like that, it’ll definitely help the offensive players.”

Kubiak's arrival in 2019 gave Zimmer — who is 57-38-1 in the regular season and 2-3 in the playoffs in six years with the Vikings — a trusted veteran voice and a valuable offensive perspective to complement his defensive acumen. The 58-year-old Kubiak was an NFL head coach for 10 seasons, his time with both the Houston Texans and Denver Broncos shortened by health problems. He has also been an offensive coordinator for 12 years.

The Vikings a year ago hired his son, Klint Kubiak, as quarterbacks coach and two longtime colleagues — Rick Dennison (offensive line coach and running game coordinator) and Brian Pariani (tight ends coach).

Their zone blocking scheme was a good fit for a mobile offensive line in front of running back Dalvin Cook, who stayed healthy enough to make his first Pro Bowl. The emphasis on play-action and rollout passes and frequent use of two-tight end formations helped Cousins play to his strengths and produce a career-best season. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs was frustrated at times by a decreased number of throws that came his way. But he set career highs in yards per game (75.3) and yards per catch (17.9), the latter tied for fourth in the league.

After serving as Denver’s backup quarterback behind Pro Football Hall of Fame member John Elway on three AFC title-winning teams, Kubiak broke into NFL coaching as quarterbacks coach for the Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers in the 1994-95 season. He was offensive coordinator for the Broncos for the next 11 years, winning two more Super Bowls along the way, before becoming head coach in Houston.

Kubiak suffered a mini-stroke during a game there in 2013, leading to his departure. He returned to the Broncos as head coach in 2015 and promptly won another Super Bowl. He was hospitalized again in 2016 because of a complex migraine condition that caused extreme fatigue and announced his retirement at the end of that season. He spent the next two years as a personnel adviser for the Broncos, primarily analyzing draft prospects. PUBLICATION: Maven Media DATE: 1/24/20

Gary Kubiak Named Vikings Offensive Coordinator

By Will Ragatz

Gary Kubiak will be the next offensive coordinator for the Vikings, NFL insider Ian Rapaport reported on Thursday morning.

Ian Rapoport ✔ @RapSheet The #Vikings are turning to a familiar face for their new OC: Gary Kubiak, who has been an assistant head coach and offensive advisor, is taking over as the offensive coordinator, sources say. His impact was felt quickly in Minnesota and now he sticks around.

4,809 10:06 AM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 874 people are talking about this Kubiak joined the Vikings last offseason as an assistant head coach/offensive advisor, implementing his offensive scheme but ceding play-calling duties to Kevin Stefanski. Now he'll be taking over for Stefanski, who left the Vikings ten days ago to become the head coach of the Browns. Kubiak becomes the team's fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons, following brief stints for Norv Turner, Pat Shurmur, John DeFilippo, and Stefanski.

The news that Kubiak has taken the OC role comes as a bit of a surprise, as he had seemed to indicate on multiple occasions that he was enjoying his current role. The favorite for the job appeared to be his son Klint Kubiak, the Vikings' quarterbacks coach. Clearly, Mike Zimmer was able to convince the elder Kubiak to become a play-caller once again.

Kubiak will bring decades of experience to the position. He was the Broncos' OC from 1995 through 2005, before spending eight years as the head coach of the Texans, where he went 61-64 and won two division titles. Following one year as the OC for the Ravens, Kubiak took over as the Broncos' head coach in 2015 and won the Super Bowl. He stepped down after the 2016 season due to health issues, and didn't return to coaching until last season with the Vikings.

This move gives Kirk Cousins and the Vikings some much-needed continuity on offense. Kubiak's zone-blocking scheme, which emphasizes running the ball and utilizing play-action, helped the Vikings improve from 19th in scoring in 2018 to eighth last season. Kubiak's offense fueled career years from Cousins, Dalvin Cook, and Stefon Diggs.

Related:

Is Kirk Cousins the quarterback of the future for the Vikings? What are the pros and cons of giving Dalvin Cook a huge extension? How can the Vikings improve their offensive line this offseason? PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/24/20

Cousins, Cook Participate in NFL Pro Bowl Skills Showdown

By Lindsey Young

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Men in Black?

The nickname proposed by the in-arena host seemed to fit Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson, who wore matching black T-shirts and dark shades.

The pair of QBs who usually are competing against each other joined forces for the NFL Pro Bowl Skills Showdown, which aired tonight on ESPN.

Cousins and Wilson helped the NFC team win the "Thread the Needle" challenge, during which two quarterbacks from each conference aimed passes through numbered targets while defensive backs from the opposing conference worked to deflect their throws.

Cousins Participates in 2020 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown View photos of Vikings QB Kirk Cousins who participated in the 2020 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown in Orlando, Fla.

Cousins, who threw against Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and Wilson combined for 28 points. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson scored 21 points for the AFC.

"Well, we figured Men of the NFC, and you threw out the Men in Black reference," Wilson told the crowd after the challenge. "We wanted to throw them off a little bit – give them a little look, throw a little surprise in there for 'em."

Minnesota Vikings ✔ @Vikings Men In Black

 : @ESPN

Embedded video 486 9:01 PM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 40 people are talking about this Cousins compared the game to a soccer drill in which the DBs acted as the goalies.

"We were able to hit a few and get the win," he said.

Cousins and Wilson also teamed up for the Precision Passing drill, in which three players – two quarterbacks and a non-QB – represented each conference. The players each had one minute to throw balls at targets worth various point totals based on their distance from the passing mark.

The NFC passers collaborated on a strategy.

"We had a plan. We wanted to win," said Cousins, who hit both "4" targets, which were 50 yards out. "It was a lot of fun. We had a plan to hit the 4s first, then the 3s, then go for the 5 – we both hit the 5 – and then just bang out 2s and 1s until we ran out of time."

Cousins impressed the crowd with 18 points, which was more than the AFC's 17 total points scored. He was followed by Packers receiver Davante Adams, who added six points, and then Wilson racked up 19.

The Vikings quarterback complimented NFC North-rival Adams.

"He's in our division, and after watching how he threw it, I'll have to let our coaches know, 'Hey, be ready for him on a reverse pass,' " Cousins said.

Cousins' final event was Best Hands, in which he was paired with former Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. The duo competed in a timed relay race to catch a series of passes at a sequence of downfield targets as quickly as possible. Designated targets required a specific style of catch – diving, one-handed, over the shoulder – which had to be executed before the receiver could move on to the next target.

A couple of dropped passes put the NFC behind the clock, and the AFC ended up winning the challenge.

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook also took part in the Skills Showdown. The first-time Pro Bowler participated in the Gridiron Gauntlet, a football-themed relay obstacle course, as well as the final challenge, Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball.

The dodgeball event included all players from both teams.

Cousins, Cook, Wilson and Adams were joined on the NFC squad by Shaquil Barrett (Bucs), Cam Jordan (Saints), Jaylon Smith (Cowboys), Darius Slay (Lions), Eddie Jackson and Patterson (Bears).

At one point early in the dodgeball game, Cook turned to the stands and hyped the crowd with a Cousins-esque, "You like that!?"

"He's the best. It's so fun to have him out here," Cousins said of sharing the experience with Cook. "It's fun to have seven teammates here. The other time I went to the Pro Bowl [with Washington after the 2015 season], I only had one teammate.

"To have seven other guys makes a big difference in the week," he added. "They're all really good guys, really good people."

The AFC and NFC entered the "best two out of three" dodgeball challenge tied, but despite full effort – and some strategizing between Cousins and Smith – the AFC ended up winning the game."

"We lost the overall," Cousins acknowledged. "But the two throwing competitions we won, which I was pleased with." PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/24/20

Cook, Ham & Kendricks Basking in Experiences at 1st Career Pro Bowl

By Lindsey Young

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Wearing matching grins and white-and-gold NFC jerseys, Vikings fullback C.J. Ham and running back Dalvin Cook wrapped their arms around the shoulders of C.J.'s mother, Tina.

The three posed for a photo after Thursday's NFC Pro Bowl practice at ESPN's Wide World of Sports.

"I'm so proud," Tina said later as she watched Ham and Cook interact. "I'm so happy."

Ham and Cook share a backfield on game day, and on Vikings road trips they share a room. They're more than teammates; they're close friends.

So it seemed only fitting that both would receive their first career Pro Bowl nods after impressive 2019 campaigns.

Ham helped block for Cook, who racked up 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in his third pro season.

Cook was named to the initial Pro Bowl roster, along with Vikings teammates Danielle Hunter and Harrison Smith; Ham was added earlier this week as an alternate in place of 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk.

"He was supposed to be here. That's my guy. That's one of my close friends, and everything that C.J. does represents both of us," Cook said. "We come together and do it as one."

Ham, a Duluth native, called it "surreal" to have gone from practice squad to Pro Bowl for his home-state team.

"It really is a dream come true. I grew up watching the Pro Bowl, guys in Hawaii getting after it," he said.

"The first night, we were all sitting together in a meeting, and it really hit me that I was a part of this elite group," Ham added. "I'm super honored and blessed to be here. It really does mean a lot, all the fan support that I've gotten all season."

He and Cook spent time – along with other Vikings – signing autographs and snapping selfies with fans after Wednesday's and Thursday's practices.

"It's been amazing. Just being around these guys, these are some of the top guys in the league, and having fun being around the fans. You hear them calling my name," Cook laughed, gesturing behind him to a group of spectators decked in Purple. "It's been fun being in this environment and just enjoying it."

Kendricks, the lone Viking to be named All-Pro this season, is participating in his first Pro Bowl as an alternate after initially being snubbed for the game.

But there's no hard feelings from the fifth-year linebacker, who posted the following on Instagram:

On Wednesday, Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll, who is coaching the NFC squad, presented Kendricks with the honor of breaking down the team huddle.

Hunter (second career Pro Bowl), Smith (fifth), quarterback Kirk Cousins (second), defensive end Everson Griffen (fourth) and cornerback Xavier Rhodes (third) also have shared advice with the Pro Bowl newbies on how to best capitalize on the week.

"I tell them just to go have fun. It's all about them and interacting with the fans," Hunter said. "I saw that EK (Kendricks) was kind of nervous, tight, at first, and I'm like, 'Man, just relax. Have fun.' "

Cook is taking the tips to heart.

"I've been listening to [Rhodes] and Griff', Harry, all of those guys," he said. "They've been telling me, 'Enjoy the moment.' "

Like a proud older brother, Rhodes spoke highly of – and poked a little fun at – his younger teammates.

"I am happy for those guys. Oh, man. EK is stoked, Dalvin can't stop smiling and running around. C.J. doesn't know where to go," Rhodes laughed on Wednesday. "I'm just happy to see those guys. I feel like when I first came, that's how I was. But it's just [great] to see those guys come here and just enjoy the camaraderie and enjoy this experience."

Cousins specifically highlighted his offensive comrades.

CJ Ham ✔ @cjham28 Give the people what they want  https://twitter.com/vikings/status/1220451137620340736 …

Minnesota Vikings ✔ @Vikings Stop! Hammer Time.

 : @cjham28

Embedded video 4,011 3:08 PM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 260 people are talking about this "They both deserve it so much," Cousins said of Cook and Ham. "I'm so glad [C.J. is] here and can be here with his family.

"Hopefully we can get Dalvin, C.J. and myself in the game at the same time and have a Vikings backfield," he added. "It will be fun."

In addition to reuniting with Vikings teammates, Cook, Ham and Kendricks appreciate the opportunity to connect with and learn from players around the league.

Asked if any opponents appeared larger – or smaller – in person and without pads and a helmet, Cook laughed.

"Za'Darius Smith. He's big," Cook quipped of the Packers edge rusher. "I did know he was big, though. But I think the receiver from the Saints, [Deonte Harris], he's a little smaller than I thought. You see some of these guys up close, and you're like, 'Man.' "

The Vikings are looking forward to Sunday's Pro Bowl matchup, which will take place at Camping World Stadium at 2 p.m. (CT).

"I know it's going to be a good game," Cook said. "We've got a great defensive team and a great offensive team. This is a premier matchup, and I think it's going to be a good game. I tip my hat to both teams." PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/24/20

10 Tweets from Day 3 of 2020 Senior Bowl

By Craig Peters

The practices for the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl rolled on in spite of bad weather that forced a change in locale.

Instead of Ladd-Peebles Stadium, the site of Saturday's 71st edition of the college all-star game, the sessions were moved under a pavilion at the University of South Alabama.

Here are 10 tweets from the final day of practices…

NFL Media's Tom Pelissero noted that teams are making the most of interview opportunities with prospects because of a change to the interview process at next month's combine:

Tom Pelissero ✔ @TomPelissero One reason interviewing draft prospects at the @SeniorBowl is important this year: NFL teams were informed recently they’ll have 45 18-minute formal interviews at the combine, rather than 60 15-minute interviews. It’s related to schedule changes that move drills to primetime.

607 6:00 AM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 157 people are talking about this Pro Football Network continued its practice updates:

Pro Football Network @PFN365 · Jan 20, 2020 For all of the Senior Bowl coverage from PFN this week, be sure to bookmark our landing page.

You'll find all of the latest reports, news, analysis and rumors from our analysts and insiders who are on the ground in Mobile.http://bit.ly/38km2VI

2020 Senior Bowl - Reports, News, Analysis, and Rumors | PFN The 2020 Senior Bowl will take place in Mobile, Alabama and PFN will have you covered with the latest news, analysis, and rumors throughout the week. profootballnetwork.com

Pro Football Network @PFN365 Did you miss any part of the North practice today at the #SeniorBowl?

If so, our draft analysts - @TonyPauline, @AJDraftScout, @MVScouting, and @Bill_Riccette - have you covered.

Here are all of our updates as they happened in real time.http://bit.ly/37nU8Z1

Live from the 2020 Senior Bowl: Thursday Practice Observations | PFN Thursday is the third and final day of practice at the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl and PFN has you covered with several draft analysts on-site in Mobile. profootballnetwork.com 3 3:12 PM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy See Pro Football Network's other Tweets Georgia Southern K Tyler Bass wouldn't mind if the roof were raised:

john sheeran @John__Sheeran third kickoff tyler bass has boomed into the ceiling lmao

Embedded video 28 1:54 PM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy See john sheeran's other Tweets South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw, who was slotted to the Vikings at No. 25 overall in Daniel Jeremiah's first mock draft, will not play Saturday:

NFL Draft ✔ @NFLDraft Potential first-round pick Javon Kinlaw done for the week at Senior Bowl due to knee tendinitis.http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001098672/article/south-carolina-dt-kinlaw-knee-done-for-week-at- senior-bowl?campaign=tw-cf-sf228745997-sf228745997&sf228745997=1 … (via @TomPelissero)

View image on Twitter 61 9:35 AM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 19 people are talking about this CBS' Ryan Wilson caught this video of a one-handed catch by Baylor WR Denzel Mims:

ryan wilson ✔ @ryanwilsonCBS Denzel Mims has had a strong week. Just grabbed this one-handed pass from Jordan Love in the end zone at Thursday’s Senior Bowl practice.

Embedded video 79 1:16 PM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 25 people are talking about this Ohio State's K.J. Hill showed there's more than one receiver who can make a one-handed grab:

Jon Ledyard ✔ @LedyardNFLDraft KJ Hill making money

Embedded video 2,557 1:39 PM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 322 people are talking about this ESPN's Turron Davenport was able to get a sideline view of a lot of "swag":

TURRON DAVENPORT ✔ @TDavenport_NFL South Team WRs toe drag swagging. #SeniorBowl

Embedded video 6 3:42 PM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy See TURRON DAVENPORT's other Tweets And what about this snag by Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden:

Jonathan Adams @JonDAdams #Liberty WR Antonio Gandy-Golden (@gandygolden11) with a nice snag during #SeniorBowl practice. #NFLDraft

Embedded video 11 3:14 PM - Jan 23, 2020 · South alabama Football field house Twitter Ads info and privacy See Jonathan Adams's other Tweets Here's a bit of an outside-the-box drill:

Chase Goodbread ✔ @ChaseGoodbread #Bengals staff putting edge rushers through pass coverage drills to see who can do it all. Throw: OU QB @JalenHurts Catch: LSU TE @SJS_10 Defending: Alabama LB @_Real24_.#SeniorBowl

Embedded video 108 4:06 PM - Jan 23, 2020 Twitter Ads info and privacy 26 people are talking about this Entrepreneur/CEO Gary Vaynerchuk delivered the keynote address at the second-annual Senior Bowl Summit: PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/24/20

2019 Vikings Position Recap: Tight Ends

By Lindsey Young

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings tight end room was bookended by a well-established vet and 2019 draft pick.

Minnesota in June agreed to a contract extension with ninth-year tight end Kyle Rudolph, who has been with the Vikings since being drafted 43rd overall in 2011.

A couple of months prior, the Vikings used their second-round draft selection to snag Alabama standout Irv Smith, Jr.

Rudolph spoke after signing his extension about the prospect of multiple tight end sets that would come to be implemented as part of the Vikings system under Offensive Coordinator Kevin Stefanski and Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Advisor Gary Kubiak.

"It forces defenses to play with three linebackers, and that allows us to control the game," Rudolph said. "When we go out there in three-wide sets and people talk about creating mismatches, well, now they have five DBs on the field. There are still mismatches, size mismatches, but you can kind of control and do things how we want to do them."

The Vikings did heavily utilize two-plus tight end sets throughout the season. Minnesota ran 550 plays (56.7 percent) with multiple-tight end formations, which was second-most in the league behind Philadelphia.

Twenty-eight of Minnesota's 45 offensive touchdowns were scored when there were two tight ends on the field.

Rudolph embraced a variety of roles in 2019, during which he improved as a blocker and shouldered more of that responsibility than in previous seasons. He also delivered some big moments in the passing game, too.

2019 Season in Photos: Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph View the top photos of Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph from the 2019 season.

The 30-year-old recorded 39 catches for 367 yards (9.4 yards per reception) and six touchdowns – including an impressive one-handed grab at Dallas – during the regular season. He added one more score in the postseason, the overtime game-winner against the Saints in the Wild Card game. We'll circle back to that play below.

Smith also impressed during his rookie campaign.

Through 16 games, he recorded 36 catches for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Smith's first NFL score occurred in Week 11 and helped spark a Vikings comeback win over the Broncos.

Smith reflected on his first season following Minnesota's loss in the Divisional round.

"We fell short and it's not the way we wanted to end it," Smith said. "But as a rookie, not many people can say they went to the playoffs and beat the Saints on the road as the No. 6 seed and did the things we did. It was a lot of fun, honestly."

Rudolph and Smith were joined in the position group by second-year tight end Tyler Conklin, who contributed on offense and special teams in 15 games.

Conklin, whom the Vikings drafted 157th overall in 2018, totaled eight catches for 58 yards, including a 20-yard grab against Denver.

David Morgan, whom the Vikings drafted in 2016, spent the 2019 season on Injured Reserve after undergoing knee surgery during the offseason.

The Vikings also had undrafted rookie Brandon Dillon, who played seven snaps in the season opener against Atlanta but then was moved to the practice squad, where he spent the duration of the 2019 campaign.

Notable Number

81.3 — Rudolph caught 39 of 48 targets in 2019. His reception percentage of 81.3 was second-best among qualifying tight ends in the NFL behind Jets TE Ryan Griffin (34 of 41). The next-closest was Tennessee's Jonnu Smith (79.5).

Memorable Moment(s)

Minnesota's tight ends made some highlight-reel catches throughout the season, but the position group's most- memorable moment belongs to Rudolph, who scored the game-winning touchdown in New Orleans to advance the Vikings to the Divisional round.

The game went into overtime; Minnesota won the coin toss and never looked back.

Thanks to a 43-yard dime by Kirk Cousins to Adam Thielen, the Vikings were set up with first-and-goal. After two failed attempts, Cousins on third down found Rudolph in the back corner of the paint. The tight end once again showed of his trustworthy hands and kept his feet in-bounds for the walk-off touchdown. He and Cousins received game balls from Head Coach Mike Zimmer following the game.

My honorable mention memorable moment is Rudolph's one-handed catch at Dallas for an opening drive touchdown on Sunday Night Football. Cousins threw the play-action pass to where only Rudolph could reach it, and he did so in impressive fashion.

Regular-Season Statistics

Kyle Rudolph

16 games played; 39 catches for 367 yards (9.4 average); six touchdowns

Irv Smith, Jr.

16 games played; 36 catches for 311 yards (8.6 average); two touchdowns

Tyler Conklin

15 games played; eight catches for 58 yards (7.3 average)

Highest high

1. Week 11 against the Broncos proved a big day for Minnesota tight ends.

Rudolph entered the game with 410 career catches and by the fourth quarter had increased that total to 414, surpassing Vikings Legend Jake Reed and moving into fifth all-time in franchise history.

Rudolph went on to have his best game of the season that day, making five catches for 67 yards, including a season- long 32-yard touchdown en route to Minnesota's dramatic comeback defeat of Denver. Smith's first touchdown in the pros started the charge that saw the Vikings overcome a 20-point deficit to win 27-23.

Conklin's 20-yard catch (mentioned earlier) was a key play on third-and-14 that kept alive a drive capped by a Dalvin Cook rushing touchdown.

Lowest lows

1. The Vikings were without Morgan, who had proved to be a talented blocking tight end, for the entirety of the season. Morgan, who also served as the Vikings backup long snapper, underwent offseason knee surgery and was added to Injured Reserve in August.

2. One of Minnesota's most disappointing losses occurred at Chicago in Week 4, when the Vikings offense was smothered by a talented Bears front seven and the team fell 16-6 to its division foe. Rudolph had just one catch for 12 yards, while Smith added another grab for just 5.

Quotes

"I feel like each game, it's definitely a step [forward] for me. As a rookie coming in, I had a lot on my plate at first just trying to come in and learn the offense. But Coach Stefanski and [tight ends coach Brian] Pariani did an amazing job of getting me ready. Each week I just try to come with the mindset that I can't be stopped, and this offense can't be stopped. I try to have that mindset each day. And each game is more experience for me under my belt."

– Smith on growth during his rookie season

"We've had a lot of really good rooms here over the years. I think back to Rhett Ellison, Dave Morgan, and before that, John Carlson. Guys who have always been really professional and helped us win ball games. Our room is no different from that this year. Irv, Tyler and even Brandon, they're always engaged and making sure that the tight end position, aside from the quarterback, is somebody that has to know almost everything about the offense. Especially in that room, you never know what is going to happen throughout the course of a week and on game day. You can be thrown in at any position at any time and know all of your stuff. Our guys all prepare really well."

– Rudolph on the mentality of Minnesota's tight ends room PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/24/20

Lunchbreak: Zierlein Highlights Day 2 Standouts from Senior Bowl Practices

By Eric Smith

There is only one day of practice left at the Reese's Senior Bowl, but they will take place inside Thursday due to inclement weather.

Practices at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, were outside on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com was on the scene to watch the North and South teams on Wednesday, and he highlighted a few offensive players that stood out to him.

Zierlein began his list with Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert.

I came into this week thinking Herbert was the best quarterback here in Mobile, and he's only solidified that belief with his performance through his first couple Senior Bowl practices. He looks confident out there, and he's not making many mistakes with his decisions. And this is a crucial week for him. Where he ends up going in the draft will be determined more by how he fares this week than his showing at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Everyone knows he has the talent of a first-round, franchise QB, but the big question for him at this event is how does he lead his teammates? How does he step up and perform consistently? The Senior Bowl gives him a better stage to display his abilities in those areas than the combine, and he's been up to the challenge to this point. I've been very impressed with his intermediate tosses across the field. Those are throws not everyone can make, but he made it look kind of easy.

Zierlein also came away impressed by Florida wide receiver Van Jefferson.

On tape, right off the bat, you can see Jefferson's a coach's son based on how he competes (his father, Shawn, is a former NFL receiver who currently serves as the New York Jets' WRs coach). Van's production with the Gators wasn't great, but when you ask around about that issue, the fact that UF's QB play has been inconsistent pops up quite a bit. I know this much: His routes are impeccable.

His ability to get open underneath and disguise his breaks is really fun to watch. He made tight-window catches against some pretty good corners on Wednesday. If he's able to break a 4.5-second 40-yard dash at the combine, he's going to get pushed up the draft board. Wherever he goes, he has a chance to outperform his draft position.

Zierlein also took notice of Houston tackle Josh Jones.

Jones had some ups and downs during Tuesday's practice — it's not uncommon for offensive linemen to start off a little slower than defensive linemen at the Senior Bowl — but on Wednesday, he was impressive. He got into Wisconsin LB Zack Baun — one of the top performers on Tuesday — and moved him down the field.

In pass pro, he was shutting people down. I talked to some personnel people here who shared my enthusiasm for his performance. He looks better than Tytus Howard did here last year. I think Jones is a second-round tackle, but it won't be a surprise if he gets pushed up the board, just like Howard, who went to the Texans in Round 1 last year, did. He's a physical specimen and a lock to go in the top 40. He's just too long, too athletic, and has too much potential at left tackle to last long in the draft.

Zierlein also mentioned a pair of defensive backs — Utah's Terrell Burgess and Notre Dame's Troy Pride, Jr. — as players that impressed on Wednesday.

The Reese's Senior Bowl kicks off on at 1:30 p.m. (CT) Saturday on NFL Network.

ESPN Ranks a Vikings Hire in Top 2019 Underrated Moves

With 32 teams across the NFL, there are hundreds of roster moves and coaching decisions that transpire each offseason.

The hope for each team, of course, is that each move pays off in a big way. Some do, and help a team make a deep playoff run, while others don't and sometimes lead to a frustrating season.

The Vikings made a handful of personnel changes in the 2019 offseason, choosing to let some players leave while adding others. Minnesota also brought in a handful of new faces on the offensive coaching staff.

ESPN writer Dan Graziano took notice of the Vikings decision to hire Gary Kubiak as the team's Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Advisor, and recently ranked it among the best underrated moves any team made in 2019.

Graziano wrote:

He was not the offensive coordinator, but Kubiak (as well as run game coordinator Rick Dennison and QBs coach Klint Kubiak, who came with him) helped evolve [Kevin] Stefanski's offense into one that played more to QB Kirk Cousins' strengths. A zone running scheme and an emphasis on play-action helped revitalize the Minnesota offense and propel the Vikings into the postseason.

Stefanski, who's now off to Cleveland as a head coach, credited Kubiak as an invaluable sounding board and a helpful-but-not-intrusive influence on the offense, which performed at a high level for most of the season.

Stefanski and the handful of new coaches were committed to running the ball, as the Vikings rushed for 2,133 total yards, the sixth-most in the NFL. Minnesota was also sixth with 19 rushing scores.

The Vikings finished third in the NFL by running the ball on 49.07 percent of their offensive plays, a stat that trailed only Baltimore (56.02 percent) and San Francisco (49.21 percent). PUBLICATION: Vikings Entertainment Network DATE: 1/24/20

3 Special Teams Stats that were Solid in 2019, 2 to Improve in 2020

By Craig Peters

EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings special teams in 2019 involved a significant amount of offseason experimentation, the departure and return of a veteran return specialist twice and a change in direction under Special Teams Coordinator Marwan Maalouf.

The Vikings used their 12th and final pick of the 2019 NFL Draft to select long snapper Austin Cutting, setting up a camp competition with veteran Kevin McDermott that Cutting eventually won.

Minnesota also brought back veteran kicker Dan Bailey and returned punter/holder Matt Wile from 2018 to training camp. The Vikings then made a trade to acquire kicker/punter Kaare Vedvik in August, but he was released during roster reductions. Head Coach Mike Zimmer also brought in retired kicker Nate Kaeding as a kicking coach. Kaeding assisted part-time in the offseason and season.

Wile was released when the Vikings signed punter/holder Britton Colquitt after the veteran's release from Cleveland.

The addition of Colquitt turned into one of the best by the Vikings because of what he was able to do to help the operation on field goals and extra points and his strong punting performance.

The Vikings began 2019 without Marcus Sherels as their punt returner but brought back the veteran in late September. He was released a month later and landed in Miami. The Dolphins waived him in mid-December, and Sherels returned to Minnesota in January for the postseason.

After recapping stats for the offense and defense earlier this week, here are three special teams stats that were good and two that need to improve in 2020.

2019 Season in Photos: Vikings K Dan Bailey View the top photos of Vikings K Dan Bailey from the 2019 season.

Here are three special teams stats that were solid in 2019:

1. 22 in a row

Including the playoffs, Bailey made his final 22 field goal attempts to close his ninth pro season and second in Minnesota.

The successful stretch began in Week 8 against Washington when he went 4-for-4 on field goals and added an extra point on the way to garnering his first of three NFC Special Teams Player of the Week awards in 2019.

Bailey also made four field goals at the Los Angeles Chargers and at home against the Bears in a three-week span.

He finished the regular season 27-for-29 on field goals for a percentage of 93.1, which was up from 75.0 percent in 2018 (21-for-28).

Bailey continued his accuracy in the postseason, making all three field goals and all three extra points over the course of two playoff games.

2. 42.6 net average

Colquitt set a Vikings single-season record for net punting average with a strong 42.6 on the season.

He also became the fourth NFL punter — and second Viking (Ryan Quigley, 2017) — since 1991 to not record a touchback during a season (minimum of 40 punts). Colquitt is the only player to accomplish that feat and have a net average of 42.0 or higher.

The 10-year veteran punted in 15 games (Minnesota did not punt against Washington) and was the only player in 2019 with at least one punt of 50 or more yards in each outing.

3. 11 special teams tackles

Rookie Kris Boyd led the Vikings with 11 special teams tackles. Boyd's relentless effort as a gunner showed on punt coverage and while helping defend kickoff returns.

Boyd played 303 special teams snaps during the regular season and 52 more in the playoffs.

It was a great way for the seventh-round pick to adjust to the NFL.

Here are two special teams stats that need to improve in 2020:

1. 25.1 vs. 22.4 on kickoff return averages

The Vikings allowed opponents to average 25.1 yards on kickoff returns in 2019, which ranked 27th in the NFL.

Minnesota's return unit, however, only managed 22.4 per kickoff return, which ranked 16th and was 2.1 yards shy on average of the 24.5 by the Vikings that ranked sixth in the NFL in 2018. The 2019 season was just the second in the past decade, along with 2017, in which the Vikings did not have a kickoff return of at least 40 yards.

The combination of the average allowed trumping the average gained did not help field position for Minnesota's offense or defense, and the Vikings will do themselves a favor if they can yield more explosive returns in 2020.

2. 6.8 yards per punt return

Minnesota also was unable to find significant gains when returning punts.

Mike Hughes logged the longest punt return for the Viking in 2019 with a 23-yarder. He averaged 7.4 yards per return. Chad Beebe opened the season in the role and averaged 6.6 yards on seven returns.

Sherels averaged 5.5 on six returns, and Bisi Johnson gained 8.0 on his lone punt return.

Add it all up, and Minnesota's average of 6.8 yards per punt return ranked 21st in the NFL. It was 4.1 fewer yards per return than in 2018 and the first time that the Vikings averaged fewer than 7.0 yards per return since 2003 when the team mustered 6.9 and ranked 28th in the NFL.