Insider: Vikings offensive assistant coach is nearing an extension
The Vikings' ownership and front office have shown an affinity for continuity in recent years under the leadership of the Wilf Family.
When some NFL teams have shown they cannot get out of their own way, the Vikings have emerged as one of the more stable franchises in the league. They show that by keeping their leadership in place with extensions for head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. From there, we can also look at promotions for various members within the front office who have helped build this talented roster.
Now, eyes are turning towards the coaching staff.
Ben Goessling of The Star Tribune spoke on his show Access Vikings and shared some details about a possible extension for offensive coordinator Wes Phillips. He added, 'It sounds like we may hear something in the not-too-distant future on the Wes Phillips front.'
Wes Phillips is often forgotten about on the Vikings coaching staff and his coaching of the offense.
Most the spotlight goes to Kevin O'Connell due to his background and playing career being a reason to give him his flowers. Last year when Sam Darnold had his breakout year, Phillips played a big role in that and it is likely why an extension is now being discussed.
It is well earned and will help keep O'Connell's staff around for years to come.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
44 minutes ago
- USA Today
Minnesota Vikings training camp Day 2 medical updates: Josh Metellus misses time
The Vikings roster has reported to Eden Prairie, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Minnesota, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. The worst part of football, especially during training camp, is waiting for injury updates as they occur or as players attempt to return from injuries sustained the previous season. In the case of the Vikings, they had to battle the injury bug more than they did any divisional opponent. It will make monitoring injuries throughout camp a big part of our coverage here on Vikings Wire over the next couple of weeks. After day two, one starter on each side of the ball made news with injuries that had popped up during or before camp.
New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Sam Darnold has the Seahawks believing, as he works to master the mundane
RENTON, Wash. — Sam Darnold wants to be consistent. This can take many forms, but for the 28-year-old Seattle Seahawks quarterback, achieving that goal requires mastering the part of his job that might seem boring to anyone attending training camp in hopes of seeing several long touchdown passes. Whether in seven-on-seven drills or team periods, Darnold spent most of the first two practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center scanning the field, assessing the coverage coach Mike Macdonald had deployed, then taking a short completion underneath. Advertisement Darnold can make every throw accurately to all three levels of the field. His Pro Bowl season in Minnesota last year was proof of that. His final two games with the Vikings — a Week 18 loss with the No. 1 seed on the line and a lopsided defeat in the wild-card round of the playoffs — illustrated where Darnold needs to grow. For him, growth is less about big-time throws and more about being fast, decisive and living to see another down. Darnold discussed this in a post-practice news conference Thursday, saying a recurring theme in the quarterback room is the importance of 'listening to my feet.' 'If my first read is not there, check it down,' he said. 'There's no reason to sit in the pocket a little longer because I think something might open up. Especially on first and second down, I'm just getting to the check down and (moving) on.' Doing so consistently is something Darnold said he's better equipped to do in his eighth season than he was earlier in his career. His familiarity with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's wide-zone, play-action-based scheme also helps. 'Playing within the system, it's built so that you're throwing concepts on certain hitches,' Darnold said. 'If I take a seven-step drop and I hitch one time, I'm supposed to be throwing a certain route. If I hitch again, I shouldn't be throwing that route anymore. 'It's all timing-based. When we say, 'Listen to our feet,' that's what we mean by that. If we're hitching two or three times on a longer route, usually it should be going down to a checkdown.' Some Seahawks WR routes on air for your viewing pleasure — Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) July 24, 2025 Seattle's top decision-makers believe Darnold can take them to the promised land, which is why they signed him to a three-year deal worth $100.5 million after trading away Geno Smith. Every practice, offensive meeting and film session is about Darnold instilling that same belief in his new teammates. Darnold's first impression was a strong one. Advertisement 'From what I've seen from Minnesota and OTAs, it seems like he's going to be a great quarterback for us,' receiver Cody White said. Earlier this month, Darnold invited his skill players to train with him in California. Several players attended, including Cooper Kupp, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo, John Rhys Plumlee, Eric Saubert, AJ Barner and White. They hung out for a few days and had throwing sessions at Oaks Christian. The former might be more important for their team chemistry than the latter, White said. 'Getting to know the person, I feel like that's the biggest part of getting together and doing things like that,' said White, who has been with the team primarily as a practice squad player since 2023. Saubert signed with Seattle this offseason after a free-agent visit that outlined a promising vision for the offense and his role within the scheme. The 31-year-old tight end spent last season with the San Francisco 49ers, who run a very similar offensive operation. Saubert was also with Kubiak in Denver during the 2022 season. He said he has heard nothing but good things about Darnold from those who have spent time with him on other teams. Flying over from Denver to work out was a perfect opportunity to spend quality time with his new QB1. 'I learned more about Sam and his process and how he prepares for games, and I'm not going to let someone like that down, you know?' Saubert said. 'That's my friend. I trust him, and he's going to trust me. … It's kind of nuanced, but it means a lot when you care about the guys you're playing with.' During minicamp in June, Darnold said he's not much of a vocal leader. Organizing the workout in California is an example of how he plans to lead the charge and establish a rapport with his teammates. 'When you understand each other off the field, that only helps the chemistry on the field,' Darnold said. Advertisement Barner said Darnold gave off 'quarterback vibes' during their time together. 'Business on the field and leadership off of it,' said Barner, who might be the team's new No. 1 tight end now that Noah Fant has been released. 'There was no going out; we had a good dinner. Not that I'd be against (going out), but it was a good time, I'm glad we did that.' As Darnold has shown teammates more of who he is both as a person and a player, their faith in him has grown. 'Sam's been phenomenal,' Barner said. 'Really takes the time to get with the guys. He's open about communication back and forth about what you see. His timing is really something I've really taken notice of and think he's very, very good at. When he hits his drop and when he sees it, the ball is going to be out before you're out of your break. I'm really excited to work with him. 'He's one of the best quarterbacks in the league, no doubt about it. We're going to show it this year.' Last year, Darnold practiced every day against the fourth-best defense in the league by points allowed per drive. In Macdonald's first year, the Seahawks were fifth by that same metric, and they're returning nearly every starter and rotation player from that unit (the most notable change is replacing Dre'Mont Jones with DeMarcus Lawrence). Macdonald's defense is constantly testing quarterbacks in practice with post-snap rotations, blitzes and disguises. 'Whenever you can go up against a defense (that) good schematically, combined with the great players we have on defense, it's going to help us,' Darnold said. Darnold was picked off once and came close to throwing a second interception during Thursday's practice. Riq Woolen undercut a crossing route and snagged a pass intended for Elijah Arroyo, but the ball bounced off the cornerback's hands and was hauled in by the rookie tight end for a short gain. Later in the team period, Darnold tried to throw a ball deep over the middle toward Smith-Njigba, but it was robbed from underneath by safety D'Anthony Bell. Advertisement Darnold has otherwise looked sharp through two training camp practices, which is to be expected in padless practices. Seattle will soon practice in pads, and Darnold and the entire offense will be easier to evaluate in full. But with or without pads, Darnold's consistency in his decision-making will determine whether he can lead them to the playoffs and make a run. 'You want to make every play possible, but you want to make the right play,' he said. 'That's how I'm going to challenge myself this training camp.'
USA Today
4 hours ago
- USA Today
Vikings training camp notebook, day 2: Defense continues to flash brilliance
The Vikings roster has reported to Eden Prairie, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Minnesota, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell have new extensions, as do their assistants and coordinators. J.J. McCarthy is finally healthy and ready to take over the controls of a franchise that trusted him enough to stick with him when so many other options presented themselves. All in all, the coaching staff remains essentially unchanged, while the roster sees some position groups infused with youth and talent to solidify them. The second day of training camp has wrapped, though, for the team, and there is a lot to break down. We did our best to decide what was worth sharing and discussing, as a lot happened, we narrowed it down to three key points. Of course, we rounded up some quick hitters as well for your enjoyment. Defense has contributors across the board The defense is going to have their work cut out for them once again in 2025 after a strong season in 2024 that saw the team go 14-3. While their offense remains one of the best in the NFL, the defense added some new pieces for Brian Flores to scheme with over the offseason, specifically in the secondary. Players like Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah both come in with mild expectations, and Dallas Turner in his sophomore season is expected to contribute more. The Athletic's Alec Lewis shared some thoughts from the second day as it pertains to this group, and as Olaf would say, "All good things, all good things." Lewis explained, "The Brian Flores defense looks revved up, per usual around this time. Disguised looks. Activity from Levi Drake Rodriguez. Lots of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah." If Byron Murphy Jr. can get help from Rodgers and Okudah, look out. Justin Jefferson leaves early, but fear not The Vikings avoiding injury in 2024 is going to be a pivotal part of the training camp over the next few weeks. Last year it bit former top pick J.J. McCarthy hard to the tune of a torn meniscus, so they are doing what they can to avoid it going forward. That is why Justin Jefferson's early departure from practice may have raised some alarms, but it left the All-Pro wide receiver smiling as if he had pulled it as a joke. Jefferson explained his early departure, saying, "Just having a little bit of tightness. Of course, with the past recent injuries and stuff that I have gone through before, just taking precaution and understanding it's the second day of camp, not the 30th." One would have to imagine we see Jefferson at practice on Friday, even if it is in a limited role. No reason for concern with the star receiver, as of now. Josh Metellus sits out on the second day A day after we discussed how Josh Metellus was practicing and being used as the Swiss Army knife of the Vikings' defense, he was making headlines again. The veteran safety, who is in the middle of a contract situation with the team, missed practice due to what the team reported to be an ankle issue. We have seen players cite injuries as a way to avoid camp and not be a distraction in the media, although that is not what is happening here yet. It does create a situation worth watching, though, for the team and Metellus, and the camp rolls on, and no contract is extended between the parties. Quick hitters
