Report: Vikings Blocked Rising Young Coach From Ditching Town

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Josh McCown : NFC Wild Card Round-Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

During day one of the 2026 NFL free agent negotiating period Monday, the Minnesota Vikings mostly sat back and watched other teams around the league agree to terms on over $1 billion in guaranteed contract dollars with soon-to-be free agents, including two now-former Vikings.

The long list of handshake agreements (which can become official Wednesday afternoon) included a couple of the top available quarterbacks. Malik Willis is going to Miami, Tua is off to Atlanta, and former Viking Case Keenum will backup Caleb Williams in Chicago.

MN Vikings still looking for their veteran QB

Meanwhile, the Vikings are still on the hunt for their much anticipated veteran QB signing. As of Tuesday morning, they remain the most likely destination for soon-to-be released Arizona Cardinals quarterback, Kyler Murray.

But don’t expect a deal to be announced later today. Murray can’t officially be released until the new league year begins tomorrow. And once he is a free agent, the 28-year-old former No. 1 overall draft pick plans to first visit virtually with teams interested in signing him, including (but not limited to) the MN Vikings.

Unless something changes during his interview process over the next 24-48 hours, Minnesota will be the favorite to ultimately land Kyler, mostly because their situation is more QB-friendly than the others available. And that’s mostly due to the group of coaches assembled to work with that position.

Obviously, head coach Kevin O’Connell is the headliner. But right behind him is another future head coach in waiting — Vikings QB coach and offensive pass game coordinator, Josh McCown.

But if McCown had it his way this offseason, he wouldn’t be clocking in at TCO Performance Center every day, anxiously awaiting the Minnesota Vikings’ next starting quarterback project. According to Mike Garafolo (NFL Network), McCown tried to ditch town this offseason, in favor of a job offer in the Big Apple.

Josh McCown tried to leave Minnesota Vikings this offseason

Unfortunately for him, the Vikings blocked McCown from jumping ship. Garafolo reports that McCown first interviewed for the Giants’ offensive coordinator job. When that went to Matt Nagy, they tried to bring him in as their new pass game coordinator, but KOC blocked him from leaving.

“Minnesota Vikings to me, that, see, that’s the one that to me was maybe the most attractive because the people you’re throwing to in Minnesota, the system that you’re in, the fact that you’re indoors, the fact that, it’s a really good coaching staff with Kevin O’Connell and his coaches, Josh McCown still there as the quarterbacks coach.

Which, Josh McCown, I don’t know if we ever mentioned this, Josh McCown… he did an interview with the Giants for the offensive coordinator job. [He] had an offer to go there as the passing game coordinator, as well, and was blocked.

Minnesota wanted to keep Josh McCown in the fold there, the former NFL quarterback and the now experienced coach there. So if you go there, you’re going to be coached up extremely well. So if I’m Kyler Murray or if I’m a number of guys, that’s a really attractive one.

I think Minnesota knows that, and they want to make sure they make the best short-term decision for the team and also long term decision with JJ McCarthy in mind. They don’t want to bring somebody in and maybe lose JJ McCarthy, keep him and his head right for the long haul.”

Mike Garafolo – NFL Network

Why Vikings were able to block McCown from Giants job

NFL teams are allowed by league rules to block any coach under contract from leaving their current team, in favor of a “lateral” move to another organization.

If you’ll remember, defensive coordinator Brian Flores had to let his previous contract in Minnesota expire, in order to consider — not just vacant head coaching positions around the league this offseason — but other DC jobs, as well.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Awarded Top Comp Pick

Uncoincidentally, Josh McCown has added “pass game coordinator” to his job title with the MN Vikings in 2026, along with his previous title of QB coach, which he’s held since 2024, when he was first hired by O’Connell.

Before he was a football coach, McCown was an NFL quarterback for 18 seasons (2002-2020). In 2023, he was hired as Carolina Panthers QB coach. One year later, he was hired by KOC.

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