With the first round of the 2025-26 NFL Playoffs on deck and the Packers locked in as the 7-seed in the NFC, the Vikings’ division rival waved the white flag and sat most of their starters, in order to get/stay healthy for the postseason.

Meanwhile, Minnesota — who started the season 4-8 and finished on a five-game win streak — had no such concerns. The Vikings were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago.

Browns fire MN Vikings raised coach Kevin Stefanski

Kevin Stefanski was baptized and raised by the MN Vikings. And in 2025, his Cleveland Browns lived a very similar reality to his former team, after Cleveland was eliminated from playoff contention about a month ago (week 14).

In the weeks since, there have been rumblings that the Browns could choose to move on from their 2x NFL Coach of the Year Award winner at the end of the season. And this morning, on “Black Monday” in the NFL, Stefanski was one of the first coaches fired.

Sources: Kevin Stefanski is out as the Browns head coach.

After moving on from Cleveland, Stefanski now is expected to be one of the top candidates in this hiring cycle. pic.twitter.com/db3fFLEZRh

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2026

We have tremendous gratitude for Kevin’s leadership of the Cleveland Browns over the last six seasons. He is a good football coach and an even better person. We appreciate all his hard work and dedication to our organization but our results over the last two seasons have not been satisfactory, and we believe a change at the head coaching position is necessary. We wish Kevin, Michelle and the Stefanski family all the best in the future. Andrew Berry will continue to lead our football operations. The entirety of our focus is on building a team that brings our fans the success they long deserve, and we will continue to work relentlessly towards that goal and invest whatever resources necessary to build a winning football program. Andrew will immediately begin our thorough process to find an outstanding new head coach and leader of our football team. We have an exciting young core to build upon, and Andrew and his team are intent on adding talent to this core and building out a roster that can achieve sustainable success.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM [BROWNS OWNERS] DEE AND JIMMY HASLAM

Browns fire their best head coach in modern history

Kevin Stefanski lasted six seasons in Cleveland, which is by far the longest of any Browns head coach since Blanton Collier coached for eight seasons from 1963-1970.

The only other coach in Browns history to walk the sideline more times than Stefanski’s 100 games was NFL Hall of Famer and 7-time Champion, Paul Brown, who lead Cleveland for 16 seasons from 1946 to 1962, before passing the baton to Collier, who won one championship of his own.

While Stefanski was undoubtedly the most successful head coach in modern Browns history, the former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator finished with a losing 44-56 regular season record and won just ONE playoff game in six seasons.

The #Browns are firing coach Kevin Stefanski, a two-time coach of the year, after two tough seasons in a row.

While Cleveland starts over with a new voice, Stefanski should be a top candidate in several places. pic.twitter.com/js9JDZKwyB

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2026

Prior to his underwhelming (but historical) run in Cleveland. Kevin Stefanski spent 13 years in the Minnesota Vikings organization, rising all the way up the organizational ranks — starting as Brad Childress’ assistant from 2006-2008 all the way to offensive coordinator in 2019 — before he left for the Browns head coaching job.

Cautionary tale for Minnesota Vikings head coach

Kevin Stefanski’s firing is a cautionary tale for current Vikings head coach, Kevin O’Connell, who will begin his fifth season at the helm in Minnesota next year. KOC will enter 2026 with a winning regular season record of 42-25, but the Vikings are 0-2 in the playoffs under his leadership.

Stefanski went into his fifth year in Cleveland with a 40-30 regular season record and 1-2 record in the playoffs. Two missed postseasons later… and Kevin is no longer employed with the Browns.

In other words, if Kevin wants to make sure his job stays secure into the future, he needs to get Minnesota back to the playoffs NEXT season, and even win postseason game or two.

Anything short of that could O’Connell’s job in jeopardy, or at the very least, heat up his seat entering 2027.

And going into their bye, with 12 games remaining on their 2025 regular season schedule, the Vikings have more wins (3) than they do losses (2). Still, nothing came easy for the “away” team on Sunday.

In fact, there were moments in the second half on Sunday where it felt like the football gods had something against the MN Vikings, a feeling that hit its peak early on in the 4th quarter, when Will Reichard missed a 51 yard field goal WILD right that would have tied the game at 17.

Here was how Reichard's "miss" looked in real time pic.twitter.com/OXMlOcWEQ3

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 5, 2025

Or did he. Shortly after the game moved on out in London, social media detectives quickly started breaking down the film in slow motion, where it appeared to show that Reichard’s kick hit a cable hanging over the field at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which is why the ball took a sudden turn to the right.

Will Reichard’s kick blocked by stadium cable

There weren’t a lot of clear shots on the internet and sources tell Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) that NFL’s replay assist “did not see a view that showed #Vikings kicker Will Reichard’s fourth-quarter field goal hitting a wire”. But just to be sure, I took it upon myself to do what the league apparently couldn’t.

I slowed down the tape in high definition, where I quickly realized that beyond the cable itself, bad camerawork was Will Reichard’s worst enemy on this kick. When the ball goes up, it takes off above the camera shot. But when slowed way down, you can see the ball hit the cable immediately when it comes back into the frame.

Took a look back at the Will Reichard "missed" field goal myself (in HD since it's 2025)… and there's no doubt the British cable screwed him. pic.twitter.com/y0VEFVgSg4

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 5, 2025

If your eyes aren’t very good and you still aren’t convinced, the cable aggressively swinging back and forth, as the ball magically changes mid-air from end-over-end into a sideways tailspin and its flight path takes a hard turn right.

Without a doubt, that football smoked that cable, and I have little doubt that it would have been comfortably inside the right upright, had that cable not impeded its original path. No matter, the official record will show that this “miss” was the first of Reichard’s season, moving him to 8-for-9 entering the week 7 bye.

Related: Minnesota Vikings WR in Trouble Again?

Back at the NFL replay offices in New York, someone needs a very serious job review on Monday. Had the replay officials there noticed the cable’s interference, like Twitter did, then Will Reichard would have gotten a chance to rekick.

Thankfully, this botched no-call didn’t cost the Minnesota Vikings a victory on Sunday. But in a game as close as this one was, it sure as hell could have.

The 2023 No. 23 overall draft pick was not listed on the inactive list, but for the entire first quarter, No. 3 in all white was nowhere to be found. Just before the start of the second quarter, we found out why. Addison was not dealing with a physical ailment.

Minnesota Vikings WR benched to start game vs Browns

Instead, Kevin Seifert (ESPN) reports that his absence at the start of week five was a “coach’s decision”. In other words, Jordan did something that resulted in him being benched for the start of this game. When the 2nd quarter began, Addison was back on the field.

It took until Kevin O’Connell’s postgame press conference for fans and media to find out why Jordan Addison was disciplined Sunday. According to the head coach, Addison missed a Vikings walkthrough this week, leading to his first quarter benching.

Jordan Addison is heading onto the field. So this was a first-quarter benching, due to what the Vikings say was a coach's decision.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 5, 2025

Kevin O’Connell says Jordan Addison missed a walk thru this week. Addison addressed the team about it.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 5, 2025

Jordan Addison may be his own worst enemy

Addison played the MN Vikings full game in Dublin last week, after spending the first three games of the regular season suspended due to a DUI arrest in California two offseasons ago that was eventually pleaded down to a “wet reckless” violation.

In his first game of 2025, against the Steelers, Addison piled up 114 receiving yards on 4 receptions. In his three quarters of play Sunday, he put up another 5 receptions for 41 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

Jonathan Vilma on Carson Wentz's go-ahead TD pass to Jordan Addison: "I can't emphasize enough how good of a throw that was. That is big league! Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes…" #NFL https://t.co/rDEZhojVJo pic.twitter.com/jw1wxBo0Xt

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 5, 2025

One thing is for sure, though, this latest off-field incident isn’t a good look for the former USC and Pitt star, who has accumulated 1941 yards and 20 touchdowns on 142 career receptions.

Jordan Addison could be looking at a massive $100 million contract in the next two offseasons, if he can show the Minnesota Vikings and/or the rest of the league that he can keep his nose out of trouble… something that is proving easier said than done.

Now, staying across the pond for a second-straight week, they are set to face the Cleveland Browns in London. Minnesota desperately needs a win heading into the bye week, and doing so will involve beating rookie starter Dillon Gabriel.

Dillon Gabriel preparing as starter for Cleveland Browns

Last week it was a future Hall of Famer in the form of Aaron Rodgers under center. This week it looks as though the Browns will make a change and bring Dillon Gabriel off the bench for his NFL debut.

The current belief is that the #Browns are going to make a change at quarterback and start rookie Dillon Gabriel this week vs. the Vikings, sources tell @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/UKvkzazXWw

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 30, 2025

18-year veteran Joe Flacco has started the first four games for Kevin Stefanki’s squad this season. He owns just a 1-3 record while completing 58.1% of his passes. He also has just two touchdowns and an ugly six interceptions.

Cleveland took Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oregon. He was a Heisman finalist for the Ducks and his 155 career passing touchdowns are an all-time FBS record. Gabriel won the backup job during the preseason and has been lurking as Flacco’s struggles continue.

Joe Flacco will serve as the team’s backup. If he is eventually made inactive, then Gabriel’s backup would be prolific personality Sheduer Sanders. The Browns drafted Sanders in the fifth round out of Colorado. Many experts projected him as the top overall pick.

first NFL TD for Dillon and Dylan#CLEvsBAL on CBS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/FZ9qny1YLq

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 14, 2025

Gabriel under center will present a different gameplan for the Vikings defense. While he is not just a running quarterback, his athleticism is substantially more significant than that of Flacco. With Andrew Van Ginkel already ruled out, the pass rush will need to contain him within the pocket.

Minnesota is hoping to have J.J. McCarthy running some portions of practice later this week. If he is able, he can look to simulate some of those sorts of movements.

The Vikings kick off against the Browns from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 8:30 am central time. They beat the New York Jets last season in the same venue.

The linebacker tandem of Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman flashed well last year. It was the Minnesota-native Cashman that came home after Jordan Hicks signed with the Cleveland Browns.

Hicks signed a two-year deal with Cleveland for $8 million. The veteran played the first year of that contract in 2024, but that’s where things will end.

Jordan Hicks retiring from the NFL

The Cleveland Browns linebacker position lacked depth this season. They targeted Carson Schwesinger in the NFL Draft, and assumed that veteran Jordan Hicks would be present for the second year of his deal. He was absent at the start of training camp, and now has provided a reason why.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jordan Hicks (@jhicks_3)

Last season, his only one with the Browns, Hicks played in 12 games. He missed time due to a multitude of different injuries last season, and famously suffered a serious injury with Minnesota in 2023.

Hicks suffered a shin contusion against the New Orleans Saints on November 12, 2023. It didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary, but developed into compartment syndrome and needed to be rushed to the hospital. He returned six weeks later and finished the final three games of the regular season.

With Cleveland last season Hicks recorded two sacks and 78 tackles. He added four tackles for loss and five quarterback hits. It was the culmination of 10 seasons in the NFL. He concludes his career with 16.5 sacks and 952 total tackles.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Tight End Quietly Sitting on Big Season?

Hicks spent two seasons with Minnesota and was seen as a solid veteran leader. His only career fumble return for a touchdown came on October 15, 2023 against the Chicago Bears.

At 33 years old Hicks has plenty of life ahead of him to live. He earned just shy of $44 million over the course of his career. The veteran linebacker also leaves the game with a Super Bowl Ring from his 2017 season with the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Cleveland Browns will now have to figure out how they’ll move forward at the position. It’s just the latest iteration of another knock against an organization that has become synonymous with them.

Then, as soon as those Irish Vikings vs Pittsburgh Steelers rumors turned into credible reports, an even harder-to-believe scenario bubbled to the surface. Not only were the Minnesota Vikings expected to play week four in Dublin, but there were whispers behind the scenes that they could play two games overseas in the same season.

Rumors:

Vikes play Steelers in Dublin- YAY!!!

Vikes play next game in London- NAY!!!

— Ben Leber (@nacholeber) May 5, 2025

How could something like this even cross the league’s mind? Well, because two of Minnesota’s scheduled AFC North road opponents in 2025 — the Steelers and the Cleveland Browns — both have international home games on their schedule, in close proximity to one another.

Minnesota Vikings 2025 European Double-Header Locked In…

So, when the NFL decided that the Vikings were the best overseas option on the Steelers’ schedule, for their game in Dublin, Ireland… they thought, why not have them hop over the Irish Sea, for another game just 583 KILOMETERS east — one hour plane ride that costs as little as $38 — for another game against the Browns back at Tottenham Hotspur, in London?

As of Friday afternoon, it appears that’s exactly what the NFL has decided to do. Over the last 12-24 hours, the MN Vikings’ 2025 international double-header has become one of the NFL’s worst-kept secrets.

Late Thursday afternoon, Arif Hassan (wideleft.football) tweeted it out as being all but official. On Friday morning, the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling tweeted the same thing. Both matchups will be road games, and thus not affect Minnesota’s home schedule in 2025, unlike their british cameo last season.

Hearing that the Vikings will be playing internationally in back to back weeks:

• at Steelers Week 4 in Dublin at Croke Park
• at Cleveland Week 5 in London at Tottenham

— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) May 8, 2025

From what I’ve heard over the past couple weeks, it appears likely the #Vikings will play back-to-back international games this fall.

They have road games against the Steelers and Browns this year; the Steelers host in Dublin and the Browns are in London. It would be the…

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) May 9, 2025

In its 65 year history, the Minnesota Vikings football team has never lost a game on international soil — a perfect 8-0, (4-0 in the regular season). Now, they’ll get a chance to defend that perfect overseas W/L record, first in Ireland, then back to the UK for their second game at the iconic Tottenham Hotspur stadium, in just as many seasons.

Related: Minnesota Vikings’ Greatest Position of Need – Per Mr. DVOA

As already mentioned at the top of this article, Kevin O’Connell & Co played in the iconic European football stadium last October, against Aaron Rodgers and the New York Giants. That game, as we all know, finished in a 23-17 week five Vikings victory.

While the Vikings were much busier during the early stages of free agency, than they will be during the draft, there is still one glaring spot on Minnesota’s depth chart that cannot be filled through the draft, and that is a veteran QB to pair with JJ McCarthy in 2025.

Knowing how quickly QB1s and QB2s fly off the board in free agency, it felt like quarterback would be one of the first signings of the Vikings’ 2025 class. But that’s not the way reality has played out, thanks to the Aaron Rodgers waiting game (which is still ongoing), along with a bloated number of available veteran quarterbacks.

Another veteran QB — Joe Flacco — falls off the free agent board

That was before Friday morning, when possibly the best QB2 on the market from the very beginning, 40-year-old Joe Flacco, signed with former Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski and the Cleveland Browns. Flacco — who won NFL Comeback Player of the Year in Cleveland, under Stefanski, in 2023 — chose the Browns over the Vikings and Steelers, per Adam Schefter.

Reunion: the Cleveland Browns and veteran quarterback Joe Flacco reached agreement today on a one-year, $4 million deal worth up to $13 million with incentives, his agency @JLSports3 told ESPN. Flacco now will return to Cleveland, where he won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the… pic.twitter.com/pOaCuhrVmS

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 11, 2025

So, here we sit on April 11, with the draft inching closer, and the Minnesota Vikings still need a veteran QB to pair with JJ McCarthy. Weren’t we led to believe that free agent quarterbacks would flock to Eagan, upon invitation, just so they could work for the the second-highest rated employer in the NFL, while having KOC whisper sweet QB nothings in their ear?

But Flacco isn’t the first veteran QB this offseason to give the Vikings and their head coach the cold shoulder… so what gives? Well, at this point, it has become very clear that those leading the MN Vikings organization are extremely comfortable with where JJ McCarthy is in his development, something that these veterans are picking up on too.

Veteran NFL quarterbacks afraid of MN Vikings QB competition vs JJ McCarthy?

Last month, Sam Darnold signed with Seattle — not because he wanted to leave Minnesota — but because neither the money nor the role being offered by the Vikings were comparable to that of the Seahawks.

Then, there’s Aaron Rodgers, who is still making the Steelers wait, while he holds out hope that the Vikings will change their minds. Right now, that seems like a pipedream. And don’t forget about Daniel Jones.

Related: Sportsbooks Not Buying the Draft Plans Vikings are Selling…

The Minnesota Vikings signed the 2019 No. 6 overall pick toward the end of 2024, after the New York Giants cut him loose. Most thought he would be the guy to push JJ McCarthy during 2025 Vikings training camp.

Instead, Jones landed in Indianapolis. Why? Because beating out Anthony Richardson for the Colts’ QB1 job felt more plausible than doing the same in Minnesota, vs McCarthy. See a pattern here?

"We know we're in a tough division, we know we have tough battles ahead, but having a young quarterback like JJ McCarthy leading us with coach O'Connells guidance gives us a lot of confidence."- Mark Wilf

My god can football season hurry up already. pic.twitter.com/DP1MjgY5FF

— The Brohioan (@TheBrohioan) April 1, 2025

While the Minnesota Vikings have not yet told McCarthy that he is their starter in 2025, they have leaked as much to media. And behind the scenes, there’s clearly something scaring these higher-end veteran quarterbacks away. That’s because, if given the option, these guys want to play. And in Minnesota, that must appear far-fetched.

So much so, that they leave their meetings with the Vikings thinking they don’t stand much of a chance at all, of winning a QB competition vs McCarthy during offseason workouts and in training camp. Either (a) JJ is already too good and/or (b) any preseason dual is likely to be rigged in his favor.

Who is left on the QB market for the Minnesota Vikings?

No doubt, the Minnesota Vikings are running out of veteran backup QB options for 2025. Right now, JJ McCarthy and Brett Rypien are the only to quarterbacks under contract. So, who’s left on the board? When it comes to free agency, the “high end” backup options are pretty much down to Ryan Tannehill, who has been linked to Minnesota for weeks.

Related: What Does Mel Kiper’s Latest Mock Tell Us About Vikings Draft Plans?

That connection became more serious the moment Daniel Jones signed in Indy and the Vikings made it clear they were out on Aaron Rodgers, who still happens to be the best QB available on the open market. Until he signs elsewhere, it’ll be impossible to completely silence the Vikings + Rodgers chatter.

Then, there are the trade options, the most intriguing of which is Kirk Cousins. He hates his life in Atlanta so much that rumor on the street is he’d embrace a backup role behind JJ McCarthy, if that was his only out. How will everything play out? Only time will tell…

This team may be undefeated, but they are far from flawless. They needs help on the interior of the offensive line, and there are questions surrounding whether or not Ty Chandler is a good enough 2-punch, behind Aaron Jones. They could use more depth on the defensive line and, maybe, another wide receiver?

Minnesota Vikings linked to former 1st round pick

Former Alabama Crimson Tide superstar and 5x Pro Bowl wide receiver, Amari Cooper, currently plays for the Cleveland Browns, who have gotten off to a disastrous 1-4 start. After their most recent loss Sunday, rumors surrounding a possible Cooper trade started flying around hot and heavy.

Amari Cooper ranks 49th among wide receivers with 208 receiving yards in the first 5 weeks but ranks an easy 1st with 653 air yards, 83 more than Rashid Shaheed in 2nd place at the position.

Free Amari.pic.twitter.com/RuUYW3rQms

— Scott Spratt (@Scott_Spratt) October 9, 2024

Then, on Thursday morning, former NFL player turned TV host and NFL insider, Akbar Gbajabiamila (NFL Network) floated Cooper to the Minnesota Vikings. We haven’t heard a lot of trade deadline rumors yet, but with the Vikings being 5-0 and the deadline just three weeks away, this is probably just the start.

It happened while he and the rest of the GMFB crew were talking about possible landing spots for the 30-year-old former 1st round pick. Clearly, he’s getting his info from somewhere. You can hear his coworkers in the background, “what do you got…?”

The #Vikings were listed as a team to be a buyer at this years trade deadline, and a potential landing spot for a former Pro Bowl WR, according to @Akbar_Gbaja:

“How about maybe going out and looking for an Amari Cooper, who is on a struggling #Browns team.”

🎥: @gmfb pic.twitter.com/PgARSgUpT7

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) October 10, 2024

“How about the Minnesota Vikings?… They have TJ Hockenson coming back. You start thinking, ‘what could they do, they could add some depth’. Think about what the Kansas City Chiefs have done. They continuously add depth. Someone gets hurt, they get someone else in there.

How about going out and maybe looking for an Amari Cooper, who’s on a struggling Browns team. [Kwesi Adofo-Mensah] was in Cleveland already, has familiarity with Amari Cooper. Now, all of a sudden, you have depth at the wide receiver position.

You’ve got Justin Jefferson, Addison, Amari Cooper, TJ Hockenson. Now, all of a sudden, you’ve got guys who can, when home field advantage comes around, they’re making it deep, deep, deep and potentially winning a Super Bowl”

Akbar Gbajabiamila – Good Morning Football (NFL Network)

Does Amari Cooper make sense in Minnesota?

So, there are a few angles to take on this. In a lot of ways, Cooper does make a lot of sense for the Vikings. They could use a veteran third wide receiver for Sam Darnold to rely on. Jalen Nailor came out of the preseason on fire, but can’t seem to find Darnold’s eye, once he drops down to WR3.

Without a doubt, Cooper would be a huge upgrade to an already elite group of weapons for Darnold and the Vikings offense. Through the first five weeks of the season, Amari Cooper has caught 20 passes (on 47 targets) for 208 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Related: Former Vikings Top Pick is Changing His Position for New Team

On his career, Cooper is nearing 10,000 total receiving yards (9,694) on his career. He’s also scored 62 total touchdowns. His 8.6 yards per target, during his 10-year NFL career is solid. But in 2024, that number has dropped all the way to 4.4, which tells part of the story on why Cooper wants out of the dogpound.

Amari Cooper was traded for a 5th-round pick.pic.twitter.com/3uaFkTxu6C

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 1, 2022

Amari Cooper lulling the DB to sleep pic.twitter.com/QKGEplYlMg

— Receiver School (@ReceiverSchool) September 22, 2024

The longtime NFL vet still has plenty of tread on the tires, and he’s an unrestricted free agent next season, which is why the Browns are looking to move him. He has baggage, though, in the form of a $22.6 million dead cap hit next season.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Believers are Raking in the Money

Would the Minnesota Vikings want to extend Amari Cooper, if they traded for him prior to the deadline? That would depend on cost. Otherwise, the Browns would have to agree to eat a bunch of that dead cap penalty. Would they do that? Probably depends on how many suitors are competing for Cooper’s services.

JJ McCarthy showed up to work on Monday with a sore knee, which was revealed as a torn meniscus one day later. On Wednesday, a full meniscus repair procedure was performed, ending his true rookie season in the NFL.

It got worse yesterday, though. On day one of joint practices, Jordan Addison was carted off the field. We later found out he has an ankle injury. It isn’t expected to be severe, but we’ve heard that before. Addison was seen after practice wearing a boot and using crutches.

Minnesota Vikings offense struggles vs Cleveland Browns defense on day one

But Minnesota’s woes so far, surrounding their trip to Cleveland, have gone beyond injuries and health problems. From all reports, the Vikings offense Wednesday was beaten into the turf by the Browns defense. Sam Darnold was under pressure all day, and did not perform very well under fire.

And Darnold just threw a pick on the sideline throwing it toward Jefferson. This is not going well

— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) August 14, 2024

Even Christian Darrisaw, who is considered one of the top left tackles in the National Football League, could not handle Myles Garrett. The Browns’ monster defensive end is widely considered the best pass rusher in football. He looked like it yesterday, pretty much living in the backfield all day.

This, while two of Cleveland’s best defensive linemen, former Vikings Za’Darius Smith and Dalvin Tomlinson, stood on the sideline nursing injuries. Browns defenders were chirping, too.

The Cleveland defense dominated the Vikings offense the entire practice. The Browns intercepted passes, broke up balls, pressured the quarterbacks and talked. A lot.

“We just had more energy than they did,” Cleveland safety Juan Thornhill said.

Mark Craig – Star Tribune

Should we be concerned about ugly first day of joint practice for Vikings offense?

Of course, we have to remember that the Vikings were without Addison for part of the day, but that is no excuse. If it makes you feel even better, the Cleveland Browns offense struggled vs the Minnesota defense and the looks being thrown at Deshaun Watson, by Brian Flores.

Related: Don’t Hold Your Breath on Stephon Gilmore Signing With Vikings

In fact, it does make me feel a little bit better. Nonetheless, this week has put an immediate stop on all that positivity rolling around the franchise and this fanbase, only a few days ago. Hopefully, reports out of Cleveland today are more positive.

On Sunday night, they’ll turn back to Jaren Hall because… what choice do they have? Josh Dobbs can’t throw the ball and Nick Mullens only throws it to the other team. But maybe, we’re asking the wrong question. Instead of asking ‘what choices DO the Vikings have’, maybe we should focus more on ‘what options DID they have’?

Remember the Minnesota Vikings mid-season QB search?

It was a crazy 48 hours, after Kirk Cousins’ injury. Insiders were scrambling to get the latest information, lists were slapped together with possible candidates… it was a wild gray duck QB chase. If there was any reason whatsoever why a known QB with a semi-functional throwing arm might be available, Minnesota was supposedly interested.

Related: Justin Jefferson Plans to Push Vikings Toward Re-Signing Kirk Cousins

Trade speculation was running rampant. Would Colt McCoy (Commanders) be a good fit? What about our old friend Case Keenum (Panthers) or Andy Dalton (also Panthers)? Free agent names floating around back then included Nick Foles, Carson Wentz, even Tom Brady.

Oh, and don’t forget about one forgotten name, Joe Flacco, who has since signed with the Cleveland Browns and, at nearly 39-years-old, is playing the best football of his career.

Flacco was inserted as Browns starter at the beginning of December and he is now being praised in Cleveland for single-handedly lifting them into the AFC playoff bracket, after yet another astounding performance on Thursday night guaranteed them their spot.

Joe Flacco’s passing yards during the Browns 4 game win streak

🔥 311
🔥 374
🔥 368
🔥 309 pic.twitter.com/SezTO0TXgc

— PFF (@PFF) December 29, 2023

Cleveland Browns Joe Flacco on Thursday Night Football:

– 19/29
– 309 Yards
– 3 TD 1 INT
– 121.2 Rating

Joe Flacco has 4 straight 300-yard games and 10 TD, and helped the Browns clinch a playoff spot tonight. pic.twitter.com/ppPLPocbRO

— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) December 29, 2023

Cousins’ injury happened on October 29 and the slow-motion video of his achilles tendon snapping made the eventual diagnosis pretty clear right away. The tear was confirmed the next day, after further imaging tests, and the Vikings QB search kicked into high gear.

The “no stone left unturned” QB search…

Back then, head coach Kevin O’Connell promised the Minnesota fanbase that decision makers in Eagan would leave no stone unturned, in their desperate search for a new quarterback. We could feel comfort knowing he and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were scouring every possible corner of the football world for a competent QB replacement.

They were supposedly open to every possible scenario, when they first started evaluating their options. From a blockbuster trade that would have put their future in jeopardy, to bottom barrell free agents that wouldn’t cost much more than a spot on the practice squad.

So obviously, if a former Super Bowl winner and aging game manager CALLS YOU, you’d be interested in, at the least, bringing him in for a workout, right? What else do you have to lose, especially after you’ve ruled out any sort of blockbuster deal.

I mean, the cost of a plane ticket is certainly worth a workout with KOC. Even if you think Joe Flacco is too old and frail to make the flight; that his arm might fall off after his first throw… YOU STILL BRING HIM IN FOR A WORKOUT, RIGHT? Since you are DESPERATE and deep diving EVERY POSSIBLE OPTION?

Vikings said ‘no thanks’ to working out Joe Flacco

Apparently not, according to Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP), who noted on Twitter Thursday night that Joe Flacco and his agent actually contacted the Vikings, after Cousins injury, to let them know he was interested in filling in at QB for the remainder of 2023. Minnesota said no and didn’t even invite him in for a workout.

Joe Flacco had interest in playing for the #Vikings prior to the trade deadline, but Minnesota did not match that interest, per @DWolfsonKSTP.

Minnesota was aware of Flacco’s interest, but instead traded for Josh Dobbs, and Flacco signed with the #Browns on November 20th. pic.twitter.com/E59PeXmQdv

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) December 29, 2023

He wanted to be here, Vikings received that message before Oct. 29 turned into Oct. 30. They weren’t interested.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) December 28, 2023

Look, hindsight is 20/20. There wasn’t a soul in the football universe, including Joe himself, who saw these last five performances coming. Sometimes, just like what happened with Josh Dobbs for a couple weeks in Minnesota, the right guy lands in the right spot at the right time.

What’s frustrating, though, is their lack of interest in even seeing him. Not only were KOC and Kwesi not turning over every stone, like they promised, but they weren’t even paying attention to the stones hitting them right in the face.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Playoff Odds – Week 17

I mean, Flacco wouldn’t have been the most attractive option, obviously. But neither was Josh Dobbs… which is why the Cardinals gave him up for next to nothing. It’s important to remember how desperate the Minnesota Vikings were back then. So why wouldn’t you at least fly Joe in for a workout?

I mean, you’re telling me that Kevin O’Connell would have watched Flacco run around the practice fields at TCO Performance Center and effortlessly fling it, like we’ve seen him do with the Browns (below), and still decide on Josh Dobbs as the better answer? I don’t know if you can convince me of that.

Joe Flacco in his BAG pic.twitter.com/daYVbHSUPm

— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) December 29, 2023

The legend of Joe Flacco grows every snap. What a stud pic.twitter.com/fdBPgsRRlO

— Bussin' With The Boys (@BussinWTB) December 29, 2023

But without seeing Flacco, that’s what happened. Less than 24 hours after Cousins’ achilles tear was made official, they gave Joe the cold shoulder and it was announced that GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had made a deal with the Arizona Cardinals, swapping some late round draft picks for the quarterback who had started all eight games for them, up to that point.

Would working out Flacco had changed Vikings’ thinking back then?

With Kyler Murray set to return from injury, Dobbs became very expendable in Phoenix and really cheap for the Vikings. Without a doubt, the deal made sense. But still, head coach Kevin O’Connell could not have been all that excited about Dobbs, while watching his tape.

In those eight games with the Cardinals, Josh threw 8 touchdowns to 5 interceptions and 1,569 yards (196.1 YPG). He also ran for 258 yards on the ground and 3 rushing touchdowns. Oh, and don’t forget about his 8 fumbles, four of which he lost.

Does that sound familiar? It should because, as you can see below, Minnesota got the exact same Josh Dobbs as what Arizona had for the first half of the season. Probably a bit worse, which is to be expected when jumping into a brand new offense mid-season. But it’s uncanny how identical Dobbs’ completion %, yards per attempt and yards per completion are at both stops this season.

There’s no reason to believe Joe Flacco wouldn’t have impressed the Vikings, just like he has the Browns, had Kwesi and O’Connell given him a shot. But they didn’t.

And if I’m the Wilfs, it’s not acceptable that the general manager and head coach of your QB desperate football team essentially hung up on their best QB option without even bringing him in for a workout.

Because of that, your NFL franchise is on the outside of the playoff bracket looking in. And if Zygi hasn’t already, he should call them up to his lavish office at TCO Performance Center and let them know how unacceptable it is. How not doing their due diligence probably cost your team a playoff spot and your pocketbook that postseason money and fan excitement.

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