Defensive coordinator Brian Flores, for example, deserves another head coaching opportunity. It’s just a matter of time before QB coach Josh McCown gets an offensive coordinator (maybe even a head coach) offer. But there was one 29-year-old MN Vikings assistant coach, Grant Udinski, who most thought was safe in Eagan for at least one more season.

Minnesota Vikings assistant Grant Udinski hired as Jaguars offensive coordinator

Late Wednesday night, however, that assumption proved untrue. While it appears both Flores and McCown will return in 2025, Udinski will not. He will be in Jacksonville, drawing up schemes and assisting Jaguars head coach Liam Coen as a first-year offensive coordinator, the team announced on social media.

Welcome to #DUUUVAL, Coach Udinski 🫡 pic.twitter.com/EN5IrCjSrn

— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) February 6, 2025

Grant Udinski has been with the Minnesota Vikings since 2022, when he was hired as “Assistant to the Head Coach”, where he quickly became KOC’s right hand man. Before the 2023 season, Udinski was promoted to assistant QB coach and “chief of special projects”.

Last year, Udinski played a major role in Sam Darnold’s turnaround with the MN Vikings. He also received high praise for his work with Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens, when both QBs were thrust into action two seasons ago, after Kirk Cousins went down with his Achilles tear.

What are the Vikings losing in Udinski?

Grant Udinski got his first NFL gig with the Carolina Panthers, late during the 2019 season. He came to the NFL via Baylor, where he coaches as a graduate assistant. Before he began his career as a football coach, the Doylestown, PA native was a defensive end at Towson from 2016-2018.

Jaguars hired Vikings assistant QB coach Grant Udinski as their offensive coordinator.

“Grant will bring a wealth of knowledge, energy and a winning mindset to help lead our offense here in Jacksonville,” said Jaguars HC Liam Coen. “He is a rising star in this league that has… pic.twitter.com/0hrWetr8et

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 6, 2025

Related: Vikings Superstar Justin Jefferson Receives Another Honor

In his final season, Grant Udinski finished with 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was also named a 2018 CoSIDA Academic First Team All-American. Now, just seven short years later, the Minnesota Vikings assistant coach seems to be blossoming into one of the most sought-after young offensive coaches in the NFL.

Although multiple promotions were on the table for Vikings assistants, it appears that O’Connell will return the entirety of his group. Continuity is definitely something a 14-win team can appreciate.

Vikings assistants are sticking with Kevin O’Connell

Throughout the coaching carousel multiple Minnesota Vikings coaches took interviews with other teams. Kennan McCardell sought a promotion but didn’t land an interview. Both Brian Flores and Josh McCown were in line for prominent jobs, though.

The New York Jets hired Aaron Glenn to be their head coach. Despite suggestions that Brian Flores could land in Chicago, they opted to poach Detroit Lions coach Ben Johnson. The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Liam Coen, and that shut the door on opportunities that the Vikings coaches interviewed for.

Flores has now spent a pair of seasons interviewing for head coaching jobs after strong showings as the Vikings defensive coordinator. As he continues to come up empty, it’s hard not to think that the pending lawsuit he is involved with against the league isn’t a factor.

Related: Former Vikings HC Mike Zimmer Unemployed Again

McCown earned more respect this season, and his work with Sam Darnold was noticeable. The Vikings could maybe move him to their offensive coordinator role and move on from Wes Phillips if they want to keep him around long term.

Either way, for now, the Vikings keep all of their prominent figureheads for 2025. That includes executive Ryan Grigson as well.

Grant Udinski is last possibility to leave Minnesota Vikings

If there is a coach to leave, it will be assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski. He has already interviewed with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, but landed a shot at the Tampa Bay offensive coordinator job over the weekend.

The #Bucs just completed a virtual interview with Vikings assistan-OC Grant Udinski, who is only 28-years old.#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/dAgtcwnhKu

— Jaret Rojas (@RojasTalksTampa) January 25, 2025

At just 28 years old, Udinski would be among the youngest coordinators in the league. With the Buccaneers Udinski would replace the departing Coen. The former Los Angeles Rams coach is 39 years old and came back to the NFL this year after spending a season as the Kentucky offensive coordinator.

It’s understandable that progressive and impressive offensive coaches from Minnesota continue to be of interest to other teams. Kevin O’Connell calls plays for the Vikings, so many of them are limited from an upward promotion perspective.

Related: Vikings QB Sam Darnold Wins NFL Most Improved Award

There’s no guarantee that Udinski lands any of the jobs he has interviewed for. If that winds up being the case, then none of the interviews from this cycle will have resulted in changes. The Lions certainly wish that were the case.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores appears to be out of the running in all three of the head coaching jobs he interviewed for over the weekend, with the Jets, Jaguars and Bears. Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown also interviewed for the New York head coaching job, but doesn’t appear to be a realistic hire in the Big Apple.

Minnesota Vikings assistant coach lands additional offensive coordinator interview

Then, there is WR coach Keenan McCardell. The WR coach was hoping to land an offensive coordinator interview, but has yet to get that phone call. And finally, we get to a more under-the-radar Minnesota Vikings assistant — assistant QB Coach Grant Udinski — who is still in the running for the offensive coordinator job in Seattle.

Related: Looks Like Vikings DC Brian Flores is Out of Head Coaching Opportunities

On Tuesday, however, we learned that’s no longer the 29-year-old assistant’s only opportunity. According to NFL insider Albert Breer (Sports Illustrated), Udinski has picked up a new offensive coordinator interview, this time with the New England Patriots.

The Patriots interviewed Vikings assistant OC/assistant QBs coach Grant Udinski for their offensive coordinator job yesterday, per sources. Udinski's very valuable in Minnesota—and considered a rising star in the field.

The 28-year-old is also a finalist for the Seattle OC job.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 21, 2025

Grant Udinski began his career with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, as “Assistant to the Head Coach and Special Projects”. Before the 2023 season, he was promoted to assistant QB coach and “chief of special projects”. Without a doubt, Udinski played a major role in Sam Darnold’s turnaround season. He’s also credited for some of Josh Dobbs and Nick Mullens’ short-term success in 2023.

Before Grant Udinski was with the Vikings

Prior to landing with the Vikings, the bright, young offensive mind cut his NFL teeth with the Carolina Panthers, late in the 2019 season. Udinski got there after finishing as a graduate assistant with the Baylor Bears.

Related: Vikings Superstar Justin Jefferson Receives Another Honor

Before he began his career as a football coach, the Doylestown, PA native was a defensive end at Towson from 2016-2018. In his final season, Grant Udinski finished with 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He was also named a 2018 CoSIDA Academic First Team All-American. Now, just seven short years later, the Minnesota Vikings assistant coach seems to be blossoming into one of the most sought-after young offensive coaches in the NFL.

Brian Flores is the most likely coaching candidate to leave. He is seen as a favorite to land the Chicago Bears job. That doesn’t mean he will be the only person that Kevin O’Connell will need to replace on his staff, though.

Vikings assistant Grant Udinski gets another round of interviews

The Seattle Seahawks have long been a thorn in the side of the Minnesota Vikings. Fortunately Kevin O’Connell beat them in a tight road game this year. That doesn’t mean the franchise is done coming for Minnesota, however.

Assistant offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski has earned a second round interview for the vacant offensive coordinator role in Seattle.

#Vikings assistant Grant Udinski has advanced to the second round of the #Seahawks’ OC search. He’ll interview with the team in person today, sources say, after conducting a virtual interview earlier this week. https://t.co/akeUvitctJ

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 17, 2025

Related: Cardinals Swoop in and Sign Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver to Futures Contract

Udinski is not the only interviewee with Vikings ties. Klint Kubiak, who previously spent five seasons across two separate stints with Minnesota, has also been selected for a second round interview.

The Vikings losing Udinski would be tough. While it is often Josh McCown that is most talked about for work with the quarterbacks, Udinski is an integral part of that development as well. Next season is a massive on for the development of rookie draft pick J.J. McCarthy.

Minnesota should soon hear the fate regarding a handful of their assistants. It will then be on the Wilf’s to provide an extension for Kevin O’Connell. From there, he can turn the page and start working on building out his staff for the year ahead.

Related: JJ McCarthy Update: Minnesota Vikings Future Franchise QB Back on the Field

Turnover is expected in the NFL, but the Vikings will need to make sure their strong infrastructure stays intact with whatever changes must be made.

On the offensive side of the ball, wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell has been named a someone to watch. Josh McCown also was requested to be interviewed in New York.

Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks could have a new leader

While the Vikings experienced a season unlike anything that was projected of them, it was largely because of quarterback play. Sam Darnold went from veteran castoff to hot commodity and Kevin O’Connell earned plenty of the praise for that.

Related: Vikings Uninterested in Sam Darnold Long Term but Franchise Tag Remains on Table

It wasn’t just O’Connell working on the development of his quarterback though. Josh McCown oversees that room and so too does Grant Udinski.

The #Seahawks have requested an interview with #Vikings assistant OC/asst QB coach Grant Udinski for their vacant offensive coordinator job, sources say. The 28-year-old Udinski has been a vital part of Kevin O’Connell’s operation and clearly on the coaching fast track. pic.twitter.com/1aaxAnvWTV

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 14, 2025

Udinski served this season as the Vikings assistant offensive coordinator and assistant quarterbacks coach. He provided significant knowledge and experience to elevate both Darnold and the offense.

The Vikings hired Udinski three years ago when Kevin O’Connell took over as the head coach. He previously worked with the Carolina Panthers as a coaching assistant.

This season Udinski helped elevate Darnold to career-best numbers across the board. The seven-year veteran threw for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions. Even while the final two weeks did not go well, it’s hard to suggest that Darnold had anything but a great season.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Pending Free Agents Entering 2025 NFL Offseason

If the Seahawks do poach Udinski, O’Connell would be tasked with finding a replacement to work under Josh McCown. Rookie J.J. McCarthy is expected to take over next season, and the continued development at the quarterback position will remain imperative.