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.

Before and after each National Football League game, a premium online tool called ‘NFL Pro’ ($ubscription) releases some deeper dive metrics, aided by Next Gen Stats. These advanced metrics offer us yet another way to analyze a football game, beyond traditional box scores.

Metrics that matter from Minnesota Vikings vs Jacksonville Jaguars

Wouldn’t we all love to watch hours of Vikings tape every week? Some might, but cramming “All-22” film is not reality for most fans, even if it is their dream. Those people rely on NFL pundits and advanced analytics for next-level analysis.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Nail-Biting Victory Over Jaguars

So, here are five advanced NFL Pro metrics that I believe shaped the Minnesota Vikings win on Sunday over the Jacksonville Jaguars. This week, more than most, the numbers paint one hell of a picture.

Jaguars blitzed Sam Darnold just 4.8% of the time

Sam Darnold had been great against the blitz heading into Sunday’s game. He was completing 75.4% of his passes when blitzed, throwing eight touchdowns and only one interception. His numbers dropped when he wasn’t blitzed, completing 67.3% of his passes for six touchdowns and three interceptions.

Although the Jaguars have had a poor pass defense all season, they entered the game blitzing on an NFL-low 15.8% of passes. The Jaguars pulled back on the blitz even more on Sunday, sending extra pressure on only 4.8% of Darnold’s dropbacks.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Open as Big Favorites in Week 11

Although he completed 24/38 passes for 241 yards, he threw three interceptions. It may be the blueprint for defenses moving forward. Kevin O’Connell has to change some things for Darnold moving forward to avoid these kinds of performances.

Jacksonville used split-safety looks 92.9% of the time

Jacksonville kept things simple in the back end of their defense as well. They ran Two deep, split-safety (cover 2) looks on 92.9% of dropbacks, the highest usage any NFL defense has run since 2018. This allowed Sam Darnold to pick them apart in the short game, going 20/23 for 164 yards and one (red zone) interception.

Darnell Savage picks off Sam Darnold right outside the endzone. 3rd pick of the day pic.twitter.com/zR3FZIQENl

— Fitz (@LaurieFitzptrck) November 10, 2024

Unfortunately, the Jags’ split safety defense neutralized the Minnesota Vikings’ deep and intermediate passing game, where Darnold went 4/14 for 77 yards and 2 INTs in passes that traveled ten or more yards in the air. Nearly every time Sam tried to air things out, in ended poorly. The Jags’ constant split-safety look was a big reason for that.

TJ Hockenson had a +24.1% Catch Rate Over Expected

Perhaps no one on offense had a bigger game than T.J. Hockenson. Hockenson’s CROE (Catch Rate Over Expected) was +24.1% in his second game back from his ACL tear. This means he caught 24.1% more of his targets than an average receiver would have caught in similar situations.

Related: Would the Minnesota Vikings be Better with Kirk Cousins at Quarterback?

With the deep game taken away, Darnold leaned heavy on Hockenson’s ability to make difficult catches in traffic in the short game. And it paid off. TJ caught 8 of 9 targets, easily establishing himself as the most productive target on the field for the Minnesota Vikings

TJ Hockenson

– 15.2 Fantasy Points Week 10
– 8 Catches, 72 Yards

First normal workload game of the season after returning from injury.

9 Targets tied for team lead with Justin Jefferson.

Dependable volume is RARE at the TE position.

Top 6 TE ROS.pic.twitter.com/vVxzMbEQMo

— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) November 11, 2024

Minnesota Vikings only blitzed Mac Jones on 25.9% of his dropbacks

Brian Flores dialed back on the blitzing on Sunday as well. He sent extra pressure on 25.9% of Mac Jones’ dropbacks. This is considerably lower than the season-average blitz-rate of 39.9%. Interestingly, the Vikings had a sack-rate of 11.1%, higher than their season-average of 7.9%.

What do these numbers tell us? That the Minnesota Vikings defense was supplying pressure through disguise and better talent, not extra pass rushers. That allowed Flores to pull back and focus on coverage, while four rushers put pressure on Mac Jones.

Related: Jets Superstar CB Cannot Believe How Much Kevin O’Connell Got in His Head vs Vikings

It also shows, once again, that Flores can adapt his gameplan on a week-to-week basis, even if it means dialing it up, or dialing it back mid-game. This time, Flo saw a mediocre backup quarterback behind a struggling offensive line, and adjusted the defense to take advantage.

Blake Cashman made a big difference for Minnesota’s defense

The Vikings got linebacker Blake Cashman back in the lineup for the first time since Week 5. I’m going to cheat here and highlight several of his metrics because his impact was felt all over. He made three run stops on 34 snaps, helping stifle the Jaguars’ run game.

His impact was felt in the pass rush as well, blitzing six times and getting two pressures and a sack. And his presence in coverage was phenomenal once again, allowing one reception on two targets for nine yards. Cashman has only allowed 94 yards and one touchdown in six games where he is the nearest defender.

No matter what happens to the Vikings this year, or 10 years from now, let’s be thankful that following sports in Minnesota will never be like it is in Florida, where nobody really cares. But, Sunday was a great reminder that crowds do not win football games, the players on the field do.

And while some Vikings players had really good days, individually, and the defense played lights out… all of that was nearly negated by Sam Darnold’s propensity to throw balls to the other team. Every single time Minnesota threatened to score, it seemed their 27-year-old bridge QB would throw an interception.

Sam Darnold seeing Jags pic.twitter.com/1YvcL4x9mh

— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) November 10, 2024

Related: Hulu Live TV Price, Plans and Bundles: Is It the Right Choice for Minnesota Sports Fans?

Sam Darnold is who we thought he once was

Let’s start there. Sam Darnold had his worst game as a Minnesota Viking today. The offense held possession for 2/3 of the contest, and the defense was absolutely dominant. Yet, the purple trailed for almost this entire game, because Sam Darnold made poor decisions late in drives… over and over and over again.

In total, Sam finished 24-of-38 for 241 yards, 0 TD and 3 INT (48.2 QB rating), on the day. It’s hard to say that he got into a groove during the 4th quarter, because he completed 63% of his passes and drove the offense down the field repeatedly throughout the afternoon.

Related: Jets Superstar CB Cannot Believe How Much Kevin O’Connell Got in His Head vs Vikings

But Minnesota Vikings fans found out Sunday just how steep the drops can be, when riding the Sam Darnold roller coaster. As well as Sam played for most of the game, the guy just makes braindead decisions, at the worst possible times.

Sam Darnold has all day…and he finds a man in the endzone!*

*on the other teampic.twitter.com/jPYDNm61Sf

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 10, 2024

What we learned today about Sam Darnold is something that he has taught us at times throughout the 2024 season. That he cannot be trusted. Who knows, maybe Sam will get better and better, as he gains more experience. But at this point of his career, he is not a trustworthy, Super Bowl winning QB… which is problematic for a 7-2 team with championship aspirations.

Minnesota Vikings defense returns to dominance

We’ve seen the Minnesota Vikings defense play extremely well throughout the 2024 regular season. But in recent weeks, they’ve started to reveal major chinks in their armor. Much of that, as it turns out, was probably the run of veteran quarterbacks that they played against during the first half of the season.

Mac Jones is not a veteran quarterback, and the Vikings defense made that very apparent on Sunday. Not only did the Jags manage manage under 150 yards of total offense (56 rush yds, 87 pass yds), but they were forced to punt the ball five times, and ran just 43 total plays, gaining only 10 first downs. For context, the Vikings gained 28 first downs on Sunday.

Brian Flores’ defense forced two Jags turnovers, and both came late in the 4th quarter. The first was a huge fumble recovery inside the Jacksonville’s 20 yard line. On the day, Mac Jones went 14-of-22 for 111 yards and two interceptions.

Related: NFL Pundits Suddenly Love Vikings Trade for Cam Robinson

He did stay interception free, for most of the contest, though. That was until there was just a few minutes left in the 4th quarter, when he threw one to Vikings CB Byron Murphy Jr that should have allowed the Minnesota offense to seal the game. Instead, they went three-and-out, putting it back on Flores’ crew to hold Jacksonville yet again.

The Jags’ moved the ball better on that final drive, than they did at any point since their second drive of the game, when they scored the only touchdown from either team all day. Fortunately, that final push ended the same way as the two drives before it. With a Jags turnover. This time, it was a game-sealing interception at the one-yard line by safety, Cam Bynum.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOVIE@cambeezy_

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/M22E4eU8aC

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 10, 2024

Football is a funny game

The yardage totals between the Vikings and Jaguars on Sunday is astounding. Minnesota finished with 402 NET yards of total offense. Jacksonville managed just 143. The Minnesota Vikings actually ran more plays in Jaguars territory than the Jags ran all game. Think about that…

Without looking at today’s final score, you’d think the Vikings absolutely destroyed the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 10, 2024. But that’s not how Sunday played out. Instead, Minnesota trailed from 3:44 remaining in the 2nd quarter, when the Jaguars went up 7-3, until the 7:14 mark of the 4th quarter, when Parker Romo kicked in his third field goal of the game, to put the Vikings up 9-7.

Related: Would the Minnesota Vikings be Better with Kirk Cousins at Quarterback?

Minnesota would score one more time, as previously noted in this article, but it wasn’t via paydirt. That’s right, all four Vikings’ scores vs the Jaguars came via Parker Romo field goals (45, 34, 33, 29). Against any other team, the Minnesota Vikings probably lose today… but football is a funny game.

Early in the week, news broke that Lawrence was very unlikely to go, in week 10. That sentiment held for the next few days, until the very end of the week, when rumors started to spread that the 2021 No. 1 overall pick might be able to suit up Sunday afternoon.

Related: Hulu Live TV Price, Plans and Bundles: Is It the Right Choice for Minnesota Sports Fans?

Trevor Lawrence officially ruled out vs Minnesota Vikings

But now, as we all wake up on game day morning, the final decision has been made on Trevor Lawrence vs the Vikings. He’s a no-go. Instead, defensive coordinator Brian Flores will be tasked with slowing 2021 No. 15 overall pick, Mac Jones.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a left shoulder injury, will not play vs. the Vikings, per source. The question is whether Lawrence will make it back for next Sunday vs. the Lions or whether the team will give him one more week off with… pic.twitter.com/6dqxcXnhVw

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2024

What does this mean for the Minnesota Vikings defense? Well, they were -4 point favorites earlier this week. That has now surged to -7. So, for what it’s worth, Vegas thinks Lawrence is worth three more points than Jones.

Related: Jets Superstar CB Cannot Believe How Much Kevin O’Connell Got in His Head vs Vikings

On the season, Trevor Lawrence ranks 17th in the NFL, with 222.7 yards per game (11 TD, 6 INT). For context, Sam Darnold ranks 13th, with 237.5 pass yards per game (17 TD, 7 INT). Last season, as a starter for the New England Patriots, Mac Jones averaged 192.7 yards per game (10 TD, 12 INT).

And should they move into sell mode, the list of likely trade candidates starts with EDGE rusher, Danielle Hunter, who’s on the final year of a contract that feels like it’s been reworked about 17 times in the past three years. It’s HIGHLY unlikely Hunter sticks around next season and teams across the NFL are always in the market for a top-tier pass rusher, like Hunter.

Jacksonville Jaguars want Danielle Hunter

The Jacksonville Jaguars, for example, already have reported interest in Danielle, according to Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP).

“I know this, Jacksonville has all sorts of interest in Danielle Hunter. What are they willing to offer? Can you complete that trade?”

Darren Wolfson – MN Sports w/ Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

The Jags, who are 3-2 through 5 weeks, are 25th in the NFL in sacks and desperately need high-level pass rushers to put more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Obstacles in the way for Vikings/Jags Trade

But there’s a major problem with Jacksonville as Hunter’s landing spot. Their 2nd and 3rd round picks for 2024 are both tied up in a trade they recently made with the Atlanta Falcons, for (WR) Calvin Ridley.

Related: What Will Twins Do About Sonny Gray and His Impending Free Agency?

They haven’t sent those picks to Atlanta yet but will if Jacksonville signs Calvin Ridley to an extension their 2024 2nd round pick goes to the Falcons. The 3rd round pick goes too, if he reaches certain benchmarks this season.

Due to the conditions of the Calvin Ridley trade, the Jacksonville #Jaguars cannot trade their 2024 2nd, 3rd, or 4th rounders until the conditions are specified.

This means they would likely have to give up a 2024 1st to acquire #Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter. #Skol https://t.co/EDrjOQn9y1 pic.twitter.com/u8wFy6ASul

— 𝑻𝒚𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝑰𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 🍀 (@TylerTalksBall) October 12, 2023

But no matter what the parameters are, it doesn’t matter for Vikings fans. What matters is that those draft picks are off the negotiating table, in any trade talks between the Jags and Vikings.

Related: Minnesota Twins Players Under Contract for 2024 and Beyond

So, would Minnesota Vikings GM, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, be able to pry a 1st rounder away from the Jacksonville front office? Seems unlikely… but I wouldn’t expect him to settle for 2025 picks either.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Yesterday I had the chance to attend Vikings Training Camp at Twin Cities Orthopedic Performance Center. For the last several years, the Vikings have had training camp at Minnesota State University Mankato and had their team headquarters at Winter Park. But with the construction of US Bank Stadium it made sense to build a new team facility as well. And, just like they did with U.S. Bank Stadium, they definitely knocked it out of the park.

The first thing we saw up close was the media area; which featured individual cubicles for media members to write stories in comfort. Media all over the state and country should be jealous. The facility also boasts individual interview rooms and a large conference room with additional seating.

After checking in and recording a few interviews for KLGR and The Scoop (stay tuned today for those), it was time to head off to the practice field. TCO also offers a beautiful mini-stadium for game action. The Vikings hope to be able to host high school football games, in the near future, from TCO Stadium.

From there, the Vikings have 2 conjoined practice fields, which is where most of the action took place. There was enough room for both the Vikings and Jaguars to start practice individually, before they both joined forces for the majority of practice. Right as you walk onto those fields, you notice the incredible new team weight room. It has doors that open to allow for an open-air feel, when the weather is nice.

Here is a look at TCO and all of its glory:

Practice went on without a hitch, and I came away with a few observations:

– The Vikings’ defense was definitely ahead of the Jaguars‘ offense. Jaguars QB, Blake Bortles, had several balls that should have been INT’s if not for drops by Vikings defensive backs.

– Anthony Barr continues to get work as a defensive end, and after being held out of camp with various injuries, was a participant all day.

– The Vikings offensive line all participated all day (Elflein off to the side – still on PUP) with the exception of Rashod Hill.

– It is impossible to tell that Dalvin Cook is coming off of an ACL surgery. Cook had several explosive runs (and great holes to run through) behind the Vikings o-line.

– Sticking with the running backs, Latavius Murray and Roc Thomas turned heads throughout practice. Murray continues his strong training camp and looks fully healthy heading into the season.

– Stefon Diggs had an absolute-filthy catch and juke move, leading to a touchdown against the Jaguars defense. The rapport between Diggs, Thielen, and Cousins makes you think the 3 have been playing together for a decade.

– Mike Hughes continues to be very impressive, and is already very sound in his technique. Looks like the Vikings got another late-first-round steal when they drafted him.

– NFL players are MASSIVE up close. I was within 5 feet of several offensive lineman during a drill and they all seemed at least 2 feet taller than me…

– NO FIGHTS OCCURED! Both teams got some hits in yet no one came to blows, although the Jaguars were without 2 of their biggest instigators.

After getting the chance to check out the TCO Performance Center, it becomes pretty obvious how big of an advantage these facilities can be for the Vikings. With everything  in one spot, they’ll be able to better track player rehab and the facilities will be a huge help in recruiting free agents. This was the case when they signed Sheldon Richardson, who raved about the new Vikings HQ before he signed his one year deal this offseason.

It is pretty evident that the Wilf’s love this team, and it’s reflected in their home stadium, and now their new HQ at TCO Performance Center. Sure, we paid for a portion of it all but Zigi always footed the bill when things got too expensive, refusing to cut any corners at either location, and building facilities that all Vikings’ fans can enjoy for years to come. It’s nice being the envy of the entire NFL for once, isn’t it?

Seth Toupal @SethToups
Minnesota Sports Fan