It’s probably better that way, since the injury monster is seemingly picking off a new starter with every new session held lately at TCO Performance Center. But one absence in Eagan today had nothing to do with injury.

Defensive lineman Harrison Phillips has been a staple on the Vikings’ starting defensive line since he joined the team via free agency, prior to the 2022 season, starting all 17 games in each of the three seasons he’s worn purple — which totals to 51 regular season and two playoff games.

Minnesota Vikings trade Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets

On Wednesday, according to multiple reports, the Minnesota Vikings traded Phillips to the New York Jets in exchange for two 6th round draft picks, one in 2026 and the other in 2027.

ESPN sources: Vikings are trading DT Harrison Phillips and a 2027 7th-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2026 6th-round pick and a 2027 6th-round pick, pending Phillips’ physical.

Phillips now joins Jowon Briggs as the second DT that the Jets traded for Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/5FkVEHsox3

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 20, 2025

The return feels light for a guy who has meant so much to this defense, but with no guaranteed money remaining on his contract after 2025, this move tells us that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was planning to move on from Harrison Phillips sooner than later. So, when he got an offer for two day three picks, Minnesota’s GM pulled the trigger.

During his three seasons as a Viking, Pro Football Focus has Phillips on the decline. He came to Minnesota in 2022, after posting the second best defense grade of his career (75.2) for Buffalo in 2021. In his first season as a Viking, Phillips put up a 72.0 defense rating.

Phillips on the decline… or were other options just better?

But since 2023, the now 29-year-old out of Stanford has been playing way more nose tackle, due to Minnesota’s lack of talent on the defensive interior. After lining up over center just 250 times during his NFL career prior to 2023, Phillips did it 249 times alone that season and 205 times again in 2024.

Not only did the move further inside hurt Minnesota’s run defense, but it crushed Harrison’s PFF grades too, dropping his overall defense grade below 60, to 59.7 in 2023 and 58.3 in 2024.

How long has Harrison Phillips been waiting to hit the griddy 😆 pic.twitter.com/a6xcecIWQM

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) November 10, 2024

Related: Insider Still Doubting Kwesi, MN Vikings Defense…

If the Jets are smart, they will put Phillips back where he belongs, which is what we thought the Vikings would do, after the signings of Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen.

But instead, with those two additions, along with the emergence of youngsters like Levi Drake Rodriguez, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, Taki Taimani and Elijah Williams… Minnesota decided they were better off without Harrison Phillips on the roster.

According to Thor Nystrom, the Minnesota Vikings are not done making moves between now and the end of training camp. They took multiple calls today on Harrison Phillips, but other interested teams were notified that he had already been traded to the Jets.

A different team asked about Harrison Phillips this afternoon in trade negotiations with the Vikings — they were told he’d already been traded to the Jets.

Kwesi has been burning up the phone lines this past week — this is only the start of the trades.

Buckle up. https://t.co/FLtjJWtBWg

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 20, 2025

Rick Spielman joining Jets’ front office

Rick Spielman, the Minnesota Vikings GM from 2012 to 2022, was hired by the Jets on Thursday to be their senior football adviser. This comes on the heels of New York hiring a new head coach and GM last month, which Spielman helped make happen.

The #Jets are hiring former #Vikings GM Rick Spielman as a senior advisor in their front office.

Spielman was part of the @The33rdTeamFB search committee that helped find HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey—and now he’s joining the organization as well. pic.twitter.com/37yjn8VPza

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 6, 2025

Spielman was part of The 33rd Team, a company the Jets hired to find and evaluate candidates during their search. Alongside former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, Spielman interviewed 31 candidates for both positions. The committee landed on Aaron Glenn as head coach and Darren Mougey as GM. Glenn was previously the defensive coordinator for the Lions, while Mougey was the assistant GM for the Broncos.

In his role, Spielman will mostly be working remotely as a sounding board for the new regime. On his podcast “With the First Pick,” Spielman explained that Glenn and Mougey will obviously have the final decision when it comes to transactions. He will just be there to assist the relatively inexperienced front office.

Related: Jaguars Hire Vikings Rising Assistant as New Offensive Coordinator

Last offseason, Spielman helped lead a similar head coach/GM search for the Washington Commanders. That seemed to work well, as they ultimately landed on Adam Peters as GM, who drafted franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels. They paired him with head coach Dan Quinn, who led them to their first NFC Championship Game since 1992.

Spielman’s history as a Minnesota Viking

This will be Rick Spielman’s first NFL job since being fired by the Minnesota Vikings following the 2021 season. As a member of the front office since 2006 and as GM starting in 2012, he was an integral part of the Vikings’ past, present and future.

Starting in 2007, Spielman and co. drafted Adrian Peterson, who became the franchise leader in rushing and won a league MVP. Two years later, he helped draft Percy Harvin. Two years after that came Kyle Rudolph. Both players had Pro Bowl seasons in Minnesota.

In his first year as GM, Spielman hit a home run drafting Harrison Smith. A six-time Pro Bowler and former first-team All-Pro, Smith has been an important cog in the Vikings defense all 13 years of his career. Spielman also drafted fan favorites like Teddy Bridgewater, Eric Kendricks, Stefon Diggs and Dalvin Cook. His success in the draft is obvious.

Even today, his picks are coming to fruition. Spielman drafted Justin Jefferson in 2020, and he has flourished into the Minnesota Vikings’ superstar. He also took Christian Darrisaw in 2021, who has turned into one of the better tackles in the league.

Related: Could a Darnold for Stafford Swap be an Option for Vikings?

The success in the draft, however, was marred by struggles in free agency and a strained relationship with head coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings were never able to sustain wins in the playoffs (if they could make it there), and quarterback Kirk Cousins did not end up being the answer. When Zimmer and Spielman had a falling out, Minnesota decided to let them both go in 2022.

But as the legendary Tracy Lawrence once sang, “time marches on” and reality will hit every level of the organization eventually. Some will feel it quicker than others, though. Just look at the Vikings players, coaches and front office executives who will immediately turn their focus toward leaving for another job. Those guys have no choice but to swallow the L quickly, and move on.

Minnesota Vikings have multiple coaches and executives interviewing for new jobs

Then, when we look between the lines, half of the Minnesota Vikings roster is due for free agency. Who will be tasked with talking to those free agents or scouting/finding replacements? The answer to that question isn’t clear either, with senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson going through an interview process with the New York Jets for their vacant GM job.

We haven’t even gotten to the multitude of coaches who have line up outside interviews, including (DC) Brian Flores, (QB Coach) Josh McCown, (WR Coach) Keenan McCardell and (Asst OC) Grant Udinski. Kevin O’Connell trade rumors are out there too, but that’s for another article.

But the biggest concern over at TCO Performance Center, surrounding all these outside interviews, may not be the total number of coaches and execs that other teams are interested in. Instead, they may be more worried about the one team that has interviewed or has interviews scheduled with most of them.

New York Jets planning a coup in Minnesota?

According to Connor Hughes, of New York Regional Sports Network “SNY”, there is increasing chatter happening within NFL insider circles — and growing concern inside of TCO Performance Center — that the New York Jets are planning a coup within the Minnesota Vikings organization.

Per Hughes, this conspiracy theory becoming truth would mean the hiring of Ryan Grigson as Jets GM, Brian Flores as Jets head coach and Josh McCown as Jets offensive coordinator.

There’s a lot of buzz going around league circles right now regarding a Ryan Grigson (general manager), Brian Flores (head coach), and Josh McCown (offensive coordinator) pairing. A source in Minnesota actually said that’s been talked about within their building.

Connor Hughes – SNY

The New York insider makes it clear in his piece that this “buzz” is coming from NFL insider circles, and even from inside the Vikings organization, but that he does not have any steam from the Jets that this is the plan. So (technically), we do not know if a Vikings coup is in their realistic plans.

Related: ESPN Insider Predicts Vikings DC Brian Flores’ New Head Coaching Job

But given that the Jets have requested, or already conducted interviews with most of the above Minnesota Vikings employees, you have to imagine the discussion of hiring all Vikings coaches and executives for their top vacancies is one that has been had in New Jersey too. It’s only logical.

Rick Spielman revenge involved in New York Jets decisions?

Wanna go a little deeper down this conspiratorial rabbit hole? Just take a peek at the former NFL executives who have been contracted by Jets owner Woody Johnson to lead the GM and head coach searches for New York…

These are league sources speculating on what they’ve heard regarding the Jets vacancy, not a Jets source telling me what they are going to do. Woody Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Hymie Elhai (team president), Mike Tannenbaum (33rd Team), and Rick Spielman (33rd Team) are the ones in and conducting these interviews.

Connor Hughes – SNY

If rumors were to become reality, this would be a shrewd football move that many would lawd for the Jets. It’s also one that would strip the Vikings of three very important pieces to their 2024 success. Is this something that we should be legitimately concerned about?

Well, I’d say if those inside the Minnesota Vikings organization are concerned, then we probably should at least have the possibility on our radars too.

New York Jets interviewing two Minnesota Vikings coaches

But it appears a couple of Vikings coaches will have a more on their postseason plate than just a West Coast wildcard playoff game. According to reports, the Vikings have received head coach interview requests from the New York Jets for defensive coordinator Brian Flores and QB coach Josh McCown.

Jets have requested head coaching interviews with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and QB coach Josh McCown, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025

What does this mean for the Minnesota Vikings and their upcoming playoff game vs the Los Angeles Rams? Well, I’m guessing B-Flo and McCown will be using at least some of their preparation time this week to get ready for the biggest job interview of their respective coaching lives.

What happens next?

And yes, the Vikings have to allow both guys to interview for the Jets job, because it is an upgrade from the positions they hold in Minnesota. According to The Athletic, these interviews cannot be in-person, only virtual.

The Jets have a three-day window to complete these interviews. They cannot happen until three days after the Vikings’ wildcard game in LA, but must be completed before the end of the divisional round games are over.

That means, whether the Minnesota Vikings beat the Rams or not, Brian Flores and Josh McCown will be doing a virtual head coaching interview with the Jets, sometime between Thursday (Jan 16) and Sunday (Jan 19).

Related: NFL Playoff Odds: Minnesota Vikings Open as Wildcard Favorites vs LA Rams

This would be Brian Flores’ second opportunity as an NFL head coach. He had early success with the Miami Dolphins, before everything imploded. He left with a starting QB that hated him and a lawsuit against his former employer and the NFL that is still pending.

Meanwhile, Josh McCown is one of the fastest rising offensive coaches in the NFL and well on his way to be tagged as a young QB guru, much like his current boss, Kevin O’Connell. Prior to beginning his coaching career. McCown played two seasons (2017-18) with the New York Jets, where he was a backup QB behind a younger Sam Darnold.

Other candidates competing with Brian Flores and Josh McCown

Beyond Flores and McCown, there are more than a handful of other candidates who either have, or will interview for the New York Jets job. Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is not on the list because he is reportedly not interested.

• Arthur Smith (Steelers OC)
• Aaron Glenn (Lions DC)
• Matt Nagy (Chiefs OC)
• Vance Joseph (Broncos DC)
• Joe Brady (Bills OC)
• Rex Ryan (ESPN)
• Jeff Ulbrich (Jets Interim HC)
• Brian Griese (49ers QB Coach)
• Bobby Slowik (Texans OC)
• Mike Vrabel (interview complete)
• Ron Rivera (interview complete)

Currently, there are five open head coaching jobs available across the NFL and more are expected to come. Here are other teams who need a head coach and could put in a request to interview Brian Flores, or other coaches on the Minnesota Vikings staff.

• Chicago Bears
• New York Jets
• New Orleans Saints
• New England Patriots
• Jacksonville Jaguars

But unlike the tree he hails from, not everyone sees the genius he brings the offense as a play designer and play caller. That is more nuanced. How he schemes receivers open, how he ties the peak of a QBs drop back with the route of a wide receiver or tight end. Those are the things that can be harder for the human eye to see.

So… who would those more casual Vikings viewers — the fans who don’t break down ‘all-22’ film every week — turn to, if they want to know whether or not the hype surrounding KOC is real? Not as a head coach, and leader of men, but as an offensive mind and play caller?

Sauce Gardner confirms: Kevin O’Connell is nice…

Well, how about those who have faced him? But not just anyone… how about arguably the best cornerback in the NFL? His name is Sauce Gardner, he plays for the New York Jets. In case you’ve buried your head in the football quicksand over the last two years, Gardner is a 24-year old 2x All-Pro and 2022 unanimous Rookie of the Year.

Related: Final Minnesota Vikings Injury Report: Lots of Linebackers Listed as Questionable vs Jaguars

The 2022 No. 3 overall pick sat down on Hall of Fame CB Richard Sherman’s podcast this week, where he was asked about the biggest challenge so far in his young career, which is now in its third season. That’s when Gardner dove head first into “that OC in Minnesota”.

“Their OC is nice. He’s probably one of the best OC’s I’ve played against. Like ever”

High praise for #Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell from #Jets Star CB Sauce Gardner.@RSherman_25 agrees, “He’s one of the best out there.”

🎥 @RShermanPodcast pic.twitter.com/4L5GB3KDrg

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) November 9, 2024

“I try not to play that ‘what if game’. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t at times. Like, I remember when we was playing against Minnesota and I kept second-guessing a little bit because they OC is nice. Bro, he is probably like one of the best OCs that I’ve ever played against, like ever.

I watch film and I’m like, ‘bro, they have the same exact stems and same exact everything, and they’re running the opposite route off of it also’. They literally have a void from 2 and they make you think it is a dig, and have a dig go off of it. Like, a void from 2 and then actually run a dig. Then, have a void from 2 and run an out route. So I’m like bro… he’s nice.

That’s probably one of the only games this year where I’m like, ‘bro, do I really want to gamble against him?’ They OC is the head coach, right? So I’m looking on the sideline and I just see his face and he’s got that face, he played quarterback so, I’m thinking like ‘he looking too lax, like what’s going on? What’s about to happen here?’ You know what I’m saying? But yeah, gotta give the man his flowers.”

Jets CB Sauce Gardner – The Richard Sherman Podcast

This isn’t just some cornerback raving about the Minnesota Vikings head coach

Again, Sauce Gardner isn’t just another NFL cornerback. Even if he was, this conversation would still be noteworthy. But he isn’t. At this rate, the Cincinnati alum is on his way to being one of the best cornerbacks of all time.

Take a look at the history books. There aren’t a lot of players who win all four major defensive rookie of the year awards, but Sauce Gardner did. Most players don’t make All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams in each of their first two seasons, either, but Gardner did.

Yet, here he is talking about how much Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell had him all up in his feelings during the Jets loss in London to the Vikings, just a few weeks ago.

Related: Final Minnesota Vikings Injury Report: Lots of Linebackers Listed as Questionable vs Jaguars

And Richard Sherman did not have to dig very deep to get this answer out of the 3rd year NFL star. One question triggered an answer that has clearly been on Sauce’s mind since they flew back to the states back in October. WTF was Vikings head coach or “OC” doing overseas that get him so flustered? Clearly, he has yet to figure that out.

Justin Jefferson was frustrated after the game, with the Minnesota’s struggle to move the football with any consistency on offense, which he admitted was carried to victory by their defense on Sunday. He is right.

The Vikings offense totalled just 253 yards vs the Jets. After Aaron Jones went out with an early hip injury, Ty Chandler carried the ball 14 times, and averaged just 2.1 yards per carry. Sam Darnold threw for under 50%, completing 14 of 31 passes, for just 179 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception.

Ed Ingram was the worst player on the field in London

Obviously, there is a lot than needs worked on during the Minnesota Vikings bye week, especially on offense. But they might want to start in the exact same spot they know has been a weakness for the last two years.

But right guard, Ed Ingram might be the weakest link of the bunch. The former LSU stud took a HUGE step back in his development on Sunday. Ingram’s struggles caused major issues in Sam Darnold’s timing and Ty Chandler’s ability to find space in the run game.

There aren’t a lot of tools to measure offensive line play, but Pro Football Focus helps. I brought video evidence too (below). But even if you do not trust PFF, the downright brutal grades handed down to the Vikings’ 3rd year guard on Sunday are so eye-popping that they are worth checking out.

Related: Oddsmakers Like Minnesota Vikings in Stacked NFC North

In 73 offensive snaps vs the Jets, Ingram received an overall offensive grade of 36.0. That absolutely brutal mark is actually held up by a not quite as terrible 51.1 run block grade. Where Ed’s chart from Sunday gets ugly is in the pass block column, where PFF gave him an impossibly bad 19.8 pass block grade, the worst in the league among offensive linemen in week 5.

Minnesota Vikings vs New York Jets: Ingram rides international struggle bus

Alright, now some video evidence. It took me about 1.5 minutes of searching Twitter to find some atrocious Ed Ingram snaps, and I didn’t even search his name. For example, that one Nick Mullens snap, where he threw a jump ball to Aaron Jones, who Mossed his defender for the grab? Yeah, Nick Mullens will have PTSD forever, from this hit.

I keep coming back to this. Nick Mullens comes in cold on 3rd-and-4. Kevin O'Connell doesn't care. Empty backfield. Mullens guns it. Not a perfect throw, but an elite newcomer covers for it. Confidence. Aggressiveness. No fear. Story of a 5-0 start – offense + defense. #narrative pic.twitter.com/oHSGbFjL31

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 7, 2024

If I’m opposing defensive coordinators, I’m running stunts at and away from Ed Ingram all day long, which is what the Jets did. I mean, this dude has absolutely no idea when to pass off a block or how to handle a defender who does anything other than come straight at him. Watch this one. It’s Sam Darnold’s interception from Sunday.

Related: Where Do Minnesota Vikings Rank in Latest NFL Power Rankings (Week 6)

Yes, it was a bad throw. No doubt about it. But Sam was near his own endzone and probably knew he didn’t have much time on his blindside, when he saw Ed Ingram take off to chase his defender around the backside of the defensive line — like they were playing a round of Duck, Duck, Gray Duck — until he ran into another Jets defensive lineman, and nearly falls over. Just incredible.

Nailor runs a clear out route while tight end holds the safety, opening the window for Addison… but Darnold overthrows it and it's picked. Darnold also may not have been expecting the little stutter-step from Addison, leading to the overthrow. pic.twitter.com/09OGw94lOO

— Warren Ludford (@wludford) October 7, 2024

Well, in shocking fashion on Tuesday morning, news broke that the Jets have fired head coach Robert Saleh. There had been rumors, reports and speculation that Rodgers and Saleh were not doing well, behind the scenes.

Jets fire head coach Robert Saleh, after loss vs Minnesota Vikings

Their relationship seem strained this offseason, when Rodgers missed mandatory minicamp and Saleh called it an “unexcused absence”. Things have mostly unraveled since then. Now, those issues climaxed with the head coach being axed. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will serve as the Jets’ interim head coach.

The #Jets fired Robert Saleh, per sources. pic.twitter.com/Iefg3Ul0ca

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 8, 2024

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is being named the New York Jets interim head coach, per source. pic.twitter.com/3a6SeI9G2r

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 8, 2024

I cannot imagine Rodgers liked the fact that he was hit over 20 times by Minnesota Vikings defenders on Sunday, finding himself more often on the turf, than he was on his feet. The problem with his firing, however, is that Robert Saleh doesn’t run the offense, he’s a defensive guy.

Related: Where Do Minnesota Vikings Rank in Latest NFL Power Rankings (Week 6)

The Jets defense has been OK, not great. But the defense was not the problem vs Minnesota. New York ranks 11th in defensive DVOA, 16th according to PFF grade and 6th in ESPN FPI. On Sunday, Rodgers threw three interceptions and the Jets offense managed under 260 yards of offense.

From an aggressive defense, featuring a handsy shutdown All-Pro cornerback in Sauce Gardner, to Rodgers’ ability to pick defenses apart, the Vikings needed everything they had to remain undefeated on Sunday morning (or afternoon, depending on where you watched the game).

The Vikings could have made it look a lot easier. There were plenty of mistakes from both teams, but Minnesota had multiple opportunities to put the Jets away. Finally, with less than one minute remaining, they finally did, thanks to a Stephon Gilmore game-sealing interception, inside the Vikings 15 yard line.

STEPHON GILMORE SEALS THE WIN WITH A PICK.#NYJvsMIN pic.twitter.com/3Li9D2uZw1

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

From poor coaching decisions to errant passes, and penalty problems of their all over the place. Meanwhile, the Jets deserve some credit for bouncing back after falling behind 17-0.

Yet, for the second week in a row, the Vikings fought off a late rally on the road, doing exactly what was needed to move to 5-0 in the gut-wrenching 23-17 win. There were several ups and downs throughout the game, but what did we really learn from the Vikings in Week 5? It turns out, we learned a lot.

Related: NFL Expert Kevin Durant Believes in the Minnesota Vikings and Sam Darnold

Maybe Sam Darnold isn’t an MVP candidate after all

Coming into the game, Sam Darnold looked like an MVP candidate after four weeks. He led the NFL in passing touchdowns, and of course, an undefeated record didn’t hurt either. While the record is still spotless, for the first time in a Vikings uniform, Darnold really struggled.

He completed just 14-of-31 passes for 179 yards, plus an interception on a pass that sailed. His 45.1% completion rate was the fifth-lowest mark of his career. Yet, to be fair, his receivers also dropped several passes, including Justin Jefferson on what felt like an off-day for the superstar.

ah yeah there's the Sam Darnold the Jets remember pic.twitter.com/m5IfwfK9y4

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 6, 2024

Easily the most inaccurate Sam Darnold has been this season. Overthrows Jefferson and Addison on that possession. Thank goodness for rookie Will Reichard, who has now hit from 54 and 53 yards.

Vikings 20, Jets 10. 12:07 Q4.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 6, 2024

Still, Darnold didn’t look unflappable on a day when he was facing a playmaking secondary plus a pass rush that generated four sacks. Yet, this was to be expected, considering the Jets entered play allowing the fewest pass yards per attempt and the second-fewest passing yards, all season.

We have seen the warts in Sam’s game first-hand in recent weeks, through spurts of poor play. When his first or second reads aren’t there and he starts to run out of options, he has a panic instinct to him. But now, Darnold and Coach O’Connell have an extra week to dive into the film, before resuming play on Oct. 20 against the Lions.

Related: TJ Hockenson is Officially Back at Minnesota Vikings Practice – What You Need to Know

I have the utmost confidence the two of them will get things figured out. At least to a degree where the offense will work, and work well. This is what K.O. does. If anyone can make the Vikings offense work, it’s him. And remember, TJ. Hockenson will be returning to the lineup soon after the bye week, too.

The Minnesota Vikings’ offense isn’t the same without Aaron Jones

With Aaron Jones, the Vikings’ offense was getting seemingly anything they wanted against the Jets, gaining 111 yards and scoring 10 points on three drives. Once he left with a hip injury, everything changed.

The Vikings only gained 142 yards and scored 13 more points on their eight drives without Jones when the offense was forced to turn to Ty Chandler and Myles Gaskin. Chandler did have his longest gain, a 32-yard rush, negated by an illegal shift penalty.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Fans Love Aaron Jones… but Not Like His Former QB Does

Otherwise, the third-year running back was quite ineffective, rushing 14 times for 30 yards, for a paltry 2.1 YPC average. This offense needs their starting running back to be explosive, and Jones’ injury status is something that bears watching coming of the bye week.

Andrew Van Ginkel and Stephon Gilmore are really good

We can’t say enough about Andrew Van Ginkel. He just signed a contract with the Vikings this offseason, but is it too early to discuss an extension? He may not be the future at the position, that role belongs to Dallas Turner, but AVG is proving himself invaluable to Brian Flores’ defense.

For the second time this season, Van Ginkel surprised a New York quarterback by confusing him pre-and post-snap. The result both times have been walk into the endzone pick-sixes. Van Ginkel is now the only player in NFL history to have three sacks and more than one interception return for a touchdown, through five games.

Andrew Van Ginkel, who also had an interception-return TD in Week 1, is the first player in @NFL history with 3 sacks and multiple interception-return TDs in his team's first 5 games of a season. https://t.co/2napWrXhKy

— NFL345 (@NFL345) October 6, 2024

Van Ginkel signed a two-year, $20 million contract, but his ability to both drop back in coverage or be an effective pass-rusher makes him priceless. The same could be said for Stephon Gilmore, who signed late during training camp to a $7 million contract.

Gilmore’s 169 games of NFL experience were on full display, in the final moments, on Sunday. In fact, the vetera CB oftentimes seemed to have a better understanding of where Aaron Rodgers wanted to go with the football than Rodgers’ own receivers did. That was especially true on the Jets’ final offensive play of the game, seen earlier in this article.

Related: Most Valuable Minnesota Vikings Players So Far (Week 5)

It was the 34-year-old’s first interception of the season, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Obviously, there are a lot of new Minnesota Vikings defenders contributing week-in and week-out. But none have been more crucial to this team’s 5-0 start than Stephon Gilmore.

Will Reichard has nerves of steel

Vikings fans will never forget Daniel Carlson. After being selected 167th overall as a fifth-round pick, Carlson won the kicking job as a rookie. But he didn’t last longer than two weeks after missing a 48, 49, and 35-yard field goal, the last of which was a potential game-winner. Mike Zimmer made sure he was cut the very next day.

So when the Vikings selected Will Reichard 203rd overall as a sixth-round pick in April, forgive us if we had some of the same memories. Yet, the story has been entirely different this time around.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Gophers in Program Changing Win vs USC

Reichard entered Week 5 with a perfect execution rate, nailing all six field goals and all 14 extra points. Then on Sunday. Reichard was called upon again, in several big moments. And every time, the rookie delivered. Because, why wouldn’t he?

He got the scoring party started, with a 54-yard field goal, to put the Vikings up 3-0. Later, after the Jets scored 10 points in a row and cut Minnesota’s lead to 17-10, Reichard came through again. This time, he hit a gutsy 53-yarder to push the Vikings’ lead back to two possessions.

ah yeah there's the Sam Darnold the Jets remember pic.twitter.com/m5IfwfK9y4

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) October 6, 2024

After the Jets got a second chance following Darnold’s interception and scored to make it a 20-17 game, Reichard hammered home what ended up being the final nail in the coffin: a 41-yard field goal to close out a 23-17 win.

5-0 Minnesota Vikings, that’s all that matters.

With that, the Jets knew they needed at least a touchdown to tie or win, which only created more pressure on Rodgers to make big-time throws, leading to the game-sealing interception for Gilmore. It all came full circle, but without Reichard having nerves of steel, the Vikings wouldn’t be 5-0.

Minnesota Vikings inactives vs New York Jets (Week 5)

In their street clothes on the sideline today vs the Jets are (WR) Trishton Jackson, (QB) Brett Rypien* – (CB) Fabian Moreau, (CB) Dwight McGlothern, (DL) Levi Drake Rodriguez, (DL) Jalen Redmond and (T) Walter Rouse.

Today's #Vikings inactives pic.twitter.com/7qVf1VcMXO

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 6, 2024

This is the healthiest team Minnesota has put on the field all season. Let’s hope it stays that way, in a Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. After today’s game, the Vikings have their bye week. Following their week 6 bye, Pro Bowl tight end TJ Hockenson could return at any time.

Minnesota Vikings vs New York Jets – Week 5 Preview

• Vikings Activate New/Old Practice Squad Duo for Week 5 vs Jets
• Local Beat Writer Predictions: Jets vs. Vikings
• 4 Stats to Know for New York Jets vs Vikings Matchup in London, Analyzing Impact
• 3 Vikings That Matter vs New York Jets
• 4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 5 Matchup vs Jets

But this weekend, Tonyan was already on the active roster and the Vikings are elevating RB Myles Gaskin and S Bobby McCain over Richter. Gaskin was recently waived from the 53-man roster, and replaced by Tonyan.

Minnesota Vikings elevate Myles Gaskin and Bobby McCain from practice squad

So the running back and tight end have essentially swapped spots on the active game day roster, but both have had active statuses the last three weeks. In fact, Gaskin has found his way to the game day roster for every Minnesota Vikings game of the season

The #Vikings have elevated RB Myles Gaskin and S Bobby McCain to the active roster for tomorrow’s game. pic.twitter.com/AMGDKDbJRf

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 5, 2024

This isn’t Bobby McCain’s first Sunday activation of the season either. He was elevated from the practice squad for week one vs the New York Giants, alongside Gaskin. That’s right, this is the second time this same Minnesota Vikings duo has been elevated together, so far this season

Related: Local Beat Writer Predictions: Jets vs. Vikings

While Gaskin and McCain have each seen regular season action in 2024, neither guy has been involved much, outside of special teams. And even those appearances have been few and far between.

What PFF grades and snap counts say about Gaskin and McCain this season

According to PFF, Myles Gaskin has 20 special teams snaps (59.1 grade) under his belt so far this season. 14 of them have been as a kick returner. Compare that with just one offensive snap, a -3 yard carry in week one vs the Giants.

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That same week, Bobby McCain got 12 special team snaps (61.6 grade). He also got three snaps on defense. Unfortunately for him, he had to wait three weeks to get another elevation. But now, in week 5 all the way across the pond, he’ll get another opportunity to make an impact.