Brosmer took over under center for Minnesota after halftime, which happened to be perfect timing, given that the other highlight of Saturday afternoon, a Kevin O’Connell live sideline interview with the Vikings’ TV/radio broadcast team, also started during the third quarter.

His entire interview was must-see TV, as he called out plays that were coming through his headset before plays were snapped and helped those watching key in on what action might make or break that specific play.

Kevin O’Connell drops F-bomb on live air

We also got to hear KOC interact with his players, both on the sideline and those one the field. And that is where we got probably the most entertaining piece of television this afternoon, a Kevin O’Connell F-bomb on live air.

Midway through the third quarter, a play call came through that O’Connell knew, based on what he saw pre-snap, had lots of potential to create “an explosive”.

Instead, it was flagged for illegal procedure — one of ten penalties Saturday for Minnesota on the day — and the Max Brosmer to Myles Price 20 yard completion on the right sideline as brought back.

"I'm excited about this year's team and excited about this play-call, fellas. We've got a fast-motion… ohhh no, f*ck…" – Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell mic'd up 🤷 pic.twitter.com/60C5N2mS27

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 16, 2025

I’m excited about this year’s team and excited about this play-call, fellas. We’ve got a fast-motion… ohhh no, f*ck… ugh… it’s coming back.”

Kevin O’Connell live on the Minnesota Vikings TV/radio broadcast

Related: What We Learned About the MN Vikings in Sloppy Preseason Showing vs Patriots

Saturday’s preseason slip-up was a rare moment in which our head coach seemingly forgot he was on the microphone with millions of viewers (many of which are children for f**k sake), an excited Kevin O’Connell quickly turned pissed off and foul-mouthed.

Can’t even blame O’Connell for being so mad

Given how sloppy his team played today, even if it was just the backups, I can’t blame the Minnesota Vikings head coach for growing frustrated. By the seven-minute mark of that third quarter, O’Connell had settled into his interview with PA, and he was feeling comfortable, something that makes for a great interview.

And without a doubt, that is exactly what we got for the entire 15 minutes of football that KOC was on the broadcast. But sometimes, when comfortable and not used to being on a live microphone, some slip-ups are bound to happen.

The pre-snap breakdown.

The in-game coaching.

Kevin O'Connell at his best.

📺: @FOX9
📻: @KFAN1003 pic.twitter.com/d6Y4XRdf4i

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 16, 2025

There were a few bright spots in the loss, including another impressive performance by one-and-done former Gopher QB, Max Brosmer, who nearly drove the Vikings’ down for a chance to tie the game on a two-point conversion and a chance to steal an exhibition contest that they really didn’t deserve.

By next week, head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the rest of the MN Vikings coaching staff will start getting serious about who will make the final 53-man roster, not to mention where those who do make the it will fit into the Vikings’ week one regular season depth chart.

One position where Minnesota has a ton of talent and one of the best starter groups in football, is EDGE rusher (or outside linebacker in the Vikings’ base 3-4 defense). Last season, a now 28 y/o Jonathan Greenard and 30 y/o Andrew Van Ginkel combined for 23.5 sacks, 91 tackles and 41 QB hits.

Greenard has been excellent today against Decker. Pressure allows Van Ginkel to strip Goff pic.twitter.com/qtKkXSeJxp

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) October 20, 2024

In 2025, the Minnesota Vikings hope to inject more of sophomores Dallas Turner and Gabe Murphy into their EDGE rotation, to help keep Greenard and Van Ginkel fresh, and opposing offensive lines guessing.

Dallas Turner underperforming at MN Vikings camp + preseason?

But a KFAN radio rant on Wednesday, from popular voice of the Vikings, Paul Allen, seems to call into question everything from Turner’s development to his role within Minnesota’s defense for the upcoming season.

PA clearly came away feeling underwhelmed by Dallas Turner’s performance last weekend, and concerned that O’Connell might feel the same way, though he makes it clear that he hasn’t spoke to the Vikings head coach, about Turner, since Saturday.

For the audio crowd 👀

(Via: @KFAN1003) https://t.co/M3g3n3ILGp pic.twitter.com/3D0Z9IFtvQ

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 13, 2025

“What do you do with Dallas Turner? I’m just going to lay it out like that. What do you do with Dallas Turner? Where do you play him, how much do you play him? Do you care that he was a first round pick, do you care that Gabriel Murphy is outperforming him in training camp and the Texans game?

Do you care that O’Connell came into the Texans game really, really excited to watch the Dallas Turner performance. I certainly can’t say the HC of the Minnesota Vikings thought it was a bad performance, I wouldn’t know.

I just know that there wasn’t a lot said about [Turner] after the Texans game, and there was a lot said about [Gabe Murphy]. So I guess that would be the potential proverbial dark cloud on the horizon.”

Paul Allen – KFAN Radio

Dallas Turner, Gabe Murphy trying to rebound from slow rookie starts

Behind their two Pro Bowl outside linebackers, the Vikings get young at OLB dangerously fast. They selected a now 22 y/o Dallas Turner with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, shortly after they took QB JJ McCarthy at No. 10 overall.

Then, shortly after the 2024 draft ended, Minnesota signed a now 24 y/o UCLA undrafted rookie free agent, Gabe Murphy. Last year, Turner played in 300 total snaps over 16 regular season games, totalling 4 sacks, 20 tackles and 5 QB hits, not to mention how good he was last preseason.

Dallas Turner walks Trent Williams right back into Brock Purdy's lap (also, the Vikings essentially only rushed two on this play). pic.twitter.com/yfpPONl80A

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) September 16, 2024

Related: Patriots Head Coach Taking Joint Practices vs Vikings VERY Seriously

Murphy immediately impressed Vikings coaches and staff during last year’s summer workout, and all the way through 2024 training camp. Unfortunately, he wound up on the injured list to start the regular season, and only played 35 total defensive snaps in 2 games.

Early on during summer workouts and 2025 training camp, comments made by coaches and reports from local media suggested nothing but good things behind the scenes, for the former first round pick.

Dallas Turner in the backfield stole
Howell’s lunch, snack, and dinner.

Wooooof😤 pic.twitter.com/jcBmvyiOz9

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 28, 2025

Dallas Turner showed up at TCO Performance Center looking noticeably bigger, and he seemed to be winning more reps against Minnesota Vikings offensive linemen. More recently, however, all that optimism has faded a bit, which makes this critique — from a very plugged-in Paul Allen — are worrisome, at the least.

The 2024 first round pick still has to prove he’s ready, but that can’t happen until bodies start flying. Nonetheless, head coach (and QB whisperer) Kevin O’Connell seems confident that McCarthy is ready for QB1 duties. How confident? Actions speak louder than words and the Vikings’ actions speak mimic what they’re saying.

Minnesota Vikings seem uninterested in adding at quarterback

KOC is confident enough in last year’s No. 10 overall pick that he let Sam Darnold walk, when he would have returned to Minnesota on a relatively inexpensive and short-term deal for an MVP-caliber QB.

Then, they let the entire 2025 QB free agency class sign elsewhere, including Daniel Jones, who chose to sign with the Colts, in large part because he didn’t feel like he stood a chance in a QB competition vs JJ McCarthy.

Hell, Aaron Rodgers is still believed to be waiting for the Vikings to look his way. Same can be said for Kirk Cousins, who would reportedly love to land back in Minnesota, even if it means toting a “backup” label, upon arrival.

But instead of jumping on one of the top QB free agents or trading for a veteran who can provide more peace of mind entering the offseason, the Vikings have intentionally ignored what seems like an obvious need, choosing instead to walk into draft week with two unproven quarterbacks on roster.

Other than the aforementioned 22-year-[86-day]-old 1st round pick — who missed all of his rookie season after season-ending knee surgery — the Minnesota Vikings have 28-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Boise State, Brett Rypien, who has impressed in Eagan since first signing last August, after he missed the final training camp cut in Chicago.

From what @Andrew_Krammer has “heard behind the scenes” is that it’s “not a shoe in” that Nick Mullens is QB2 and that the #Vikings are really “impressed” with what Brett Rypien has done that “he’s made them think and consider about their [QB] pecking order”.

Krammer noted that… pic.twitter.com/gTf9rwWhhN

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) December 6, 2024

So, what gives? Why do the Vikings seem so uninterested in adding talent at QB so far this offseason? Well, there are a few reasons. First, they want to maximize their return in the 2026 comp pick formula.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his front office believe they could get as many as three additional selections in next year’s draft, as things currently stand. Picking up a free agent QB could negatively impact that formula.

Paul Allen: Vikings really like Brett Rypien…

But according to radio voice of the Minnesota Vikings (and KFAN Radio morning talk show host) Paul Allen, the organization’s approach to this offseason’s QB market goes beyond comp pick strategy and their belief in JJ McCarthy.

In the final seconds of the opening hour of his show on Tuesday, PA told his producer, Eric Nordquist — along with millions of loyal listeners — that the Vikings like Brett Rypien “more than I think people would imagine”.

“I understand when people have the flippant, but out of nowhere opinion, ‘Brett Rypien are you kidding me?’ I understand that, because Brett hasn’t done much — if hardly anything — in the NFL.

But as I’ve shared before, without oversharing… they like him. They like him a lot. That doesn’t mean he’ll be the backup, like the 1A to McCarthy. I still do believe they’ll find a veteran backup. But, they like Rypien more than I think people would imagine.”

Paul Allen – KFAN

Rypien has 10 games (4 starts) of NFL experience. He last played with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2023 season. Brett’s 58.2% completion rate leaves plenty to be desired, as does his career 4/9 TD/INT ratio and underwhelming 950 total passing yards.

Ultimately, Allen expects the Minnesota Vikings to sign a different, more reliable, backup quarterback to sit behind, mentor and provide insurance for their young, unproven starter. But that doesn’t mean their belief in Rypien hasn’t factored into their laissez-faire approach to addressing QB so far this offseason.

MN Vikings running out of veteran QB options beyond Brett Rypien…

At this point, free agency is pretty bone-dry, after Joe Flacco signed with Cleveland. Ryan Tannehill, Carson Wentz, C.J. Beathard, and Teddy Bridgewater are the best remaining free agent options available, outside of Aaron Rodgers. Otherwise, they could look to the trade market, which feels more and more likely with every day that goes by.

Related: Pressure is on JJ McCarthy to Perform Starting Next Week

Ultimately, the Vikings will continue to tweak their roster for the next six months, all the way up until the start of the regular season in September. Still, until they name a starting quarterback and we see JJ McCarthy take the field, throw a pass, take a hit, etc… serious questions will remain surrounding this team’s ceiling for 2025.

The future of Sam Darnold became too prevalent and the talk of trading head coach Kevin O’Connell took off. Whether those things became a distraction isn’t something anyone is willing to admit. The voice of the Vikings, Paul Allen, isn’t dismissing it though.

Did Kevin O’Connell trade rumors derail the Minnesota Vikings?

As the Minnesota Vikings prepared to play the Detroit Lions, a shockwave was sent through the building. Could head coach, and Coach of the Year candidate, Kevin O’Connell really be gone? Jay Glazer reported as much. Paul Allen wasn’t thrilled by the timing.

Did @JayGlazer derail the #Vikings season when he dropped the trading HC Kevin O’Connell rumor last Sunday before the #Lions game? @PAOnTheMic seems to question the timing of it and briefly discusses how it impacted the team that day in Detroit and also Glendale 👀

PA,… pic.twitter.com/hFs09k52LH

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) January 14, 2025

“[The most respected NFL insiders], they get so many rumors, and they get put on so many leads, that they probably go with less than 5%. So, they’re really good at parsing their way through them to determine, alright, what’s the agenda here?”

“It’s the timing… I’m just going to lay it out like this. If that rumor came from Kevin O’Connell’s agent, and I don’t even know what his agent’s name is, shame on him. And shame on everybody involved with that rumor, if it came from there. Because it deflects attention from a game that day to secure a one-seed for a 14-win team.”

Paul Allen on the O’Connell trade rumors (KFAN)

When Paul Allen speaks, we should listen

There is almost no secondary party more connected to the inner workings of the team than Allen. He has been the voice of the Vikings forever, and he obviously travels with the group as well. PA recounted how that news spread throughout the hotel, pregame, and postgame, suggesting that it affected the team’s play in week 18 vs the Lions and beyond.

“I don’t know where this thing came from, man, but I just know what it was like being in Troy, Michigan at the team hotel when it popped, and then the conversations on the sideline before the game, and the conversations after the game, and some conversations I had last night with people about the future of the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings…”

Paul Allen on the O’Connell trade rumors (KFAN)

Related: Kevin O’Connell Blames Minnesota Vikings O-line After Loss

Of course you’d love to act as though information doesn’t bother anyone. Players are humans though, and there are ripple effects from that sort of news getting out.

It’s one thing for Kevin O’Connell, or his agent who has his interests in mind, to be disappointed that the Wilf’s haven’t already gotten an extension done. It’s entirely different to air that frustration in a way that detracts from the tasks at hand and generates a level of distraction.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Pending Free Agents Entering 2025 NFL Offseason

I’m just starting to try to figure out, I’m not going to pursue this, but like… how? Why? Why at that time. And if it came from anybody associated with Kevin O’Connell’s camp, I’m just going to say it as bluntly as I can. Shame on you. That’s selfish and it lacks self-awareness, and it jettisons the totality of a team, and it takes it from ‘thy’ to ‘I’.

Paul Allen on the O’Connell trade rumors (KFAN)

Paul Allen’s frustration and admonishment isn’t unfounded either. This is typically stuff done by diva players. Justin Jefferson never went that route while securing a massive new payday. As good as O’Connell is as a coach, there was no reason for this to ever become a story, at the moment it did… a conundrum that is clearly bothering the “Voice of the Vikings”.

The Vikings should lock O’Connell up into the foreseeable future. The head coach could also come out, as Mike Tomlin has, and put any rumors of trading for him in their grave.

Live radio coverage, however is left in the hands of each organization. For example, the Vikings radio partner since 2001 has been KFAN Radio (100.3 FM), now owned by iHeartMedia.

Minnesota Vikings re-up with KFAN Radio

And on Friday morning, a new contract extension between KFAN and the Vikings was announced. It’s a 7-year deal that runs through the 2031 season. When it ends, the two sides will have been radio partners for 31 years. The Minnesota Vikings franchise will 70 years old (1961) when this extension expires.

SEVEN MORE YEARS!

We are very proud to announce that The FAN and @iHeartRadio will be The Audio Home of #Vikings Football for another SEVEN years! @Vikings #Skol #KFANVikes pic.twitter.com/dS3XKxRcm9

— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) September 27, 2024

This is good news. There really is no other market in the National Football League that has established a radio broadcast partnership like what the Vikings have with KFAN. And while that may not seem like a big deal, for those who watch games on TV and don’t pay attention to local sports radio during the week.

But KFAN Radio gives the Minnesota sports market a constant carousel of rotating local and sports news/discussion, even without a major sports market feel. Their partnership with the Vikings is a huge part of what has allowed KFAN to blossom, while other radio stations around the country are going out of business.

Related: Paul Allen Watches Timberwolves Games Exactly How You Would Expect

In their 24 year relationship, KFAN and the Minnesota Vikings have become synonymous with each other, in large part thanks to Paul Allen. PA has been a host on KFAN (1998) even longer than he has been the voice of the Vikings (2002). And it’s good to know that won’t be changing anytime soon.

Vikings need to win a Super Bowl for their radio Play by Play guy Paul Allen. He’s seen it all.
pic.twitter.com/342B9DnznP

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 16, 2022

He’s been to a game or two (probably more) during this playoff run already, but on Wednesday night, during game one of the Western Conference Finals, he was stuck watching from home like most of the Timberwolves fan base around the world.

Paul Allen watches Minnesota Timberwolves games exactly how you would expect

And luckily, we got some video that was tweeted out by PA’s wife tonight that features our favorite NFL play-by-play voice watching game 1 of Wolves vs Mavs from his living room, fully equipped in purple Vikings shorts and what may or may not be a lime green Timberwolves golf style polo shirt shirt.

Lol ⁦@PAOnTheMic⁩ really, really into this Wolves game. Come on guys! #Howl pic.twitter.com/cus9jYUYeH

— Lisa Meuwissen (@LA1216MN) May 23, 2024

Paul Allen, who grew up in California, moved to Minnesota in 1995, when he got a job calling horse races at Canterbury Park, something he still does. He got his daily radio job at KFAN in 1998, four years before he became radio play-by-play voice of the Vikings.

Related: Target Center Roof Leaking During Game 1 of Timberwolves vs Mavericks

Over 25 years later, PA still holds all three jobs and he’s becoming more well known nationally for his iconic radio calls for the Vikings. Whether it was Adrian Peterson, Brett Favre, Kirk Cousins, Percy Harvin, Randy Moss or Robert Smith, there’s a Paul Allen touchdown call. When he’s dialed in, his KFAN radio show from 9 AM to Noon Monday through Friday is can’t miss too. Also, it’s definitely a lime green Wolves polo he is wearing.

Thirty to game one. How hard are you howling right now? ⁦#92Noon howls HARD!@Timberwolves⁩ ⁦@MeatSauce1⁩ ⁦⁦@JimmyKnutson⁩ ⁦@madproducer1⁩ ⁦@SuperStatsDave⁩ #Howl pic.twitter.com/jidfungmqE

— Paul Allen (@PAOnTheMic) May 23, 2024

General manager Kwesi Adofo had seemingly drawn a line in the sand and it appeared Cousins’ camp is of the belief that he can get more. Since, we’ve seen rumors and reports on both sides of the isle and numbers floated from $30 million per year all the way up to $51 million. Kirk wants more “term” and “fully-guaranteed money” which seem to be the two sticking points in talks to this point.

But on Wednesday, ProFootballTalk.com’s founder Mike Florio sat down at the scouting combine with Vikings play-by-play voice Paul Allen where the two friends chopped it up for about 15 minutes on his “Nine to Noon” KFAN Radio show.

Florio has been in Indianapolis for a couple of days and he’s been out and about chatting it up with league executives and others in the know around the NFL. One of Mike’s main missions this week, as a Vikings fan, seems to be finding out what’s happening with the Kirk Cousins situation.

Mike Florio spills beans on Minnesota Vikings plan with Kirk Cousins

Through his Indianapolis sleuthing, Florio believes he’s nailed down Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s thinking, with the Cousins negotiations. He says the Vikings are “confident” that Kirk will NOT find what he is looking for while his agent Mike McCartney shops his services this week at the combine. That, essentially, Cousins will come crawling back to the organization after he realized the grass isn’t greener outside Minnesota.

(Cousins talk begins around the 21-minute mark — Transcript below)

“My assessment of the situation is, [the Vikings] have a number that they are willing to extend, and that if Kirk Cousins is able to find anything else that he likes better, he is free to take it. They are very clear eyed about it, they are very confident.

They use the phrase, Kevin [O’Connell] did a couple of times, ‘[Kirk Cousins] has earned the right to bet on himself’ and they believe that when the time comes for [Kirk] to go see what else is out there, he will learn that whatever else is out there is not better. That the grass will not be greener in Atlanta or Las Vegas or back in Washington.”

Mike Florio – KFAN Radio with Paul Allen

Grass won’t be greener for Kirk on other side of NFL scouting combine?

What does Mr. ProFootballTalk mean when he says ‘the grass won’t be greener’ for Kirk Cousins? Well, most of it seems to come down to a lack of options. Much like the last time he was a free agent, landing spots seem to be more limited than what many seem to assume.

Related: Vikings Crush NFLPA Player Team Rankings Again but Fall Off Top Spot

Florio is hearing that potential landing spots like Washington and Las Vegas won’t be as soft as expected. He’s even hearing that the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to run it back with Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph for another season, instead of handing the reins to an outside-the-organization veteran like Cousins.

“I don’t think Pittsburgh [is happening]. Some people I was talking to last night [say the Steelers] really are gonna do this Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph thing, as crazy as it sounds. That’s what I get the impression is what they’re going to do.”

“Look, when [Kirk Cousins] was a free agent six years ago, 29 years old and healthy, it was the Vikings and Jets [who were interested]. That’s it, the Vikings and the Jets. So now he’s 35, coming off a torn achilles tendon and once you pop one, you’re more likely to pop the other one. So who’s gonna be out there?”

Mike Florio – KFAN Radio with Paul Allen

But what about Atlanta?

Atlanta? That’s been the hot spot rumor for some time now. Problem is, it sounds like the Falcons could complete a deal with the Chicago Bears any moment to acquire Justin Fields. And it’s not just Mike Florio who’s reporting the Fields to Atlanta steam.

Related: ESPN Expert Jordan Reid Reveals Likely Vikings Defensive Draft Targets

DraftKings had to take the futures bet off their board because so many people were betting on the Falcons to land Fields. Should the Atlanta domino fall, Florio believes we could see the Vikings plan of waiting out Kirk Cousins start to unfold in real time as his options start to fall off the board one after another.

PA: “But now you mentioned that with Pittsburgh and and I had not thought of that or heard that. Well, if Justin fields gets traded to Atlanta, which I would make them favored”…”I mean, if Justin [Fields goes to Atlanta] and Pittsburgh wants to do this [Rudolph + Pickett] thing, [Cousins] is gonna run out of options.”

Florio: Right, and I think that’s what [the Vikings] are counting on.”

Mike Florio – KFAN Radio with Paul Allen

Florio then riffs for a little bit on how Kwesi needs to be careful during this process with Cousins. That he cannot assume Kirk won’t up and move to another city, if he feels disrespected or if the Vikings overplay the whole, ‘my kids are already in school in Minnesota and my family is already comfortable’ card.

In fact, he says he has gotten tips that Kirk and Julie have already scoped out schools and neighborhoods in Atlanta, should he end up there. But in the end, Mike comes back to the same thought. If Atlanta trades for Fields, Kirk could be facing a return to Minnesota with his tail between his legs..

Florio: “It would be foolish to assume that Kirk and Julie Cousins haven’t already scoped out everything that they would be doing in Atlanta, including the school. I’m in a position where I get all sorts of crazy tips from people. Some of the tips I’ve gotten is they’ve already been down there and they know exactly where the kids would go to school if Atlanta is the place.”

PA: “Yeah, well [the Cousins’] absolutely have [scoped things out already].”

Florio: “But if they go Justin fields then it doesn’t matter. And I got the impression from hearing Raheem Morris, the new head coach of the Falcons yesterday, that it is going to be Justin Fields.”

If you don’t believe Mike Florio, and some certainly will not, then maybe you’ll soften a bit when you read the quote that came out of Kwesi-Adofo Mensah, on the same KFAN radio station, earlier in PA’s show.

Related: Vikings Meet Formally with LSU QB Jayden Daniels at NFL Scouting Combine

Kwesi-Adofo Mensah hinting that Florio may be right?

That’s when the Vikings GM talked about how he expects the negotiations with Kirk Cousins to go all the way to the very last moment, which is expected to be March 13, right before his $28.5 million dead cap penalty would hit the books if there is no new deal. This sure makes it seem like the front office is waiting for Kirk to shop around until he comes to the realization that, like Florio said, the grass isn’t greener on other teams’ fields.

#Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah via @KFAN1003 on when a likely decision on Kirk Cousins will be made 👀

“I think it probably go right down to the deadline. I hope it doesn’t. I don’t like hoping, but as I’ve learned in this league deadlines do just kind of get people to tighten… pic.twitter.com/kDUhpTS6Z0

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) February 28, 2024

But over the last handful of Vikings seasons, Allen has seen his star reach new heights, thanks to the emergence and influence of social media, combined with recent legendary calls of historic moments like the Minneapolis Miracle in 2017 and Bills comeback in 2022 (see below).

Confirmed: NFL Films documentary featuring Paul Allen

Now, he has the attention of NFL Films, who has sent their top filming crew to shoot and produce a documentary on his life. The special was first reported by the Canterbury Park Twitter account, who posted a picture of Allen being filmed during a night of calling horse races.

Super pumped to have @NFLFilms here at THE PARK. They are doing a story on our very own @PAOnTheMic . pic.twitter.com/27REvU5mso

— Canterbury Park (@CanterburyPark) June 7, 2023

For his comeback calls in Buffalo alone, PA received endless praise from ESPN, Barstool Sports, Sports Illustrated and Action Network, not to mention the biggest superstar in both the mainstream media and podcast world — the guy who Disney just paid $10 million per year for — Pat McAfee.

I didn’t know this incredible human existed until now… I feel as if I’ve missed out on so much electricity.

The talent… the passion… the story telling

Paul Allen, Minnesota Viking PxP, is FANTASTIC. pic.twitter.com/hKmOqCn0tX

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 16, 2022

I didn’t know this incredible human existed until now… I feel as if I’ve missed out on so much electricity.

The talent… the passion… the story telling

Paul Allen, Minnesota Viking PxP, is FANTASTIC. pic.twitter.com/hKmOqCn0tX

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 16, 2022

Tuesday morning, PA confirmed the filming of his documentary via Twitter, along with more details on the project, which is expected to include intimate details on his life as an NFL broadcaster, race announcer and local radio host. The feature could also include stories about Vikings brass being upset over a call he made, along with an in-depth look at his call of the Minneapolis Miracle.

Connor, very kind. Indeed, @NFLFilms recognizes crescendo-building aspect of a football play/horse race call. Good call there.
A lot more if they use it: Vikes bosses ever mad due to a call, how not attending college actually benefitted my career, NFCN race call, etc. #Honored https://t.co/RrO0LfBxGx

— Paul Allen (@PAOnTheMic) June 13, 2023

I’ve written recently about my complaints regarding the effort that Paul Allen is currently putting into his weekday radio show at KFAN, but there are no doubts about how great of a play-by-play voice he is or what he has accomplished during his 25 years in Minnesota.

NFL Films documentaries are some of the best in the sports genre so this is an exciting development and something I cannot wait to watch.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Now, PA is known around the NFL as one of the best and most unique voices in football. His calls of the Minneapolis Miracle in 2017-18, Blair Walsh’s missed field goal in 2015-16 and Brett Favre’s across the body interception in 2009-10 — among many many many others — are branded into Vikings fans brains forever. There’s no doubt, at this point in his career, that Paul Allen is one of the best and most unique broadcast voices in all of sports.

Vikings need to win a Super Bowl for their radio Play by Play guy Paul Allen. He’s seen it all.
pic.twitter.com/342B9DnznP

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 16, 2022

Paul Allen and KFAN weekday sports radio

From 1998-2008, Paul Allen co-hosted a Monday through Friday sports radio show on KFAN called the “PA and Dubay” show. In 2008, Dubay was charged with crack cocaine possession and subsequently fired from KFAN. That’s when the local sports show was renamed “92Noon with Paul Allen”, which is the branding its held ever since.

For two decades, the 9 AM to Noon timeslot at KFAN is what has allowed the station to keep up its reputation as a mostly sports radio outlet. “The Power Trip Morning Show”, which precedes “9 to Noon”, has found substantial success with their humor over sports strategy.

“The Common Man” Dan Cole hits the airwaves after PA. “The Progrum” touts itself as a renaissance show that focuses on anything the host seems interested in that day. Usually that starts with his golf round from that morning and devolves from there.

Then, the legendary sports writer, turned radio personality, Dan Barreiro, takes over the mic from 3 PM to 6:30 PM. The “Bumper to Bumper” show covers hot-button political and/or sports topics equally, depending on what is more pressing that day.

Paul Allen doesn’t care about Minnesota sports anymore

So, that’s where I want to start this blog. I have been listening religiously to KFAN since 2014. But for decades, KFAN has had an addicting mix of sports, humor and news talk, which is how they have grown up to be one of the most successful sports radio stations in the country.

That has changed over the last couple of years, however. Not because The Power Trip, The Common Man or Dan Barreiro have mixed things up. Instead, the noticeable change has come from “9 to Noon” and Paul Allen, who doesn’t seem interested in keeping up with the local Minnesota sports scene any longer.

That’s not an exaggeration. I’ve listened to PA on an almost daily basis for nearly a decade, a commitment that has only grown stronger since creating MinnesotaSportsFan.com and developing it into my full-time occupation.

And with every episode of “9 to Noon” that goes by, it becomes more and more clear just how bored the host is with Minnesota sports. He doesn’t seem to watch games, read about results or keep up on rumors/news regarding any of the local pro or college teams.

Most days, PA uses “9 to Noon” (specifically his producer, Eric Nordquist) as his catch up time where Nordo can fill him in on everything he’s missed since he last left the studio. Nordo does the prep, then reads off questions and news stories to PA for him to react.

Honestly, I’d be surprised if Paul Allen could tell you the last time he picked up and read a sports piece from the Star Tribune, Pioneer Press or The Athletic. Again, that’s not sarcasm. He openly hates being on Twitter too, where almost all sports news is reported.

PA struggles with Vikings’ offseason to-do list

The latest examples of PA’s ignorance came earlier this week, but really, this is just par for his course these days. The Vikings are the biggest team in town and, as previously mentioned, PA is their radio play-by-play voice. But nobody told PA that the NFL no longer has an offseason because, throughout Monday and Tuesday, he made it clear that he has not been following the team this offseason.

On Monday’s show, it dawned on PA that (EDGE) Danielle Hunter’s contract — which calls for him to make just $5 million in cash this season — could become a problem that needs addressed before fall. PA carried his concern into Tuesday’s show, where he couldn’t even concentrate on other topics, it was bothering him so much.

“Are we sure Danielle Hunter is not afraid to stare you down? And, if he stares you down regarding that $5 [million], because you need [all the money] you can get for [Justin Jefferson] and [Christian Darrisaw]… maybe some other things coming down the road. This defense, whether it’s a stand up outside guy [or] hand in the grass left defensive end — which Danielle Hunter is, at his very best. No matter what it is, he’s needed and he knows he’s needed. And [the Vikings] know he’s needed. Then you got that cash-strapped thing (Vikings salary cap problems). I’m not saying it’s lingering and I’m spitballing and I have no steam that this may be a thing. So I may be talking out of my metaphorical butt. I’m just asking, are we sure everything is square, copacetic and hunky dory with Danielle Hunter because that’s a defensive a topic for B-Flo (Brian Flores).”

Paul Allen – KFAN Radio on Tuesday

Oh if only there was information out there that would help PA understand what kind of headspace Danielle Hunter is in. Does he want a new deal? Does he need a new deal in order to play the upcoming season?

Lucky for PA, there are reputable reports, articles, podcasts, videos and blogs all over the internet confirming that Danielle Hunter is unlikely to play for the Vikings under his current contract. In fact, we aggregated a Darren Wolfson (SKOR North, KSTP) report two months ago that disclosed that exact information.

Since then, I’ve written three more blogs on Hunter’s unhappiness and whether or not he will play for the Vikings next season. My most recent blog, written on May 4 and based on insider reporting, portrayed optimism that Danielle and Kwesi will find common ground on a new contract before the season begins.

• March 21: Danielle Hunter Unlikely to Play Under Current Contract
• April 12: Brian Flores Wants Danielle Hunter to Stay with Vikings
• April 17: Danielle Hunter Won’t Attend Vikings’ Offseason Program Under Current Contract
• May 4: Danielle Hunter, Vikings Standoff Expected to End in New Contract

But Danielle Hunter’s contract situation isn’t the only Vikings offseason news topic that Paul Allen has avoided like the plague over the last few months. On Tuesday’s episode of “9 to Noon”, Nordo dove into the contract situations of Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins.

PA cannot understand why the Vikings would extend JJ and not Kirk Cousins, even though the Vikings have already passed on their most obvious opportunity to sign Cousins to a new deal. Does that mean he won’t get one before the season starts? Not necessarily.

But one thing we can be pretty damn sure of (because it’s been widely reported for multiple months) is that Kwesi & Co will absolutely use this offseason to extend JJ, before he is even more expensive next summer.

NORDO: “If it was up to you, would you allocate the money to Justin Jefferson — as part of a massive [contract] re-do and extension or would you allocate that money to Danielle Hunter to make sure #99 is happy into 2023?”

PA: “Excellent, excellent, excellent question… because you didn’t press me on ‘after June 1st, what would you do with Dalvin’… I’m glad you didn’t do that. Without knowing exactly, or even close to exactly, how [Rob] Brzezinski “the money magician” can move those shells around… it’s a difficult question to answer. But the the overarching question that I will pose, in wonderment: Is there a chance Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins both head into the season without new deals [or] in the final years of deals… and what will that mean?”

Oh, and did you know the Vikings could release Dalvin Cook post June 1 and save an additional $9 million against the cap? If you follow Vikings news at all, like here, you probably did. But PA had no idea when informed of such information on Tuesday.

NORDO: “[The Vikings] have $9 million in cap space.”

PA: “Geez…”

NORDO: “Now Dalvin [Cook], should they look to move on from him — let’s say, with a post-June 1 designation — the team may add another $9 million to the mix.”

PA: “Wow…”

NORDO: “So, let’s call it $16-17 million that they got to play with.”

PA: “Damn, man… June 1 is in a week and change. It may be the love we lost in a week and change… that’s soon!”

9 to Noon – KFAN on Tuesday

These are only the most recent examples of how much Paul Allen refuses to keep up with the local MN sports scene, something that is not a sin for most people. But for PA, keeping up with Minnesota sports is literally his job.

Get back in the game… or move on with your life

And given the fact that PA works with so many people inside the Vikings organization, it can be argued that he should know more about the offseason storylines of Dalvin Cook, Danielle Hunter, Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson than any media personality in town or nationally.

With the connections he has, PA should be helping us decipher Vikings’ news and notes throughout the year. Instead, he’s the last one to know about everything and most of his daily topics have already been run into the ground by others, by the time he realizes such topics exist. How does that happen? Because he doesn’t care to stay updated.

PA seems to be at a point in his life where his job as a daily sports radio host at KFAN is falling to the backburner of his priority list. He is devout in his christian faith (see his Twitter bio), and commits a lot of his off time to preaching gospel. He also headlines as the main track announcer at Canterbury Park, which he loves doing.

There’s nothing wrong with a change in priorities. It happens to the best of us, for a variety of reasons. But sometimes those priorities no longer align with what you’re doing in life. And if Paul Allen no longer follows or cares about Minnesota sports, it’s difficult to host a radio show that focuses on Minnesota sports.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

But a video was released on the various Minnesota Vikings’ social media channels, Wednesday, that might be even better than the game itself. Featured in the clip is longtime Vikings radio play-by-play voice, Paul Allen. It’s a 2-minute rollercoaster ride of emotions that you need to ride.

Vikings play-by-play guy Paul Allen was filmed during Minnesota’s insane win against Buffalo and it was awesome. pic.twitter.com/ixgRMh1LuY

— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) November 16, 2022

Who is Paul Allen?

Paul Allen has been the Vikings’ play-by-play radio voice since 1998. He also calls horse races at Canterbury Park in Shakopee and hosts a sports radio show that runs on 100.3 KFAN from 9 AM to NOON, Monday through Friday. He’s also dabbled in calling Minnesota Wild hockey.

If you have heard a famous Minnesota Vikings call, like the Minneapolis Miracle or Brett Favre interception, then you’ve heard PA’s voice before. Allen is from Washington DC and grew up in California. But he appears to be a Minnesota lifer going forward. He loves the Vikings and he loves Canterbury. So, where else would he go?

So, yes, he could easily spend his summers elsewhere, tucked into a pontoon boat up north without the grind of four-days-a-week race calls through the dog days of summer.

“But this place is so deeply rooted in the fabric of who I am,” Allen said.

The Athletic

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan