After watching Sam Darnold take a playoff-record nine sacks in a season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Rams a year ago, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell made a mandate that the interior offensive line must improve.
That did not happen despite a massive $43 million invested in guarantees for former Indianapolis Colts starters Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, along with the selection of Donovan Jackson in the first round of last year’s draft.
While the Vikings’ search for a new leader on the offensive line, another coach’s role is “up in the air,” according to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis.
Vikings O-Line Assistant, Keith Carter Facing Potential Firing
In a January 20 article, Lewis outlined the quiet moves being made for a Vikings coaching staff that is in flux this offseason.
“Assistant offensive line coach Keith Carter’s role is also up in the air. The Vikings hired him last spring as Kuper’s assistant. At the time, O’Connell said, ‘I love what Chris Kuper has been able to do in that room. But I wanted to take the opportunity to get a former No. 1 (in Carter), a guy who has been involved in some of the best rushing attacks,’ ” Lewis wrote.
The running game was dramatically improved with the help of Jordan Mason. However, the Vikings still struggled to protect the quarterback, allowing the highest pressure rate and the second-most sacks, ranking 31st in pass protection for the 2025 season, according to The 33rd Team.
“Now, there will be a new voice in charge of the room, a new staffer to influence the design of the Vikings’ run game. Running backs coach Curtis Modkins has held the title of “run-game coordinator.” But Kuper shared primary responsibility with offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for orchestrating the plan. In the end, they are all at the whim of O’Connell’s choices as the play caller,” Lewis added. “Whoever replaces Kuper will have some talent to work with. Jackson showed flashes at left guard. If left tackle Christian Darrisaw can return to his full workload and elite level of play, the left side of the line should be in good shape.”
It’s clear that Keith’s role may ultimately be decided by the new offensive line coach, who may want to start fresh with his own assistant.
Vikings to Make Unexpected Move in Upcoming NFL Draft
Along with Lewis’ report was intel on what many league sources believe to be the team’s biggest priority in the upcoming draft.
While mock drafters have majorly selected cornerbacks for Minnesota with its first-round pick, the Vikings could go a different direction.
Looking at the final four teams remaining in the playoffs, Lewis pointed to what the true contenders have over the Vikings — deep trenches.
“The Rams, Broncos and Seahawks rank in the top five in both pressure rate allowed offensively and pressure rate forced defensively. The Patriots aren’t as potent, but they’re still 19th offensively and 10th defensively,” Lewis wrote. “None of these figures is lost on Vikings ownership, which explains the first section of this story.
“This also explains why multiple league sources believe the Vikings will target defensive linemen and tackles early in the 2026 NFL Draft. Cornerback depth and safety are necessities, too. But the Vikings cannot afford to proceed without a clear focus on these areas of their team, matching the focuses of their rivals in the NFC North.”
Vikings Eyeing Another Firing From Coaching Staff, Insider Says