The Minnesota Vikings recently decided to decline a contract extension for offensive line coach Chris Kuper.
Our own Trevor Squire provided some reasoning on Kuper being let go by the Vikings.
“The Minnesota Vikings poured major investment into their offensive line last offseason to no avail.
After signing former Indianapolis Colts starters Ryan Kelly and Will Fries to deals worth a combined $105 million and drafting Donovan Jackson in the first round, the Vikings offensive line finished the 2025 season ranked 31st in pass protection.
Injuries were the bane of the team’s struggles on the offensive front as the starting unit played just 89 snaps together all season.”
Vikings Part Ways With Offensive Line Coach
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 25: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Squire also pulled up some evidence that led to the divorce from Kuper from Alec Lewis.
“Minnesota’s interior still allowed the highest pressure rate in the NFL this past season, according to Next Gen Stats. Only the Las Vegas Raiders’ interior was dinged for more sacks. The Vikings improved throughout 2025 in the run game, but struggles continued against more physical and respected defensive fronts.”
Lewis also mentioned another nail in Kuper’s coffin. The productivity of former Vikings such as Ezra Cleveland, Dalton Risner, Ed Ingram, and Garrett Bradbury proved that their struggles in Minnesota may have been a coaching issue.
Kuper was an original hire to O’Connell’s staff upon his hire in 2022. Now, the Vikings are on a hunt for a new lead-man for the unit. However, unfortunately, a top candidate is off the board.
Bill Callahan Signs With Atlanta Falcons
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 31: Cleveland Browns offensive line coach Bill Callahan looks on during warmups before a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Adam Patrick of The Viking Age had the scoop on the Vikings missing out on Bill Callahan.
“According to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo on Sunday, Callahan is expected to join the Atlanta Falcons as their new offensive line coach following the team’s announcement on Saturday that former Minnesota offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski has been hired as the Falcons’ new head coach
Callahan had previously worked with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell when both were members of the Washington Commanders‘ coaching staff from 2017 to 2019. But instead of reuniting with O’Connell, the veteran offensive line coach will join Stefanski in Atlanta.”
Patrick points out some potential good news in the situation for Minnesota.
“With Callahan expected to take over as the Falcons’ offensive line coach, that frees up Dwayne Ledford, who had been Atlanta’s offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the last five seasons.
Under Ledford, the Falcons consistently had one of the NFL’s top offensive lines, and he would be a tremendous upgrade over what the Vikings had with Kuper for the last few years, especially if he can help improve Minnesota’s rushing attack as well.”
Callahan was the cream of the crop of Vikings’ offensive line coach candidates. However, Dwayne Ledford’s success in Atlanta could get him some looks as Kuper’s successor with a talented offensive line in Minnesota.
Vikings’ Top Coaching Staff Candidate is Off the Board