The Vikings are one of three teams across the NFL who currently have vacancies at both the general manager and head coach positions.
Minnesota announced changes to those spots on Monday, as Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer are no longer with the organization.
La Velle E. Neal III, a columnist for the Star Tribune, recently wrote that candidates should be more than interested if Vikings Owner/President Mark Wilf and Owner/Chairman Zygi Wilf reach out about a potential interview.
Neal wrote:
The selling points are in place for the Wilf family to swing for the fences.
The Vikings roster has talent, especially with skill position players on offense. There's still a new-car smell at U.S. Bank Stadium and there's a state-of-the-art training facility in Eagan to tout. And the Wilfs are willing to do what it takes to win, with the clearest evidence being Kirk Cousins' massive, guaranteed, multiyear contract. That's the type of "chase for an ace" signing Twins fans have long clamored for.
Simply put, Minnesota should be the most attractive destination for general manager and head coach hopefuls. The Wilfs should have no problem meeting their high standards for these hires.
Neal also added that while there should be a sense of urgency on the hires, the Wilfs should not rush the process, either.
The Bears and Giants also have dual openings in two of the most important positions for each franchise.
Overall, there are six head coaching gigs available — the three mentioned above — plus jobs with the Broncos, Jaguars and Giants.
The Raiders made the playoffs under Interim Head Coach Rich Bisaccia but are expected to conduct interviews for the permanent position.
Neal's full column on why the Vikings openings are the most attractive can be found here.
Jefferson named to 'The Athletic's' All-Pro Team
After another stellar season for Justin Jefferson, the accolades are sure to roll in for the Vikings wide receiver this offseason.
Jefferson has already made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons, and was recently named to The Athletic’s All-Pro Team as a First-Team selection.
While the Associated Press All-Pro Team is viewed as one of the ultimate individual accomplishments on a season-by-season basis (and Jefferson certainly has a worthy case for that award), his inclusion on The Athletic's squad highlights his superb sophomore season.
Sheil Kapadia of The Athletic, who compiled the team, wrote about Jefferson:
He finished second with 1,616 receiving yards. Jefferson averaged 15.0 YPR and had 10 touchdowns. He averaged 2.59 yards per route run, which ranked fourth. Jefferson flat-out took over games this season. The Vikings offense was mostly mediocre, and without Jefferson, it would have gotten really ugly.
Jefferson finished the 2021 season with 108 receptions for 1,616 yards and 10 scores, setting or tying multiple records along the way.
He is the only player in league history with at least 3,000 receiving yards in his first two seasons, and is tied with Michael Thomas for the most receptions (196) in a players' first two seasons in the NFL.
Jefferson's 1,616 receiving yards fell just short of Randy Moss' single-season record of 1,632 yards that was set back in 2003.
The 22-year-old said after Sunday's season finale that he isn't content with the success he's had since he was selected 22nd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
"I mean, this is only my second year. There's so many things that I have to learn, have to experience, so this is only the start for me," Jefferson said. "I'm only just reaching the top. A lot of these other guys, six years in, seven years in, and being at the top of the league, and it's my second.
"I got so many more things to overcome, so many more things to learn, achieve, and I'm just here to start," added Jefferson, who was an Associated Press Second-Team selection in 2020.
All three of the First-Team wide receivers on Kapadia's All-Pro team were from the NFC, as Jefferson was joined by Cooper Kupp of the Rams and Davante Adams of the Packers.
Jefferson was the lone Vikings player selected to either the First or Second-Team. The Packers had three total players on the list (Aaron Rodgers, Adams and De'Vondre Campbell), the Bears had one player (Robert Quinn) and the Lions were not represented.
