This approach should benefit our offense/QB a ton. Attack, attack, attack! From Lewis’
column today.
The offensive-line preparation ‘felt different’
The quarterback conversation and offseason signings overshadowed two of the most important decisions of the Vikings’ offseason. O’Connell replaced offensive-line coach Chris Kuper with Keith Carter. He also hired former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as his assistant head coach.
Carter and Smith wasted no time in making an impact. The intensity increased. In the hope of improving the run game, they infused practice with more drills focused on vertical double teams and attacking off the line of scrimmage. Preparing for the passing game, the Vikings designed ways to replicate the stunts they frequently see against opponents.
“It’s definitely been different than in years past,” right tackle Brian O’Neill said. “It has felt different. I don’t want to give away too much. But one of the things we’ve said is, we’ve had a great, defined culture in our room. We need to keep that great, well-defined culture and have great, well-defined standards as well. The idea is that we’re going to raise the bar, play better as a group and play better as individuals. You want to be expected to play great. That is the expectation. And that’s how it’s being coached.”
The Vikings’ skill players have noticed the shift. “We’re trying to manipulate the defense a little more in our run game,” tight end T.J. Hockenson said, and “there’s a little more detail of what’s expected.” Though in previous years, Jones said, the offensive line measured up blocks, now it’s mostly running and shooting shots.
The approach aligns with a more refined run-game identity. The Vikings want to base out of the wide zone, where offensive linemen fire off the ball in tandem and running backs find clear cut-back lanes. Right guard Will Fries said the offensive linemen love the wide zone because it allows them to play “with a little bit of reckless abandon.”
Basically, the Vikings believe threatening the edge more seriously will sow more doubt in defenders’ minds.
“If the linebackers overrun the gap, you put your foot in the ground and get vertical,” Jones said. “If they don’t overrun, you’re able to get around the edge. It’s hard on wide zone for the defense to be right.”
Minnesota’s run game took a step forward in 2025 in almost every meaningful metric. O’Connell and the staff think an intentional focus, paired with a more stable passing game, could unlock the offense and take it to a new level.
sweeps clean -
