Ben Goessling
Minnesota Vikings beat reporter
VikingsBen Goessling has covered the Vikings since 2012, first at the Pioneer Press and ESPN before becoming the Minnesota Star Tribune's lead Vikings reporter in 2017. He has won six honors in the past three years from the Associated Press Sports Editors and National Headliner Awards contests, and was named one of the top NFL beat writers by the Pro Football Writers of America in 2024.
Latest from Ben Goessling
Vikings hire Matt Thomas to help front office manage NFL salary cap
With Rob Brzezinski running the Vikings’ free agency and draft strategy, Matt Thomas is getting support in his former job, overseeing the cap.
February 5, 2026
Rob Brzezinski, Vikings’ longtime salary cap wizard, steps into spotlight to lead front office
Brzezinski, who has been with the team since 1999, will take over for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah during the club’s GM search.
February 4, 2026
Analysis: Adofo-Mensah’s firing as Vikings GM rooted in draft frustration
Restocking the roster with young talent was one of the two mandates asked of him when he was hired, but four years later the team remains in desperate need of help.
February 2, 2026
Vikings add to coaching staff, hiring former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith
The Vikings promoted Keith Carter to offensive line coach job, and veteran coaches Ryan Nielsen and Gerald Alexander joined Brian Flores’ defensive staff.
January 31, 2026
Vikings fire General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
The GM had signed a contract extension in May 2025. Rob Brzezinski will lead the team’s operations through the NFL draft in April.
January 31, 2026
Vikings expect to bring in competition for QB J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, had a rocky first season as the team’s starter but is still just 22 years old.
January 13, 2026
Analysis: Vikings wrap up key subplots in season finale, but leave a big cliffhanger
The Vikings executed plans to honor Harrison Smith, C.J. Ham and Justin Jefferson during a 16-3 win over the Packers, but questions about J.J. McCarthy remain unanswered.
January 5, 2026
Takeaways: Vikings finish with a 16-3 win over the Packers; J.J. McCarthy exits early
The Vikings end the 2025 NFL season at 9-8, closing with a five-game winning streak and a celebration of Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham.
January 4, 2026
Analysis: Was the Vikings' 2025 season encouraging or infuriating?
The Vikings, somehow, were tantalizingly close to a playoff spot. What conclusions will they draw from what went wrong?
January 4, 2026
Vikings-Packers preview: J.J. McCarthy gets another shot at making an impression
Green Bay, locked into the No. 7 seed, is resting several starters and will have backup QB Clayton Tune under center in the regular-season finale.
January 2, 2026
Analysis: Vikings hope to keep Flores as defensive coordinator
Flores could get interviews for a head coaching job, but if he remains a coordinator, the Vikings might have to outbid other teams to keep him.
December 31, 2025
Analysis: Vikings defense, inspired Harrison Smith deliver a Christmas spectacle
Smith’s interception was one of six turnovers the Vikings forced in a 23-10 victory over Detroit that came almost solely because of their aggressive defense.
December 26, 2025
