Recent content from Ben Goessling
Vikings' training camp plans include charging for some practices
For the first time, the team will charge for tickets to four practices, including a U.S. Bank Stadium scrimmage on Aug. 7 for up to 20,000 fans.
Kevin Williams shocked by being picked for Vikings' Ring of Honor
The former Vikings defenive tackle wore John Randle's number, so he knew he had to be good.
Vikings minicamp: Eric Kendricks shines on Day 2
The linebacker intercepted Kirk Cousins during an 11-on-11 drill, and broke up a Kellen Mond pass in 7-on-7. Here are five observations from today's workouts.
Sheldon Richardson calls return to the Vikings a 'perfect fit'
The defensive tackle got $3 million in guaranteed money from Minnesota on a one-year deal that reunites him with coach Andre Patterson.
Hunter reports to Vikings minicamp after agreeing to new contract
The Vikings and star defensive end Danielle Hunter have resolved the issue of the pass rusher's unhappiness with his current deal.
Four major story lines to sort out as the Vikings begin minicamp
Danielle Hunter's status and changes in the secondary are among the team's top stories to watch this week at the team's mandatory minicamp.
Cousins looped in on plan to draft QB, promises to be 'open book' for Mond
Kirk Cousins spent his offseason studying every game from his own career, and wants to help Kellen Mond the way Cousins was helped as a rookie.
Vikings guaranteed $345,000 to 2021 undrafted free agents
The total amount of guaranteed money is substantially less than the team gave to its undefeated rookies last year.
Vikings turn out for workouts, talking of 'building chemistry'
Most of the roster reported for the start of voluntary workouts despite the players association's recommendation that players skip them.
Vikings' young pass rushers have big job ahead reviving defensive line
Rookies Patrick Jones, Janarius Robinson and Jaylen Twyman will be asked to help fix one of the team's problems during 2020.
How did Gophers sprinter Amira Young break the team's 46-year-old 200-meter record?
Young's detailed approach, from start to finish, brought the sustained speed she needed, and she'll look for more at the Big Ten championships.
Big Ten Track and Field Championships at a glance
The Gophers men's and women's teams have several standouts to watch heading into the three-day meet in Champaign, Ill.
Vikings trade former first-round cornerback Hughes to Kansas City
Trading Mike Hughes to the Chiefs will save the Vikings about $1.825 million in cap space; they'll keep the final $1.314 million of Hughes' signing bonus on their 2021 books.
A closer look: Game-by-game guide to the Vikings 2021 schedule
From opening-game reunions to a closing stretch that includes a Sunday night in January at Lambeau Field, here's a road map through the expanded 17-game schedule.
More Vikings schedule dates: Dallas for Halloween, Packers at Lambeau in January
Pieces of the 2021 Vikings schedule are falling into place, with the official released scheduled for 7 p.m. They'll open at Cincinnati, face a tough November and visit Green Bay on a Sunday night.
Vikings don't have a quarterback controversy, but the clock is ticking
With NFL teams impatient about their investments in quarterbacks, money will play a significant factor in any transition from Kirk Cousins to Kellen Mond.
Vikings decline fifth-year option on Hughes
Injuries have plagued Mike Hughes, the 2018 first-round pick, throughout his first three years in Minnesota
Five questions facing the Vikings after the NFL draft
Developing pass rushers might be the team's biggest remaining task after the draft. And more thoughts on what drafting Kellen Mond means to Kirk Cousins.
Hoping bigger is better, Vikings bulk up along O-line during NFL draft
Building an offensive line that can accommodate both facets of the Vikings' offense is a tall order, which is perhaps why their latest efforts to remake the group seem to follow an even more precise set of standards.
Vikings' fourth-round draft haul: Kick returner, cornerback, defensive end
Running back Kene Nwangwu of Iowa State earned all-Big 12 honorable mention as a kick returner in 2016 and 2020. He figures to start his Vikings career as a special teams player.
'Ultimate warrior' Darrisaw ready to take off again, this time with Vikings
Little about offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw's path to the NFL has been conventional. Yet he's navigated it with surprisingly few setbacks.
Get to know the Vikings' third-round draft picks
The Vikings took a quarterback with their first pick Friday, but the defense got attention too on the second day of the NFL draft
Vikings keep investing in offensive line with Darrisaw. Will it work?
in recent years, the Vikings' philosophy about building their line has changed significantly. Whether it's a winning strategy remains to be seen.
Vikings take offensive tackle Darrisaw after trade with Jets nets added pick
The Vikings knew they were taking a risk by moving down nine spots in the first round, but were still able to get Christian Darrisaw while adding two picks in tonight's third round.
Podcast: Reusse, Goessling, Scoggins share favorite Vikings draft tales
Our writers have stories about former coaches Bud Grant and Denny Green, as well as an interesting road trip taken to see a top prospect.
Vikings' draft needs are clear. Which line will win out?
The team has holes to fill on its offensive and defensive lines with only one pick in the first two rounds.
Ten picks and trades: Our seven-round 2021 Vikings mock draft
Football writer Ben Goessling projects how the team will navigate through the NFL draft, including trades that would alter the picks as they currently stand.
Draft preview: How early will the Vikings address their defensive line?
The team hasn't picked a lineman before the third round in the Mike Zimmer era, but could use another pass rusher.
Draft preview: Offensive line may be the Vikings' biggest need yet again
The Vikings have taken an offensive lineman in the first two rounds each of the past three years, and now they need to find their next left tackle after losing Riley Reiff.
Former Gophers receiver Bateman's draft prospects rising
Rashod Bateman is on track to be a first-round pick, despite an uneven finish during a difficult year to end his career at the U.
Draft preview: Yes, Vikings might need even more defensive backs
The Vikings made a series of moves to help the secondary this offseason, but the group's long-term picture remains unclear.
Vikings players say 'many of us' won't attend offseason workouts
The fate of the league's offseason program has been a topic of discussion between the NFL and the players union over the past several months
Vikings promote Patterson to assistant head coach
The team announced what are expected to be the final changes to their 2021 coaching staff. Andre Patterson's promotion follows his move from defensive line coach to co-defensive coordinator last year.
A year after signing, Pierce prepares to join Vikings on the field
The team's free agent prize of 2020 opted out of the season because of COVID-19 and got 'an early snapshot of retirement.'
Bateman flashes speed for NFL scouts at Gophers pro day
The wide receiver ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, according to the Gophers, with 31 NFL teams watching.
Vikings re-sign starting left guard Dakota Dozier
The 29-year-old played his first five seasons with the New York Jets.
Schedule expanded for 1st time in 44 years, Vikings add game with Chargers
The NFL Players Association agreed to a 17-game season as soon as 2021 as part of the 2020 collective bargaining agreement. The 2021 schedule comes out in late April.
NFL approving 17th game means Vikings visit Chargers in 2021
The Vikings will visit the Chargers for the second time in three years as part of the league's new schedule
Vikings' secondary overhaul gives them options for 2021
Patrick Peterson, Mackensie Alexander and Xavier Woods should give the Vikings the experience and depth they lacked.
Shoring up defense, Vikings will sign former Cowboys safety Xavier Woods
The former Cowboys safety comes to the team on a one-year deal worth up to $2.25 million.
Vikings acquire offensive lineman Cole from Cardinals
The team sent a sixth-round draft pick to Arizona for Mason Cole, who started 14 games at center last season. He could play guard for the Vikings.
Barr's restructured deal puts Vikings in position for several more moves
When the Vikings restructured linebacker Anthony Barr's contract last week, they arranged the deal to clear even more salary cap space than was previously reported.
New cornerback Peterson, Vikings betting on each other in 2021
Veteran Patrick Peterson, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, said working with Mike Zimmer drew him to Minnesota after two seasons that didn't match expectations.
Vikings bank on NFL bounceback of salary cap
With financial effects of the pandemic lingering, the Vikings are trying to hold the line until they can reap benefits of the next NFL salary cap hike.
Vikings add veteran Pro Bowl cornerback Peterson to shore up secondary
Patrick Peterson, a 10-year veteran who had spent his whole career with the Cardinals, joins a young secondary on a team in dire dire need of experience.
Vikings salary cap FAQ: Signing bonus conversions, voidable years, more
The Vikings are using some more unusual financial maneuvers (at least for them) to navigate a tight salary cap situation for the 2021 season. Let's review.
After adding to defensive line, Vikings release Stephen
With new defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson in the fold, the team said goodbye to Shamar Stephen, clearing $3.75 million in salary cap space.
Vikings add defensive tackle Tomlinson as free agency begins
For the third time in eight offseasons under coach Mike Zimmer, the Vikings' first move in free agency is adding a run-stopping defensive tackle.
Source: Vikings restructuring Barr's contract, voiding final years of deal
Linebacker Anthony Barr would become a free agent after next season, in a deal that saves the Vikings salary cap space
Vikings save $1.3M by restructuring punter Colquitt's contract
Two days after cutting kicker Dan Bailey to save salary cap space, GM Rick Spielman said Britton Colquitt will play for the veteran minimum salary in 2021.
Vikings release left tackle Reiff in cost-cutting move
The NFL set the 2021 salary cap at $182.5 million per team, or $15.7 million lower than last year. The Vikings then cut Riley Reiff in a move that saved them more than $11 million in cap space
Weatherly on return to Vikings: 'Never let complacency set in again'
The defensive end is back in Minnesota with a new sense of motivation after a year with the Panthers.
Can they win the big one? Minnesota team in finals of NFL 'Big Data Bowl.'
The team, including three friends from St. Olaf College, has won $15,000 for a presentation on identifying defensive coverages and evaluating player performance.
Vikings' Cook tries out team ownership, but fans call the shots
The star running back is a part-owner of a team in Fan Controlled Football, the latest start-up league trying to capture attention in the NFL offseason.
Guenther reunites with Zimmer to build up Vikings defense
Paul Guenther, the team's new senior defensive assistant, coach worked with Mike Zimmer on Marvin Lewis' staff in Cincinnati.
Vikings are hiring Paul Guenther as senior defensive assistant
Guenther replaced Mike Zimmer as the Bengals' defensive coordinator after Zimmer became the Vikings coach in 2014.
Vikings hire former receiver Martin Nance as chief marketing officer
Nance played with the Vikings in 2006 and '07, then earned business degrees at Michigan and Harvard.
Klint Kubiak is planning to leave his own mark on the Vikings' offense
As he did last year when choosing Gary Kubiak to replace Kevin Stefanski as offensive coordinator, coach Mike Zimmer prioritized continuity on offense with his choice.
Vikings will promote Klint Kubiak to offensive coordinator, sources say
The former quarterbacks coach replaces his father Gary, who retired last month, and will be the team's sixth play-caller in seven seasons.
Super Bowl quarterbacks turn coaches' innovation into execution
Kansas City and Tampa Bay's commitment to the quarterbacks begins in the simplest way possible: the frequency with which they put the game in those players' hands.
Vikings expected to hire Alabama's Karl Scott as DB coach
Scott, who'd worked for Nick Saban the past three years, would replace Daronte Jones.
Vikings might need to cut more than $12 million of cap space
The salary cap for 2021 could be lower because of empty stadiums — and lost revenue — due to COVID-19
Vikings are expected to add McCardell to coaching staff
The team's staff for 2021 is starting to take shape, with former NFL player Keenan McCardell likely to be the new wide receiver coach.
Vikings' Dalvin Cook is already back in the gym to build off his big year
Of his All-Pro snub, the running back says, "I don't know how I didn't make the list."
Vikings lose DB coach Daronte Jones to LSU
Players and coaches praised the job Jones did after replacing Jerry Gray in 2020, leading a secondary with four rookies in the midst of a pandemic that wiped out the NFL's offseason program.
Kubiak retiring; Vikings getting 6th offensive coordinator in six years
The Vikings are expected to go through a formal interview process, but Kubiak's son is thought to be a top contender to get the job.
George Paton leaving Vikings to be Broncos' general manager
The assistant GM was a popular candidate for NFL jobs in recent years and is widely respected for his scouting acumen.
Rookie receiver Jefferson named to All-Pro second team
After his record-breaking season, Justin Jefferson is the first Vikings rookie to earn All-Pro honors since Cordarrelle Patterson in 2013.
Vikings roster analysis: Who's in? Who's out?
With little salary-cap flexibility, the Vikings face tough questions at tight end, offensive line and linebacker after a 7-9 season.
Vikings' Paton attracting plenty of interest in GM searches
Vikings assistant general manager George Paton will interview with the Lions today, and has interest from several other teams
Zimmer's look at 2020 Vikings centers on defensive injuries, offensive consistency
In short, the Vikings might go into next season betting they can return to the playoffs simply with a better-executed version of the approach they took in 2020.
Kubiak's future is key offseason question for Vikings
Offensive coordinator job has had a lot of turnover.
Under Zimmer, Vikings have needed good health to reach the playoffs
Two players who stood out, two concerns for the team, two trends to watch and one big question after the season-ending 37-35 win over the Lions.
Vikings end mediocre season with win: 'We just weren't good enough'
"Maybe it's the best we could have done," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said after Minnesota finished the season 7-9 and out of the playoffs.
Ben Goessling's Vikings-Lions prediction
There'll be plenty of players missing from Sunday's game in Detroit, but Kirk Cousins and his receivers could have a big day against a feeble Lions defense.
