Recent content from Ben Goessling
Quarterback of the future? This Vikings mystery is about to end.
Part 6 of a series: Six quarterbacks are on the draft radar to fill both practical and philosophical needs for the Vikings.
Grateful for the beast that is the Boston Marathon
Star Tribune Vikings beat reporter Ben Goessling ran his first Boston Marathon on Monday, and by the time he finished, gratitude for the experience overshadowed any disappointments.
Training for Boston Marathon during a never-ending Vikings season
Interviews, free-agent signings and NFL injuries interrupted Vikings reporter Ben Goessling's training to prepare for the race. So how did he prepare to run in today's race?
How NIL and the transfer portal are shaking up the Vikings' draft strategy
This year's NFL draft includes just 58 underclassmen, the result of NIL and transfer rules that empower players to stay in college longer.
Vikings offensive coordinator suspended for three weeks without pay
Wes Phillips pleaded guilty in February to careless driving after a December arrest on suspicion of drunken driving. He can return to work April 23, the week of the NFL draft.
NFL overhauls kickoff rules. Here's how they'll look.
The change, approved on a trial basis for 2024, comes after years of discussion over the future of the kickoff, as the NFL sought to reduce injury and increase excitement.
Three things Brian Flores was looking for to evolve Vikings defense
When Kevin O'Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores met to discuss the Vikings' defense for 2024, they knew there were holes to fill in three areas.
![Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell Monday, October 23, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ • carlos.gonzale](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/5COUORX3RV65GHIXSWHBOFAJVE.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Inside Kevin O'Connell's plan for picking Vikings' next quarterback
Private workouts, public lunches and chats with star receiver Justin Jefferson are part of the head coach's process for choosing the Vikings' quarterback of the future.
Vikings keeping Justin Jefferson in the loop on quarterback changes
The Vikings are once again trying to sign star receiver Justin Jefferson to a contract extension while bringing in someone new to throw him passes.
Smith's restructured deal saves Vikings almost $12 million
The Vikings also reworked safety Harrison Smith's deal for 2025, while using void years with players such as quarterback Sam Darnold to give themselves additional salary cap space.
Vikings add two more free-agent linebackers to restocked defense
The Vikings continued to build defensive depth and have now added seven players from other teams, including five linebackers.
The Vikings acquired the No. 23 pick in a trade. What will they do next?
Acquiring another high draft pick could indicate they'll want to move up as they try to replace Kirk Cousins at quarterback.
Feelings aside, moving on from Cousins 'the right thing,' O'Connell says
Flurry of free-agent signings, quest for long-term quarterback mark a fresh chapter in partnership of Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Smith agrees to pay cut, will return for 13th season with Vikings
Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith hinted at retirement at the end of last season, but he will be back with the Vikings, who drafted him in the first round in 2012.
Cousins goes to Atlanta, says he hopes to 'retire as a Falcon'
Quarterback Kirk Cousins said he prioritized the commitment made by the Falcons over a relationship with the Vikings that was "somewhat year-to-year." His wife Julie is from Atlanta.
Cousins' contract: Atlanta agreed to do what the Vikings wouldn't
How the Falcons approached Kirk Cousins in 2024 resembled how the Vikings courted him in 2018, when they thought a quarterback upgrade was the missing link to a Super Bowl title.
Hunter hits the road, agreeing to two-year contract with Houston
According to multiple reports, Danielle Hunter is planning to sign with the Texans, moving to his hometown with a deal that makes him one of football's highest-paid edge rushers.
Vikings sign quarterback Darnold to one-year deal
Veteran QB Sam Darnold is seen as a short-term solution as the Vikings replace Kirk Cousins. Darnold played in 10 games for the 49ers last season.
Cousins gets $180 million deal with Falcons, ending 6 years with Vikings
Kirk Cousins leaves the Vikings as one of the most successful quarterbacks in franchise history, after agreeing to a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
Vikings reinforce defense with two edge rushers, former Gophers star
On the day they lost their starting quarterback, the Vikings added edge rushers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and brought home former Gophers linebacker Blake Cashman.
Will Vikings turn to Cousins or someone else at quarterback?
If Kirk Cousins leaves as a free agent next week, the Vikings would likely scour the free agent market for a short-term starter. Here are some available options.
Vikings agree to terms with tight end Johnny Mundt on new contract
Tight end Johnny Mundt, who was set to become a free agent next week, could play a larger role in the offense with T.J. Hockenson recovering from knee surgery.
What will Vikings do if Danielle Hunter leaves?
The Vikings head into 2024 with a major need for pass rush help. Three pass rushers are set to become free agents, including Hunter, who had a career-high 16 1/2 sacks last season.
Vikings officially release running back Mattison
Running back Alexander Mattison is a free agent a year after signing a two-year, $7 million deal with the Vikings. The team could be in the market for someone to pair with Ty Chandler in the backfield when free agency opens next week.
10 days to go: Cousins, Vikings have placed their bets
We'll soon find out if there's a compromise, or a winner, or a new starting quarterback in Minnesota in 2024.
Vikings tell Mattison they plan to release him after mediocre 2023 season
The team delivered the news to running back Alexander Mattison on Thursday, ending his five years in Minnesota with a season in which he didn't score a rushing touchdown.
With Flores back, Vikings plan defense's next steps
Coach Kevin O'Connell was expecting Brian Flores to get head coaching interviews, but the defensive coordinator will have a big say in offseason moves in his second year with the Vikings.
New QB? O'Connell says Cousins 'knows how I feel about him.'
Talking at the NFL combine, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said he's been in frequent touch with Kirk Cousins. His health could complicate contract negotiations.
Is the Vikings' next QB awaiting them at this week's NFL combine?
The quarterback decision is a complex question for the Vikings, and it sits atop a list of pivotal decisions facing GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O'Connell as they begin their third offseason together.
Vikings hire former Broncos coach to lead defensive line
The Vikings added Marcus Dixon, Denver's defensive line coach, to serve the same role in Minnesota and made assistant head coach Mike Pettine their outside linebackers coach as well.
T.J. Hockenson has surgery to repair ACL; C.J. Ham named to Pro Bowl Games
T.J. Hockenson had a career-high 95 receptions this season for the Vikings before he was injured Dec. 24 against Detroit.
Vikings part with head athletic trainer
Head trainer Uriah Myrie, who'd worked under Tyler Williams in the Vikings' player health and performance department, is out after two seasons with the team.
Who stays? Who goes? Vikings' calls on 16 players will shape the future
Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter are free agents. Harrison Smith could retire. Justin Jefferson has earned a lucrative contract extension. The Vikings face a series of franchise-changing choices.
Vikings will play home game in London during 2024 NFL season
Next season the Vikings will return to London, where they are 3-0, including a victory over the Saints in 2022.
Vikings' pivotal offseason could shape franchise for next decade
Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said he 'can't run from the stakes' ahead of an offseason that starts with him intending to bring back Kirk Cousins at quarterback.
As Vikings clean lockers, Cousins talks contract, desire to return
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins signaled a willingness to consider a more affordable deal and the possibility the team might draft his successor.
Vikings head to offseason of uncertainty after 30-20 loss to Lions
The Vikings finished 7-10 and out of the NFL playoffs, their first 10-loss season since 2013. They lost six of their last seven games in a season full of flaws and frustrations.
Vikings lose 30-20 to the Lions, finishing 7-10 and out of NFL playoffs
The Vikings finished 7-10 and out of the NFL playoffs, their first 10-loss season since 2013. They lost six of their last seven games in a season full of flaws and frustrations.
In Vikings' confounding season, they had no answers in the end
The loss of quarterback Kirk Cousins, combined with youth and injuries on defense, put the Vikings in an untenable situation they never really solved.
Vikings-Lions prediction: Slim playoff hopes and something to prove
The Lions are bringing "controlled fury" to the regular season finale while the Vikings have fallen to the fringes of the playoff race.
Vikings big question: What are they playing for in finale vs. the Lions?
Yes, the Vikings still have an outside chance at a playoff spot. But this weekend's results could also lead to a top-10 draft pick.
Home-field advantage? Vikings were as bad as the Les Steckel year
The Vikings concluded one of their worst home seasons in franchise history with a 33-10 loss Sunday.
Ben Goessling's Vikings-Packers prediction: Which team will stay alive in the playoff hunt?
The Vikings likely need to win their last two games to claim a playoff berth and once again will have to calibrate their offense for a different quarterback.
As Vikings cycle through QBs, case for Cousins' return grows stronger
Vikings Insider: Kirk Cousins has a powerful advocate in Justin Jefferson, and the quarterback's absence has shown his value in Minnesota as much as his play.
'No superhero ball': Vikings hand QB job back to Hall
With their playoff chances hanging in the balance, the Vikings changed quarterbacks again, returning to rookie Jaren Hall after Nick Mullens threw four interceptions last week in a loss to the Lions.
Vikings big question: Will cornerback again be an offseason priority?
Injuries to Byron Murphy Jr. and Mekhi Blackmon hurt the Vikings on Sunday, when Akayleb Evans was taken out of the game against the Lions.
Interceptions, injuries doom Vikings in loss to Lions; playoff hopes fade
Quarterback Nick Mullens threw four interceptions, which over shadowed a 400-yard passing day and dropped the Vikings one game out of a Wild Card spot. Another batch of injuries hit the team on offense and defense.
Goessling's Vikings-Lions prediction: Will Detroit clinch today?
The Vikings and Lions will play twice in three weeks, with Detroit needing one win for the division title and the Vikings fighting to stay in playoff position.
Inside Cousins' rehab from torn Achilles: 'We're well ahead of the curve'
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins expects to be back on the team's sideline for Sunday's game against the Lions.
Vikings' Flores, Lions' Goff cross paths with NFC North title at stake
Ben Goessling's Vikings Insider: The three previous meetings between Brian Flores and Jared Goff have been among the most significant days in each one's career. The next one could determine the NFC North title.
New turf at U.S. Bank Stadium will provide 'slightly better safety'
The Vikings' home stadium will switch from a slit film field to a monofilament surface a little more than a year after the NFLPA called for slit film turf to be banned.
Why have the Vikings kept blowing fourth-quarter leads this season?
A combination of factors has prevented the Vikings from closing out several games the team could just as easily have won. Here are three things that could explain the problem.
Game of inches: Vikings blow big lead, come up short 27-24 in OT vs. Bengals
Behind quarterback Nick Mullens, the Vikings led 17-3 entering the fourth quarter, but fell to 7-7 after the Bengals scored three TDs late and made the big plays needed in OT.
Goessling's Vikings-Bengals prediction in battle of fill-in QBs
On a higher level, it's star receivers Justin Jefferson vs. Ja'Marr Chase in a game the Vikings and Bengals — both 7-6 — need to win to enhance their playoff chances.
Hall picked over Dobbs to be No. 2 QB; O'Neill, Mattison won't play
Right tackle Brian O'Neill and running back Alexander Mattison will miss the game in Cincinnati and Joshua Dobbs has been demoted.
Mullens taking over as QB about 'execution.' Backup not yet picked.
It will be the first NFL start for Nick Mullens since 2021 when he played for the Browns. He has thrown 38 passes in two seasons with the Vikings.
Without Cousins, Vikings run game has come alive. Can they keep it up?
The Vikings just had their must successful rushing week of the season — and put together a top mark in the NFL — but their strategy might change vs. Cincinnati.
Kick and a pick seal 3-0 Vikings win; Jefferson injured again
Greg Joseph's field goal with less than two to minutes to play broke a scoreless tie and Ivan Pace's interception sealed the win in a history-making and injury-filled game.
Vikings QB Cousins will be guest on ESPN's ManningCast tonight
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will join Peyton and Eli Manning's show while two "Monday Night Football" games are being played at the same time.
Vikings' Jefferson leaves Raiders game with chest injury
Justin Jefferson, returning from a seven-game absence, was injured on his second catch and taken to the hospital after a hard hit from Raiders safety Marcus Epps.
Vikings beat Raiders 3-0; Justin Jefferson injured again, Joshua Dobbs benched
Greg Joseph's field goal with less than two to minutes to play broke a scoreless tie and Ivan Pace's interception sealed the win in a history-making and injury-filled game.
Vikings-Raiders inactives: Ingram out with injury
Vikings guard Ed Ingram was limited in practice by a hip injury this week and was ruled out Sunday in Las Vegas. He will be replaced in the starting lineup by Blake Brandel.
Vikings' offseason decisions might hinge on final five games of season
If the 6-6 Vikings can secure a playoff berth, they'll delay the onset of an offseason rife with questions, and perhaps write different answers to some of them.
Ben Goessling's Vikings-Raiders prediction: Can Jefferson's return end losing streak?
The Vikings, who lost two in row before their bye week, chose to stick with Joshua Dobbs at quarterback, and he will have Justin Jefferson to throw to for the first time.
After 'look at everything,' O'Connell picks Dobbs to start vs. Raiders
A meeting among quarterback Joshua Dobbs, Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings' quarterbacks coach started a process that led to Dobbs being named the start for Sunday's game in Las Vegas.
Five Vikings bye-week questions: The big one? Who starts at QB?
Joshua Dobbs could get another shot, or Nick Mullens could start in Las Vegas against his former team. What does that choice mean for Justin Jefferson? Ben Goessling dives into those and other questions.
Who'll play QB? Vikings will spend bye week pondering that question.
Despite throwing four interceptions against the Bears, Joshua Dobbs said he is "growing by leaps and bounds" in learning the Vikings' offense. But are his skills in line with how the team wants to attack opponents' defenses?
Vikings offense barely functions as Chicago kicks way to victory
Joshua Dobbs threw four interceptions and his future at quarterback is up for debate as the Vikings missed a chance to move closer to first-place Detroit by losing 12-10 to the last-place Bears.
Jefferson sits out again as Vikings remain cautious with star receiver
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson missed his seventh game with a hamstring injury on Monday. He is expected to be ready for a return Dec. 10 in Las Vegas.
Goessling's Vikings-Bears prediction: Who wins the turnover battle?
The Vikings will try to start a new winning streak at home against Chicago in a Monday night matchup before their long-awaited bye week.
How the Vikings built their next-man-up roster and found success
The Vikings are 19-9 under GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O'Connell, tying for the fifth-most wins in the NFL since the start of 2022 with a "how-they-were-built" chart that defies easy description.
Cine works, waits as Vikings win without their 2022 first-round pick
While the Vikings patch together a winning record with help from players who have hit the field days after arriving in Minnesota, the first player GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted continues to wait.
Jefferson questionable to play against the Bears
Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson remains limited in practice because of a hamstring injury; the team will decide Monday afternoon if he will play Monday night.
Vikings big question: Will fumble affect Mattison's job security?
When the Vikings faced a rash of fumbling issues, after three turnover-filled losses to start the season, coach Kevin O'Connell spoke as firmly as he has all year about fixing a problem.
