Access Vikings

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss the latest in the Vikings' roster churn, Adam Thielen's remarkable 10 seasons, and what more can be expected ahead of free agency next week.

The Vikings released linebacker Eric Kendricks on Monday morning, marking the first of what could be a few moves with high-priced veterans. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss Kendricks' eight Vikings seasons, receiver Adam Thielen's contention, a wait-and-see approach with quarterback Kirk Cousins, and more.

From the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer discuss a Vikings roster that has expensive veterans and needs salary cap space. What did general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell have to say about Kirk Cousins, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Tomlinson and others?

Ben Goessling and Andrew Krammer discuss takeaways from defensive coordinator Brian Flores' introductory press conference on Wednesday. Then the Star Tribune's Mark Craig joins to talk about Jared Allen missing the final cut for the 2023 Hall of Fame class, and Andy Reid's excellence.

The Star Tribune's Andrew Krammer is joined by Purple Insider's Matthew Coller to discuss NFL awards you won't see given out this week. Which was the best among the bad teams? Or who shined among the senior players and coaches? Best supporting role? And did you know NFL teams are reviewed on Yelp?

The Vikings' winding path on the defensive coordinator search ends with Brian Flores, the 41-year-old former Dolphins head coach and Patriots assistant. Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand discuss how the Vikings' nearly three-week hunt landed on Flores, from pursuing new Panthers DC Ejiro Evero to waiting on Flores' options. They also discuss how Flores' approach differs from Ed Donatell, and a certain ex-Vikings coach's future.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand dive into the Vikings' pool of defensive coordinator candidates and what the hire might say about the type of defense Kevin O'Connell wants to run in 2023 and beyond.

Plus they open up the mailbag for questions about impending free agents and one big name still under contract: quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Andrew Krammer empties the mailbag and audio recorder in this Access Vikings episode as Vikings players recall some high points of the 2022 season and a couple pending free agents discuss their outlooks this offseason. Krammer also answers questions about veteran defenders and one rookie.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Michael Rand react to Wednesday's season-ending news conference from General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell. We learned that Ed Donatell (at least for now) hasn't been fired, that the Vikings have started a dialogue with Justin Jefferson's representatives about a contract extension and that Adofo-Mensah expects Kirk Cousins to be the team's QB in 2023. Beyond that, there are a lot of big questions that loom ahead.

After a 31-24 loss to the Giants in the first round of the playoffs, there was plenty to dissect about the Vikings' performance. And a lot of the flaws on display in Sunday's defeat naturally lead into questions about the future -- all of which was tackled on this postgame episode.