Access Vikings

Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker break down the Vikings' 2025 draft class from first-round guard Donovan Jackson through sixth-round tight end Gavin Bartholomew. Oh, and they do not forget new Vikings QB Sam Howell, who arrives as the most experienced option on the roster. But this offseason has been all about QB J.J. McCarthy anyway.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker come to you from Vikings headquarters in Eagan, where they drafted the franchise's first opening-round guard since 1988. Just don't ask Emily who that Hall of Famer was nearly 40 years ago.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, Michael Rand and Emily Leiker put on their general manager caps and each take over a team in the NFC North for a division-wide mock draft. What can only be described as perfection ensues. Make sure you check out the Star Tribune's YouTube channel for the video.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker react to Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's annual pre-draft press conference, in which he discussed his draft philosophies, impact vs. need, and their current four-pick allotment that would be the smallest class in franchise history. They also wrap up their position previews with groups that might be surprise areas to add.

On this episode of the Access Vikings podcast, Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the many intriguing options available in the trenches during this year's NFL Draft. What are some of the best fits in the first round on each side? What about in later rounds? And what does the current depth chart tell us about what direction they'll go?

Emily Leiker and Ben Goessling discuss a handful of defensive back prospects in this year's NFL Draft who'd be good fits for the Vikings, including potential first rounders and those who might still be on the board further in the draft. Plus, they briefly go down tangents on the Vikings' comp pick outlook for 2026 and who could replace Cam Bynum's role as Josh Metellus' co-dance captain next year...

In his first public comments to local reporters about the Vikings’ QB situation, O’Connell on Monday addressed the team’s interest in Rodgers and his communication with McCarthy about it. Star Tribune Vikings writers Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker break it all down.

The Star Tribune's Andrew Krammer is joined by Indianapolis Star reporter Joel Erickson to discuss the Vikings and Colts swapping players this offseason. Why was new Vikings center Ryan Kelly available after nine years with the Colts? How did new Vikings guard Will Fries go from seventh-round pick to $17 million per year starter? And how do Cam Bynum and Daniel Jones fit into a new team?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss what they heard from Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah during his post-free agency news conference with local reporters. What did he have to say about J.J. McCarthy? Aaron Rodgers? His own contract situation? They also discuss the annual NFL rule proposals and take listener questions.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings' non-pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, their backup quarterback situation, new coaches, and new players getting introduced to local reporters. They also open the mailbag to answer some of your questions.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings trading away guard Ed Ingram, trying to trade center Garrett Bradbury, and the state of their current search for a veteran quarterback to pair with J.J. McCarthy.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the flurry of Vikings moves from Monday night into Tuesday morning, including the re-signing of cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. and the addition of new linemen in guard Will Fries and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (and potentially Javon Hargrave). Daniel Jones left for the Colts. What does that mean for the Vikings' plans at quarterback?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the first day of NFL free agency from a Vikings perspective. What do they make of Sam Darnold's fit and contract with the Seahawks? What does that mean at QB in Minnesota? There appears to be a new starting center despite Garrett Bradbury remaining on the roster. And what about safety Camryn Bynum leaving for the Colts?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings' decision not to franchise tag Sam Darnold, who is cleared to become a free agent on March 12. That is unless he agrees to a new deal with the Vikings beforehand. What are the Vikings' options otherwise? What does that mean for J.J. McCarthy? And what will the team prioritize in free agency this month?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker come to you from a random corner of the Indiana Convention Center where they and hundreds of other media members fight to stake out corners of the building to record content for the modern age. What's going to happen with Sam Darnold? What about Byron Murphy Jr.? What are the positions of need from this NFL Draft class? Why is their new assistant O-li...

Andrew Krammer is joined by Purple Insider's Matthew Coller to discuss the two-week franchise tag window and whether the Vikings will use it on quarterback Sam Darnold or cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (Editor's note: After recording, news broke that the Vikings agreed to push back Murphy's void date, making him ineligible for the franchise tag). Plus, the Vikings made an agreement with running back...

Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker have you covered on the latest edition of the podcast.

Star Tribune writer and Pro Football Hall of Fame selector Mark Craig joins Andrew Krammer from New Orleans, where the Vikings had a busy night at the annual NFL Honors ceremony prior to the Super Bowl. Craig discusses his voting for all NFL awards, including O'Connell's winning case and an interesting Defensive Player of the Year ballot, as well as O'Connell's comments about Sam Darnold and forme...

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker begin Super Bowl week by talking about Vikings quarterbacks, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's contract, and more. They also open the mailbag to answer your questions about trade targets like Myles Garrett and Cooper Kupp, as well as a what-if with Kirk Cousins.

Andrew Krammer, Michael Rand and Emily Leiker discuss defensive coordinator Brian Flores not being hired in this head coaching cycle, his relatively older depth chart on defense, plus takeaways from this year's playoffs and thoughts on pending Vikings free agents. There are a few among their many free agents who could be coveted elsewhere.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings extending head coach Kevin O'Connell, the chances of defensive coordinator Brian Flores sticking around, the dominant(?) NFC North going 0-3 in the playoffs, the fallout for both the Lions and Bears after Chicago hired Ben Johnson, and more.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, and Emily Leiker open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions about coaching changes, how far the Vikings are from being contenders, how game planning factored into Sam Darnold's disappointing end, safety Cam Bynum's free agency, positions that are better off entering 2025, and more.

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, and Emily Leiker discuss the season-ending press conferences by Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell. Quarterbacks dominated the roughly 40 combined minutes with both. What's their plan with Sam Darnold? Where's J.J. McCarthy in his recovery? Are they committed to either at this point?

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, and Jim Souhan recap the Vikings' 27-9 loss to the L.A. Rams in the NFC's wild-card round on Monday night, when quarterback Sam Darnold didn't give them much of a chance in another big game. How does this affect the Vikings outlook at quarterback this offseason? How far away is this team from being a real contender? What do we make of an aging secondary that could be...

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions about defensive coordinator Brian Flores' head coaching interviews, quarterback Sam Darnold, the offensive line, quarterback Daniel Jones as QB2, whether the loss could be good for them, and more.