Unlock Minnesota's 2026 quarterback puzzle. Explore open-ended scenarios, player development, and the evolving power dynamic shaping their next move.
Matthew Coller’s latest Purple Insider episode is a wide-ranging “state of the franchise” check-in that uses the firing of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as the launch point for everything that follows — especially the quarterback plan and who actually holds the steering wheel in Minnesota now.
Coller starts with the biggest ripple effect: the Vikings’ QB situation is suddenly framed as truly open-ended. Referencing reporting from ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, he leans into the idea that “all bets are off,” meaning the team isn’t locked into one clean path and could explore multiple lanes for a 2026 starter. That opens the door for a real debate about how the organization balances short-term competitiveness with JJ McCarthy’s development, and whether bringing in (or retaining) a veteran is about mentorship, competition, or an insurance policy for a coaching staff that feels the pressure to win immediately.
From there, the conversation shifts to the power structure. With Kwesi out, Coller digs into how Kevin O’Connell’s influence rises in the building, and what it means that Brian Flores and acting GM Rob Brzinski are part of the offseason brain trust. The subtext is clear: the Vikings’ next few moves will double as a referendum on O’Connell’s direction, and the margin for error in the NFL is always thin — which feeds into Coller’s discussion of the “hot seat” concept and why most coaches, outside the absolute elite tier, are effectively year-to-year.
The show then pivots into audience-style conversation and league context. Coller takes Super Bowl predictions and fan questions, uses Joe Burrow’s offensive line commentary as a springboard to revisit Minnesota’s own protection issues, and returns to Justin Jefferson’s media candor as a window into how players talk when they’re not doing PR-speak.
He closes by defending O’Connell’s play-calling — emphasizing late-game results and the value of scripted openings — while also reiterating his belief in Sam Darnold’s raw talent. Woven through it all is a reminder that getting to the Super Bowl is fragile: health, timing, and the path matter almost as much as roster quality.