The Vikings are making changes after a disappointing 2025 season, starting with offensive line coach Chris Kuper not returning in 2026.
The Minnesota Vikings' offensive line struggled throughout the 2025 season. Injuries and inconsistent play at all five positions contributed to the struggles, which affected quarterback J.J. McCarthy's development.
Changes are already underway.
On Saturday, the Vikings announced that offensive line coach Chris Kuper will not return in 2026.
Kuper has been with the Vikings since they hired Kevin O'Connell in 2022. But it made sense to move on from him this year. Kuper's contract was up after the 2025 season, and Minnesota’s offensive line failed to show the level of improvement the team expected after signing guard Will Fries, center Ryan Kelly, and drafting guard Donovan Jackson.
It also hurt to see departed linemen play better with their new teams. Ed Ingram, a second-round pick by the Vikings in 2022, posted a 71.5 PFF grade for the Houston Texans during the regular season.
That wasn't just the highest grade of Ingram's career; it was also the 11th highest grade among all qualifying guards in the league.
Center Garrett Bradbury, who was drafted by the Vikings in 2019 and played six seasons in Minnesota, posted a 59.8 PFF grade with the New England Patriots. However, he made all 17 starts this year.
That decision may fall more on the front office than the coaching staff, but retaining Bradbury would have saved Minnesota from committing to Kelly on a two-year, $18 million deal.
Kuper is the second Vikings assistant who won't return in 2026. On Thursday, O'Connell announced that Mike Pettine, who served as the team's assistant head coach and linebackers coach, is retiring.
Moving on from Kuper signals that Minnesota wants a change in mentality and philosophy on the line. The Vikings didn't have great injury luck in 2025 (the projected starting offensive line played only 83 snaps together), but the team was expecting improved results after giving up nine sacks in their season-ending wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams in 2024.
We will see if the Vikings have any other coaching changes. The Brian Flores situation remains at the forefront and would impact other defensive assistants on the staff.
Defensive backs coach Daronte Jones, the in-house favorite to replace Flores if he does leave, has interviewed for the New York Jets' coordinator job.
Minnesota may not choose to make any wholesale changes after missing the postseason in 2025. But moving on from Kuper signals that they aren't content with running it back in 2026.