Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell observes pregame warmups forward of dealing with the Seattle Seahawks, with Nov 30, 2025 marking the matchup at Lumen Subject in Seattle, Washington. O’Connell evaluated his staff throughout preparations earlier than kickoff within the late-season contest. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Ng-Imagn Pictures.
The Vikings opted to maneuver on from UDFA defensive sort out Monkell Goodwine, doing so to assist clear room for latest additions.
Going undrafted at all times meant the (now former) Vikings lineman confronted an uphill battle to stay round on the ultimate 53-man roster. Nonetheless, although, it’s peculiar to see the defender proven the door so early. In spite of everything, Goodwine demanded $257,500 in assured cash, per Over the Cap. Minnesota will eat that price as added useless cash.
Ex-Vikings Lineman Earned Meaty Cash However Acquired Fired Anyhow
Firing the younger defensive lineman is the byproduct of a minimal of two components.
For starters, the competitors has been ongoing. Essentially the most notable latest growth concerned what occurred on the Vikings’ obligatory minicamp. Possibly the younger lad didn’t do significantly nicely, failing to impress some mixture of DC Brian Flores and/or DL coach Ryan Nielsen (and presumably Patrick Hill). He needed to present sufficient to take care of his roster spot, if solely within the coming months, for the reason that in-house expertise in all fairness ample.
Proper now, Jalen Redmond is the locked-in DT1. Subsequent up are Caleb Banks, Domonique Orange, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Elijah Williams. Numerous others are battling, as nicely.
Oct 20, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Saints co defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities
One other issue is that the Vikings are rallying round a brand new GM.
Welcoming a brand new prime choice maker means permitting that prime choice maker to…make selections. Nolan Teasley arrives with a ton of optimism as a consequence of what he achieved over in Seattle. Genuinely, his is a rags-to-riches story, starting his journey very low with the group earlier than ascending into being one of many fundamental leaders.
Listening to him inform his story means studying that he reached out to the NFL’s varied groups earlier than listening to crickets. The Seahawks have been rewarded for giving a daring, remarkable expertise an opportunity.
Most notable in latest days have been Teasley’s strikes to bolster the entrance workplace expertise. Some mainstays have been proven the door with a gap spherical of hires after which one other spherical. The brand new management provides are supposed to create a vibrant decision-making ecosystem.
As for the gamers, Teasley has introduced a pair of receivers to city, each of whom acquired rolling with the Seahawks earlier than getting employed by the Vikings. He then snagged tight finish Marshall Lang and defensive sort out Jahvaree Ritzie. Neither needs to be understood as roster locks (or wherever near that degree). Moderately, they’re on the town to operate as competitors for depth jobs.
And, in equity, there are occasions when even gifted expertise evaluators don’t understand how good a participant will grow to be. Go forward and take into account Mr. Redmond as an incredible instance.
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches gamers run drills in the course of the staff’s organized staff actions on the Vikings Coaching Facility on June 10, 2025, in Minneapolis. Flores has guided a pointy defensive resurgence in Minnesota, drawing league-wide consideration whereas collaborating carefully with a veteran-led roster throughout an important offseason stretch for the franchise. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn–Imagn Pictures.
Monkell Goodwine very seemingly attracted sturdy curiosity after the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Vikings’ willingness to kick over a lot in assured money suggests as a lot. He’ll due to this fact get a possibility elsewhere earlier than too lengthy.
The opposite expertise to get proven the door was OT Caleb Etienne. He, too, will get a shot someplace as a result of promise of his youth and hulking measurement.
The Vikings will welcome followers to coaching camp on August 1st. Most will likely be specializing in what’s going down at quarterback, however don’t completely overlook what’s occurring within the trenches.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Electronic mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
