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Vikings reporters Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker of the Star Tribune are bringing all you football enthusiasts another way to stay connected to the purple. Consider this podcast to be similar to any Vikings season: full of ups and downs, but never boring.
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Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker return from a video call with new Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray and coach Kevin O'Connell to discuss Murray joining Minnesota. What does this mean for the Vikings offense? What about the stated competition with J.J. McCarthy? Murray has already met Justin Jefferson at Pro Bowls and thrown for 20,000 yards and over 120 touchdown passes in the league, setting up a steep climb for McCarthy, who had the NFL's worst interception rate and third-worst sack rate in 10 starts.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the coming and goings on the Vikings roster during the start of NFL free agency. They first discuss running back Aaron Jones' return amid a lackluster RB market. Tight end T.J. Hockenson agreed to a more than $5 million pay cut to stay. Linebacker Eric Wilson's return makes sense. Safety Harrison Smith is released but may still return. The early outside addition is ex-Steelers corner James Pierre; what does he bring? Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is joining the Packers. The Vikings need a punter. Oh, yeah, they need a new quarterback, too, while edge rusher Jonathan Greenard wants a new contract.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions ahead of NFL free agency. How did the team's former GM earn an "A" grade in the NFLPA's latest team report cards? What are the QB plans? Would they part ways with J.J. McCarthy? Could they make a run at the top center on the market? What about replacing Harrison Smith?
Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker join Andrew Krammer from Indianapolis, where the annual NFL Scouting Combine features not just Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, but also members of the Vikings' ownership group. What did interim GM Rob Brzezinski and head coach Kevin O'Connell say about J.J. McCarthy and the ongoing search for QB help? What about the GM search? They also discuss the team's 2026 coaching staff, Rondale Moore's tragic death, and how Brzezinski will approach this NFL Draft.
Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss a few Vikings' tidbits, including coaching moves, Brian Flores' lawsuit vs. the NFL, and Kevin O'Connell's addition to the competition committee. Then CBS Sports college football analyst Richard Johnson joins to preview next week's NFL Scouting Combine.
Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker discuss Sam Darnold and the Seahawks' 29-13 win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, including how the narrative around Darnold shifted in the lead up to and aftermath of the game. Then, they open the mailbag to answer listener questions about the Vikings' GM search, competition for J.J. McCarthy and some up-and-coming players the team could look to for bigger roles in 2026.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss a handful of Vikings topics, including a hire in the front office, another coaching loss, Justin Jefferson's observational talent, and fullback C.J. Ham's retirement. They also talk about Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold. You might have heard he's got a game on Sunday.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings' recent coaching additions for the 2026 season and chat with Seahawks quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, who coached with the Vikings for seven years (2015-2021), about his experience this year with Sam Darnold, fellow former Vikings assistant Klint Kubiak, and the Super Bowl-bound Seahawks.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss co-owner Mark Wilf's comments upon firing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah nearly four weeks after their 2025 season ended. Wilf cited Adofo-Mensah's body of work that included a poor draft record and last year's quarterback room, as well as this "critical" offseason that includes eight draft picks (plus any compensatory selections). Will this clear a path for Kevin O'Connell and Brian Flores to have even more influence in personnel decisions?
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings likely losing a key coach on defense, assistant Daronte Jones, to a promotion with the Washington Commanders. They also discuss coordinator Brian Flores staying in Minnesota, the Sam Darnold-Drake Maye matchup in the Super Bowl, and one expected need along the offensive line.
Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss receiver Jordan Addison being cleared of charges in a recent arrest. They also open the mailbag to answer your Vikings questions about roster needs, cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., potential cuts, and more. And will Vikings fans be subjected to a Super Bowl between Sam Darnold and Drake Maye?
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker are joined by MatchQuarter's Cody Alexander (a former cornerback and graduate assistant coach at Baylor) to discuss Vikings coordinator Brian Flores' unique and effective approach, his head coaching prospects, and the Vikings' defensive roster. They also look ahead to this weekend's NFC Divisional playoff games.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss receiver Jordan Addison's arrest this week in Florida. They also recap what reporters heard from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O'Connell at Tuesday's season-ending press conferences. They discussed "insurance" and "competition" at quarterback for young J.J. McCarthy as well as the future of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss takeaways from Vikings' locker room cleanout, defensive coordinator Brian Flores getting at least one head coach interview, and the two teams still playing in the NFC North.
1Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker recap the Vikings' 16-3 win over the Green Bay Packers to end the regular season. The game was really about celebrating the franchise's two longest-tenured players, safety Harrison Smith and fullback C.J. Ham, in what could be their final moments with the team. They discuss what happened inside U.S. Bank Stadium before, during and after the game, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy exiting early with an aggravation of his hand injury.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss quarterback J.J. McCarthy's return for his final start of a roller coaster 2025 season. They also open the mailbag and answer your questions about the future of the offensive line and quarterback positions. This week's Flashback Friday segment goes back to a ridiculous 2016 game in Chicago that included familiar refrains about struggling offenses and strong defenses.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker preview Sunday's regular season finale between the Vikings (8-8) and Packers (9-6-1). Quarterback J.J. McCarthy appears on track to play again. What can he gain from his 10th NFL start? What else is there to play for in this game? They discuss the financial incentives and other reasons that could motivate players and coaches in this game.
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker emerge from the postgame locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium to break down the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Detroit Lions. They discuss safety Harrison Smith's emotion in what could be his penultimate game, the defense's dominance over the Lions this season, running back Aaron Jones gutting through injury, and they put into context just how poorly they threw the ball in a victory.
A panel of Minnesota Star Tribune sportswriters -- Ben Goessling, Mark Craig and Andrew Krammer -- selected their All-Quarter Century Team for the Vikings from the past 25 years (2001-2025). They came up with three different quarterbacks and head coaches among other variations. What are the merits from Daunte Culpepper to Brett Favre to Kirk Cousins? Or Danielle Hunter vs. Everson Griffen?
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the news that quarterback J.J. McCarthy suffered a hairline fracture in his throwing hand in New York, meaning rookie Max Brosmer gets another start on Christmas Day against the Detroit Lions. They also debut the listener voicemail that will allow you another avenue to leave us questions.
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It would have been great to hear some love for the Vikings rather than all about a Lions loss.