Alec Lewis

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Alec Lewis

A week and a half ago, hundreds of fans wearing forest green filed into the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. It was a Thursday night, an important evening of playoff puck in the state of hockey. It was also the start of the 2025 NFL Draft. Many inside the arena were tuned into both events, but a couple of men monitored the picks for one specific name: Donovan Jackson. It wasn't just that they wanted the Minnesota Vikings to take an interior offensive lineman.

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Alec Lewis

Six post-draft signings have made the Minnesota Vikings' roster in the last three years: Ryan Wright, Ivan Pace Jr., Gabriel Murphy, Taki Taimani, Bo Richter and Dwight McGlothern. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, head coach Kevin O'Connell and even defensive coordinator Brian Flores have proven they are willing to take talent from anywhere. Agents know this. College coaches do, too. It's partially why the Vikings can secure as much talent as they do each year after the draft.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Alec Lewis

EAGAN, Minn. - The shirts symbolize the expectation. They say "More is Required," and they were hanging in the lockers of all of the Minnesota Vikings when they returned for offseason workouts. It's been a fun couple of years. They've won a lot of games. They've made the playoffs twice. They have a well-regarded culture. Kevin O'Connell was the NFL's Coach of the Year.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Jeff Howe |Alec Lewis |Cale Clinton

The Minnesota Vikings and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel have agreed to terms on a one-year extension worth $23 million, according to a league source. The deal includes $22.4 million fully guaranteed. After spending his first five years with the Miami Dolphins, Van Ginkel joined the Vikings on a two-year, $20 million deal in 2024. Van Ginkel thrived in Brian Flores' defense, posting a career-high 11 1/2 sacks and 18 tackles for loss during the 2024 season.

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Alec Lewis

The most telling aspect of this Minnesota Vikings roster projection is how much more difficult it was to put together than in past years. That's more of a reflection on their improved depth than anything. The Vikings will have intriguing choices to make at receiver, offensive line, defensive line, edge rusher and linebacker. Undrafted prospects in recent years who have hung on will be pushed by this year's interesting crop of undrafted free agents. Minnesota established a vision for the offseason.