David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Ludicrous to Call for Kevin O’Connell’s Job

Posted on November 2, 2026November 2, 2026 by David Shama

After Sunday’s first Vikings loss of the season there were fans calling for the head coach to be replaced. That irrational reaction is the result of a problem at quarterback and the frustration of watching the struggling offense through seven games.

The Wilf ownership isn’t going to part ways with Kevin O’Connell in the middle of a season where the team’s 6-1 record is at the top of the NFL along with the Bills and 49ers. That’s unthinkable to change leadership under such circumstances unless there was a headline making personal issue. Good citizen, personable and well-liked KOC isn’t going to have any off-field embarrassments.

O’Connell, in his fifth season as head coach, has two seasons when his teams won 13 and 14 games respectively. His overall record is 49-26 in regular season games. By all accounts he’s liked by ownership.

It’s a whimsical thought that defensive whiz Brian Flores should replace O’Connell this fall. Flores’ work over three-plus seasons with the Vikings as defensive coordinator is elite. Give O’Connell credit for hiring him and providing the authority to be successful.

A future where Flores has a head NFL job may not be far off, but he’ll have to prove he’s more capable than during his stretch from 2019-2021 as field boss of the Dolphins who produced a 24-25 regular season record. Brilliant coordinators don’t always succeed as head coaches.

A poor record and situation where the Vikings can’t find success with a quarterback will eventually threaten O’Connell’s job security. The 2026 record is the envy of most teams so far, but the Vikings are facing a competitive stretch of games that is a level up from earlier in the season. That started yesterday in their 19-15 loss to the 5-2 Lions and continues next Monday night at home against the Bills.

It looks like Minnesota will have to compete for a division title and postseason entry with subpar quarterback play. There’s repetition with Kyler Murray’s passing, forcing balls and fluttering them. His short stature (listed at a seemingly generous 5-foot-10) is an impediment to sometimes seeing his receivers. A gifted runner, he seems reluctant to be a more frequent ball carrier and add that element as a threat to defenses.

Fans are calling for 33-year-old Carson Wentz to replace Murray, 29. Wentz might be an upgrade but there’s a reason the 6-foot-5 and 237-pound North Dakota native is now with his sixth NFL team and is a backup in Minnesota where the Vikings have been trying to find an answer at quarterback since 2025 when Sam Darnold left to join the Seahawks. Wentz’s career has included top performances followed by duds, with inconsistent passing and some tendency for fumbling.

Turning up the heat on criticism is the September trade that sent quarterback J.J. McCarthy to the Giants in return for a 2027 fifth round future draft choice. The sample size is small after appearing in just three games and starting one, but he has earned the trust of the coaching staff in New York and become the starter. The Giants had a bye week last weekend but on October 25 McCarthy completed 20 of 25 passes, with no picks, and led the Giants to a 27-21 win in overtime against the Texans.

McCarthy, just 23, was the Vikings No. 1 draft choice in 2024. He started 10 games in 2025 and was in a competition last off-season with Murray to be the team’s starter.

It seemed premature to part with McCarthy so soon, despite his injuries and inconsistency. Count former Vikings linebacker Pete Najarian among those believers.

Najarian, also a former Gopher, watched McCarthy in practice last summer and was impressed. He told Sports Headliners McCarthy throws the “long ball better than anybody.”

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings QB, image by David Shama — J.J. McCarthy

By that he meant anyone on the Vikings and that McCarthy ranks with the best in the NFL for arm strength and accuracy on the deep ball. Najarian also questions the wisdom of moving on from a prospect with a relatively inexpensive rookie contract and only receiving a fifth-round future draft choice from the Giants. (A contingency clause that had the Vikings receiving more if McCarthy achieved certain benchmarks makes sense.)

How ironic if the Giants, with McCarthy leading the offense, meet up in a playoff game against the Vikings in January?

Worth Noting

The Vikings had the possibility of not only retaining Darnold but before that Kirk Cousins. The strategy instead was to spend major payroll money not on them but to upgrade at other positions.

Darnold, 29, led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win last February. And at 38, Cousins continues to excel.

Yesterday Cousins threw three touchdown passes and ran for another for the 4-4 Raiders who are in playoff contention. He is only the second NFL quarterback 38-or-older to have three touchdown passes, a rushing touchdown and a passer rating of 140-or-higher in a single game. The other QB is Drew Brees with the Saints in 2018.

Titans’ safety Amani Hooker, the Park Center and Iowa alum, had a career-high three interceptions yesterday.

Speaking of fans, Indiana patrons had the unmitigated gall to boo their Hoosiers during Saturday’s game with the Golden Gophers in Bloomington. With a history of dismal football, the Hoosiers miraculously turned around in 2024, won the national championship after the 2025 regular season and were ranked No. 4 in the nation when hosting Minnesota. Coach Curt Cignetti’s work in Bloomington is unprecedented in college football, yet ungrateful and spoiled fans had the audacity to boo their team in a game ultimately won by Indiana in overtime, 23-16.

Minnesota, 5-3, is somewhat a mirror image of the Vikings, with a struggling offense, often superb defense and lights out field goal kicker. The Gophers have three touchdowns in their last three games. Senior Luke Drzewiecki produced 24 of Minnesota’s 49 points in those games on field goals and extra points.

Drzewiecki, who is 15 of 15 on field goals including a 60-yarder that almost won the Indiana game, is the best at what he does in Gopher history based on his accuracy and range. Special teams coach Daniel Da Prado, so influential in bringing Drzewiecki to Dinkytown, might be the best assistant head coach hire by P.J. Fleck in his 10 seasons at Minnesota. His retention should be a top priority.

The Gopher defense, despite blowout losses to Mississippi State and Purdue, ranks No. 22 nationally in yards given up per game at 305. In trophy game wins over Michigan and Iowa Minnesota gave up a total of 24 points and held Indiana to 16 in regulation.

Saint John’s senior quarterback Trey Feeney, who has completed a MIAC single game record 51 passes for the unbeaten and No. 3 ranked Johnnies, is the son of Moorhead coach Kevin Feeney and older brother of Spuds quarterback and Gopher commit Jett Feeney.

Word is the Timberwolves and city of Minneapolis are still identifying a site for a new arena to replace Target Center. It’s believed that gubernatorial candidates Amy Klobuchar and Lisa Demuth would be at least somewhat supportive of discussing state financing for major arenas and stadiums. Private financing seems likely to pay for much of the new arena cost.

Today is the final day for MLB teams to extend one-year qualifying offers to eligible free agents. No word on the Twins and catcher Ryan Jeffers yet. The club has already declined to make a $10 million offer to Josh Bell.

William Tucker, son of former Gophers and NBA basketball player Trent Tucker, is a junior defenseman on the Eden Prairie High School hockey team and committed to play at Yale.

It is a busy week at the University of Minnesota with matchups that include men’s hockey No. 1 ranked Wisconsin in town for games Thursday and Saturday nights. The volleyball team hosts Penn State Friday night, and undefeated UCLA has a morning kickoff against the football Gophers on Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium. After the men’s basketball team plays at home tonight against North Dakota, the Gophers host St. Thomas Friday evening.

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Can Vikings Defense Discombobulate Lions Again?

Posted on October 29, 2026October 29, 2026 by David Shama

The Lions “gifted” the Vikings a win on Christmas Day last year in Minneapolis. When the two teams meet in Detroit on Sunday an early “present” will be welcome again if the Lions are still in a giving mood.

The Vikings won 23-10 in a game which the Lions committed six turnovers including two fumbles and three interceptions by quarterback Jared Goff. The loss knocked the defending NFC North Division champions out of playoff contention.

Goff went into Game 16 of the season having committed just six giveaways in the previous 15 games. His miscues on Christmas included two fumbles on exchanges from a substitute center and passes picked off by Byron Murphy and Harrison Smith. He was frequently pressured in the pocket and sacked five times.

Brian Flores, Vikings defensive coordinator, image by David Shama — Brian Flores

The revered Vikings defense schemed by coordinator Brian Flores had its way. “Anytime he’s not able to step in the throw, it’s going to be hard for him,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said in a December 25 AP story published on NFL.com. “That’s where he’s at his best, obviously, in the pocket. If he’s not able to at least hit that back foot and step into it, it makes it pretty difficult. That defense puts a lot on you, and it was a short week, and they really did a lot. They went all out.” https://www.nfl.com/news/jared-goff-laments-turnover-laded-performance-that-ended-lions-chance-at-reaching-playoffs-it-sucks

Now comes Sunday when the two franchises have a division showdown at Ford Field. The 6-0 Vikings, already with division wins over the Packers and Bears, face a 4-2 Lions team that can move further into contention for a division title with a win.

With the Vikings featuring a struggling offense that has seen 63 of the team’s 125 points produced on field goals and extra points by Will Reichard, the defense figures to give Minnesota the best chance to win.

Goff, an 11-year veteran, knows it’s something of a chess game matching wits with Flores and the defense. He told the media yesterday he expects the Lions will offer something new and expects the same from the Vikings.

Rather than dreading the matchup, Goff is looking forward to the challenge of adjustments and execution. “You want to play the best. You want to beat the best,” Goff said Wednesday in comments published on the Lions website. “You want to have these opportunities to show what you’re made of.

“Again, they are damn good. They are the best in the league right now on paper. Certainly, present a ton of challenges. It’ll be fun to try and solve some of those challenges and do it on Sunday.” https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-detroit-lions-joseph-returns-to-practice-goff-wonnum

Part of what to watch for Sunday will not just be Goff, but also his new center, Cade Mays. He has responsibility for making pre-snap adjustments at the line of scrimmage to diagnose where blitzes are coming from and setting protection schemes.

Mays signed as a free agent in the offseason but didn’t make his starting debut until last Sunday for the Lions because of a wrist injury. He reportedly was effective on run blocking but struggled in pass protection in the game.

If Goff doesn’t play well on Sunday, it will be a different storyline than what he is writing so far this season. He is an NFL MVP candidate leading the league with a 112.5 passer rating and 298 passing yards per game while throwing 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

His play has a lot to do with why the Lions are about a three-point favorite to end the Minnesota win streak. Vikings fans are hoping for a storyline like about 10 months ago.

Worth Noting

The Timberwolves announced this afternoon Anthony Edwards underwent a successful right knee arthroscopic procedure for debridement today by Dr. Craig Bennett at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. The superstar guard is expected to make a full recovery. Additional updates on his progress will be provided when available, per the Wolves.

With at least 27 pass attempts and no picks on Sunday, Goff can surpass Jason Campbell (249 pass attempts in 2008 with Washington) for the third-most pass attempts without an interception to begin a season in NFL history. He would still trail Alex Smith (287 in 2017 with Kansas City) and Bernie Kosar (286 in 1991 with Cleveland).

The Colts seem to have started a fire sale with recent trades, but AI sets the probability at 30 to 40 percent the club will part with star running back Jonathan Taylor who would be a blue-chip addition to the Viking offense.

The weather forecast for Saturday’s Minnesota-Indiana game in Bloomington is for temps in the mid-60s and minimal chance of rain. The Golden Gophers practice in the spring and fall with priority on preparation for inclement weather. “Yes, we practice with frozen footballs, wet footballs,” Gophers’ coach P.J. Fleck said recently.

Minnesota native Brad Nessler will do the play-by-play for CBS on the nationally televised game.

Gopher fifth-year senior Maverick Baranowski has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. He leads the team with 52 tackles and his 7.4 tackles per game ranks 10th in the Big Ten. He has at least six tackles in each of the last 18 games.

The Ponce Inlet, Florida native is sixth among Big Ten linebackers in Pro Football Focus’ rush defense rankings, 10th in pass rush grade (75.7) and 13th in overall grade (78.3).

Baranowski’s first name came from one of his dad’s friends and is a great fit for a tough customer who loves playing football. He is also a Fleck favorite.

“…One of the most mentally tough young people I’ve ever been around, and I’m not just talking on the field, but off the field as well. You talk about somebody with extreme discipline and extreme ownership. That’s rare in 2026.”

Fleck said his linebacker is “crushing it academically” and loves the college life of the student-athlete. Admired by teammates, Fleck believes that after playing in the NFL “people are going to work for Maverick Baranowski in this world one day.”

Fleck describes Baranowski as “one of the toughest players I’ve ever coached” and compares him with former Gopher linebacker Blake Cashman now with the Vikings.

“He’s the heartbeat of our team, the green dot (coach to player communication on the field), and everything you want on defense. And he’s a special football player. I respect him wholeheartedly.”

It was 35 years ago this week that the Twins won their last World Series defeating the Braves 1-0 in Game Seven behind the 10-inning shutout pitching of Jack Morris.

Morris is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame as are former Twins mainstays and hurlers Bert Blyleven and Jim Kaat. But not in is Johan Santana who won Cy Young Awards in 2004 and 2006 for the Twins before going to the Mets where he also had success. Injuries cut short his career and stymied his election to Cooperstown.

Happy belated birthday to former Gophers public address announcer Dick Jonckowski who turned 83 last Thursday. He celebrated with family at an area Mexican restaurant and received birthday greetings from Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Barry who has called the “Polish Eagle” on his birthday every year since 1998.

Tickets remain for the November 6 much anticipated men’s basketball game between the Gophers and St. Thomas at The Barn. The game may draw over 10,000 fans but is unlikely to be a 14,625-seat sellout.

The Wild, playing among the best hockey in the NHL and home tonight against the Islanders for only the fifth game this month, have one of the most passionate and knowledgeable sideline reporters Minneapolis-St. Paul has ever seen in any sport. Kevin Gorg, a former Burnsville High School goalie and prep and college coach, is that special.

Congratulations to Matt Majka, the Wild CEO and longtime franchise employee, who recently was inducted into the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame for all he has done for the sport.

Comments Welcome

Will Colts’ Losses Create Jonathan Taylor Path to Vikings?

Posted on October 26, 2026October 26, 2026 by David Shama

The 2-5 Colts are likely underdogs in their next two games before the NFL trade deadline on November 10. The 4-2 Jaguars, hosting the Colts in Jacksonville next Sunday, are likely to beat Indianapolis and the 2-4 Cowboys could do the same the next week in Indy.

It might be that Colts management and ownership is willing to listen to trade offers for star running back Jonathan Taylor next week. A 2-6 start to the season is discouraging and perhaps prompts interest in a rebuild.

Moving on from Taylor could fit a scenario where the front office and ownership wants to unload his reported $44 million deal for 2027 and 2028 and acquire draft capital in a rebuild. After firing general manager Chris Ballard earlier this month, the Colts could encourage a new hire by offering salary cap flexibility and extra future draft choices.

Taylor, 27, is a consensus top five NFL runner. He showed his stuff yesterday at U.S. Bank Stadium when he galloped 38 yards for the Colts’ only touchdown in a 16-10 loss to the 6-0 Vikings. Drafted by the Colts in 2020, Taylor has run for over 1,000 yards in three of the past five seasons.

Vikings edge rusher Dallas Turner described the former Wisconsin All-American as right there with the best runners in the league. “Homerun speed. Real patient in the backfield,” he told Sports Headliners yesterday.

Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers said Taylor, who has a career per carry average of almost five yards, is always in the conversation among the most elite NFL backs, and the defense has to always be mindful of the 5-foot-10, 226-pound runner’s combo of speed and power.

“Yeah, you gotta be (aware),” Rodgers said. “Those type of backs you gotta be prepared (for). They can get one yard, or they can turn around and go 80. Those are the type of backs you have to prepare for at all times.”

Record setting former Gopher running back Darrell Thompson played five seasons in the NFL for the Packers. He was enthused talking about a trade that could bring Taylor to the Vikings.

Then Thompson cautioned about the cost to acquire Taylor. “It would hurt to get him. You’d have to give some things up to get him. I think he’d be a great addition to the team.”

The Vikings plausibly could offer third and sixth round future draft picks for Taylor. The deal might also include a Viking player, and a contingency that if the Purple were to win the NFC playoffs the third rounder flips to a second.

The Vikings would likely have to do some salary cap gymnastics to make Taylor’s contract work. But a lot of voices probably believe throwing an enticing package at the Colts is worth it as the Vikings move toward mid-season on the schedule as the only undefeated team in the NFL.

Week after week Minnesota is superb defensively and outstanding on special teams but mostly sputtering on offense. The Vikings have scored 125 points with 63 of them coming on field goals and extra points from kicker Will Reichard.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson — Justin Jefferson image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have struggled with both passing and running. Quarterback Kyler Murray seems to be trending in a positive direction, although he could have been intercepted a couple of times yesterday. The addition of Taylor would bring a home run threat to the running game to complement the game-breaking receiving of wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Taylor’s presence would also be a relief for almost 32-year-old Aaron Jones Sr. who could move into a relief role. The Colts didn’t hammer away using Taylor for every possession yesterday and a one-two package of him and the hard running Jones would benefit them and the team.

The attention defenses need to give Taylor will also complement Murray and the passing game. His acquisition could bring a balance and threat to the offense that’s not in place now.

Who knows? The elusive Murray might even execute a QB pass-run option on the perimeter with Taylor. Either one could take the ball to the end zone.

So, the message to Vikings fans is to expand your scoreboard watching in the days ahead to track the Colts.

Worth Noting

Before the trade deadline the Vikings might search for defensive line and safety help.

It would be a surprise, but the Vikings could part with fourth-year receiver Jordan Addison who will be due a big salary bump next year after finishing out his rookie contract. Wide receiver is often the easiest position for any team to find immediate help in the draft.

Turner, who is tied for third among NFL sacks leaders in his third season, is fulfilling the potential forecast for him when the Vikings selected him at No. 17 in the first round of the 2024 draft. He told Sports Headliners learning from experience has been so important.

“It is a very big factor. You know what to see. Know what to expect and correct and move on from.”

Skol stat: the Vikings have given up a total of three points in the fourth quarter.

According to Next Gen Stats, the Vikings blitzed on 85.2% of the Colts’ drop backs yesterday, and that is the highest blitz rate by any defense in a game in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016).

After yesterday the Vikings are now the third team in the past 20 seasons to allow 13-or-fewer points and 225-or-fewer yards in three consecutive games within a single season. The others are the 2019 49ers and 2009 Jets.

Vikings safety Harrison is an avid golfer and curious about the new Tepetonka Club near New London.

Radio play-by-play voice Paul Allen, who called his 500^th Vikings game yesterday, said on KFAN before kickoff his favorite was the 2009 game against the 49ers in the Metrodome when quarterback Brett Favre’s closing seconds touchdown pass to newly acquired Greg Lewis rallied Minnesota to a 27-24 win.

The Golden Gophers won back Floyd of Rosedale from Iowa on Saturday for the first time in Minneapolis since 2014. But there was no appearance by Gopher players yesterday at the Vikings game. After the unexpected win over Michigan and capturing the Little Brown Jug (first in Minneapolis since 1977) on October 10, a group of players made a cameo the next day at the Vikings-Bucs home game.

Minnesota’s Luke Drzewiecki is the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference announced today. He was two-for-two on field goals, making his first from 31 yards and then a walk-off 46-yarder as Minnesota beat No. 15 Iowa 13-10.

The announced attendance of 53,004 Saturday was the seventh largest crowd in Huntington Bank Stadium history. The stadium, which opened in 2009, has an official capacity of 50,805.

Of the five remaining opponents on the 5-2 Gophers schedule, four are ranked in the AP top 25, with Penn State being the outlier.

Preston Nelson, Champlin Park running back and son of Minnesota TV and radio sports journalist Eric Nelson, is drawing interest from colleges including Northern Iowa. He is a breakaway back and has posted a nearly 4.0 GPA.

Former Twins star Torii Hunter has no MLB managerial experience but reportedly is interested in the Angels opening. Hunter, who also played for the Angels and is a club consultant, played for Tom Kelly, Ron Gardenhire and Paul Molitor in Minneapolis.

Here’s one writer’s opinion on the four best Twins managers in franchise history: Kelly, Billy Martin, Molitor and Derek Shelton (admittedly an impressive but small sample size of only one season).

Reserve guard Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 15 points coming off the bench last night, making five of six shots, including three-for-three on three pointers. After three games for the undefeated Timberwolves he is averaging 12.7 points per game. In his two previous seasons with Minnesota he averaged 5.6 and 4.3 (rookie year).

“I feel like the game’s slowing down for me more, paying closer attention to the scouting report, just being locked in, getting more into the ball…,” Shannon said.

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