Minnesota Vikings let OL coach Chris Kuper walk
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MN Vikings Let Assistant Coach Walk
Eric StrackJan 17, 2026
The Minnesota Vikings hope to avoid a lot of turnover on their coaching staff in 2026. In a perfect world, they will roll into 2026 with Kevin O’Connell at head coach, Wes Phillips as their offensive coordinator and Brian Flores as defensive coordinator.
Of course, that future remains unknown, while Flores talks to teams around the league about coaching positions they have open for hire. After an incredibly difficult year on offense, however, there aren’t a lot of suitors trying to scavenge any of Minnesota’s assistants on that side of the football.
Minnesota Vikings let OL coach Chris Kuper walk
But there is at least one offensive coach who will not be returning in 2026. Chris Kuper has been the MN Vikings offensive line coach since O’Connell was hired back before the 2022 season.
But in week 18 against the Packers, Kuper coached his final game as the Vikings’ OL coach. On Saturday, news broke that Minnesota has decided not to renew the 45-year-old former Denver Broncos offensive lineman.
Chris Kuper was born in Anchorage, Alaska in December, 1982, where he lived until he graduated high school and left to play football at the University of North Dakota from 2002 to 2006.
After two straight All-American seasons at North Dakota (2005-2006), Kuper was selected in the 5th round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Broncos. He went on to play 8 seasons in Denver, piling up 79 starts, before retiring after his age 31 season (2013).
Kuper’s NFL coaching resume
In 2015, Chris Kuper became the volunteer offensive line coach at infamous Columbine High School. After one season coaching kids, Kuper joined the Miami Dolphins as an offensive quality control coordinator.
Then in 2017, he was promoted to Dolphins’ assistant offensive line coach, a job he held for two seasons. In 2019, he rejoined the Denver Broncos as their assistant offensive line coach, a job he held through the 2021 season, when he was hired by the Minnesota Vikings.
It was Kuper’s first position coach job in the NFL. But now, after the Vikings’ offensive line dealt with injuries and underwhelming performances during most of 2025, he’s gone. And in 2026, KOC will have a new OL coach.
https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-vikings/ol-coach-chris-kuper-moving-on-mn-vikings/
MaroonBells wrote:
I'm not well-versed on the OL coach options, but on the surface, Smith would seem to be a pretty good candidate.Frank Smith
— Krauser (@Krauserrific) January 23, 2026
Multiple connections to Sean Payton (~best OL in the league):
* several years as assistant OL for Saints (under Payton and Aaron Kromer)
* one year as OL/RGC under Joe Lombardi w/ Chargers
4 years as OC under McDaniel (one of the best run schemes in the league) https://t.co/yfqHGvMmCeLet's lock Frank Smith up now! Why would he take a lateral move in leaving Miami to come to MN though?
The Vikings need to get serious in protecting their future, their oline investments in '25 FA, and dominating at the LOS.
StickierBuns wrote:
Get a 100% healthy Darrisaw, a reliable center than can stay healthy and watch how 'amazing' the new O-line coach will be.
I agree, but I also believe (in me bonz) that Kuper wasn't getting the most out of those guys. It may not be black/white - but grey.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
StickierBuns wrote:
Get a 100% healthy Darrisaw, a reliable center than can stay healthy and watch how 'amazing' the new O-line coach will be.
I agree that if the new guy gets a healthy line, he's going to get a lot of credit whether he deserves it or not.
But there wasn't a lot arguing for keeping Kuper. Donovan Jackson might be a feather in his cap, but that's it. We haven't seen much development from Rouse or Jurgens. Kuper played no part in drafting or developing O'Neill or Darrisaw. And every one of his guys from last year went on to play better elsewhere. Bradbury had his best year ever as a pass blocker, and both Ingram and Dalton Risner had career seasons on their new teams. All three! And just a little better, a lot better.
Plus, we don't know what role Kuper played in going after Will Fries. Fries wasn't bad, but I don't think his performance ever rose to the level of his paycheck. No, I'm happy Kuper is gone.
MaroonBells wrote:
Bradbury had his best year ever as a pass blocker, and both Ingram and Dalton Risner had career seasons on their new teams. All three! And just a little better, a lot better.
Bradbury played 1,070 snaps. Pass blocked on 642 and run blocked on 428.
Garrett Bradbury is going to #SuperBowlLX and he hasn’t been penalized or allowed a single sack since leaving Minnesota.
— MSP Athletics (@MSPAthletics) January 26, 2026
I’m really glad we let Chris Kuper go. pic.twitter.com/cQdHbC6i38
DeepFreeze05 wrote:
Bradbury played 1,070 snaps. Pass blocked on 642 and run blocked on 428.
Garrett Bradbury is going to #SuperBowlLX and he hasn’t been penalized or allowed a single sack since leaving Minnesota.
— MSP Athletics (@MSPAthletics) January 26, 2026
I’m really glad we let Chris Kuper go. pic.twitter.com/cQdHbC6i38I'm not unhappy about the latest OL coach move made...But something is amiss here.
Bradbury played for:
R. Dennison (19-20)
P. Rauscher (21-22)
C. Kuper (23-24)So thats 3 coaches where he flailed out and struggled. Could be the QB? Could be the OL Coach musical chairs? Could be the OG's? Could be the schemes? Could be????
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
purplefaithful wrote:
I'm not unhappy about the latest OL coach move made...But something is amiss here.
Bradbury played for:
R. Dennison (19-20)
P. Rauscher (21-22)
C. Kuper (23-24)So thats 3 coaches where he flailed out and struggled. Could be the QB? Could be the OL Coach musical chairs? Could be the OG's? Could be the schemes? Could be????
Guess who led the league in release time? That helps the center greatly ( some might say hugely ) when the damn QB shows a little mobility and doesnt sit back there and hold the ball.
Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?
purplefaithful wrote:
I'm not unhappy about the latest OL coach move made...But something is amiss here.
Bradbury played for:
R. Dennison (19-20)
P. Rauscher (21-22)
C. Kuper (23-24)So thats 3 coaches where he flailed out and struggled. Could be the QB? Could be the OL Coach musical chairs? Could be the OG's? Could be the schemes? Could be????
You make good points and I agree with you. I think it’s a combination of all that plus probably a fresh start. According to Pro Football Focus, New England’s o-line improved from 32 to 11 this year. They identified the weak links as Bradbury and LG Jared Wilson. With that said, it’s still impressive that Bradbury had not allowed a sack or committed a penalty this year.
purplefaithful wrote:
I'm not unhappy about the latest OL coach move made...But something is amiss here.
Bradbury played for:
R. Dennison (19-20)
P. Rauscher (21-22)
C. Kuper (23-24)So thats 3 coaches where he flailed out and struggled. Could be the QB? Could be the OL Coach musical chairs? Could be the OG's? Could be the schemes? Could be????
IMO players in Minnesota for too long have coasted on where they were drafted. It's obvious to me they didn't apply themselves in Minnesota.
Then they get cut, traded,or are not given an offer to resign.
When faced with unemployment low and behold they all improve their game significantly..
Ya can't coach the uncoachable.
Mattyman wrote:
IMO players in Minnesota for too long have coasted on where they were drafted. It's obvious to me they didn't apply themselves in Minnesota.
Then they get cut, traded,or are not given an offer to resign.
When faced with unemployment low and behold they all improve their game significantly..
Ya can't coach the uncoachable.
Then maybe don't draft uncoachable lol
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