Rick Spielman
This undated photo provided by the Minnesota Vikings shows George Paton. John Elway's replacement as Broncos general manager will be Vikings executive George Paton. Elway announced the hiring Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Paton spent the last 14 seasons with Minnesota, including the last six as vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager. He's been one of the hottest names on the GM circuit in recent years. (Minnesota Vikings via AP)
Elway empowers GM as Paton promises collaboration, consensus

By Arnie Stapleton Jan. 19, 2021 08:16 PM EST

This undated photo provided by the Minnesota Vikings shows George Paton. John Elway's replacement as Broncos general manager will be Vikings executive George Paton. Elway announced the hiring Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Paton spent the last 14 seasons with Minnesota, including the last six as vice president of player personnel and assistant general manager. He's been one of the hottest names on the GM circuit in recent years. (Minnesota Vikings via AP)
Broncos hire ex-Vikings exec Paton as Elway's GM successor

By Arnie Stapleton Jan. 13, 2021 02:06 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs from Carolina Panthers cornerback Corn Elder (29) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Vikings still committed to core, as Jaguars starting over

By Dave Campbell Dec. 03, 2020 05:54 PM EST

Detroit Lions Austin Bryant (94) blocks the punt by Minnesota Vikings Britton Colquitt (2) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 in Minneapolis. (Carlos Gonzalez/Star Tribune via AP)
Special teams giving Vikings plenty of trouble this season

By Dave Campbell Nov. 20, 2020 08:06 PM EST

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings not declaring rebuild; DE Hunter has neck surgery

By Dave Campbell Oct. 28, 2020 03:00 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons safety Ricardo Allen celebrates in front of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) after a defensive stop during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Crossroad with Cousins? Reeling Vikings have some QB trouble

By Dave Campbell Oct. 22, 2020 03:05 PM EDT

Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) runs from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings trade DE Yannick Ngakoue to Ravens for draft picks

By Dave Campbell Oct. 22, 2020 11:58 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, left, speaks with Falcons head coach Dan Quinn before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, in Atlanta. Atlanta coach Dan Quinn has been fired after the Falcons dropped to 0-5 for the first time since 1997. The move came just hours after the Falcons lost to the Carolina Panthers 23-16, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. The team also fired longtime general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who had been with the team since 2008. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Long view: Falcons, Vikings have veered off contending track

By Dave Campbell Oct. 15, 2020 04:24 PM EDT

Vikings will lean on continuity to overcome key departures

By The Associated Press Aug. 26, 2020 01:00 PM EDT
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (11-7) NEW FACES: DE Yannick Ngakoue, WR Justin Jefferson, CB Jeff Gladney, CB Cameron Dantzler, WR Tajaé Sharpe, WR/PR...

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2018, file photo, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Vikings have signed Spielman to a multi-year contract extension(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Vikings sign GM Spielman to multi-year contract extension

By Dave Campbell Aug. 03, 2020 12:55 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, in Detroit. The Vikings have centered their offense around running back Dalvin Cook and praised him at every turn, but now the bill has come due. Cook is holding out of team activities until he has a new contract.(AP Photo/Duane Burleson, File)
Vikings, Cook present NFL's latest RB contract standoff

By Dave Campbell Jun. 18, 2020 05:31 PM EDT

Protesters gather outside the Minnesota Vikings football stadium Friday, May 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. Protests continued following the death of George Floyd who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Floyd death spurs action in Minn. sports for societal change

By Dave Campbell Jun. 11, 2020 04:56 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2015, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Michael Vick (2) passes against the Buffalo Bills during the first half of a preseason NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y. There's been fewer than three dozen left-handed QBs in the league's 100-year history, and of the 116 quarterbacks who threw a pass in the NFL over the last four seasons, every single one of them was right-handed.(AP Photo/Bill Wippert, File)
Lefty QB Tua Tagovailoa a rarity in the right-handed NFL

By Arnie Stapleton May. 16, 2020 01:07 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2020, file photo, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager David Caldwell speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. General managers around the league ran their drafts virtually without a hitch last month, thanks largely to the work and ingenuity of their information technology staffs. Tech support remains a vital role in the NFL offseason as long as team facilities are closed, with coaches and officials needing to connect with players scattered about the country.(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Remote control: Tech support staffers star in NFL offseason

By Dave Campbell May. 09, 2020 02:04 AM EDT

FILE - In this March 1, 2020, file photo, TCU defensive back Jeff Gladney runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. First-round draft pick Jeff Gladney will be the latest young cornerback to be challenged by Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, whose tough-love teaching has helped develop several solid pros at his pet position. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Vikings CB Gladney a confident fit with tough-loving Zimmer

By Dave Campbell Apr. 28, 2020 07:15 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2019, file photo, Utah State quarterback Jordan Love looks for a receiver during the team's NCAA college football game against Air Force at Air Force Academy, Colo. The Green Bay Packers selected Love in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday, April 23, 2020. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Draft could bring Vikings more help now than North foes

By Dave Campbell Apr. 27, 2020 05:41 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The NFL Draft is April 23-25. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Vikings prioritize defensive line on final day of draft

By Dave Campbell Apr. 25, 2020 09:49 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The NFL Draft is April 23-25. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Vikings draft OT Ezra Cleveland, CB Cameron Dantzler

By Dave Campbell Apr. 24, 2020 11:18 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson (2) runs against Oklahoma cornerback Woodi Washington (5) during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA semifinal college football playoff game in Atlanta. This year’s NFL draft features a superb group of wide receivers, including Jefferson, who are expected to make immediate impacts in the NFL.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Vikings draft LSU wide receiver Justin Jefferson at No. 22

By Dave Campbell Apr. 23, 2020 11:05 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 23, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Minneapolis. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman's biggest move this off-season was trading Diggs to Buffalo for draft picks, giving the Vikings three extra selections this weekend including the 22nd overall choice in the first round.(AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King, File)
Spielman: Offseason losses 'a natural evolution of a roster'

By Dave Campbell Apr. 21, 2020 06:14 PM EDT