DAVE CAMPBELL
In this photo taken from video, Minnesota Vikings NFL football team defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo talks on a conference call from his home in Chicago, Thursday, May 21, 2020. Odenigbo's progression from the practice squad accelerated last season with regular playing time and made an even bigger leap forward this spring when stalwart Everson Griffen did not re-sign with the team. (Dave Campbell via Zoom)
Odenigbo's opportunity: Vikings pass rusher now in key role

By Dave Campbell May. 21, 2020 07:58 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings, like the rest of the NFL during this

In this image made from video, Minnesota Vikings NFL football team head coach Mike Zimmer speaks during an interview from the family's sprawling ranch in Walton, Ky., Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Mike Zimmer has managed to conduct some extra strategy sessions during this sequestered NFL offseason, despite being disconnected from all of his players and almost all of his staff. That's because the Vikings coach has his newly appointed co-defensive coordinator spending these homebound days with him. Adam Zimmer, of course, is his son. (Dave Campbell/Zoom via AP)
Vikes' Zimmer sequestering at ranch with assistant coach son

By Dave Campbell May. 13, 2020 07:42 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mike Zimmer has managed to conduct some extra strategy

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Like a principal walking through a hushed hallway on the

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings targeted cornerback Jeff Gladney in

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
The Minnesota Vikings were forced by a salary-cap crunch this spring into a

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With a 6-foot-5, 260-pound frame, coming out of an SEC

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings patiently filled major needs on the

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings chose LSU wide receiver Justin

FILE - In this June 11, 1997 file photo, Chicago Bulls Scottie Pippen, right, embraces an exhausted Michael Jordan following their win in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz, in Salt Lake City. The flu-like illness Jordan fought through to lead the Bulls to a crucial victory in the 1997 NBA Finals created instant fodder for the virtue of perseverance. Pushing past boundaries, overcoming obstacles and adversity — that is part of the ethos of major competitive sports. That is how elite athletes become wired to win. (AP Photo/Jack Smith, File)
Mental stress for athletes: From 'let's play' to 'stay home'

By Dave Campbell Apr. 22, 2020 02:09 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The flu-like illness Michael Jordan fought through to lead

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2018, file photo, former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss speaks after receiving his Hall of Fame ring during halftime of an NFL football game between the Vikings and the Green Bay Packersin Minneapolis. The Vikings have drafted six Hall of Famers in the first round. None made more of a splash than Randy Moss in 1998.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
For Vikes, hard to find bigger 1st-round draft hit than Moss

By Dave Campbell Apr. 21, 2020 06:34 PM EDT
BEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: WR Randy Moss (1998). The Vikings drafted six Hall

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
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The NFL salary cap, that powerful and perpetual roster

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2019, file photo, Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) during the second half of an NFL football game in Minneapolis. Barr was coach Mike Zimmer’s first draft pick, taken ninth overall in 2014. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Backed into a corner: Vikings must restock defense in draft

By Dave Campbell Apr. 16, 2020 12:08 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings deftly used the draft to build a

Minnesota Vikings NFL football quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks about his contract extension on a video conference call Tuesday, April 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Dave Campbell)
Wishing Diggs well, Cousins not worried by Vikes' departures

By Dave Campbell Apr. 14, 2020 06:25 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kirk Cousins has taken a new contract into this increasingly

FILE - In this Nov. 18, 2018, file photo, Tennessee Titans' Tajae Sharpe (19) makes a touchdown catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore during the second half of an NFL football gam, in Indianapolis. After the departure of Stefon Diggs, the Vikings have turned to Sharpe to fill a startling void at wide receiver. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Staying Sharpe: New Vikings receiver follows Diggs departure

By Dave Campbell Mar. 26, 2020 07:18 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — To fill a glaring hole at wide receiver opened by the

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 file photo, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Michael Pierce (97) celebrates his fumble recovery with linebacker Tyus Bowser (54) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Baltimore. Michael Pierce has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)
Vikings will need heavy lift from new man in middle Pierce

By Dave Campbell Mar. 20, 2020 05:50 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Michael Pierce will bring an exceptional amount of strength

FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) catches a touchdown pass in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (23) during the first half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in Santa Clara, Calif. A person with direct knowledge of the move confirms to The Associated Press that the Buffalo Bills have acquired Diggs in a trade with Vikings. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Vikings doing more subtracting than adding, so far

By Dave Campbell Mar. 18, 2020 08:42 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — With the NFL market now open, as teams try to make the math

FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings NFL quarterback Kirk Cousins throws against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game in Minneapolis. The Vikings and Cousins have agreed to a two-year contract extension. Cousins' agent Mike McCartney made the announcement on his verified Twitter account. T (AP Photo/Jim Mone,File
Cousins, Vikings agree to 2-year, $66M contract extension

By Dave Campbell Mar. 16, 2020 10:27 AM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kirk Cousins will be staying longer in Minnesota. Stefon

FILE - In this May 25, 2016, file photo, Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph works out during NFL football practice in Eden Prairie, Minn. The salary-cap-strapped Minnesota Vikings have terminated the contracts of two long-time starters: nose tackle Linval Joseph and cornerback Xavier Rhodes. The move will clear more than $18.5 million off the team's salary cap. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig, File)
Vikings start cap space clearance by cutting Rhodes, Joseph

By Dave Campbell Mar. 13, 2020 03:20 PM EDT
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The stability and related success the Minnesota Vikings

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Arthur Rooney II leaves after NFL owners meet to discuss a proposed labor agreement, Thursday Feb. 20, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
NFL players' union sends labor proposal to members for vote

By Dave Campbell Mar. 05, 2020 12:40 PM EST
The NFL Players Association sent ballots to members Thursday for voting on the

FILE - In this Dec. 8, 2019, file photo, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles. Ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and its players is an important step closer after a narrow majority approval by team union representatives, but there's still work to be done to ensure another decade of labor peace. Wilson is one of the players who have spoken out against the current proposal.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
NFL, players move closer to new CBA, but deal not done yet

By Dave Campbell Feb. 26, 2020 05:47 PM EST
The NFL and its players have moved closer to a new collective bargaining