Minnesota Vikings
FILE - Buffalo Bills defensive assistant Leslie Frazier catches a ball before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Frazier, who is taking the year off, is among 40 diverse coaching candidates who will participate in the Coach Accelerator program next week at the NFL’s spring meetings (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File)
NFL coaching diversity program participants relish exposure to decision-makers

By Dave Campbell May. 24, 2023 05:46 PM EDT

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) warms up during NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, in Berea, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Za'Darius Smith excited to have 'hand in the dirt' with Browns, paired up front with Myles Garrett

By Tom Withers May. 24, 2023 05:10 PM EDT

FILE -Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry, center, watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. Green Bay defensive coordinator Joe Barry says he never wondered late in the Packers’ disappointing 2022 season whether he’d be back this year. “It starts with me,” Barry said Tuesday, May 16, 2023. “I have to do better. In order for this group to play better, I have to do better.” (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Barry discusses how Packers' defense must improve: 'It starts with me'

May. 16, 2023 04:59 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) in action against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL wild-card football game Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023 in Minneapolis. The three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher officially joined the Browns on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, after the team agreed last week to acquire him from the Vikings in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2024 and 2025. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs, File)
Browns finalize trade for edge rusher Za'Darius Smith, exclamation point for defensive overhaul

By Tom Withers May. 16, 2023 12:55 PM EDT

FILE - Washington Commanders offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (78) attempts to hold off Minnesota Vikings linebacker Za'Darius Smith (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Landover, Md. The Cleveland Browns have agreed to acquire three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Za'Darius Smith in a trade from the Minnesota Vikings, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Friday night, May 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Browns agree to acquire Pro Bowl defensive end Za'Darius Smith from Vikings, AP source says

By Tom Withers May. 12, 2023 08:01 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine speaks to the media during a NFL football press conference in Eagan, Minn., Monday, April 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Vikings counting on second-year players to provide boost in secondary

By Dave Campbell May. 11, 2023 06:13 PM EDT

FILE - Joe Kapp of Minnesota Vikings, left, and Chicago Bears running back Gale Savers receive honors at the Wisconsin Football Writers Association dinner in Milwaukee, Feb. 15, 1970. Sayers was named Comeback Player of the Year and Kapp received the Vince Lombardi award at the event. Kapp, the tough quarterback who led the Minnesota Vikings to their first Super Bowl and California to its last Rose Bowl, has died. He was 85. Cal confirmed that Kapp died on Monday, May 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Paul Shane, File)
Former Vikings, Cal QB Joe Kapp dies at age 85

By Josh Dubow And Dave Campbell May. 09, 2023 11:45 AM EDT

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, right, takes part in drills next to quarterback Nick Mullens during an NFL football team practice in Eagan, Minn., Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Vikings finale? Cousins, on expiring deal, not going there

By Dave Campbell May. 03, 2023 04:49 PM EDT

FILE - Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (10) runs against the Los Angeles Chargers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Denver. A person familiar with the decision tells The Associated Press that the Denver Broncos are picking up wide receiver Jerry Jeudy's fifth-year option which carries a price tag of just under $13 million in 2024. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn't announced the move. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
AP source: Broncos pick up Jerry Jeudy's fifth-year option

By Arnie Stapleton May. 01, 2023 01:58 PM EDT

Clemson defensive end Miles Murphy, left, the Cincinnati Bengals' first-round draft pick, poses for a portrait with Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, right, during a news conference, Saturday, April 29, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Bengals again use early rounds of draft to focus on defense

By Keith Jenkins Apr. 29, 2023 09:38 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, left, owner Leonard Wilf, center, and first-round draft pick Jordan Addison sit as head coach Kevin O'Connell speaks to the media during an NFL football press conference in Eagan, Minn., Friday, April 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Vikings go for versatility on defense and add QB Jaren Hall

By Brian Hall Apr. 29, 2023 08:13 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers number one draft pick quarterback Bryce Young signs autographs after arriving at their NFL football stadium on Friday, April 28, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Panthers draft focused on upgrading sagging passing game

By Steve Reed Apr. 29, 2023 06:56 PM EDT

NFL draft prospect Joey Porter Jr. takes part in a Play Football clinic ahead of the NFL draft Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Center High School in Kansas City, Mo. The draft will run from April 27-29. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Steelers bring CB Joey Porter Jr. home in NFL draft

By Will Graves Apr. 28, 2023 07:26 PM EDT

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, left, owner Leonard Wilf, center, and first-round draft pick Jordan Addison sit as head coach Kevin O'Connell speaks to the media during an NFL football press conference in Eagan, Minn., Friday, April 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Trojans teammates: Vikings take USC CB Blackmon in NFL draft

By Brian Hall Apr. 28, 2023 06:54 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins looks for a receiver during the first half of the team's NFL wild-card football game against the New York Giants on Jan. 15, 2023, in Minneapolis. Cousins is signed for only one more season, which could prompt the Vikings to try to draft a quarterback in the first round this year. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, File)
Vikings take USC WR Jordan Addison at No. 23 in NFL draft

By Dave Campbell Apr. 27, 2023 11:06 PM EDT

FILE - 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 Packers in Minneapolis, Nov. 25, 2018. Warren Sapp and Randy Moss waited longer than expected to hear their name called in the first round of the NFL draft because teams were concerned about off-field issues. Both players ended up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Will teams delay on taking Jalen Carter like Sapp, Moss?

By Rob Maaddi Apr. 25, 2023 12:47 PM EDT

FILE - New York Jets guard Alan Faneca (66) blocks New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, left, and defensive end Bobby McCray, center, in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Oct. 4, 2009. Faneca played 10 years with Pittsburgh, helping the Steelers win a Super Bowl while also becoming one of the NFL’s top guards as a ferocious run blocker. The six-time All-Pro signed a five-year deal with the Jets in 2008, helping them make the AFC title game that season. (AP Photo/Bill Feig, File)
Rodgers latest aging NFL star to join Jets late in career

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Apr. 25, 2023 05:55 AM EDT

FILE - Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine Feb. 28, 2023, in Indianapolis. Gutekunst disputes the idea that trading of four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers means starting a rebuilding project. Gutekunst said Monday, April 24, 2023, that “the goals don't change around here” while confirming a trade sending Rodgers to the New York Jets should be finalized this week. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Packers GM Gutekunst: 'Goals don't change' without Rodgers

By Steve Megargee Apr. 24, 2023 08:36 PM EDT

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Dec. 4, 2022, in Atlanta. Kazee signed a two-year deal to remain in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Steelers could fortify secondary, trenches in NFL draft

By Will Graves Apr. 20, 2023 05:42 PM EDT

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur speaks during the NFC head coaches availability at the NFL football meetings, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Packers enter draft needing to find more playmakers for Love

By Steve Megargee Apr. 20, 2023 02:36 PM EDT