Vikings’ Coaching Exodus Continues, and the Bears Are Watching Closely
The Minnesota Vikings are in the middle of a turbulent offseason - and their NFC North rivals, especially the Chicago Bears, have every reason to take notice. While the Vikings were already reeling from a disappointing 2025 campaign that saw them finish at the bottom of the division, things have only gotten more complicated in the weeks since.
The latest blow? Passing game coordinator and tight ends coach Brian Angelichio is heading to Pittsburgh to become the Steelers’ new offensive coordinator.
It’s a well-earned promotion for Angelichio, who’s long been respected around the league. But from Minnesota’s perspective, it’s yet another key piece walking out the door. And the list of departures is starting to look like a full-blown exodus.
Let’s break it down.
Six Coaches Out - and Counting
Angelichio’s exit is just the latest in a string of major coaching losses for the Vikings. Defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Daronte Jones left to take over as the defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders - a big leap and a big loss. Then there’s defensive line coach Marcus Dixon, who joined the Cowboys, and offensive line coach Chris Kuper, who parted ways with the team after his contract wasn’t renewed.
That’s three experienced position coaches gone, all within a short span. But it doesn’t stop there.
Assistant head coach Mike Pettine, a veteran voice in the building, chose retirement over another season with the Vikings. And safeties coach Michael Hutchings has also moved on, accepting a defensive coordinator role at the college level. That brings the total to six coaching departures - a massive shake-up for a staff that, not long ago, had this team within one game of the NFC’s top seed in 2024.
A Leadership Void for Kevin O’Connell
For head coach Kevin O’Connell, the challenge ahead is enormous. Not only is he tasked with rebuilding nearly half of his coaching staff, but he’s also facing mounting questions about the team’s direction - especially at quarterback.
The decision to let Sam Darnold walk in free agency has come under renewed scrutiny, particularly now that Darnold is preparing to start in the Super Bowl for the Seattle Seahawks. Instead of investing in the veteran, Minnesota turned to rookie J.J.
McCarthy, handing him the keys to the offense. It’s a bold move, and one that hasn’t paid off - at least not yet.
The combination of coaching turnover and uncertainty under center has created a sense of instability that’s hard to ignore. And in a division as competitive as the NFC North, that kind of disruption can be costly.
Chicago’s Window Opens Wider
Meanwhile, in Chicago, the Bears are watching all of this unfold with more than a little interest. Sure, they’ve had their own offseason moves to navigate, but compared to the upheaval in Minnesota, things in the Windy City look relatively stable.
That matters.
The Bears have been building something quietly but steadily. And while the Vikings are losing experienced voices on both sides of the ball, Chicago is entering 2026 with a more intact staff and a clearer sense of direction. The contrast is sharp - and it’s not going unnoticed.
It’s too early to crown anyone in February, but if you’re looking at the trajectory of these two franchises, the arrow is clearly pointing up for the Bears and down for the Vikings. Minnesota’s coaching departures aren’t just about job titles - they represent a loss of continuity, chemistry, and leadership. And those things matter, especially when you’re trying to bounce back from a last-place finish.
The NFC North Landscape Shifts
In a division where margins are thin and rivalries run deep, these kinds of offseason developments can shape the season before a single snap is played. The Vikings are in a state of transition - and not the good kind. The Bears, on the other hand, are quietly gaining ground.
If Minnesota can’t stabilize its coaching staff or find answers at quarterback, the road back to contention is going to be steep. And if Chicago continues to build on its foundation, don’t be surprised if the NFC North starts to run through Soldier Field in 2026.