The Minnesota Vikings are heading into the final stretch of their 2025 season with more questions than answers - and now, even fewer reinforcements. At 6-8, the playoffs are officially off the table, but there’s still a shot at salvaging a winning record if they can run the table over the final three weeks. That’s a tall order, and it just got even tougher.
On Friday, the Vikings placed standout left tackle Christian Darrisaw on injured reserve, officially ending his season. That’s a major blow for an offense that’s already been searching for consistency.
Darrisaw has been one of the few bright spots up front, anchoring the left side with the kind of athleticism and poise that’s rare even among top-tier tackles. Losing him now means reshuffling a line that’s already had its share of instability - not exactly ideal when you’re trying to finish strong and evaluate your offensive core heading into 2026.
But it’s not just the roster taking hits. The coaching staff is now down a key piece as well.
Safeties coach Michael Hutchings is leaving the team to take over as defensive coordinator at Cal, joining newly hired head coach Tosh Lupoi in Berkeley. Hutchings, just 30 years old, has been a fast riser in the coaching ranks and was in his third season with the Vikings.
Hutchings’ move to Cal marks a full-circle moment of sorts. He’s a Bay Area native and a former USC linebacker who played 45 games for the Trojans from 2013 to 2016, racking up 118 tackles during his college career.
Though he didn’t make it to the NFL as a player, his coaching career has quickly gained momentum. From defensive analyst stints at Oregon to position coaching roles at Western Kentucky and now Minnesota, Hutchings has built a resume that’s impressed decision-makers at every stop.
Interestingly, while Hutchings and Lupoi both hail from the storied De La Salle High School program in Concord, California, they didn’t overlap. Lupoi graduated in 2000, Hutchings in 2013.
Still, the shared roots and mutual respect clearly helped lay the groundwork for this new partnership at Cal. Their paths nearly crossed a few years ago - Hutchings left Oregon after the 2021 season, just before Lupoi arrived to take over as the Ducks’ defensive coordinator.
Now they’ll finally get the chance to work together, with Hutchings stepping into a major role as the Golden Bears look to reboot under Lupoi. It’s a big opportunity for a young coach who’s shown he can connect with players and teach the game at a high level.
As for the Vikings, they’ll have to navigate the rest of the season without both Darrisaw and Hutchings - two important pieces at very different levels of the organization. For a team that’s already endured a rollercoaster year, it’s another test of depth, development, and resilience. The focus now shifts to finishing strong, evaluating talent, and setting the table for what’s shaping up to be a pivotal offseason.