As the NFL offseason kicks into high gear, front offices and coaching staffs across the league are undergoing their annual shakeups - and few teams have been as active early on as the Minnesota Vikings. Just weeks after their season wrapped, the Vikings made a major move at the top, parting ways with general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four years. The organization didn’t wait long to pivot, announcing four new coaching hires as they begin reshaping the staff for what’s expected to be a pivotal year ahead.
Meanwhile, over in Washington, the Commanders are making changes of their own. According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the team has let go of three coaches from its staff. One of those names will ring a bell for Vikings fans: former first-round pick Sharrif Floyd.
Floyd, once viewed as a cornerstone of Minnesota’s defensive line, was selected 23rd overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. He showed flashes of promise early in his career, but injuries - particularly a devastating knee issue - cut his playing days short after just four seasons.
In 44 career games, all with the Vikings, Floyd totaled 95 tackles, 22 quarterback hits, 13 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble. He started 24 of those games and was seen as a disruptive interior presence when healthy.
After retiring from playing, Floyd didn’t step away from the game. Instead, he transitioned into coaching, starting at the grassroots level before working his way up.
His journey began in high school football, then moved to the college ranks at Florida - his alma mater - where he served as an undergraduate assistant. From there, he broke into the NFL coaching ranks, joining the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.
He spent the last two seasons with the Commanders as an assistant defensive line coach.
Now, Floyd finds himself at a crossroads. At just the beginning of his coaching career, he’s already built a solid foundation and gained valuable experience in multiple systems.
While a return to Minnesota doesn’t appear to be in the cards - at least not in the immediate future - he’s a young coach with upside and a strong NFL pedigree. In a league where coaching talent is always in demand, it’s likely only a matter of time before another team gives him an opportunity to continue his development.
For Floyd, the next step is about finding the right fit - a place where he can keep growing and bring his insight as a former player to the next generation of defensive linemen. His playing career may have been cut short, but his coaching journey is just getting started.