The Minnesota Vikings closed out their 2025 season on a high note, rattling off five straight wins and building some real momentum heading into the offseason. But as the front office shifts gears toward roster decisions, one major storyline has been lingering: the status of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Flores, a finalist for Assistant Coach of the Year, saw his contract expire after the season. The Vikings brought him back-on the condition that he doesn’t land one of the remaining head coaching jobs.
As of now, that scenario seems increasingly unlikely, meaning Minnesota is poised to retain one of the most respected defensive minds in the game. But while the Flores situation has dominated early headlines, the bigger picture is clear: the Vikings have a long list of roster questions to answer.
More than 20 players are set to hit free agency in some form, and that includes a mix of long-tenured veterans, rotational contributors, and depth pieces. Among the most notable names: safety Harrison Smith, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, linebacker Eric Wilson, running back Ty Chandler, fullback C.J.
Ham, cornerbacks Fabian Moreau and Jeff Okudah, and quarterback Carson Wentz. Each of those players brings something different to the table, and Minnesota will have to weigh performance, age, and cap implications as it builds its 2026 roster.
One name that doesn’t draw a ton of buzz but absolutely deserves attention? Long snapper Andrew DePaola.
Quietly, he’s been one of the most consistent performers on the team-and across the league-over the last four years. DePaola has earned All-Pro honors in each of those seasons, including a Second-Team nod in 2025, trailing only Jacksonville’s Ross Matiscik.
That kind of consistency at a specialist position is rare, and it’s why Vikings insider Alec Lewis called DePaola’s re-signing the “easiest call” of the offseason. And he’s right.
DePaola isn’t just a high-level long snapper-he’s also a respected leader in the locker room. As the team’s NFLPA player rep, his voice carries weight with both veterans and younger players, especially within the special teams unit.
As long as special teams coordinator Matt Daniels is in place-and there’s no indication that’s changing-DePaola looks like a lock to return.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: DePaola will be 39 when the 2026 season kicks off. But for specialists, age doesn’t always follow the same rules.
In fact, DePaola seems to be aging like fine wine, showing no signs of decline in his performance. If anything, he’s getting better.
And from a financial standpoint, this is a no-brainer. Long snappers don’t break the bank.
In 2025, the highest-paid player at the position was Kansas City’s James Winchester, who earned $1.65 million in average annual value. DePaola, by comparison, ranked 18th at just over $1.34 million.
Even if Minnesota bumps him up to the top of the pay scale-which he’s more than earned-it’s still a minor investment for the kind of stability he brings.
Bottom line: while the Vikings have some tough decisions ahead, this isn’t one of them. Bringing back Andrew DePaola should be a formality.
He’s still playing at an elite level, he’s a locker room leader, and his return keeps one key piece of the special teams puzzle firmly in place. For a team looking to build on a strong finish to 2025, locking in your most reliable contributors is a smart place to start.