The Vikings’ decision to move on from Chris Kuper is looking better by the week.
Kuper, who spent the last four seasons coaching Minnesota’s offensive line, is now in Philadelphia, and the Eagles’ front has run into the same kind of trouble that helped end his run with the Vikings. The unit has been hammered by injuries and roster changes, and the results have been rough. Philadelphia has allowed 30 sacks, third-most in the league, and ranks 28th in rushing yards per game at 88.6.
That’s a sharp fall for a group that was once viewed as the NFL’s gold standard. Under Jeff Stoutland, the Eagles’ offensive line was considered the best in football for the last 13 years.
After Stoutland left, Kuper stepped in, but he has not been able to recreate that level of play. There is already talk that he may be on the hot seat and might not even make it through his first season in Philadelphia.
The problems in Philly sound awfully familiar to what Minnesota dealt with last year. The Vikings had Donovan Jackson, Christian Darrisaw, Ryan Kelly, and Brian O’Neill all miss multiple games at one point. The Eagles have had their own damage to absorb, with left guard Landon Dickerson missing time because of a knee injury, future Hall of Fame right tackle Lane Johnson retiring, two-time Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens getting traded, and backup center Drew Kendall also missing time with a knee injury.
Minnesota, meanwhile, looks like it made the right call by handing the job to Keith Carter. Carter was Kuper’s assistant offensive line coach last season, and now he’s running the room. The Vikings’ line has been steadier and more consistent this year, aside from Jackson’s injury, and Carter has helped turn center Blake Brandel into a solid starter over the last month.
The numbers back that up. Through eight games, Minnesota has allowed 23 sacks, tied for 10th, and is averaging 106 rushing yards per game, which ranks 19th. It’s not perfect, but it’s a clear step up from where things stood under Kuper.
Last year, Kuper’s Vikings line averaged 108 rushing yards per game but gave up 60 sacks, tied for the second-most in the NFL. The 2026 Vikings offensive line is projected to allow 49 sacks.
So while the Vikings aren’t getting elite play up front, they are in a better place with Carter than they were with Kuper over the last four years. Minnesota will be keeping an eye on how long Kuper lasts in Philadelphia, while Carter tries to get his group cleaned up after the team’s last two losses.
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Kyle Shanahan said multiple teams had interest in Jones, who has settled into his role with the 49ers and says he is happy to stay put while preparing to play if called upon. For Minnesota, the interest is another reminder that the search for quarterback help can surface in unexpected places, and Jones is still expected to reach unrestricted free agency after the season. [Read more 🡒]
Packers Could Bring A Very Different Backfield Into Vikings Week
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JJ McCarthy Weighed In On Kirk Cousins Vikings Return
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McCarthy also made clear where his attention needs to be now, pointing the conversation back to the Giants and their upcoming games. For Minnesota, Cousins return adds another layer to a familiar storyline, with a quarterback who knows the organization well stepping back into the picture and drawing interest from people who used to be part of it. McCarthys comments were brief, but they underscored how much the Vikings quarterback history still resonates even beyond the building. [Read more 🡒]