Extension for Wes Phillips
The Minnesota Vikings have remained active this offseason, focusing on maintaining continuity within their front office and coaching staff. Another step in that direction was completed recently.
According to Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune, the team reached an extension agreement on Friday with offensive coordinator Wes Phillips. Originally, Phillips was set to enter the final year of his deal in 2025. With the new extension, he is now expected to stay with the team for years to come.
A Familiar Partnership
From 2019 to 2021, Phillips worked alongside Kevin O’Connell on the Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff, following a previous collaboration in Washington. When O’Connell took over as the Vikings’ head coach, Phillips joined him in Minnesota, an unsurprising move given their shared history.
O’Connell has consistently handled play-calling responsibilities since becoming head coach, and there is no indication that this will change with the extension. Still, Phillips remains a crucial part of the staff. His hiring in 2022 marked his first opportunity as an offensive coordinator at either the college or NFL level.
On-Field Success and Challenges
Since his arrival, the Vikings have achieved two top-10 finishes in points over the past three seasons. Phillips, now 46 years old, faced a setback with a three-game suspension following a December 2023 DWI arrest. He resumed his duties after serving the suspension and will now remain in his role beyond 2025.
Leadership and Expectations
Kevin O’Connell earned Coach of the Year honors in 2024 and is regarded as one of the league’s top offensive minds. High expectations will continue in the upcoming season, especially with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy assuming starting responsibilities. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season due to injury, will face a steep development curve if the Vikings are to replicate their 14-3 record from last season.
Phillips will be central to that effort, helping to guide an offense that has undergone changes up front while retaining a strong group of skill-position players. Continued offensive success will be vital, reinforcing the team’s decision to retain O’Connell and one of his top assistants. According to Goessling, O’Connell advocated for his staff to receive new deals once his extension was in place.
Organizational Stability
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has also secured an extension. While the 2026 offseason once seemed like a potential period of major changes, the Vikings have instead chosen to preserve their core leadership group. Once finalized, Phillips’ new deal will place him firmly among those staying with the organization for the foreseeable future.
