Over the last few seasons, the rivalry between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions has grown into something bigger than it has really ever been before.
The Lions and Vikings finished in first and second place in the NFC North, respectively, during the 2024 season. But after Detroit recently lost both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn to head coaching jobs, there now seems to be an opportunity for Minnesota to take over as the best team in the division.
Currently, the Lions are in the middle of attempting to figure out who they will be selecting to replace Johnson, Glenn, and other members of their 2024 coaching staff before the start of the 2025 season. Apparently, Detroit is interested in a current member of the Vikings coaching staff to fill one of their vacancies.
Detroit Lions reportedly "poking around" on a Minnesota Vikings assistant coach
Multiple members of Minnesota's 2024 coaching staff have interviewed for other NFL jobs this offseason, including defensive coordinator Brian Flores, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, and assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach Grant Udinski.
Despite interviewing for several head coaching jobs already this year, it seems like Flores is probably going to be back on the sideline for the Vikings next season. As for the other two? The jury is still out on McCown and Udinski remaining with Minnesota for the 2025 campaign.
If these two leave the Vikings this offseason, it's possible that one of them could potentially remain in the NFC North, especially after what KSTP's Darren Wolfson recently shared.
During an appearance on SKOR North's "Minnesota Sports with Mackey & Judd" podcast on Thursday, Wolfson revealed that the Lions were recently "poking around on a Vikings assistant." He added that he didn't know exactly which Minnesota assistant coach has drawn Detroit's interest, but it seems safe enough to assume that it could definitely be either McCown or Udinski.
Between the two, McCown could be the guy who the Lions are interested in speaking to, especially after helping Sam Darnold have a very productive 2024 season with Minnesota.
The Vikings current quarterbacks coach also spent a year with Detroit during his NFL playing career when he was a member of their roster back in 2006. That 2006 Lions roster also included Dan Campbell, who has been Detroit's head coach since the 2021 offseason.
This is definitely something to keep an eye on, as it would already be disappointing enough for Minnesota to lose a valuable assistant coach like McCown or Udinski to another team. But if that team wound up being the Lions, it would make it even harder for the Vikings to swallow.