Following the news on Saturday that the Minnesota Vikings had decided to move on from offensive line coach Chris Kuper after four seasons, many within the fan base were hoping that the team would pursue longtime offensive line mastermind Bill Callahan as his replacement.
Unfortunately, it seems like that hope has quickly vanished, and coincidentally, thanks can be sent to a former Vikings assistant coach.
According to NFL Media's Mike Garafolo on Sunday, Callahan is expected to join the Atlanta Falcons as their new offensive line coach following the team's announcement on Saturday that former Minnesota offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski has been hired as the Falcons' new head coach
Callahan had previously worked with Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell when both were members of the Washington Commanders' coaching staff from 2017 to 2019. But instead of reuniting with O'Connell, the veteran offensive line coach will join Stefanski in Atlanta.
Minnesota Vikings miss out on top offensive line coach, but a new one might have emerged
With Callahan expected to take over as the Falcons' offensive line coach, that frees up Dwayne Ledford, who had been Atlanta's offensive line coach and run game coordinator for the last five seasons.
Under Ledford, the Falcons consistently had one of the NFL's top offensive lines, and he would be a tremendous upgrade over what the Vikings had with Kuper for the last few years, especially if he can help improve Minnesota's rushing attack as well.
Whoever the Vikings end up bringing in, the hiring process needs to be taken seriously. O'Connell shouldn't just bring in one of his buddies to fill the role. Minnesota needs someone who is actually good at their job.
Ledford would fit that description, and if the Vikings are able to land him, then it would send the fan base a message that fixing the struggles of the offensive line is a legitimate priority for the team this offseason and not just the lip service that it has been for the last several years.