Vikings News: Jared Allen, Kirk Cousins, Kevin O'Connell, Jerick McKinnon

Vikings add Kevin O'Connell's former teammate to their staff

So far this offseason, the Vikings haven't made too many changes to their team, but on Friday, they did announce the addition of a new member to their coaching staff.

Taking over as the defensive line coach for Minnesota this year will be Marcus Dixon, who held the same role with the Denver Broncos for the last two seasons. Dixon replaces Chris Rumph, who left his job as the Vikings' defensive line coach last December to become the defensive ends coach at the University of Clemson.

Before joining the Broncos in 2022, Dixon was a part of the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff in 2021 with current Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell.

But that wasn't the first time O'Connell and Dixon were a part of the same team.

Back in 2010 and 2011, when O'Connell was still trying to have a playing career in the NFL as a quarterback, Dixon was also in the middle of his playing career as a defensive end. During these two years, both were a member of the New York Jets roster.

In addition to the Vikings' adding a new defensive line coach on Friday, they also announced that Mike Pettine will be taking over as the team's outside linebackers coach in addition to his current duties as Minnesota's assistant head coach.