The sneaky change that will change everything for Vikings, and it has nothing to do with QB
The Vikings brought in Frank Smith during the offseason. ESPN’s Dan Graziano explains why that should bring big changes on offense.
The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for a huge Week 1 matchup to start the 2026 season. Minnesota takes on Green Bay in their season opener this year. Kyler Murray has dominated the headlines in Minnesota this offseason. But one different change on offense could change everything for the Vikings this fall.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano shed some light on one big change the Vikings made this offseason in a recent article. He explained how the addition of Frank Smith could change Minnesota’s offense this season.
“So much focus this offseason was on the Vikings’ quarterback situation that one of their big offensive changes might have gone unnoticed — nationally at least,” Graziano wrote on Thursday. “They hired former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as assistant head coach with the intention of making major changes to their run game. Expect the Vikings to implement more wide-zone concepts this season as they work to make their running game a more reliable and integral part of their offense.”
The running game has always been a priority for Kevin O’Connell’s offense in Minnesota. It’s good to see that he is willing to go outside the box to expand that part of his scheme.
Smith was the offensive coordinator in Miami throughout Mike McDaniel’s tenure as head coach from 2022-25. The Dolphins consistently had a solid running game in that era, headlined by an elite 2023 campaign.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones already sounds excited about the changes Smith could bring on offense.
“Great football mind, and he’s helping me understand the game on an even deeper level,” Jones said when asked about Smith. “He’s very detail-oriented and good at breaking it down so all 11 know what we’re trying to accomplish on the play.”
Minnesota does not have elite running back talent. However, Jones and Jordan Mason are perfectly capable of ripping off some big runs.
It will be exciting to see how Minnesota’s running game looks during Week 1 this weekend.
Vikings vs. Packers kicks off at 4:25PM ET on September 13th.
The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for a huge Week 1 matchup to start the 2026 season. Minnesota takes on Green Bay in their season opener this year. Kyler Murray has dominated the headlines in Minnesota this offseason. But one different change on offense could change everything for the Vikings this fall.