Rick Spielman
FILE - Simone Biles watches gymnasts perform at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka were not the first elite athletes to struggle with their own mental health, but their public admissions this year spotlighted a crisis not often addressed in the sporting world. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)
Mental health among athletes spotlighted in tumultuous 2021

By Jenna Fryer Dec. 22, 2021 09:56 AM EST

FILE - In this March 5, 2021, file photo, Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond watches the competition at a mini combine organized by House of Athlete in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Minnesota Vikings have drafted Mond, with their first of four third-round picks in the NFL football draft. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier, File)
Future QB: Vikings pick Texas A&M's Kellen Mond in 3rd round

By Dave Campbell Apr. 30, 2021 10:01 PM EDT

File-This Dec. 20, 2020, file photo shows Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer reacting on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, in Minneapolis. Zimmer was discouraged by the state of his defense and the limited opportunity to improve it this offseason, but a handful of free-agent additions gave him fresh hope. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Vikings move down to take Virginia Tech's Christian Darrisaw

By Dave Campbell Apr. 29, 2021 11:26 PM EDT

George Paton's first draft comes with Broncos at a crossroad

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 12:28 PM EDT
9. DENVER BRONCOS (5-11) LAST SEASON: The Broncos got off to another slow start under Vic Fangio and QB Drew Lock again couldn't stay...

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 file photo, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) reacts to a play during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Glendale, Ariz. The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million with eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson on Wednesday March 17, 2021 according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.(AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)
'Our big prize': Vikes laud Tomlinson's size, skill, smarts

By Dave Campbell Mar. 18, 2021 06:00 PM EDT

FILE - Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) passes during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Philadelphia, in this Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, file photo. Jettisoning a veteran player often comes with a price in the NFL, and not just because of the loss of skill and experience. In most cases, these annual late-winter moves leave a team trying to create more space under the salary cap with a certain amount of dead money. That can put the squeeze on free agent pursuits. The Philadelphia Eagles are the extreme example this year with a $33.8 million charge for trading quarterback Carson Wentz.(AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)
EXPLAINER: How 'dead money' lives, as NFL free agency begins

By Dave Campbell Mar. 15, 2021 06:45 PM EDT

FILE - Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Buffalo Bills in Houston, in this Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020, file photo. J.J. Watt has agreed to a two-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals. The team announced the deal with the free-agent edge rusher on Monday, March 1, 2021. Watt was released last month by the Houston Texans. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith, File)
Free agency an antidote for offensive fireworks, mobile QBs

By Arnie Stapleton Mar. 12, 2021 02:25 AM EST

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates with tight end Tyler Conklin (83) after he ran a pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins in for a touchdown in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Minneapolis, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP)
Vikings still committed to core, as Jaguars starting over

By Dave Campbell Dec. 03, 2020 05:54 PM EST

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2018, file photo, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Vikings have signed Spielman to a multi-year contract extension(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Vikings sign GM Spielman to multi-year contract extension

By Dave Campbell Aug. 03, 2020 05:10 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 24 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis. The Vikings have centered their offense around running back Dalvin Cook and praised him at every turn, but now the bill has come due. Cook is holding out of team activities until he has a new contract. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, FIle)
Vikings, Cook present NFL's latest RB contract standoff

By Dave Campbell Jun. 18, 2020 05:31 PM EDT