Sack Crisis and New Faces: Navigating Vikings’ Changes

New Vikings GM Nolan Teasley is wasting no time reshaping the front office — and not everyone is happy about it. On this week’s episode of Two Old Bloggers, Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano dig into the eyebrow-raising hire of former Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace as a “football advisor,” alongside the lesser-known but quietly significant addition of Azzam Kapadia, poached from Seattle. As Darren put it, “It’s not like Pace is gonna be in there calling all the shots — he’s a sounding board, and that’s okay by me.” Teasley is building his front office brick by brick, and the hosts are cautiously optimistic — giving the new GM the benefit of the doubt while keeping a critical eye on every move.

The sack problem plaguing Kevin O’Connell’s offense takes center stage in Theme Two. The Vikings have surrendered a staggering 203 sacks over the past four seasons — fifth-worst in the NFL — including a jaw-dropping 60 in 2025 alone. Dave broke down PFF (Pro Football Focus) and FTN (For The Numbers) data showing that 35.6% of last year’s sacks were quarterback-attributed, ranking Minnesota 18th in the league. “Sacks are drive killers,” Darren noted, pointing out that it seemed like the Vikings failed to convert a single first down on drives where the quarterback was sacked in 2024. The hosts see hope on the horizon: a healthier O-line, the hiring of Frank Smith and Keith Carter to revamp the run game, and — most importantly — the mobility of Kyler Murray, who Darren calls “by far the most mobile Vikings quarterback we’ve had probably since Daunte Culpepper.”

Rounding out the episode, the guys wade into the Brendan Sorsby supplemental draft buzz and the looming question of edge rusher depth. With Jonathan Greenard traded to Philly, the Vikings’ pass-rush depth behind Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel is razor-thin. Could Za’Darius Smith be lured out of retirement? “The edge rusher position is gonna be the first really significant roster decision that Nolan Teasley is going to make as a general manager,” Darren said — and whoever he signs will tell us a lot about how he plans to build a championship roster.

Key Points:

• Teasley adds Ryan Pace (ex-Bears GM) as “football advisor” and Azzam Kapadia (ex-Seahawks scout) to the Vikings front office
• Vikings have given up 203 sacks since 2022 — 5th most in the NFL; 60 sacks in 2025 alone
• 35.6% of 2025 sacks were QB-attributed; only 83 of 1,070 offensive snaps used the ideal starting O-line
• Frank Smith & Keith Carter hired to overhaul the run game and reduce obvious passing situations
• Kyler Murray’s mobility projected as a major sack-reduction factor in 2026
• Brendan Sorsby supplemental draft buzz: talent vs. character concerns debated
• Za’Darius Smith reportedly considering unretirement — a potential edge rusher depth solution
• Edge rusher depth remains the Vikings’ most obvious roster vulnerability heading into 2026

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