The Minnesota Vikings have several pressing questions to address this offseason, starting with the quarterback position and extending throughout the roster. One key area of focus for general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell is the interior offensive line, a long-standing weakness for the team over the past decade.
This week, many of the Vikings’ top decision-makers are in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine, where they hope to identify a future starting guard or center in the upcoming NFL Draft, set to begin on April 24. Shortly after the combine, free agency opens on March 12, and Minnesota is expected to be active in the market for interior offensive linemen.
Minnesota Vikings hire Keith Carter as assistant OL coach
Before adding new talent to strengthen their offensive line, the Vikings took their first step toward improvement by hiring former New York Jets offensive line coach Keith Carter as their assistant offensive line coach and running game coordinator.
Carter brings a strong résumé as an offensive line coach in the NFL. He was part of the Seattle Seahawks staff in 2012 and 2013, during Marshawn Lynch’s prime years when he earned First-Team All-Pro honors while dominating opposing defenses. Throughout his career, Carter has consistently been associated with strong rushing attacks, making him a valuable addition to the Vikings’ coaching staff.
Where Keith Carter goes, great running backs follow…
After playing a role in Marshawn Lynch’s early success, Keith Carter was hired as the Tennessee Titans’ offensive line coach in 2018—the same year Derrick Henry surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his NFL career.
Carter remained the Titans’ offensive line coach from 2018 to 2023. Before his arrival in Nashville, Derrick Henry had played 31 games over two seasons, with his best year being 2017, when he totaled 744 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Aside from the 2021 season, when he was limited to just eight games due to injury, Derrick Henry never rushed for fewer than 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns in a season while Keith Carter coached Tennessee’s offensive line. Under Carter’s guidance, Henry led the NFL in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns in both 2019 and 2020.
However, Carter’s hiring as the Vikings’ assistant offensive line coach doesn’t come without controversy. Despite his strong track record, there’s a reason why he’s taking a step down to an assistant role.
Keith Carter comes with skeletons in his NFL coaching closet…
After leaving the Titans, Keith Carter joined the New York Jets as their offensive line coach, where he helped Breece Hall rush for over 1,850 yards and 10 touchdowns across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. However, during his time in New York, rumors surfaced regarding his approach and demeanor with players.
Adding to the controversy, former NFL offensive lineman and “Bussin’ with the Boys” podcast host Taylor Lewan—who played under Carter in Tennessee—shared a January 9 Instagram post that shed light on how some of Carter’s former players feel about him, offering a more negative perspective on his coaching style.
Kevin O’Connell’s comments suggest that the Vikings are at least somewhat aware of the backlash surrounding Keith Carter’s reputation. By emphasizing Carter’s toughness and framing his role as a “No. 2” rather than the primary offensive line coach, O’Connell seems to be positioning this as a lower-risk hire.
If Carter’s past issues were related to being too demanding as the top OL coach, then a supporting role might allow him to contribute without causing friction. Given the Vikings’ ongoing struggles with their interior offensive line, this hire could be significant—if Carter’s coaching strengths outweigh the concerns.
Do you think this move signals a shift toward a more physical running identity for the Vikings, or do you see it as more of an attempt to refine their blocking schemes?
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