Andrew Krammer
@andrewkrammer.bsky.social
Vikings for StarTribune.com out of Minneapolis ... also on the Access Vikings podcast and Star Tribune's YouTube channel
Pinned
Sharing this one more time as fullback C.J. Ham readies for his 141st and possibly final Vikings game
To read: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
To read: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Seahawks-Bills is the Super Bowl pick
January 6, 2026 at 5:44 PM
Seahawks-Bills is the Super Bowl pick
Reposted by Andrew Krammer
From the very beginning, Vikings honored Harrison Smith + C.J. Ham on Sunday.
Both were supposed to be the captains at coin toss.
It was just Ham.
"I’m like, ‘Man, let C.J. have it,’ ” Smith said. “He needs more people to recognize how phenomenal he’s been.”
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Both were supposed to be the captains at coin toss.
It was just Ham.
"I’m like, ‘Man, let C.J. have it,’ ” Smith said. “He needs more people to recognize how phenomenal he’s been.”
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Vikings teammates, fans say possible final goodbye to Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham
From the coin toss to the postgame festivities, Smith and Ham were celebrated as if their 24 combined Vikings seasons are coming to an end, though neither player made it official.
www.startribune.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:22 PM
From the very beginning, Vikings honored Harrison Smith + C.J. Ham on Sunday.
Both were supposed to be the captains at coin toss.
It was just Ham.
"I’m like, ‘Man, let C.J. have it,’ ” Smith said. “He needs more people to recognize how phenomenal he’s been.”
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Both were supposed to be the captains at coin toss.
It was just Ham.
"I’m like, ‘Man, let C.J. have it,’ ” Smith said. “He needs more people to recognize how phenomenal he’s been.”
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Vikings had the worst third-down offense in football this season. It was also the second-worst third-down offense in Vikings franchise history (via Pro Football Reference).
January 5, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Vikings had the worst third-down offense in football this season. It was also the second-worst third-down offense in Vikings franchise history (via Pro Football Reference).
The Vikings (9-8) officially hold the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, or the lowest spot given to a non-playoff team.
Minnesota's draft selections. Team also expects to get additional capital via comp pick(s) for Darnold, possibly Jones
1-18
2-49
3-82
5(PHI)
6(IND)
7(MIN)
7(HOU)
7(CAR)
Minnesota's draft selections. Team also expects to get additional capital via comp pick(s) for Darnold, possibly Jones
1-18
2-49
3-82
5(PHI)
6(IND)
7(MIN)
7(HOU)
7(CAR)
January 5, 2026 at 3:32 PM
The Vikings (9-8) officially hold the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, or the lowest spot given to a non-playoff team.
Minnesota's draft selections. Team also expects to get additional capital via comp pick(s) for Darnold, possibly Jones
1-18
2-49
3-82
5(PHI)
6(IND)
7(MIN)
7(HOU)
7(CAR)
Minnesota's draft selections. Team also expects to get additional capital via comp pick(s) for Darnold, possibly Jones
1-18
2-49
3-82
5(PHI)
6(IND)
7(MIN)
7(HOU)
7(CAR)
Reposted by Andrew Krammer
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith walks off the field at the end of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
January 4, 2026 at 9:19 PM
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith walks off the field at the end of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
"Just like that, the season’s over. It goes by fast, but when you cherish the moments, especially with people in this locker room, it’s worth it.”
Ham left the media scrum and walked to the exit.
“Trip!” Ham yelled to his 4-year-old son sitting at dad’s locker. “Time to go!”
tinyurl.com/56n9xvj6
Ham left the media scrum and walked to the exit.
“Trip!” Ham yelled to his 4-year-old son sitting at dad’s locker. “Time to go!”
tinyurl.com/56n9xvj6
January 5, 2026 at 3:07 PM
"Just like that, the season’s over. It goes by fast, but when you cherish the moments, especially with people in this locker room, it’s worth it.”
Ham left the media scrum and walked to the exit.
“Trip!” Ham yelled to his 4-year-old son sitting at dad’s locker. “Time to go!”
tinyurl.com/56n9xvj6
Ham left the media scrum and walked to the exit.
“Trip!” Ham yelled to his 4-year-old son sitting at dad’s locker. “Time to go!”
tinyurl.com/56n9xvj6
New Access Vikings podcast with @bengoessling.bsky.social + @emleiker.bsky.social recapping Sunday... from J.J. McCarthy's exit to a meaningless finale that had heart
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3Ocx...
YouTube: youtu.be/97OIgBoT_sI
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3Ocx...
YouTube: youtu.be/97OIgBoT_sI
Vikings celebrate Harrison Smith, C.J. Ham in finale win over Packers
YouTube video by Star Tribune
youtu.be
January 5, 2026 at 12:30 PM
New Access Vikings podcast with @bengoessling.bsky.social + @emleiker.bsky.social recapping Sunday... from J.J. McCarthy's exit to a meaningless finale that had heart
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3Ocx...
YouTube: youtu.be/97OIgBoT_sI
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3Ocx...
YouTube: youtu.be/97OIgBoT_sI
From the very beginning, Vikings honored Harrison Smith + C.J. Ham on Sunday.
Both were supposed to be the captains at coin toss.
It was just Ham.
"I’m like, ‘Man, let C.J. have it,’ ” Smith said. “He needs more people to recognize how phenomenal he’s been.”
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Both were supposed to be the captains at coin toss.
It was just Ham.
"I’m like, ‘Man, let C.J. have it,’ ” Smith said. “He needs more people to recognize how phenomenal he’s been.”
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Vikings teammates, fans say possible final goodbye to Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham
From the coin toss to the postgame festivities, Smith and Ham were celebrated as if their 24 combined Vikings seasons are coming to an end, though neither player made it official.
www.startribune.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:22 PM
From the very beginning, Vikings honored Harrison Smith + C.J. Ham on Sunday.
Both were supposed to be the captains at coin toss.
It was just Ham.
"I’m like, ‘Man, let C.J. have it,’ ” Smith said. “He needs more people to recognize how phenomenal he’s been.”
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Both were supposed to be the captains at coin toss.
It was just Ham.
"I’m like, ‘Man, let C.J. have it,’ ” Smith said. “He needs more people to recognize how phenomenal he’s been.”
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Incredible that "shake it off" is the go-to strategy for both when I stub my toe and when 6-foot-8, 370-pound Daniel Faalele gets bent in half backward by another man who is the size of a small car.
January 5, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Incredible that "shake it off" is the go-to strategy for both when I stub my toe and when 6-foot-8, 370-pound Daniel Faalele gets bent in half backward by another man who is the size of a small car.
“If you don’t accept [attention] for 10 years,” Brian O’Neill said of C.J. Ham leaning into today's emotions, “and you think you know it’s your last one, there’s a time to accept it for other people. That place was packed today in a meaningless game. ... We’re really going to miss that dude.”
January 5, 2026 at 1:13 AM
“If you don’t accept [attention] for 10 years,” Brian O’Neill said of C.J. Ham leaning into today's emotions, “and you think you know it’s your last one, there’s a time to accept it for other people. That place was packed today in a meaningless game. ... We’re really going to miss that dude.”
Harrison Smith had an ode to his old Packers nemesis Aaron Rodgers when talking about the thought on the sideline that him and C.J. Ham would get in at the end.
"We talked about getting maybe a victory kneel-down, so I took a snap with Michael Jurgens. I wanted to get a 'Green 18' cadence in."
"We talked about getting maybe a victory kneel-down, so I took a snap with Michael Jurgens. I wanted to get a 'Green 18' cadence in."
January 5, 2026 at 12:12 AM
Harrison Smith had an ode to his old Packers nemesis Aaron Rodgers when talking about the thought on the sideline that him and C.J. Ham would get in at the end.
"We talked about getting maybe a victory kneel-down, so I took a snap with Michael Jurgens. I wanted to get a 'Green 18' cadence in."
"We talked about getting maybe a victory kneel-down, so I took a snap with Michael Jurgens. I wanted to get a 'Green 18' cadence in."
Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham are two of the last players in the Vikings post game locker room.
Smith is still in pads an hour after the final play, doing an interview with the team before coming over to local reporters.
Ham wraps his media sessions, says to his 4yo son: "Trip! Time to go."
Smith is still in pads an hour after the final play, doing an interview with the team before coming over to local reporters.
Ham wraps his media sessions, says to his 4yo son: "Trip! Time to go."
January 4, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham are two of the last players in the Vikings post game locker room.
Smith is still in pads an hour after the final play, doing an interview with the team before coming over to local reporters.
Ham wraps his media sessions, says to his 4yo son: "Trip! Time to go."
Smith is still in pads an hour after the final play, doing an interview with the team before coming over to local reporters.
Ham wraps his media sessions, says to his 4yo son: "Trip! Time to go."
"Vikings nation, I love y'all." -- C.J. Ham being interviewed on the jumbotron afterward
January 4, 2026 at 8:47 PM
"Vikings nation, I love y'all." -- C.J. Ham being interviewed on the jumbotron afterward
Goosebumps as the entire 2-minute warning timeout is being used to show Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham on the sideline, and Vikings fans displaying their signage to celebrate both guys
January 4, 2026 at 8:40 PM
Goosebumps as the entire 2-minute warning timeout is being used to show Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham on the sideline, and Vikings fans displaying their signage to celebrate both guys
Referee John Hussey just announced a Vikings timeout with 3:32 left in regulation to "celebrate Harrison Smith." Teammates and the many Vikings fans still in attendance are on their feet applauding Smith as he's shown once again on the jumbotron. A "Harry! Harry!" chant has broken out
January 4, 2026 at 8:37 PM
Referee John Hussey just announced a Vikings timeout with 3:32 left in regulation to "celebrate Harrison Smith." Teammates and the many Vikings fans still in attendance are on their feet applauding Smith as he's shown once again on the jumbotron. A "Harry! Harry!" chant has broken out
Blake Brandel in the game at right tackle, replacing Brian O'Neill, to ensure he gets his $200,000 bonus for playing 60%+ on the season.
Vikings just reached 58-play mark that sent him below 60%, so he enters the game. Brandel told me the team wanted to do him a solid and make sure he got his money
Vikings just reached 58-play mark that sent him below 60%, so he enters the game. Brandel told me the team wanted to do him a solid and make sure he got his money
January 4, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Blake Brandel in the game at right tackle, replacing Brian O'Neill, to ensure he gets his $200,000 bonus for playing 60%+ on the season.
Vikings just reached 58-play mark that sent him below 60%, so he enters the game. Brandel told me the team wanted to do him a solid and make sure he got his money
Vikings just reached 58-play mark that sent him below 60%, so he enters the game. Brandel told me the team wanted to do him a solid and make sure he got his money
Reposted by Andrew Krammer
the abnormal and highly erratic vibrations produced by the nfc south suggest the possible existence of an nfc central that we are unable to directly observe
January 4, 2026 at 8:12 PM
the abnormal and highly erratic vibrations produced by the nfc south suggest the possible existence of an nfc central that we are unable to directly observe
I wonder who they're going to keep through roster cuts after this preseason finale
January 4, 2026 at 8:12 PM
I wonder who they're going to keep through roster cuts after this preseason finale
J.J. McCarthy has exited or been injured in five of 10 starts
- High ankle sprain vs. ATL
- Hand bruise vs. BAL
- Concussion at GB
- Fracture at NYG
- Today's apparent aggravation of that fracture
- High ankle sprain vs. ATL
- Hand bruise vs. BAL
- Concussion at GB
- Fracture at NYG
- Today's apparent aggravation of that fracture
January 4, 2026 at 7:55 PM
J.J. McCarthy has exited or been injured in five of 10 starts
- High ankle sprain vs. ATL
- Hand bruise vs. BAL
- Concussion at GB
- Fracture at NYG
- Today's apparent aggravation of that fracture
- High ankle sprain vs. ATL
- Hand bruise vs. BAL
- Concussion at GB
- Fracture at NYG
- Today's apparent aggravation of that fracture
Max Brosmer in. J.J. McCarthy ran to the sideline and is talking with the team's medical staff.
January 4, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Max Brosmer in. J.J. McCarthy ran to the sideline and is talking with the team's medical staff.
During a third quarter TV timeout, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Barr, Andrew Sendejo, Anthony Harris, Mistral Raymond and Jamarca Sanford just had a moment on the jumbotron shouting out Harrison Smith
January 4, 2026 at 7:46 PM
During a third quarter TV timeout, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Barr, Andrew Sendejo, Anthony Harris, Mistral Raymond and Jamarca Sanford just had a moment on the jumbotron shouting out Harrison Smith
Dallas Turner just beat Packers' 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan like he knew the snap count and Morgan didn't.
Turner has a team-leading 8 sacks (2 today)
Turner has a team-leading 8 sacks (2 today)
January 4, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Dallas Turner just beat Packers' 2024 first-round pick Jordan Morgan like he knew the snap count and Morgan didn't.
Turner has a team-leading 8 sacks (2 today)
Turner has a team-leading 8 sacks (2 today)
Reposted by Andrew Krammer
You could see his emotion on the big screen here. A great moment.
January 4, 2026 at 7:30 PM
You could see his emotion on the big screen here. A great moment.
Ham's eyes were stinging as he was given more screen time on the videoboards and applause from fans. Cool moment for Ham and everyone here.
C.J. Ham touchdown.
The offense rallies around him. Extra-point team on the field applauding the 10th-year fullback as well. He's made it known to the team that this may be his final game.
The offense rallies around him. Extra-point team on the field applauding the 10th-year fullback as well. He's made it known to the team that this may be his final game.
January 4, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Ham's eyes were stinging as he was given more screen time on the videoboards and applause from fans. Cool moment for Ham and everyone here.
Reposted by Andrew Krammer
Sharing this one more time as fullback C.J. Ham readies for his 141st and possibly final Vikings game
To read: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
To read: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
January 4, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Sharing this one more time as fullback C.J. Ham readies for his 141st and possibly final Vikings game
To read: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
To read: www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...