Ben Goessling
@bengoessling.bsky.social
Minnesota Vikings beat writer at Star Tribune; track/cross country ass't coach at Apple Valley and Augsburg. Husband, girl dad, sinner saved by grace.
Subscribe to the Access Vikings newsletter: https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1788361/5824
Subscribe to the Access Vikings newsletter: https://pages.e2ma.net/pages/1788361/5824
Pinned
The making of J.J. McCarthy and the big business behind becoming an NFL quarterback
Is the Vikings’ new QB a product of a booming coaching industry, or was he destined to thrive in it? Either way, he’s a beacon for hopeful Vikings fans and an archetype for aspiring young players.
www.startribune.com
I spent the summer learning about the QB development industry: the private coaches and elite camps that now produces many of the country's top prospects.
It's complex and costly, but for some — like J.J. McCarthy — it can fulfill childhood dreams. My project:
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
It's complex and costly, but for some — like J.J. McCarthy — it can fulfill childhood dreams. My project:
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
From ensuring Justin Jefferson got his 1,000 yards to creating curtain calls for Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham, the #Vikings won their season finale in a manner that wrapped up plenty of plot lines.
The big cliffhanger? How they’ll move forward at QB: www.startribune.com/vikings-pack...
The big cliffhanger? How they’ll move forward at QB: www.startribune.com/vikings-pack...
www.startribune.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:49 AM
From ensuring Justin Jefferson got his 1,000 yards to creating curtain calls for Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham, the #Vikings won their season finale in a manner that wrapped up plenty of plot lines.
The big cliffhanger? How they’ll move forward at QB: www.startribune.com/vikings-pack...
The big cliffhanger? How they’ll move forward at QB: www.startribune.com/vikings-pack...
Reposted by Ben Goessling
Final Access Vikings postgame pod of the 2025 season is out now. @bengoessling.bsky.social, @andrewkrammer.bsky.social and I chat about the celebrations of Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham, milestones reached and J.J. McCarthy's final outing, which ended earlier than expected.
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January 5, 2026 at 12:24 AM
Final Access Vikings postgame pod of the 2025 season is out now. @bengoessling.bsky.social, @andrewkrammer.bsky.social and I chat about the celebrations of Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham, milestones reached and J.J. McCarthy's final outing, which ended earlier than expected.
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#Vikings 2026 opponents:
Home: Bears, Lions, Packers, Falcons, Panthers, Bills, Dolphins, Commanders, Colts
Away: Bears, Lions, Packers, Saints, Buccaneers, Patriots, Jets, 49ers
Home: Bears, Lions, Packers, Falcons, Panthers, Bills, Dolphins, Commanders, Colts
Away: Bears, Lions, Packers, Saints, Buccaneers, Patriots, Jets, 49ers
January 5, 2026 at 1:24 AM
#Vikings 2026 opponents:
Home: Bears, Lions, Packers, Falcons, Panthers, Bills, Dolphins, Commanders, Colts
Away: Bears, Lions, Packers, Saints, Buccaneers, Patriots, Jets, 49ers
Home: Bears, Lions, Packers, Falcons, Panthers, Bills, Dolphins, Commanders, Colts
Away: Bears, Lions, Packers, Saints, Buccaneers, Patriots, Jets, 49ers
2024 NFC North standings:
1st: Lions
2nd: Vikings
3rd: Packers
4th: Bears
2025 NFC North standings:
1st: Bears
2nd: Packers
3rd: Vikings
4th: Lions
Took a year for them to flip upside down, with only one double-digit loss season in the division over those two years.
1st: Lions
2nd: Vikings
3rd: Packers
4th: Bears
2025 NFC North standings:
1st: Bears
2nd: Packers
3rd: Vikings
4th: Lions
Took a year for them to flip upside down, with only one double-digit loss season in the division over those two years.
January 4, 2026 at 11:20 PM
2024 NFC North standings:
1st: Lions
2nd: Vikings
3rd: Packers
4th: Bears
2025 NFC North standings:
1st: Bears
2nd: Packers
3rd: Vikings
4th: Lions
Took a year for them to flip upside down, with only one double-digit loss season in the division over those two years.
1st: Lions
2nd: Vikings
3rd: Packers
4th: Bears
2025 NFC North standings:
1st: Bears
2nd: Packers
3rd: Vikings
4th: Lions
Took a year for them to flip upside down, with only one double-digit loss season in the division over those two years.
There are still lots of No. 30 and No. 22 jerseys on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium, as Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham's families soak up the moment. Ham is on the field with his wife Stephanie, and his family as his daughters do cartwheels in the east end zone.
January 4, 2026 at 10:14 PM
There are still lots of No. 30 and No. 22 jerseys on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium, as Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham's families soak up the moment. Ham is on the field with his wife Stephanie, and his family as his daughters do cartwheels in the east end zone.
J.J. McCarthy said his hand started throbbing at halftime, and on his first throw of the second half (a 10-yard pass to Justin Jefferson), he felt like he couldn’t throw further than that. He was worried about being able to grip the ball again, and realized it was best to take himself out.
January 4, 2026 at 9:41 PM
J.J. McCarthy said his hand started throbbing at halftime, and on his first throw of the second half (a 10-yard pass to Justin Jefferson), he felt like he couldn’t throw further than that. He was worried about being able to grip the ball again, and realized it was best to take himself out.
Kevin O’Connell said J.J. McCarthy “had a little soreness” in his right hand coming out of halftime, and the #Vikings wanted to get him out of the game as soon as they recognized it.
January 4, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Kevin O’Connell said J.J. McCarthy “had a little soreness” in his right hand coming out of halftime, and the #Vikings wanted to get him out of the game as soon as they recognized it.
Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham were the last two Vikings players to leave the field at U.S. Bank Stadium, posing for pictures with teammates and family. They both went into the tunnel, where they're currently signing autographs for fans in the field-level club.
January 4, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham were the last two Vikings players to leave the field at U.S. Bank Stadium, posing for pictures with teammates and family. They both went into the tunnel, where they're currently signing autographs for fans in the field-level club.
That'll do it from U.S. Bank Stadium; it's a 16-3 #Vikings win after the Packers' last-second field goal.
Vikings finish the year 9-8, winning their 5 to end the year a half-game out of the playoffs. Warm ovations for Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham, who's fighting back tears in a postgame interview.
Vikings finish the year 9-8, winning their 5 to end the year a half-game out of the playoffs. Warm ovations for Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham, who's fighting back tears in a postgame interview.
January 4, 2026 at 8:47 PM
That'll do it from U.S. Bank Stadium; it's a 16-3 #Vikings win after the Packers' last-second field goal.
Vikings finish the year 9-8, winning their 5 to end the year a half-game out of the playoffs. Warm ovations for Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham, who's fighting back tears in a postgame interview.
Vikings finish the year 9-8, winning their 5 to end the year a half-game out of the playoffs. Warm ovations for Harrison Smith and C.J. Ham, who's fighting back tears in a postgame interview.
The Packers called a timeout with one second left to kick a field goal to avoid the shutout.
January 4, 2026 at 8:44 PM
The Packers called a timeout with one second left to kick a field goal to avoid the shutout.
C.J. Ham is recognized on the video board at the two-minute warning, as he blows kisses to the fans at U.S. Bank Stadium before #Vikings teammates and coaches come over to embrace him.
January 4, 2026 at 8:39 PM
C.J. Ham is recognized on the video board at the two-minute warning, as he blows kisses to the fans at U.S. Bank Stadium before #Vikings teammates and coaches come over to embrace him.
Now we've got "Har-ry, Har-ry" chants as Smith receives hugs and handshakes from teammates and coaches on the sideline.
January 4, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Now we've got "Har-ry, Har-ry" chants as Smith receives hugs and handshakes from teammates and coaches on the sideline.
Referee John Hussey just announced the #Vikings took a timeout "to honor Harrison Smith."
He's cominmg out of the game to a standing ovation and hugs from teammates. Kevin O’Connell met him at the 50-yard line to hug him.
He's cominmg out of the game to a standing ovation and hugs from teammates. Kevin O’Connell met him at the 50-yard line to hug him.
January 4, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Referee John Hussey just announced the #Vikings took a timeout "to honor Harrison Smith."
He's cominmg out of the game to a standing ovation and hugs from teammates. Kevin O’Connell met him at the 50-yard line to hug him.
He's cominmg out of the game to a standing ovation and hugs from teammates. Kevin O’Connell met him at the 50-yard line to hug him.
Coming into today, J.J. McCarthy had played 51.4 percent of the #Vikings' offensive snaps this season. He's got a baseball cap on as the offense prepares to go back out after the Packers' punt.
January 4, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Coming into today, J.J. McCarthy had played 51.4 percent of the #Vikings' offensive snaps this season. He's got a baseball cap on as the offense prepares to go back out after the Packers' punt.
The #Vikings say J.J. McCarthy is questionable to return with a right hand injury. He's on the bench with Josh McCown and the team's QBs now.
January 4, 2026 at 7:53 PM
The #Vikings say J.J. McCarthy is questionable to return with a right hand injury. He's on the bench with Josh McCown and the team's QBs now.
Max Brosmer in at quarterback for J.J. McCarthy, who was on the sideline with Tyler Williams and Chris Larson from the #Vikings' medical staff after taking himself out of the game.
January 4, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Max Brosmer in at quarterback for J.J. McCarthy, who was on the sideline with Tyler Williams and Chris Larson from the #Vikings' medical staff after taking himself out of the game.
Anthony Barr, Anthony Harris, Jamarca Sanford, Mistral Raymond and Andrew Sendejo all on the field in Harrison Smith jerseys during the break. “Give it up for the Hitman,” Sendejo said into the mic. Smith pointed to his former teammates in acknowledgment.
January 4, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Anthony Barr, Anthony Harris, Jamarca Sanford, Mistral Raymond and Andrew Sendejo all on the field in Harrison Smith jerseys during the break. “Give it up for the Hitman,” Sendejo said into the mic. Smith pointed to his former teammates in acknowledgment.
Dallas Turner gets his second sack of the day after Clayton Tune set up to throw a screen, but pulled the ball down with Andrew Van Ginkel lurking.
Van Ginkel tipped one when Tune tried to throw a screen in the first quarter. Looks like he learned his lesson.
Van Ginkel tipped one when Tune tried to throw a screen in the first quarter. Looks like he learned his lesson.
January 4, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Dallas Turner gets his second sack of the day after Clayton Tune set up to throw a screen, but pulled the ball down with Andrew Van Ginkel lurking.
Van Ginkel tipped one when Tune tried to throw a screen in the first quarter. Looks like he learned his lesson.
Van Ginkel tipped one when Tune tried to throw a screen in the first quarter. Looks like he learned his lesson.
Justin Jefferson was open on the corner route on third down, but after J.J. McCarthy threw incomplete, it's 6-0 #Vikings after Will Reichard's field goal.
January 4, 2026 at 7:08 PM
Justin Jefferson was open on the corner route on third down, but after J.J. McCarthy threw incomplete, it's 6-0 #Vikings after Will Reichard's field goal.
J.J. McCarthy hits Justin Jefferson for a first down beyond a diving Jamon Johnson, and Jefferson is over 1,000 yards for the season. Big applause from the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd who seemed to know he was close.
January 4, 2026 at 6:59 PM
J.J. McCarthy hits Justin Jefferson for a first down beyond a diving Jamon Johnson, and Jefferson is over 1,000 yards for the season. Big applause from the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd who seemed to know he was close.
If you'd like to keep track of the #Vikings players who can hit contract incentives today, I put together a list in my Access Vikings newsletter on Friday. Here's a web version of the newsletter where you can check out the list: link.email.startribune.com/public/43336...
View this email as a web page
View this email as a web page
link.email.startribune.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:50 PM
If you'd like to keep track of the #Vikings players who can hit contract incentives today, I put together a list in my Access Vikings newsletter on Friday. Here's a web version of the newsletter where you can check out the list: link.email.startribune.com/public/43336...
After J.J. McCarthy came out of taunting Keisean Nixon and got a talking-to from the refs, Brian O'Neill went up to him and said something, after which McCarthy tapped his chest. Assume O'Neill said something along the lines of, "Cool it, kid."
3-0 Vikings after Will Reichard's FG.
3-0 Vikings after Will Reichard's FG.
January 4, 2026 at 6:10 PM
After J.J. McCarthy came out of taunting Keisean Nixon and got a talking-to from the refs, Brian O'Neill went up to him and said something, after which McCarthy tapped his chest. Assume O'Neill said something along the lines of, "Cool it, kid."
3-0 Vikings after Will Reichard's FG.
3-0 Vikings after Will Reichard's FG.
A stiff-arm, a shoulder into a defender and a taunting penalty for J.J. McCarthy. Bit of a Howe hat trick for the former hockey player.
January 4, 2026 at 6:08 PM
A stiff-arm, a shoulder into a defender and a taunting penalty for J.J. McCarthy. Bit of a Howe hat trick for the former hockey player.
Jumping on the #Vikings pregame radio show from U.S. Bank Stadium in a couple minutes. Tune in at KFAN.com/listen
KFAN.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Jumping on the #Vikings pregame radio show from U.S. Bank Stadium in a couple minutes. Tune in at KFAN.com/listen