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Lead Dive
Nov 5, 2026
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20 min read
Matt Fries investigates if the run defense truly is the Achilles' Heel of the Vikings defense or if what happened against the Lions was a mere blip on their otherwise stellar defensive record.
Oct 28, 2026
12 min read
Blake Cashman put together one of the best performances we've seen from a Vikings linebacker in a long time to help author the defeat of the Colts. How did he do it? Matt Fries breaks it down.
Oct 8, 2026
6 min read
For all the woes on offense, the Vikings still demonstrated that they can master play sequencing well enough to craft the winning play. Matt Fries breaks it down.
Oct 2, 2026
We've seen discussions surrounding Dallas Turner's statistically outstanding start to the season invite heavy disagreement on what it really means. Matt Fries breaks down whether Turner is actually playing well or if he's an unblocked pressure merchant.
Aug 30, 2026
17 min read
The Vikings have released their 53-man roster for the 2026 NFL season, barring some tweaks to finalize the roster before Week 1. With that release in mind, Matt Fries has tiered and ranked the players on the roster.
Aug 28, 2026
18 min read
The most impactful rookie of the Vikings draft class might not be the first-round pick or any of the third-round picks, but a backup linebacker in the second round forcing himself onto the field. Matt Fries breaks down his film.
Aug 18, 2026
11 min read
Matt Fries breaks down how J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray performed in the preseason and why just a few plays demonstrated that Murray has earned the trust of the Vikings offensive staff
Aug 13, 2026
15 min read
Jordan Addison is the next major Vikings contract in the pipeline. Matt Fries looks at the contract landscape to project what Addison could command — either by the Vikings or someone else — and what it will look like.
+1
Aug 11, 2026
32 min read
The Minnesota Vikings have named Kyler Murray the starting quarterback for the 2026 NFL season. What better way to mark this occasion than a 10,000-word breakdown? Matt Fries delivers.
Jul 31, 2026
22 min read
Matt Fries put together a 53-man roster projection ahead of August, built off of observations and scouting ahead of training camp.
Two Gap
+2
Apr 28, 2026
27 min read
The Vikings produced one of the biggest surprises of the NFL draft. By selecting Caleb Banks, they may have drafted the highest-ceiling rookie in the NFL. Or, they may have crashed their defense.
Mar 4, 2026
23 min read
Matt Fries has spent the last several weeks diving deep into the Vikings offseason and reading the free agency tea leaves. With all of that in mind, he produced an exhaustive mock free agency.
Mar 3, 2026
Feb 11, 2026
The Vikings don't have a shortage of needs. Matt Fries breaks down what those might be and how to prioritize them as the Vikings move forward in a surprisingly eventful offseason.
Jan 26, 2026
14 min read
In Part 1 of this series, we looked at how the Vikings can create enough salary cap space to operate in 2026.
Jan 23, 2026
The Vikings are projected to be $50 million underwater against the cap. Is it as bad as it seems? What can the Vikings do to get out and is it that disastrous?
Jan 19, 2026
10 min read
The fullback's career might be ending, but he certainly went out with a bang. A Matt Fries Ode to Ham.
Dec 11, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings relentlessly asserted their will against the Washington Commanders for 12 minutes on Sunday. Matt Fries breaks down how they did it, play by play.
Dec 10, 2025
After the Vikings' dismantling of the Commanders, Matt Fries dug deep into the defense to discuss how the Vikings ran Washington into the ground — and the missed opportunities this season represents
Dec 3, 2025
9 min read
There hasn’t been much to be happy about during the Minnesota Vikings’ four-game losing streak, but one of the silver linings has been second-year edge rusher Dallas Turner.
Nov 28, 2025
Matt Fries looks at the biggest problems in J.J. McCarthy's play so far and compares them to Max Brosmer's skillset to see if Brosmer might actually be more prepared to play against the Seahawks
Oct 10, 2025
8 min read
Justin Jefferson led the Vikings win over the Browns and in doing so, demonstrated once again that he's matured into his role as a team leader. Oh yea, and that he's the best WR in the world.
Aug 21, 2025
In Matt Fries' first piece for Wide Left, he dissects Vikings quarterback Max Brosmer, undrafted free agent from the University of Minnesota. Could he be a dark horse for the backup quarterback job?
