Access Vikings

Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker

Vikings reporters Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker of the Star Tribune are bringing all you football enthusiasts another way to stay connected to the purple. Consider this podcast to be similar to any Vikings season: full of ups and downs, but never boring.

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

Which Vikings (non-QB edition) could surprise at training camp?
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker recap what they've seen and heard from two days of Vikings training camp. How is the QB competition unfolding? What non-QB players are standing out? Who will surprise fans once the gates open on Saturday?
Friday · 22 min
How will Vikings split camp reps between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy?
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker bring you the first training camp dispatch from the team's Eagan headquarters, where DBs coach Gerald Alexander is suspended for three weeks following a DUI arrest, right tackle Brian O'Neill has a new contract and, oh yeah, there's a QB competition beginning in earnest.
Wednesday · 31 min
Vikings training camp preview: Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy lead position battles
Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker return from a summer break, and the Vikings will soon as well. They get you prepared with a Vikings training camp primer that touches on the topic du jour -- Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy -- before delving into the run game, position battles, the front office, and more.
July 23 · 33 min
Where does Vikings QB competition stand at end of offseason program? Plus, listener Q&A
Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker discuss Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell's comments about the state of the QB competition at the end of the Vikings' offseason program, and how it's expected to continue into training camp. They also discuss Christian Darrisaw's health and how the Vikings safety room is faring without Harrison Smith. Finally, they answer listeners' questions about the QBs, O-line, Jake Golday and more.
June 12 · 50 min
Vikings GM Nolan Teasley is 'guided by evaluation, anchored by data'
Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker discuss Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley's introductory news conference, which featured comments from Teasley and Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf. They discuss the new Vikings leader's philosophies, background and relationship with head coach Kevin O'Connell. Plus, who reports to who with internal Vikings GM candidate Rob Brzezinski remaining on staff?
June 3 · 18 min
The Vikings QB competition is underway. How do McCarthy, Murray view it?
Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker discuss what they saw during their first day at Vikings OTAs, and what they heard after from quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray. How did McCarthy describe his relationship with Murray, and vice versa? How does he view the competition? Plus, who was absent from OTAs and the Vikings five GM finalists.
May 27 · 26 min
The NFL draft is coming to Minnesota, plus updates on Vikings GM search
Emily Leiker is joined by Minnesota Star Tribune Daily Delivery host Mike Rand to discuss news from the NFL's spring meeting in Orlando, including that owners approved the 2028 NFL draft being held in Minnesota. Plus, the Vikings GM search is moving into its second phase after the conclusion of what co-owner Mark Wilf called "exploratory interviews."
May 20 · 25 min
Vikings sign ex-49ers receiver Jauan Jennings; rookie minicamp takeaways
Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker come to you from TCO Performance Center in Eagan, where the Vikings held a shortened, one-day rookie minicamp that did not feature top pick Caleb Banks. The team does expect receiver Jauan Jennings in town by next week, when veterans will hit the field for the first time. What are the Vikings getting in Jennings? How is the move emblematic of their shift this offseason?
May 8 · 30 min
Vikings' GM search underway; roster in need of veteran help?
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings' GM search that began in earnest after the NFL Draft: What are they looking for in a candidate? How much of a candidate is interim GM Rob Brzezinski? They also discuss the recent free-agent visit with WR Jauan Jennings and the reported likelihood that the 2028 NFL Draft is headed to Minneapolis.
May 1 · 47 min
Vikings cap 2026 draft with a speedy RB and J.J. McCarthy's fullback friend
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker recap Day 3 of the Vikings' 2026 draft that saw them make four picks, including the only expected skill position player in sixth-round running back Demond Claiborne. What did they learn about the new Vikings, including J.J. McCarthy's former Michigan teammate: FB Max Bredeson? What does the collective age of their rookies say about their approach and college football? And how soon can these defensive picks make a difference?
April 26 · 34 min
Vikings trade Jonathan Greenard to Eagles for two third-round picks
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker recap Day 2 of the NFL Draft, leading off with the Vikings finalizing a long-rumored trade that sent Jonathan Greenard to the Eagles. Why did the Vikings trade away one of their best defenders? What does this mean for Dallas Turner? And what do we know about the four draft picks they made in Rounds 2-3?
April 25 · 27 min
Vikings surprise by drafting first-round defensive tackle Caleb Banks
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker react to the Vikings' first-round selection of Florida DT Caleb Banks from the team's headquarters in Eagan. What were their reactions? What did Kevin O'Connell and Rob Brzezinski have to say about the pick? And what did they learn about the newest Viking?
April 24 · 27 min
Justin Jefferson sees Kyler Murray as a "spark," and news from start of Vikings' offseason program
Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker recap what they heard on Day 1 of the Vikings' offseason program from wide receiver Justin Jefferson, head coach Kevin O'Connell and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski. How did Jefferson react to Kyler Murray's signing? What has his offseason training with J.J. McCarthy looked like? Plus, Jonathan Greenard not present for offseason program opening, and Ivan Pace Jr. re-signs.
April 20 · 29 min
Vikings mailbag: Draft needs? First-round WR or TE? GM job?
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker open the mailbag and answer your Vikings questions about the upcoming NFL Draft. Trading up for top running back Jeremiyah Love? What position could see multiple draft picks? What about a first-round pass catcher like Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq? They also discuss the general manager job and the Vikings' search following the draft.
April 17 · 46 min
Dillon Thieneman? Jadarian Price? A center? How Vikings could use four Top 100 picks
Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker kick off NFL draft month by discussing some options the Vikings could explore at each of their four currently slated Top 100 pick positions. Why is Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman a near-unanimous mock draft at No. 18? Would the Vikings consider Notre Dame's Jadarian Price in Round 2? Where does the need for a long-term center come in to the equation?
April 8 · 44 min
How does Vikings brass feel about their QB room? Debriefing NFL owner's meetings
Ben Goessling and Emily Leiker discuss Emily's time at the NFL Annual Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore, where Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, co-owner Mark Wilf and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski all spoke with media. How do the Vikings feel about their quarterback room after the Murray acquisition? Where are they at in their search for a GM? Plus, answers to a few listener questions.
April 1 · 49 min
Vikings bidding to host NFL Draft, plus how Wentz fits with Murray and McCarthy
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss various Vikings-related topics, including the team's involvement in pushing to host an upcoming NFL Draft, free-agent signings from QB Carson Wentz to P Johnny Hekker, and last week's retirement event for Adam Thielen and C.J. Ham.
March 27 · 50 min
What exactly are the Vikings getting in Kyler Murray? ESPN's Josh Weinfuss lets us know
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker welcome Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss from ESPN to discuss new Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray's seven seasons in Arizona. What is fair or not fair about the book on Murray to this point? What exactly are the Vikings getting as a quarterback? As a leader? As a worker? What will be among the more fascinating parts of this experiment?
March 17 · 48 min
Vikings sign Kyler Murray, who says he's ready to compete with J.J. McCarthy
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker return from a video call with new Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray and coach Kevin O'Connell to discuss Murray joining Minnesota. What does this mean for the Vikings offense? What about the stated competition with J.J. McCarthy? Murray has already met Justin Jefferson at Pro Bowls and thrown for 20,000 yards and over 120 touchdown passes in the league, setting up a steep climb for McCarthy, who had the NFL's worst interception rate and third-worst sack rate in 10 starts.
March 13 · 29 min
Vikings free agency: Aaron Jones returns, Harrison Smith released
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the coming and goings on the Vikings roster during the start of NFL free agency. They first discuss running back Aaron Jones' return amid a lackluster RB market. Tight end T.J. Hockenson agreed to a more than $5 million pay cut to stay. Linebacker Eric Wilson's return makes sense. Safety Harrison Smith is released but may still return. The early outside addition is ex-Steelers corner James Pierre; what does he bring? Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is joining the Packers. The Vikings need a punter. Oh, yeah, they need a new quarterback, too, while edge rusher Jonathan Greenard wants a new contract.
March 11 · 42 min

Access Vikings

Which Vikings (non-QB edition) could surprise at training camp?

How will Vikings split camp reps between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy?

Vikings training camp preview: Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy lead position battles

Where does Vikings QB competition stand at end of offseason program? Plus, listener Q&A

Vikings GM Nolan Teasley is 'guided by evaluation, anchored by data'

The Vikings QB competition is underway. How do McCarthy, Murray view it?

The NFL draft is coming to Minnesota, plus updates on Vikings GM search

Vikings sign ex-49ers receiver Jauan Jennings; rookie minicamp takeaways

Vikings' GM search underway; roster in need of veteran help?

Vikings cap 2026 draft with a speedy RB and J.J. McCarthy's fullback friend

Vikings trade Jonathan Greenard to Eagles for two third-round picks

Vikings surprise by drafting first-round defensive tackle Caleb Banks

Justin Jefferson sees Kyler Murray as a "spark," and news from start of Vikings' offseason program

Vikings mailbag: Draft needs? First-round WR or TE? GM job?

Dillon Thieneman? Jadarian Price? A center? How Vikings could use four Top 100 picks

How does Vikings brass feel about their QB room? Debriefing NFL owner's meetings

Vikings bidding to host NFL Draft, plus how Wentz fits with Murray and McCarthy

What exactly are the Vikings getting in Kyler Murray? ESPN's Josh Weinfuss lets us know

Vikings sign Kyler Murray, who says he's ready to compete with J.J. McCarthy

Vikings free agency: Aaron Jones returns, Harrison Smith released