Emily Leiker
Sports Reporter
Emily Leiker covers the Vikings for the Minnesota Star Tribune. She was previously the Syracuse football beat writer for Syracuse.com & The Post-Standard, covering everything from bowl games to coaching changes and even a player-filed lawsuit against SU. Emily graduated from Mizzou in 2022 is originally from Washington state.
Latest from Emily Leiker
Minnesotans Luci Anderson, Margie Freed to make Olympic debuts in ‘drama-filled’ sport
The two will compete for Team USA in biathlon, which blends cross-country skiing and rifle shooting and is popular in Europe.
February 6, 2026
‘Competitive rebuild’ and QB questions: Decisions that defined Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s Vikings tenure
The Vikings general manager was fired after four seasons marked by draft pick misses and quarterback departures.
February 1, 2026
![From left, Vikings co-owner Zygi WIlf, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, head coach Kevin O'Connell and co-owner Mark Wilf pose for a photo before a press conference introducing O'Connell as head coach Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022 at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minn. ] AARON LAVINSKY • aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/APFTWRKEJ7IGFZVEE5MJI5Q3MA.jpg?&w=252&ar=3:2&fit=crop)
Editor's Pick
Meet Minnesota’s athletes competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy
Minnesota will be well represented, with 37 Team USA athletes with connections to the state at the Milan Cortina Games from Feb. 4-22.
February 1, 2026
Commanders hire Vikings assistant Daronte Jones as their defensive coordinator
Daronte Jones, the defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, spent five total seasons with the Vikings, four of them under head coach Kevin O’Connell.
January 30, 2026
Vikings receiver Jordan Addison will not face charges after arrest in Florida
Receiver Jordan Addison was arrested at a casino in Tampa, Fla., on Jan. 12 and slated to be charged with first-degree misdemeanor trespassing.
January 20, 2026
Vikings moving on from offensive line coach Kuper
The Vikings played more than 20 different O-line combinations as injuries racked the starting five.
January 18, 2026
Former Vikings WR Adam Thielen makes retirement official: ‘What a ride it’s been’
Thielen, a Minnesota native, requested to be waived by the Vikings midseason and closed his 13-year career with the Steelers.
January 14, 2026
Kevin O’Connell says Vikings have been ‘really aggressive’ in push to retain DC Brian Flores
Flores interviewed Jan. 13 for a head coaching role and could talk to other teams about defensive coordinator openings if a deal isn’t reached with the Vikings soon.
January 13, 2026
Vikings rookie report cards: Donovan Jackson excelled; undrafted players stepped up
Undrafted rookies Max Brosmer and Myles Price ended up as key contributors during the season, but most of the Vikings’ 2025 draft picks had quiet years.
January 8, 2026
Justin Jefferson’s offseason plan with QB J.J. McCarthy? ‘Getting my young’un right.’
The Vikings receiver called for leniency for McCarthy, who was making his first pro starts this season, while acknowledging needing to help him clean up “small bad habits.”
January 5, 2026
Key stats that defined the Vikings’ 2025 season: Injuries, turnovers and more
An inconsistent offensive line and an anemic passing game were among the Vikings’ biggest problems during a disappointing year.
January 5, 2026
J.J. McCarthy returns to practice from hand injury, calls himself ‘day-to-day’
McCarthy missed his seventh game of the season against the Lions and was limited in his return to the practice field for the first time since Week 16.
December 31, 2025
