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
Vikings
Vikings finish 2nd among NFLPA report cards, touted as ‘gold standard’ for treatment of families
The Vikings raised their grade for training staff after offseason changes last year, and they were one of five teams with a perfect score for locker room size.
February 26, 2025
Vikings
The NFL combine begins Monday. Who should the Vikings be watching?
All 32 NFL teams and more than 300 draft prospects will be gathering in Indianapolis next week for the combine. The Vikings could be looking for reinforcements on their offensive and defensive lines, in the secondary and at running back.
February 24, 2025
Vikings
What’s next for the Vikings as offseason focus shifts to free agency, NFL draft
The Vikings have completed a contract extension for head coach Kevin O’Connell and are working toward one with General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. With NFL awards and the Super Bowl in the books, here are the important dates ahead for the team.
February 17, 2025
Gophers
Six Gophers players invited to this month's NFL scouting combine
Offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery is the highest-rated NFL draft prospect among the six Gophers invited to the combine, which begins Feb. 24 in Indianapolis. That's the most players invited to the event since the inception of a centralized combine in 1985.
February 13, 2025
Vikings
Assistant coach Udinski to leave Vikings to become offensive coordinator for Jaguars
It will be his first coordinator role. He interviewed for several open positions during this year’s hiring cycle.
February 6, 2025
Vikings
Vikings' McCarthy says injury recovery is ahead of schedule as he counts down days to OTAs
During an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” this week, Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy talked about his recovery from a torn meniscus and how he’s handling the uncertainty of the team's plans at his position.
February 5, 2025
Vikings
Vikings Kevin O’Connell named Sporting News Coach of the Year by his peers
Sam Darnold won Comeback Player of the Year. Each is also a finalist in their respective category for the media-selected NFL Honors.
January 30, 2025
Vikings
Vikings running backs face uncertainty as team aims to improve rushing attack
Aaron Jones and Cam Akers will both be free agents this offseason and have said they’d like to stay in Minnesota. Whether either does depends on what the team views as the best way to strengthen its rushing attack in 2025.
January 23, 2025
Vikings
Assistant coach Udinski to leave Vikings to become offensive coordinator for Jaguars
It will be his first coordinator role. He interviewed for several open positions during this year’s hiring cycle.
February 6, 2025
Vikings
Vikings' McCarthy says injury recovery is ahead of schedule as he counts down days to OTAs
During an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” this week, Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy talked about his recovery from a torn meniscus and how he’s handling the uncertainty of the team's plans at his position.
February 5, 2025
Vikings
Vikings Kevin O’Connell named Sporting News Coach of the Year by his peers
Sam Darnold won Comeback Player of the Year. Each is also a finalist in their respective category for the media-selected NFL Honors.
January 30, 2025
Vikings
Vikings running backs face uncertainty as team aims to improve rushing attack
Aaron Jones and Cam Akers will both be free agents this offseason and have said they’d like to stay in Minnesota. Whether either does depends on what the team views as the best way to strengthen its rushing attack in 2025.
January 23, 2025