Vikings Lose Rising Star Assistant as Grant Udinski Joins Jaguars’ Staff
Just when it seemed like the Minnesota Vikings would keep their coaching staff intact this offseason, one of their brightest young assistants is heading elsewhere. Grant Udinski, the Vikings’ assistant quarterbacks coach, has been hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars to serve as their new offensive coordinator under first-time head coach Liam Coen.
At just 29 years old, Udinski might not be a household name, but within NFL circles, his stock has been rising rapidly. Over the past few weeks, he interviewed with five teams for offensive coordinator positions before securing the job in Duval County, where he’ll now work with Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ offense.
Udinski’s impact in Minnesota was undeniable. After Kevin O’Connell brought him on board in 2022, he quickly climbed the ranks—first earning a promotion to assistant quarterbacks coach in 2023, then adding assistant offensive coordinator to his title in 2024. His work alongside O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown was instrumental in Sam Darnold’s career resurgence last season, as the veteran quarterback put together his best NFL campaign to date.
While Udinski will have the offensive coordinator title in Jacksonville, reports indicate that Coen will handle play-calling duties for the Jaguars. Regardless, this move solidifies Udinski as one of the league’s most promising young coaching talents.
As he begins this next chapter, we wish Grant Udinski success—except, of course, when the Jaguars and Vikings eventually meet again, which isn’t scheduled until 2028.
