Emily Leiker
@emleiker.bsky.social
vikings beat for star-tribune • mizzou made • washington-born • lover of all pop culture
📸 (IG) eleiker.writes
📧 [email protected]
📸 (IG) eleiker.writes
📧 [email protected]
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard was at practice today. Stretched with the group and then was off to the side, but in the typical capacity we see some vets do individual warm-ups — not on the rehab field.
November 20, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard was at practice today. Stretched with the group and then was off to the side, but in the typical capacity we see some vets do individual warm-ups — not on the rehab field.
From yesterday: J.J. McCarthy said what and how he's learning under the Vikings is "very new" and "very different" from what he's been taught previously as a QB.
His veteran teammates are stepping up to help the cement dry faster on his foundation.
bit.ly/4o9Agzs
His veteran teammates are stepping up to help the cement dry faster on his foundation.
bit.ly/4o9Agzs
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is ‘rewiring neurological pathways’ in his adjustment to NFL
The team’s veteran players are supporting the second-year QB after a rough outing in a loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.
www.startribune.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:47 PM
From yesterday: J.J. McCarthy said what and how he's learning under the Vikings is "very new" and "very different" from what he's been taught previously as a QB.
His veteran teammates are stepping up to help the cement dry faster on his foundation.
bit.ly/4o9Agzs
His veteran teammates are stepping up to help the cement dry faster on his foundation.
bit.ly/4o9Agzs
New ep. of Access Vikings is out now: @bengoessling.bsky.social rejoins @andrewkrammer.bsky.social and I as we hit the usual QB talk, that final Bears KR and Ryan Kelly practicing in full. Plus, what awaits the Vikings at Lambeau.
Watch ⤵️ or listen wherever you get your pods.
youtu.be/spAJ34k99h4
Watch ⤵️ or listen wherever you get your pods.
youtu.be/spAJ34k99h4
Vikings prepare for Packers while still waiting for J.J. McCarthy's foundation to set
Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker preview the Vikings' annual trip to Lambeau Field on Sunday. They discuss quarterback J.J. McCarthy's development with seven games left on the schedule,…
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 2:07 AM
New ep. of Access Vikings is out now: @bengoessling.bsky.social rejoins @andrewkrammer.bsky.social and I as we hit the usual QB talk, that final Bears KR and Ryan Kelly practicing in full. Plus, what awaits the Vikings at Lambeau.
Watch ⤵️ or listen wherever you get your pods.
youtu.be/spAJ34k99h4
Watch ⤵️ or listen wherever you get your pods.
youtu.be/spAJ34k99h4
Wednesday’s Vikings-Packers practice report.
Two DNP’s for the Vikings, who held a walk-through instead of normal practice: Will Fries and Jonathan Greenard. KOC said earlier Greenard would do work on the side field today, though.
Two DNP’s for the Vikings, who held a walk-through instead of normal practice: Will Fries and Jonathan Greenard. KOC said earlier Greenard would do work on the side field today, though.
November 19, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Wednesday’s Vikings-Packers practice report.
Two DNP’s for the Vikings, who held a walk-through instead of normal practice: Will Fries and Jonathan Greenard. KOC said earlier Greenard would do work on the side field today, though.
Two DNP’s for the Vikings, who held a walk-through instead of normal practice: Will Fries and Jonathan Greenard. KOC said earlier Greenard would do work on the side field today, though.
Threading 🧵 some of our @stribsports.startribune.com coverage of yesterday's game, ICYMI, starting with @andrewkrammer.bsky.social's gamer:
"That’s how thin the margin becomes when McCarthy throws two interceptions in the first half"
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
"That’s how thin the margin becomes when McCarthy throws two interceptions in the first half"
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
After more J.J. McCarthy miscues, ‘that one play’ turns a Vikings win into a loss
The Vikings took a sudden fourth-quarter lead that just as quickly disappeared when special teams lifted the Bears to a 19-17 victory.
www.startribune.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Threading 🧵 some of our @stribsports.startribune.com coverage of yesterday's game, ICYMI, starting with @andrewkrammer.bsky.social's gamer:
"That’s how thin the margin becomes when McCarthy throws two interceptions in the first half"
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
"That’s how thin the margin becomes when McCarthy throws two interceptions in the first half"
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Aaron Jones Sr., who rushed a season-high 16 times vs. the Bears, called out to J.J. McCarthy as the young QB walked away from shaking hands with his RBs in the locker room postgame.
Jones wanted McCarthy to know he was proud of him, even after another hard day.
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Jones wanted McCarthy to know he was proud of him, even after another hard day.
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Vikings lean on their running backs as J.J. McCarthy struggles again
Aaron Jones Sr., who combined with Jordan Mason to rush 22 times for 115 yards, knows a lot about helping along a young QB.
www.startribune.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Aaron Jones Sr., who rushed a season-high 16 times vs. the Bears, called out to J.J. McCarthy as the young QB walked away from shaking hands with his RBs in the locker room postgame.
Jones wanted McCarthy to know he was proud of him, even after another hard day.
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Jones wanted McCarthy to know he was proud of him, even after another hard day.
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Postgame ep. of Access Vikings w/ @andrewkrammer.bsky.social is live now. We talk J.J. McCarthy's continued struggles in the Vikings' 19-17 loss to the Bears, run game, where the defense stepped up and the special teams impact.
Watch ⤵️ or listen wherever you get your pods.
youtu.be/wWfOxsHSHhI
Watch ⤵️ or listen wherever you get your pods.
youtu.be/wWfOxsHSHhI
J.J. McCarthy's struggles continue as Vikings lose rematch with Bears
Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the Vikings' 19-17 loss to the Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, which finished with a 48-yard game-winning field goal by Bears kicker Cairos Santos. Among…
youtu.be
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Postgame ep. of Access Vikings w/ @andrewkrammer.bsky.social is live now. We talk J.J. McCarthy's continued struggles in the Vikings' 19-17 loss to the Bears, run game, where the defense stepped up and the special teams impact.
Watch ⤵️ or listen wherever you get your pods.
youtu.be/wWfOxsHSHhI
Watch ⤵️ or listen wherever you get your pods.
youtu.be/wWfOxsHSHhI
Notebook 📓 from the Vikings' loss to the Bears:
- "He was huge"
- Smith & family celebrate 200th game
- Former Viking shot in NYC
+ one more note
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
- "He was huge"
- Smith & family celebrate 200th game
- Former Viking shot in NYC
+ one more note
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
Vikings escape Bears loss with no in-game injuries despite Isaiah Rodgers scare
Vikings cornerback Isaiah Rodgers made a helmet-to-helmet collision vs. the Bears and had to be checked for a concussion in the second quarter but returned to the game.
www.startribune.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Notebook 📓 from the Vikings' loss to the Bears:
- "He was huge"
- Smith & family celebrate 200th game
- Former Viking shot in NYC
+ one more note
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
- "He was huge"
- Smith & family celebrate 200th game
- Former Viking shot in NYC
+ one more note
www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...
J.J. McCarthy’s opening line at the podium postgame: “Absolutely sucks. Gut-wrenching loss for us.”
November 16, 2025 at 9:47 PM
J.J. McCarthy’s opening line at the podium postgame: “Absolutely sucks. Gut-wrenching loss for us.”
FINAL: 19-17, Bears win on a 48-yard Cairos Santos field goal.
The Vikings took a 1-point lead with under a minute left. A 56-yard kick return by Devin Duvernay set up the Bears' game-winning drive.
The Vikings took a 1-point lead with under a minute left. A 56-yard kick return by Devin Duvernay set up the Bears' game-winning drive.
November 16, 2025 at 9:04 PM
FINAL: 19-17, Bears win on a 48-yard Cairos Santos field goal.
The Vikings took a 1-point lead with under a minute left. A 56-yard kick return by Devin Duvernay set up the Bears' game-winning drive.
The Vikings took a 1-point lead with under a minute left. A 56-yard kick return by Devin Duvernay set up the Bears' game-winning drive.
Rookie Ty Ingram-Dawkins with a tackle for loss to bring up third-and-long for the Bears.
November 16, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Rookie Ty Ingram-Dawkins with a tackle for loss to bring up third-and-long for the Bears.
And then there Addison goes getting his second catch -- a 15-yard TD -- to give the Vikings the lead with 50 seconds to go.
Sports, man.
Vikings, 17
Bears, 16
4Q | 0:50
Sports, man.
Vikings, 17
Bears, 16
4Q | 0:50
November 16, 2025 at 8:56 PM
And then there Addison goes getting his second catch -- a 15-yard TD -- to give the Vikings the lead with 50 seconds to go.
Sports, man.
Vikings, 17
Bears, 16
4Q | 0:50
Sports, man.
Vikings, 17
Bears, 16
4Q | 0:50
That fourth-down conversion was Jordan Addison's first catch of the day. He'd been targeted five times previously.
November 16, 2025 at 8:55 PM
That fourth-down conversion was Jordan Addison's first catch of the day. He'd been targeted five times previously.
Bears went heavy on their run game after the Vikings' touchdown. Vikings defense again gets a good stop, holding Swift for no gain on a third-and-3 in Minnesota territory.
Bears kicker Cairos Santos misses a field goal wide left.
Bears kicker Cairos Santos misses a field goal wide left.
November 16, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Bears went heavy on their run game after the Vikings' touchdown. Vikings defense again gets a good stop, holding Swift for no gain on a third-and-3 in Minnesota territory.
Bears kicker Cairos Santos misses a field goal wide left.
Bears kicker Cairos Santos misses a field goal wide left.
Jordan Mason carries in a 16-yard touchdown, and McCarthy high-fives or hugs just about every member of the offense, finishing with Mason himself. Reichard clears the PAT.
Vikings, 10
Bears, 16
4Q | 12:33
Vikings, 10
Bears, 16
4Q | 12:33
November 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Jordan Mason carries in a 16-yard touchdown, and McCarthy high-fives or hugs just about every member of the offense, finishing with Mason himself. Reichard clears the PAT.
Vikings, 10
Bears, 16
4Q | 12:33
Vikings, 10
Bears, 16
4Q | 12:33
The Vikings defense is doing its best to keep this one manageable. Andrew Van Ginkel with a big play there to close that Bears drive.
And then Myles Price tacks on a huge return on the punt -- 42 yards. He's pretty pumped up after, looking up at the crowd.
And then Myles Price tacks on a huge return on the punt -- 42 yards. He's pretty pumped up after, looking up at the crowd.
November 16, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The Vikings defense is doing its best to keep this one manageable. Andrew Van Ginkel with a big play there to close that Bears drive.
And then Myles Price tacks on a huge return on the punt -- 42 yards. He's pretty pumped up after, looking up at the crowd.
And then Myles Price tacks on a huge return on the punt -- 42 yards. He's pretty pumped up after, looking up at the crowd.
Boos still louder for Packers highlights than anything else at the Bank, fwiw. Vikings visit Lambeau next week.
November 16, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Boos still louder for Packers highlights than anything else at the Bank, fwiw. Vikings visit Lambeau next week.
End of the 3Q: 16-3, Bears.
Feels wider than a 13-point gap. Vikings offense has ended five drives with punts and two others with interceptions.
Feels wider than a 13-point gap. Vikings offense has ended five drives with punts and two others with interceptions.
November 16, 2025 at 8:19 PM
End of the 3Q: 16-3, Bears.
Feels wider than a 13-point gap. Vikings offense has ended five drives with punts and two others with interceptions.
Feels wider than a 13-point gap. Vikings offense has ended five drives with punts and two others with interceptions.
More boos, louder this time, at U.S. Bank Stadium as the Vikings offense exits the field again for the punt unit.
November 16, 2025 at 8:15 PM
More boos, louder this time, at U.S. Bank Stadium as the Vikings offense exits the field again for the punt unit.
A false start called on Christian Darrisaw moves a third-and-2 to a third-and-7. McCarthy's pass is wide right of Jefferson, and boos ring out at the Bank.
November 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM
A false start called on Christian Darrisaw moves a third-and-2 to a third-and-7. McCarthy's pass is wide right of Jefferson, and boos ring out at the Bank.
Bears add a 54-yard field goal on their first drive of the half. Kevin O'Connell challenged a second-down catch that would've moved the chains, won it and then the Bears lost two yards on the third down right before the FG attempt.
Vikings, 3
Bears, 13
3Q | 10:31
Vikings, 3
Bears, 13
3Q | 10:31
November 16, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Bears add a 54-yard field goal on their first drive of the half. Kevin O'Connell challenged a second-down catch that would've moved the chains, won it and then the Bears lost two yards on the third down right before the FG attempt.
Vikings, 3
Bears, 13
3Q | 10:31
Vikings, 3
Bears, 13
3Q | 10:31
Aaron Jones carried a season-high 10 times (yes, you're reading that right) in just the first half. His previous high was 9 carries against both the Lions and Ravens these past two weeks.
He's got 42 yards on those carries. His season-high single-game yardage is 78 (at Detroit).
He's got 42 yards on those carries. His season-high single-game yardage is 78 (at Detroit).
November 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Aaron Jones carried a season-high 10 times (yes, you're reading that right) in just the first half. His previous high was 9 carries against both the Lions and Ravens these past two weeks.
He's got 42 yards on those carries. His season-high single-game yardage is 78 (at Detroit).
He's got 42 yards on those carries. His season-high single-game yardage is 78 (at Detroit).
Halftime: 10-3, Bears.
McCarthy's second interception of the day, this time targeting Jordan Addison in the end zone and picked by Nahshon Wright, ended an attempt at tying things up before the break. Bears get the ball to start the second half, too.
McCarthy's second interception of the day, this time targeting Jordan Addison in the end zone and picked by Nahshon Wright, ended an attempt at tying things up before the break. Bears get the ball to start the second half, too.
November 16, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Halftime: 10-3, Bears.
McCarthy's second interception of the day, this time targeting Jordan Addison in the end zone and picked by Nahshon Wright, ended an attempt at tying things up before the break. Bears get the ball to start the second half, too.
McCarthy's second interception of the day, this time targeting Jordan Addison in the end zone and picked by Nahshon Wright, ended an attempt at tying things up before the break. Bears get the ball to start the second half, too.
Vikings defense holds the Bears on the short field following the INT and force them to settle for a 38-yard field goal.
Vikings, 3
Bears, 10
2Q | 2:00
Vikings, 3
Bears, 10
2Q | 2:00
November 16, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Vikings defense holds the Bears on the short field following the INT and force them to settle for a 38-yard field goal.
Vikings, 3
Bears, 10
2Q | 2:00
Vikings, 3
Bears, 10
2Q | 2:00
McCarthy's picked off, and the Vikings defense -- including Isaiah Rodgers -- is back on the field.
November 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
McCarthy's picked off, and the Vikings defense -- including Isaiah Rodgers -- is back on the field.