Per multiple reports, the Minnesota Vikings suspended their offensive coordinator following an arrest in December. The Vikings are in their offseason period and are doing their homework on quarterbacks ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft later this month.
Wes Phillips was arrested in December
May 20, 2019; Thousand Oaks, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Wes Phillips during organized team activities at Cal Lutheran University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Per GH Media files, Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was arrested in December on a misdemeanor charge of DWI:Ezoic
Minnesota’s offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was arrested on Friday night for misdemeanor driving while intoxicated. Phillips, the son of former NFL head coach Wade Phillips, notified the team about the arrest and is expected to join them for the game against the Las Vegas Raiders this week.
The team contacted the NFL this morning and discussed what the next steps taken will be with Phillips. The NFL concluded that the offensive coordinator will be able to travel with the team to Las Vegas for this week’s game. There is still more information to be gathered at this time, and Phillips and the team have declined to make any further comments on the situation at this time.
Per Sports Illustrated, Phillips pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of careless driving in February.
The Minnesota Vikings suspended Phillips
Oct 13, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight ends coach Wes Phillips looks on during the first half against the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
According to Kevin Seifert with ESPN, the Vikings suspended Phillips for three weeks without pay following the plea deal. The suspension starts Tuesday and will end on April 22.Ezoic
The Vikings have suspended offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for 3 weeks without pay following the legal resolution of a 2023 traffic stop in Minneapolis. Starts today, concludes 4/22.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) April 2, 2024
The suspension comes at an inopportune time
Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) celebrates after winning 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game against the Washington Huskies at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Even though the suspension won’t come during the regular season, it’s still not an ideal time for Phillips to be suspended. The Vikings have two draft picks in the first round, and they are expected to try to use them to move up and take a quarterback in the top ten.
The Vikings will be without their offensive coordinator’s input for a few weeks as they break down film on prospects and meet with players on official visits this month. Phillips’ suspension will end before the start of the draft, which will take place on April 25.
