Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson believes the Vikings are too nice to win a Super Bowl. In string of tweets, Henderson criticized his former organization and head coach Kevin O’Connell.
“Folks don’t want to hear this, but as long as the Vikes locker room is filled with nice guys, they ain’t gonna win,” Henderson tweeted. “Attitude reflects leadership and the Vikes are a nice family-oriented organization top to bottom.”
The Vikings fired Mike Zimmer after the 2021 season, which led to another former linebacker, Eric Kendricks, to say Zimmer created a “fear-based culture.” In came O’Connell, who oh by the way earned A+ in the NFLPA’s annual report card.
O’Connell led the Vikings to a 13-4 record in his first season but the Vikings slumped to 7-10 in 2023 due to injuries and poor performance.
While Henderson believes that O’Connell is a better coach than Zimmer, he also thinks O’Connell’s ability to “set the tone” contributed to the Vikings’ decline and that it pales in comparison to Dan Campbell, who led the Detroit Lions to an NFC North championship and a spot in the NFC title game in 2023-24.
Yall don't get it. I'm talking Dan Campbell type dawg that helps other men become Dawgs. How's that playing out? https://t.co/jcGHoQ5HjA
— Erin Henderson (@that1guyerin) April 12, 2024
The Vikings also graded first in 2022 and second in 2023 in the NFLPA’s report card, which is designed to highlight positive clubs, identify areas that could use improvement, and highlight best practices and standards.
By comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs ranked 31st in the rankings but have won each of the past two Super Bowls. But Henderson believes it’s the Chiefs’ mindset on the field that sets them apart, saying they have “dawgs that go compete” and “hold each other accountable.”
Yes. They have dawgs that go compete at several positions and hold each other accountable. https://t.co/V6y8JAHzRM
— Erin Henderson (@that1guyerin) April 12, 2024
Henderson mentioned Vikings safety Lewis Cine hanging in the background during Andrew Booth’s scuffle with Aaron Jones last December, and what he believes is the Vikings’ tendency to play “tender football.”
For what it’s worth, current Vikings safety Josh Metellus seemed to disagree with Henderson’s comments when another user posted them on X.
— Joshua Metellus (@NoExcuses_23) April 13, 2024
Henderson played six of his eight seasons with the Vikings after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Maryland in 2008. The brother of fellow Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson, Erin racked up 295 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks in Minnesota before signing with the New York Jets in 2015.
Henderson spent two seasons in New York before retiring after the 2016 season.
