Minnesota Vikings Hire Former NFL QB as Defensive Assistant

The Minnesota Vikings have been rather lucky during this year’s coaching carousel. Only one assistant has been poached from their 14-3 team so far, as Grant Udinski took the Jaguars’ OC job. Outside of that loss, all signs point to Kevin O’Connell running it back with last season’s crew. That doesn’t mean the Vikings won’t look to add coaching talent, if given the opportunity.

Recently, the MN Vikings hired Jordan Traylor as their new assistant QB coach, a move that became official on Tuesday. Traylor is essentially taking over for Udinski. But it was the other coaching hire the Vikings announced today that raised some eyebrows.

Minnesota Vikings bring in Charlie Frye

In a somewhat rare move, the Minnesota Vikings have decided to hire a former NFL quarterback to the defensive coaching staff. That former QB is former Browns draft pick, Charlie Frye, who is being hired on as a defensive assistant for Brian Flores. This is the first defensive coaching position of Frye’s career.

The #Vikings have hired Jordan Traylor (assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach) and Charlie Frye (defensive assistant) to the 2025 coaching staff.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 18, 2025

Frye does have offensive coaching experience, however. He’s spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator and QBs coach for Florida Atlantic University. Under his tutelage, the Owls averaged less yards per game than under the previous OC, but did improve in completion percentage.

In fact, their 64.3% completion rate in 2023 ranked 31st in all the FBS, despite starting QB Casey Thompson missing the season with injury. In other words, there are few people in the football world who doubt Frye’s coaching chops.

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Before FAU, Charlie Frye held the same position at Central Michigan, for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. After that, he had a brief stint as QB coach of the Miami Dolphins, in 2021, where he coached under Flores. Most likely, that connection is what got him the job today.

Charlie Frye brings playing experience to coaching ranks

Frye had a short NFL playing career after being selected in the third round of the 2005 draft by the Cleveland Browns. There, he started 19 games, compiling a 6-13 regular season record. Before the 2008 season, Frye was traded to the Seahawks, where he served as their third string QB.

After leaving Seattle, Frye signed with the Oakland Raiders for the 2009 season, where he started the final three games of that season before undergoing career-ending wrist surgery in 2010. During his 5-year NFL career, Frye totaled 4,154 yards, 17 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

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It was an unexpected outcome following a successful four years at Akron, where Frye broke 54 school records, including completion percentage, yards, touchdowns and interceptions. Despite his brilliance, the Zips never made a bowl game while Frye was under center for LeBron James’ hometown college.

Hiring an offensive mind to a defensive position is certainly an odd move from the Minnesota Vikings. Perhaps this will give the staff a fresh perspective when looking at film or during practice. Frye’s time at OC was not exactly groundbreaking either, so maybe his expertise will be better suited in a different role.

Flores is familiar with Frye after their year in Miami together, so he probably trusts him enough to make the move to the other side of the ball. For Frye, this is a chance to coach again at the highest level, an opportunity that he couldn’t let pass him by.