After losing their starter, Kirk Cousins, in a season-ending injury, the Minnesota Vikings team is undergoing an uphill battle with their offense. Though Wes Phillips’ team soon filled the void with Josh Dobbs and witnessed two consecutive wins, they soon lost their rhythm and found themselves on a losing streak, while Cousins’ backup starter has discovered his Vikings stint challenging.
The Vikings’ offensive struggle continued as their offensive coordinator, Philipps, now found himself in the middle of legal trouble ahead of their Las Vegas Raiders showdown.
Why was Wes Phillips arrested?
Wes Phillips was arrested on Friday night and charged with misdemeanor operation of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, according to the Minnesota State Patrol, according to NFL.com. The incident occurred at 9:45 p.m. CT on I-394 in Minneapolis.
At that time, the offensive coordinator displayed signs of impairment, leading to a blood alcohol content test that registered at 0.10, above the legal limit of 0.08 in Minnesota.
He was arrested in the Eden Prairie suburb, and Phillips was booked into the Hennepin County jail at 11 p.m. CT. Remarkably, he was released a few hours later, posting a $300 bond and leaving jail at 1:26 a.m. Phillips, undeterred by the legal turmoil, is set to travel with the team to Las Vegas.
The Minnesota State Patrol’s report sheds light on the timeline of events, emphasizing that Phillips showed signs of impairment during the traffic stop. The legal proceedings are set to unfold, with an initial court appearance scheduled for December 21.
The Vikings organization, in collaboration with the NFL, faces the task of determining any potential disciplinary action against Phillips as the legal process progresses. Meanwhile, he was allowed to travel with the team to Las Vegas for their upcoming game.
Vikings statement after Wes Phillips’ arrest
As the Vikings grapple with off-field turmoil involving offensive coordinator Wes Philips, who is facing arrest, the team promptly acknowledged the situation. In a statement, the Vikings revealed that Philips had informed the team promptly following his arrest. Despite the challenging circumstances, the team announced that Philips would travel with them to Las Vegas, emphasizing an ongoing information-gathering process.
Wes Philips, with a coaching lineage deeply embedded in NFL history, has been a pivotal figure in the Vikings’ offensive strategy for two seasons. Previously the tight ends coach for the Rams, his experience extends across esteemed NFL franchises, including Washington and Dallas.
“Wes immediately notified the team following his arrest last night. This morning we contacted the NFL, and after internal discussion, made the decision Wes will travel with the team to Las Vegas this afternoon. We will continue to gather information regarding the incident and have further comment at the appropriate time,” the statement read.
Wes Phillips, with a football pedigree as the son and grandson of former NFL coaches, had been the tight ends coach for the Rams before joining the Vikings as the offensive coordinator in his second season with the team.
Meanwhile, the Vikings, despite their recent off-field challenges, face on-field trials with back-to-back losses after a promising six out of seven wins. As they enter Sunday’s game against the Raiders, the team holds the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs and is expected to face tough competition amid their WR Justin Jefferson’s injury concern. However, the playoff race is tight, with three other teams also standing at 6-6.
Do you think the Vikings can uplift their position in this upcoming contest?
