NFL’s Vikings assistant coach leaves team after refusing COVID-19 vaccine

A Minnesota Vikings assistant coach has left the team after refusing to get the coronavirus vaccine, sources told ESPN.

Offensive line coach Rick Dennison left the team after choosing not to get vaccinated, and his job has already been filled, the sources said.

Phil Rauscher will take Dennison’s spot and Ben Steele, who was the special teams analyst for Auburn, will fill Rauscher’s position, according to ESPN.

The move to leave the team comes after the NFL required Tier 1 employees — those who work directly with players — to be fully vaccinated.

Tier 1 employees who don’t get vaccinated cannot interact with players or be on the field. 

The NFL has also warned teams they could forfeit games this season if there is an outbreak of COVID-19 among unvaccinated players. 

Although the vaccine is not mandated for players, 80 percent of players have been vaccinated, with nine teams having more than 90 percent of players vaccinated.

Dennison is the first NFL coach to leave his post due to the vaccine.

The Hill has reached out to the Vikings for comment.