Vikings suspend OC Wes Phillips 3 weeks after resolution of December ’23 DWI arrest

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ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported that the Minnesota Vikings confirmed the suspension of offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for three weeks without pay following the legal resolution of a 2023 traffic stop in Minneapolis. The suspension began Tuesday and will run until April 22, with Phillips returning to work on April 23.

The Star Tribune noted Phillips was arrested on Dec. 8 for suspicion of drunken driving. Phillips had been stopped on Interstate Highway 394 at approximately 9:45 p.m. CT.  Minnesota State Patrol stated that a Philips showed signs of impairment, with his blood alcohol content testing at 0.10 (the legal limit in Minnesota is 0.08). Phillips was booked into the Hennepin County jail and released early the next morning after posting $300 bond. He accompanied the team to Las Vegas later that day and continued working through the end of the regular season.

The 45-year-old Phillips entered a guilty plea to an amended charge of misdemeanor careless driving on Feb. 15; paying a $300 fine and $78 surcharge. He was assigned to perform eight hours of community work at a nonprofit within 60 days.

Phillips, the son of former NFL head coach Wade Phillips and grandson of Bum Phillips, is going into his third year as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator (per SI.com). Phillips also coached with the Cowboys and several college programs earlier in his career.

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