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Vikings suspend offensive coordinator Wes Phillips three weeks after reaching a settlement for negligent driving

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings suspended offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for three weeks without pay after the assistant coach pleaded guilty to reckless driving last month.

Phillips will be able to return to work on April 23, in time for the NFL Draft, which begins on April 25.

On December 8, Phillips was stopped by police for speeding on Interstate 394 in Minneapolis. His blood alcohol level was 0.10%, the legal limit in the state is 0.08%.

ESPN reported that Phillips pleaded guilty to reckless driving in February. He was fined $300 and sentenced to eight hours of community service. His first charge was driving under the influence. After his arrest, he posted $300 bail before traveling with the team to play the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14. He coached the Vikings’ final five games of the season.

December 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips takes the field before a game between the Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsDecember 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips takes the field before a game between the Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

December 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips takes the field before a game between the Vikings and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“Besides the standards I have for myself, I understand that as a coach in this league, there are certain standards set by the NFL and the Minnesota Vikings, and I have not met those standards,” Phillips said in December, according to ESPN. “The last thing I ever want to do is take attention away from the great things these guys do on the field. … I believe in taking responsibility and learning from your mistakes, accepting whatever discipline comes along the way, growing from it and moving forward with a positive attitude.”

Phillips became the Vikings’ offensive coordinator in 2022, succeeding head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Los Angeles Rams. He won Super Bowl 56 as the pass game coordinator/tight ends coach for the Rams. Under his leadership with the Vikings in 2022, wide receiver Justin Jefferson had an All-Pro season in which he led the league in receptions (128) and yards (1,809). Quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​and tight end TJ Hockenson also each made the Pro Bowl. Cousins ​​tore his Achilles tendon last season, leading the Vikings to start four different quarterbacks. Cousins ​​signed with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason, so the Vikings are reviewing their quarterback options in the draft after signing Sam Darnold as a free agent.

USA TODAY Sports NFL editor Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz’s latest mock draft projects the Vikings to draft Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy with the No. 4 pick in a proposed trade with the Arizona Cardinals.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Minnesota Vikings’ Wes Phillips suspended three weeks for reckless driving