Purple Headlines of the Week: Vikings Training Camp Schedule, Justin Jefferson Trade Nonsense, Dalvin Cook Super Team?

Dalvin Cook and DeAndre Hopkins
Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) looks on during warmups before a wild card game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

As we sit in the “dog days” of the NFL summer, in between the end of minicamp and the start of training camps, the NFL world is in a bit of a lull right now. However, there are still plenty of purple headlines from the past week to take a look at. Here is all the news you may have missed over the past seven days.

Vikings Announce Training Camp Schedule

Vikings Set Training Camp Schedule
Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) talk during training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

After a long wait for when the Minnesota Vikings would officially give fans their training camp schedule, that news finally dropped this week. Vikings camp will officially begin on Saturday, July 29th, and it will go through their final preseason game on August 26th against the Arizona Cardinals. Here is a look at the full schedule of practices that fans can attend:

  • Sat, 7/29 (Noon-5 pm) — Back Together Weekend
  • Mon, 7/31 (Noon-5 pm) — Daily Practice
  • Tue, 8/1 (Noon-5 pm) — Daily Practice
  • Thu, 8/3 (5 pm-10 pm) — Night Practice
  • Sat, 8/5 (Noon-5pm) — Daily Practice
  • Sun, 8/6 (Noon-5pm) — Daily Practice
  • Mon, 8/7 (Noon-5pm) — Daily Practice
  • Tue, 8/8 (5 pm-10 pm) — Night Practice
  • Sat, 8/12 (TBA) — Daily Practice
  • Sun, 8/13 (Noon-5pm) — Daily Practice
  • Wed, 8/16 (TBA) — Joint vs. TEN
  • Thu, 8/17 (TBA) — Joint vs. TEN
  • Wed, 8/23 (TBA) — Joint vs. ARI
  • Thu, 8/24 (TBA) — Joint vs. ARI

Justin Jefferson for No. 1 Pick?

Vikings Questions
Dec 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) runs after a catch against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

You know it’s summer when we start talking about Justin Jefferson trades. This week, popular media company, SKOR North, tweeted out a clip from a podcast where they discussed a potential trade of star WR Justin Jefferson in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Obviously, the clip blew up and had fans talking for days. The logic behind this one is that it would give the Vikings a surefire way to pick their QB of the future in what looks like a talented draft class. On the flipside, though, you part with arguably the best receiver in the league. All three hosts agreed that they would do so. It’s certainly intriguing when looked at solely from this lens, but the reality is that drafting a QB, even first overall, is oftentimes a crapshoot. It would be a huge risk for the Vikings to try this move.

Dalvin Cook Has Interest in Teaming Up with DeAndre Hopkins

The Vikings Could Be Shaking Things Up in Their RB Room
Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs on the field during warmups before a wild card game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings released Dalvin Cook a few weeks ago, and to this point, he remains unsigned by any other teams. However, it appears the former Vikings running back might be interested in forming a bit of a super-team.

Cook recently talked with Adam Schefter about his free agency, and he made the point that he would be very interested in teaming up with DeAndre Hopkins, who was released by the Arizona Cardinals earlier this spring. Hopkins is a three-time All-Pro member, and the additions of both he and Cook to an offense would be huge for any team.

In Case You Missed It…

NFL: New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings
Oct 28, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass against the New Orleans Saints during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

As usual, we have a list of additional reading for the extra-studious Vikings fans that may have missed these headlines over the course of the week. Happy reading!

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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