4 Vikings Questions with Training Camp Under 4 Weeks Away
Minnesota’s training camp will begin for fans on Saturday, July 26, with the Back Together Weekend. The Vikings’ first padded practice will be on Monday, July 28.
Most players will arrive on July 22nd, while the rookies are scheduled to report a couple of days earlier.
4 Vikings Questions with Training Camp Under 4 Weeks Away
In this year’s training camp, the 2025 version of the Minnesota Vikings will answer some major questions.
1. Will the 2 Sophomores Step Up?
About 14 months ago, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah invested a ton of draft capital to acquire a pair of potential franchise cornerstones when he traded up for quarterback J.J. McCarthy and pass rusher Dallas Turner.
McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus and is now getting the keys to an explosive offense. In OTAs and minicamp, head coach Kevin O’Connell has emphasised that it’s not the time for evaluation, but that starts in training camp. The second-year player has to earn the trust of his teammates and coaches in those reps.
Former Alabama standout defender Turner was limited to a rotational role in his debut year behind two Pro Bowlers. Because Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard haven’t gone anywhere, he still won’t be more than the third outside linebacker, but defensive coordinator Brian Flores claimed he views all three as starters.
For a player as physically gifted as Turner, there’s a decent chance he will turn heads in training camp.
2. Can Any of the “Other” Rookies Claim a Role?
In this year’s first round, the Vikings selected guard Donovan Jackson, who’s the favorite to start in Week 1. But which of the other rookies can enter the rotation?
No other player was selected within the top 100 picks. Tai Felton, a wideout out of Maryland, was the club’s second choice at 102, so naturally, he should have the second-best odds. Indeed, there could be an early opening, even if he doesn’t snatch the WR3 role from Jalen Nailor. If WR2 Jordan Addison earns the anticipated suspension, Felton could enter the lineup.
Georgia defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is expected to audition for an interior pass-rushing role. He’s a gifted athlete, but didn’t play a major role in college. Linebacker Kobe King shares some similarities with Ivan Pace Jr., but can he make the transition from college to the pros as seamlessly? And finally, tight end Gavin Bartholomew wants to claim the TE3 job behind T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. Missing time in the spring didn’t help.
Of course, we can’t forget the undrafted rookies. CB Zemaiah Vaughn and OLB Tyler Batty have gotten some buzz.
3. Is the Offensive Line Ready?
O’Connell presented his desired offensive line right after the draft: “Envisioning [Jackson] being on a front with potentially Ryan Kelly and Christian Darrisaw, Will Fries and Brian O’Neill. That’s a pretty formidable group on paper. We’ve got to make it come to life on the grass.”
The first step towards that unit is Donovan Jackson beating out incumbent starter Blake Brandel. Although that is the expected outcome, it’s not guaranteed by any means.
More in question is the availability of two starters: Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries.
Darrisaw suffered a torn ACL last October. He recently did some drills at mandatory minicamp, but until he’s cleared for full-contact, it’s hard to predict his status. Fries fractured his tibia in October. He has yet to practice with the team.
4. Is the Secondary Good Enough?
In the secondary, the Vikings lost safety Cam Bynum as well as cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin. To replace them, the club signed corners Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah (Mekhi Blackmon returns from his injury absence), and safety Theo Jackson was re-signed.
The decision-makers hope Rodgers is ready for a starting role after years of being a rotational player. He is just coming off a Super Bowl title with the Eagles. If he is ready, one of Blackmon or Okudah would have to show enough to warrant such a rotational role, with approximately 40-50% of defensive snaps.
Safety Jackson has played well in very few snaps, but does that translate to a full-time role? If one of those guys isn’t up for the task, signing a veteran is an option.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
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