The Vikings’ Training Camp Schedule Is Here
We’re slowly reaching the end of the boring offseason that lacks action following the draft. The good news is that training camp is just over a month away, and things are heating up. The Minnesota Vikings announced their annual training camp dates on Tuesday.
Vikings Training Camp is around the corner.
On Tuesday, Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling tweeted, “The Vikings will hold 12 open practices during training camp, beginning on July 26 and concluding on Aug. 13-14, when the Patriots are in Eagan for joint practices. Tickets for practices are available today on the team website.”
Alec Lewis of The Athletic provided more details: “The Vikings announced some training camp info. — 12 open practices — Back together weekend: July 26 — First padded practice: July 28 — Night practice: Aug. 4.”
Training camp is when things get serious for the players. Head coach Kevin O’Connell keeps emphasizing that OTAs and minicamp are just there for players to get familiar with each other and their situation, while live bullets start flying in training camp. They can lose or clinch roles or roster spots for the upcoming season.
The Vikings provide more information here. Tickets are now available.
Vikings Territory on Training Camp
Vikings Territory’s Dustin Baker wrote about training camp: “One highlight each summer — when rain doesn’t ruin the festivities — is the famous Night Practice. It’s the one time all camp where the team scrimmages under the lights of primetime, and the club typically has fireworks at the end of the event.”
He endorses the night practice.
“Folks can also avoid, to an extent, the sometimes dreadful Minnesota sun and heat with the Night Practice outing. This year, that’s on August 4th.”
Last season, the weather was the reason for the delayed night practice. It took place about a week later than originally scheduled.
Main Attractions
In the 2025 edition of the training camp, there will be some big-time attractions.
1. J.J. McCarthy In Action
We have not seen much from J.J. McCarthy in his young NFL career. Folks who went to last year’s camp got a good look at their new franchise quarterback. The others have only seen him in about two quarters in last year’s preseason against the Las Vegas Raiders and a handful of clips from practice.
He has yet to be named a starter.
2. First-Rounder Vs. Veteran
The Vikings drafted left guard Donovan Jackson with the intention of starting him there for years to come. However, incumbent left guard Blake Brandel is still around, and he wants to defend his spot. In 2022, everyone expected Lewis Cine to replace Cam Bynum. Well, he didn’t.
3. Front Row for the Justin Jefferson Show
Few NFL players shine as bright as potential Hall of Famer Justin Jefferson. The man just turned 26 years old, and his resume of NFL records is breathtaking. Watching him in action is worth a trip to the Twin Cities. In addition to his otherworldly play on the field, he is an entertaining player and has become a leader for the Vikings.
4. Cornerback Rotation
The Vikings lost three cornerbacks from last year. Instead, it will be a mix of Mekhi Blackmon, Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah fighting for spots next to Byron Murphy Jr., potentially a wild card like Dwight McGlothern or Ambry Thomas could enter that race. The franchise doesn’t have many huge competitions this year, but cornerback could be one.