What to Expect from Vikings OTAs
The long offseason is finally winding down, and the new focus is on OTAs, minicamp, and eventually, training camp. On Tuesday, the Vikings showed up for their first OTA (Organized Team Activities).
Unlike training camp, we can’t expect any full-contact practices. There won’t be much roster competition either. So what can we actually envision to learn?
In 2022, ahead of his first season as Minnesota’s head coach, Kevin O’Connell chatted about his goals for OTAs:
“I think you can get a feel for the information the guys have retained and how they’re taking it to the first phase of competitive reps that we’re going to have. Ultimately, the intent is to make sure we show up to training camp in our most competitive environment as we build toward the season in the fall. That’s when the real competition will take place, put the pads on and really play football, but you can definitely get a feel for where the guys are at mentally now, and then physically, as well, as far as how certain skill sets will fit.”
In this phase, he wants to prepare his team for the competitive environment of training camp, when players truly drill for real game action, and folks contend for the coveted 53-man roster spots.
The coach has his players start with the basics. He said last year, “As an ultimate reminder, it is the learning and teaching phase of the offseason program. So, getting out in front of any rep questions, competition questions, tracking of completions and/or handoffs; I’ll go ahead and allow the time of the year to speak for itself, but I will say it is great to see everybody, especially the big group, today.”
The group might install some offensive and defensive plays, but most of the work will happen in the summer, when the players and coaches are around every day for multiple weeks.
A player who has to work on those basics is J.J. McCarthy, the passer who had a disappointing first season as a starter. In his second year in the league, he struggled with his accuracy and timing, two things he can display potential growth in, but also continue to work on in OTAs.
One thing OTAs won’t reveal is the order of the depth chart. The Vikings would be foolish to let the media run away with takeaways such as the identity of the starting quarterback by giving either Kyler Murray or McCarthy all the reps with the top unit. Get ready for way-too-early reports that McCarthy’s arm might look improved or that Murray’s first-overall talent is visible early.
It’s worth noting that OTAs are more of a 7-on-7 passing drill than a full 11-on-11 scrimmage, unlike some instances in training camp.
It is guaranteed that some early sleepers emerge. There are usually a couple of depth players or undrafted rookies who are standing out and making noise. Those under-the-radar players get shout-outs from media members and fans wonder if the player can take that momentum into training camp. Last year, that included cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn.
This year’s OTAs will take place on May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, June 4, and June 15-18. Additionally, the club will hold a mandatory minicamp on June 9-11. Players have to show up to minicamp; the OTAs are voluntary, though the Vikings generally have high attendance.
OTAs are ultimately more about laying the foundation than winning jobs. Still, they provide the first real glimpse of the 2026 Vikings: from the quarterback dynamics to the rookies adjusting to NFL speed. The real answers won’t arrive until training camp, but the next few weeks will at least begin to shape the storylines of Minnesota’s upcoming season.