
Vikings training camp: 10 things I'll be watching when it kicks off
The Minnesota Vikings have offered fans and experts many reasons to be excited over the last three years. First it was the new leadership structure. Then it was the new defensive coordinator. Now it's not just the new quarterback but also an overhauled offensive line and improved interior defensive line. It's depth. It's trust in the people in charge. It's envisioning this as the beginning of something more everlasting.
Advertisement
For all of those reasons, this training camp feels even more hopeful. Here are 10 things I'll be watching Wednesday when practice begins:
The best way to think about this is to think about the great golfers. They shape shots. It's not enough to strike a 7-iron straight down the middle over and over again. There are times they also have to curve a 9-iron around trees and angle wedges up and over bunkers. This comes down to feel. To touch.
McCarthy has admitted that this is his central mechanics challenge. Having the sheer arm strength to hum a pass over the middle is important — and McCarthy has it. But when defenders are dropping from the line of scrimmage, can you arc the ball into small windows? How about in the red zone, when the space shrinks even further?
This skill is often described as 'arm talent,' and it's the one question mark when it comes to McCarthy's throwing.
Let's go through the Vikings' checklist from the offseason.
They needed to overhaul the interior of the offensive line. Check. They needed to add at least one interior defender who could rush the passer. Check. They needed to improve their depth at running back. Check.
Executing extensions was another priority. Minnesota found common ground with edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and tight end Josh Oliver.
The most obvious candidate remaining is Metellus, the homegrown safety whose contract will void after the 2025 season. Can the two sides find common ground? If so, what will the contract figure look like? If not, will Metellus pull any levers to try to force the Vikings' hand?
It's not the most joyful training camp storyline, but it's an important one.
We're not going to start with Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers or Jeff Okudah.
Advertisement
No, we're beginning with Mekhi Blackmon.
The third-year corner is entering a critical camp. He became one of the first defensive draft selections after Brian Flores' hiring as defensive coordinator in 2023. His rookie season was imperfect, as they tend to be, but the competitiveness and ball skills warranted optimism for last year. Blackmon's torn ACL put a hold on those positive thoughts, but now he's back.
He and undrafted second-year cornerback Dwight McGlothern will aim to prove that the team doesn't have to acquire more depth via free agency or trade. The Vikings won't hand either a job. An injury to Murphy or Rodgers would make the situation even more dire. This might be the most unconvincing position on the roster.
Where's No. 15? This'll be an everyday question. How much time will Turner spend with the edge rushers? What about the linebackers? Will he be lining up on the line of scrimmage, or will he be positioned off the ball next to Blake Cashman?
Turner needs more playing time for multiple reasons. It's not just that the Vikings traded a boatload of draft capital to acquire him in 2024; it's also that Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard aren't likely to be able to sustain the workload they contributed last year. Turner's explosiveness should provide Flores a new card to pull to confound quarterbacks.
Physically, Turner can do just about everything. Flores' willingness to move him around the field in training camp and beyond will be telling.
First, a prediction: Fries will become a fan favorite.
This is an inkling born out of conversations with some of the big guard's former coaches, folks who witnessed the nastiness in person. He was one of the premier interior offensive linemen available via free agency, and the Vikings won his commitment with their culture and a hefty sum of money.
Advertisement
Fries, who broke his right leg during the 2024 season, did not participate in spring workouts. Coach Kevin O'Connell spoke optimistically in May about his progress. The more time he spends next to right tackle Brian O'Neill in practice, the better it will be for a front that will be a key cog as the Vikings attempt to return the offense to its roots of marrying the run and pass.
Time to get started.#Skol pic.twitter.com/h88LWhMQwj
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 20, 2025
Speaking of the run, how about a few statistics?
The Vikings rank 29th in the NFL in yards per carry since 2022, 23rd in EPA per rush and 15th in rushing success rate. At best, they're near the middle of the back. At worst, they're near the bottom.
If these numbers don't change in 2025, it's difficult to imagine the Vikings winning a playoff game, something they have not done since O'Connell took over in 2022. They have the run-blocking tight end (Oliver). They have the reinforced interior of the offensive line (Fries, Ryan Kelly and Donovan Jackson). They have a sound running back platoon (Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason).
Now, it's incumbent upon O'Connell and the offensive staff to emphasize this area. No more running as a side project, an afterthought. Maybe that means more time game planning it early in the week. Or maybe it means more boring training camp sessions. If so, bring on the boring.
You want a camp competition? We'll give you a camp competition! How about the sexy battle for the No. 3 tight end spot?
Will this lead segments on sports radio? No. Will this drastically sway the Vikings' win total? Probably not. Underestimating Johnny Mundt's role in previous years, though, would be foolish. He did everything you want a player to do in this role: run block, catch passes on keepers, hold onto the football.
Advertisement
In one corner is Bartholomew, a sixth-round pick from Pittsburgh who looks like the spitting image of Mundt. Bartholomew missed spring practice with an undisclosed injury and, on Monday, was added to the physically unable to perform list, complicating his chances.
In the opposite corner is Yurosek, the Stanford and Georgia product who was highly sought after in undrafted free agency.
May the best man win.
How quickly can a left tackle return from a torn ACL?
Darrisaw presents a fascinating case. He suffered the injury in late October but was already back participating in practice this spring. The Vikings have praised Darrisaw's recovery. But both publicly and privately, they have said they won't rush him back.
But what if he's ready? What if, as training camp progresses, his timetable mandates more work with the new-look offensive line? Minnesota has insurance behind him in the form of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackle Justin Skule, but Darrisaw's presence is pivotal in the Vikings' belief that their offensive line can become one of the NFL's best.
The Vikings offense doesn't need a gadget guy. It has Justin Jefferson. It has T.J. Hockenson. It has Jordan Addison. When you commit the kind of money Minnesota has to these three, there's little room for offensive whackiness.
But why not a smidge? Why not integrate a talent who can be dynamic with the ball in his hands? That's what Moore can potentially provide.
He'll have to prove he's past last year's season-ending knee injury. He'll have to learn O'Connell's dense system on the fly.
But do those things, and Moore could carve out an intriguing role in this offense. Swing passes could offer an extension to the run game. Motion him from one side of the line to the other, and defenses will have to split their attention with the Vikings' star wideouts.
Advertisement
Minnesota ranked 30th in the league in special teams DVOA in 2022 and '23. Last year, the Vikings ranked 27th. Punting wasn't the only culprit, but that phase hasn't been a strength.
That hasn't prevented the Vikings from sticking with Wright, an undrafted signee in 2022. Kicking in training camp is easier to track than punting, but Wright's leash should not be long. Any issues with accuracy or placement, and the Vikings should be scouring the market.
(Photo of Dallas Turner: Matt Krohn / Imagn Images)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Yahoo
Sparks center Cameron Brink says she's 'cleared' from ACL injury, will still ramp up before return
At long last, it looks like Cameron Brink's return is imminent. The Los Angeles Sparks center, who has missed 13 months while recovering from an ACL tear, said Saturday that she has been medically cleared and has started ramping up to a return. "I'm cleared. It's just getting reps at this point. Just getting back up to speed with everybody," Brink told reporters on Saturday ahead of L.A.'s game against the New York Liberty, via The Athletic's Ben Pickman. After months of sitting on the Sparks' injury report as "out," the second-year center was listed as "doubtful" for Saturday's game — raising some eyebrows about a potential return. Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts confirmed Saturday that Brink would not be playing, at least not yet. Despite not playing on Saturday, Brink was seen getting some shots up ahead of the game. In June 2024, Brink was carried off the court after suffering a knee injury during the Sparks' loss to the Connecticut Sun. The next day, the team confirmed that Brink had torn her ACL, and would be out for the season. "You never think it will happen to you," Brink wrote on Instagram after the injury was announced. "And despite all the hard work sometimes it does. This is hard to fathom, but I know it will only make me stronger." In addition to missing the rest of the 2024 WNBA season, Brink was also forced to the miss the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she had been named as a member of Team USA's 3x3 team. Sparks teammate Dearica Hamby joined in Brink's place, helping to lead the team to a bronze medal. Los Angeles has sorely missed Brink over the past year: The Sparks ended the 2024 season dead last with a 8-32 record. So far this season, they are 10-14, currently sitting in 10th place of 13 teams. Although L.A.'s offense has been much better this year — the Sparks currently average the third-highest points per game in the league — they have struggled on rebounds (third worst in the WNBA) and turnovers (second most).
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Yahoo
Aaron Judge officially placed on injured list with flexor strain
Aaron Boone spoke to reporters following another New York Yankees loss on Saturday. The news was not good. He announced the slugger Aaron Judge would be heading to the injured list with a flexor strain. The only good news was that there was no UCL tear to the injury. With the loss on Saturday, the Yankees are now 56-48, and have fallen six games behind the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East. MORE: 710 days: Chicago White Sox finally beat Chicago Cubs Judge is leading all of Major League Baseball with a .342 batting average. He also has clubbed 37 home runs and 85 runs batted in. It will be interesting to see if the Yankees make more moves before Thursday's MLB trade deadline. On Friday, the Yankees acquired Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies. More MLB News The New York Yankees acquire Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies Bryce Harper: 350 homeruns. But, who's next to pass? Kyle Schwarber makes history with fifth inning homerun against Yankees Milwaukee surges to 60 wins and National League's best record Toronto fans urged to lock in Bo Bichette before free agency Polar Bear Pete extends impressive streak in win over Cincinnati Dodgers avoid absolute disaster amid poor play MLB insider reports Guardians listening to trade offers on relievers
Yahoo
a few seconds ago
- Yahoo
Phillies continue to hammer Yankees, Edmundo Sosa says he's fine after pop-up collision with Brandon Marsh
The hard-hitting Philadelphia Phillies delivered one blow that they could have done without Saturday during their 9-4 road win over the New York Yankees. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh accidentally rammed into the back of utility man Edmundo Sosa. Marsh, playing left, was jogging forward. Sosa, playing third base, was backpedaling. They both were going for the Jazz Chisholm Jr. pop-up in shallow left field. Marsh's right elbow appeared to drill Sosa in the back as Sosa made the putout. Sosa held onto the ball long enough to secure the catch before dropping it to the ground, rolling over and grabbing at his back. Marsh, on the other hand, came out of the collision OK. Sosa was down for a couple minutes while receiving attention from trainers. He eventually walked off the field and received a hug from a remorseful Marsh. Sosa patted Marsh on the back of the head. Sosa officially left the game with a back contusion, but he told reporters postgame that he's feeling better and is good to go for Sunday's series finale. Sosa's scare was hardly the injury headliner, though. Yankees superstar right fielder Aaron Judge missed the game with what was ultimately diagnosed as a flexor strain in his right elbow. Fortunately for Judge, the two-time AL MVP isn't dealing with a UCL tear and is expected to have a short stay on the IL. The Phillies were without their starting right fielder, too. Nick Castellanos sat out with a left knee injury that he suffered Friday while running toward the right field wall to make the final out of a 12-5, series-opening win over the Yankees. Castellanos' injury doesn't appear to be serious, as Phillies manager Rob Thompson said before the game that they'll check back on the veteran's knee for Sunday. Before Sosa exited, he deposited a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning. The versatile 29-year-old launched a 424-foot no-doubter to center field. The night before, he helped the Phillies polish off another decisive win over the Yankees with an RBI single that ignited a four-run ninth inning. Sosa's homer Saturday was the Phillies' second big fly of the afternoon. Bryce Harper blasted a 425-foot solo shot in the third inning. Harper's smack to right center was part of Philadelphia's climb to a 4-0 lead through four frames. Then the Phillies distanced themselves in the seventh. Following Sosa's dinger, New York committed its 10th error in the past five games, this one resulting from a Chisholm bobble on a potential inning-ending, double-play grounder. Then surging slugger Kyle Schwarber drove home two runs with a double to center field. Schwarber now has five extra-base hits — including four home runs — and 10 RBI in his last four games. The Yankees faced a 9-1 deficit, having allowed at least seven runs for the fifth time in their eight games since the All-Star break. They scattered three runs of their own in the seventh and eighth innings, two from a Giancarlo Stanton long ball, but a massive comeback wasn't in the cards. Phillies starter Ranger Suárez improved to 8-4 after allowing just one run in 5 2/3 innings while striking out eight batters while issuing only one walk and throwing a season-high 108 pitches. But the bats were the star of the show for the Phillies, who have recorded double-digit hits three games in a row. Luckily for Sosa, the one he took to his back doesn't appear as consequential as his two-run homer in the seventh.