Vikings training camp notebook, day 1: McCarthy gets unleashed, Metellus practices
The Vikings roster has reported to Eden Prairie, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Minnesota, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the first time.
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell have new extensions, as do their assistants and coordinators. J.J. McCarthy is finally healthy and ready to take over the controls of a franchise that trusted him enough to stick with him when so many other options presented themselves. All in all, the coaching staff remains essentially unchanged, while the roster sees some position groups infused with youth and talent to solidify them.
The first day of training camp has wrapped, though, for the team, and there is a lot to break down. We did our best to decide what was worth sharing and discussing, as a lot happened, we narrowed it down to three key points. Of course, we rounded up some quick hitters as well for your enjoyment.
J.J. McCarthy gets unleashed
The long-awaited return of J.J. McCarthy was finally unveiled to everyone in a much more competitive setting as the Minnesota Vikings opened training camp on Wednesday. After not seeing im in any clips or meaningful reps since last August, the team wasted no time in letting everyone know what is waiting for them in 2025.
Every media member present at practice posted about the legendary throw made by McCarthy to Jordan Addison that resulted in a 60-yard touchdown. While no one was able to post the clip, the team did everyone a favor, as we can see above. It will be the first of many we see over the next couple of weeks, and in the process, the excitement to see McCarthy against the Texans on August 9 will grow.
Joshua Metellus was a full participant
Joshua Metellus is entering the final year of his contract with the Vikings, and to say he has outperformed it would be an understatement. The veteran safety has become a fan favorite both on and off the field, thanks to his play and social media presence. Despite all of that, it remained up in the air if he would test fans' loyalties by doing a hold-in for the first day of training camp, where he would be present but not participate with the team.
While several players have achieved success during recent training camps by doing this, Metelluss walks to the beat of his own drum, and that means he is going to play. The veteran safety was available for everything the team needed in camp on Wednesday, and it resulted in him assuming the role of starting safety opposite Harrison Smith. The team has made it clear they want to make him a part of their future, so a contract is coming. Perhaps he is increasing his value in the meantime by practicing despite the lack of financial security.
Defense in mid-season form
The defense thrived in its playmaking ability in 2024, whether it was getting after the quarterback or forcing turnovers, they made it happen. Brian Flores benefits from having the majority of his defense returning in 2025, with some new pieces sprinkled in, such as Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They lost some key pieces in the secondary, such as Camryn Bynum and Stephon Gilmore, but all in all, they are set heading into camp.
They proved their readiness for the new season during the first practice, scoring not one, but two defensive touchdowns. The first came on the first pass of the day when linebacker Ivan Pace Jr intercepted Sam Howell. That was followed up by a patented Gink 6 when Andrew Van Ginkel picked off a screen pass from Brett Rypien and returned it for a touchdown.
To say the defense is in mid-season form may be an understatement, though.
Quick hitters
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New York Times
5 minutes ago
- New York Times
Vikings training camp: J.J. McCarthy's early progress and 5 key takeaways
EAGAN, Minn. — We're told not to make too much out of one training camp throw, but this one might be the exception. Saturday. Early in the team period. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy faked a handoff, eyed the defense and curved a pass into a small area near the right sideline where only the receiver, Jalen Nailor, could make the catch. Advertisement There wasn't any hooting or hollering. Sure, the fans cheered, but they didn't react as loudly as they did when McCarthy connected on a deep ball. No social media frenzy ensued; in fact, it's hard to find a video clip. But it exists. Cameras captured what is one of the most critical signs that has surfaced for the Minnesota Vikings. But why? Why would a seemingly unspectacular sequence matter so much? Coach Kevin O'Connell had the answer. 'That's probably the biggest difference between college football and the NFL,' O'Connell said earlier Saturday. 'How do we occupy defenders and throw in behind them? Versus, with the wider hashes in college, a lot of times you're throwing through open voids to a target.' Letting it riiiiiiiiiip 🎯🎯@jjmccarthy09 📺: Back Together Weekend on @nflnetwork — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 26, 2025 McCarthy's velocity has never been a question mark. One of his college teammates, Jack Tuttle, a former four-star recruit who had seen Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields at quarterback camps, believed J.J. McCarthy threw with more RPMs (revolutions per minute). But in the NFL, that only matters so much. In previous practice sessions, O'Connell hollered for McCarthy's attention, then motioned his hand like he was sprinkling seasoning on food. The teaching point? Add some air, feel the ball leave your fingertips. The Nailor pass might be the best example, but two other times on Saturday, McCarthy also bent the ball over defenders into the intermediate area for tight end T.J. Hockenson. The Vikings are fortunate that defensive coordinator Brian Flores' unit simulates the need for angled throws more than most. Defenders positioned on the line of scrimmage often drop, and safeties regularly step down from depth. The changing picture provides a textured feel, which forces McCarthy's hand. Advertisement Any in-depth evaluation would be foolish until Monday, when players don pads and the pass rush speeds McCarthy up even further. However, the 22-year-old has checked critical boxes early on. The Vikings have gotten in and out of the huddle on time, and the operation at the line of scrimmage has been smooth. McCarthy used cadences Saturday to create a free play, and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown patted him on the helmet afterward. Processing the defensive picture hasn't been an issue either. McCarthy executed Saturday's red zone period as well as anyone could have hoped. Here are five other takeaways from training camp so far. What does the Vikings defense sound like before the snap? O'Connell offered a snippet on Saturday. 'They're commenting on splits,' O'Connell said. 'It's, 'Who's on? Who's off? This guy was late to line up. This guy is light in his stance.' I said, 'Is anybody just going to play football?' I mean, because everybody out there was just making noise. But they're saying such high-level stuff.' Recently extended safety Josh Metellus joked last week that Minnesota's defense is entering its master's stage. What that means in terms of new coverages and stunts will be revealed in time. But Metellus' point makes sense with how the defense has looked over the first three days. Defenders don't look confused or out of position, not even new additions, like cornerbacks Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah or defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They're disguising themselves on the back end. They're hopping around on the front. The Vikings haven't toyed with many of their creative personnel groupings yet. Saturday provided a potential snapshot, though, when Flores put edge rushers Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner on the field together. It was but a glimpse at the next phase. Advertisement To achieve that, to continue to confound offenses the way they have the last few seasons, they must be on the screws when it comes to the basics. They have been. Sam Howell has taken the majority of the backup QB reps. This makes sense. How can O'Connell and the Vikings assess what they have if they don't throw him into the fire? And, to be clear, it is the fire, as most of Howell's reps have been against the first-string defense. The best way to sum up Howell's performance is a beat too slow. Without the post-practice film, it's impossible to assess each rep accurately. Is Howell taking a hitch because he's not seeing the picture correctly, or is he waiting a split second extra because the receiver was rerouted by a cornerback? Whatever the case, it feels fair to say that Howell hasn't consistently pulled the trigger promptly. More time against Flores' defense should help. Howell now understands the challenge he faces. Also worth mentioning are Sam Darnold's early struggles in training camp last year. These are but tiny data points. As for the other quarterbacks, Max Brosmer's accuracy is noticeable. Brett Rypien, who knows the offense better than the other quarterbacks, has been limited to a few reps. The Vikings' decision-makers telegraphed their plan at cornerback for months. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, O'Connell and Flores said they believed Rodgers could play an every-down role, and that they had a vision for Okudah. It's no surprise, then, that those two have played alongside Byron Murphy Jr. with the first-team defense. Third-year corner Mekhi Blackmon has also mixed in, but Okudah has commanded most of the snaps. The No. 3 pick in the 2020 draft is with his fourth team in four seasons. An Achilles injury and other health issues have affected his trajectory, but he watched the Vikings defense from afar last year and was intrigued. Advertisement 'Me and Flo spoke when I came in for my visit,' Okudah said last week. 'It was cool to have him reach out and say that he envisions me coming into this defense and contributing.' Behind those four, questions abound. Dwight McGlothern, an undrafted corner last year who made the roster, has not taken reps with the starters. Zemaiah Vaughn, an undrafted rookie, had a stellar spring and is having a good camp. Relying on him for meaningful snaps in 2025, though, would be a big ask. Wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor and Tai Felton are shoo-ins to make the team. Behind them, it's anyone's guess. Rondale Moore and Tim Jones are more experienced, but one name to keep an eye on is second-year player Jeshaun Jones. The Maryland product impressed during training camp last year. Minnesota kept him on the practice squad, and he took advantage. The most significant change for him between this year and last? 'Having an understanding of what we're trying to do offensively,' Jones said. 'There's a lot of formations and plays. It's trying to slow things down.' Competition for roster spots will be fierce, and they may hinge on special teams. Undrafted receiver Silas Bolden has an edge as a returner, but Jones' route-running ability (especially for a room that may lose Jordan Addison for part of the early season) could be significant. • The No. 3 running back spot appears to be up for grabs. Ty Chandler's special teams experience matters, but Zavier Scott has flashed in recent days with his pass-catching ability out of the backfield. • Levi Drake Rodriguez, Jalen Redmond and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins have occupied interior defensive line spots for the No. 2 defense. • Third-year safety Jay Ward broke up a pass Saturday. He looks more comfortable than ever in Flores' defense. Advertisement • Rookie linebacker Kobe King has taken snaps alongside Eric Wilson with the No. 2 defense. Where that leaves Brian Asamoah II, who is in the final year of his rookie contract, is a fair question. • Undrafted safety Mishael Powell deflected a pass in the red zone Saturday. He could wow fans in the preseason. • The No. 3 tight end position is still a question mark. Gavin Bartholomew, whom the team drafted in the seventh round, hasn't practiced because of a serious back injury. Undrafted Ben Yurosek is the leader in the clubhouse for the job, unless the Vikings acquire a tight end.
New York Times
5 minutes ago
- New York Times
Guardians at trade deadline: Teams want Emmanuel Clase, Shane Bieber, but will Cleveland sell?
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ahead of Friday's series opener between the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals, an executive offered a familiar trade deadline thesis. 'I think we have a good team right here. We believe in a lot of the guys we have. We're starting to see signs of the offense coming to life, which is really what's been missing all year. So, we're as confident as we've been in this team, and the pitching is still doing a phenomenal job. We just have to be open-minded to different ways to make our team better.' Advertisement No, that wasn't a Cleveland executive describing the Guardians' state of affairs. It was J.J. Picollo, the Royals' president of baseball operations, though it sounded like he was reading off a Chris Antonetti cue card. The Guardians and Royals are in similar positions. So, too, are the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants. They're all hanging around the wild-card chase and have to determine by Thursday evening whether they want to bolster their chances, shift their focus to 2026 or stand pat. Having three wild-card berths in each league not only keeps more teams in the mix but also stifles and complicates trade activity. So, how do teams like the Guardians approach this week? Well, it started with surveying their fellow front offices in early July to get a sense of who might become available later in the month. Then, they diverted their attention to the draft for a few days. Now, the trade conversations, in all forms, have resumed and gained steam. The Guardians, figuring a more inviting part of the schedule could fuel a pre-deadline surge, prepared themselves so that no matter their ultimate path forward — buying, selling, both, neither — they had done the legwork on each approach. It's why Picollo, for instance, wouldn't classify the Royals as strictly buyers or sellers but instead said, 'We're in the business of getting better,' noting that could mean in 2025 or the future. The Royals have added two position players in recent days: second baseman Adam Frazier and outfielder Randal Grichuk. Neither veteran is going to transform what's been a lackluster lineup, but it surely signals — along with extending pitcher Seth Lugo — a more aggressive approach than the Guardians have exhibited, despite a similarly deficient offense and a nearly identical record. Aside from perhaps prospect C.J. Kayfus, no internal reinforcements for Cleveland's lineup are on the way, thanks to injuries to Chase DeLauter, Juan Brito and Lane Thomas. If the Guardians want to stay in the race, they'll need an outside addition or two to their lineup. Advertisement The Guardians weathered a 10-game skid and have since won 12 of 17. Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers are in a free fall. They once led Cleveland by 15 1/2 games in the AL Central. Now it's eight, and the soft patch in the Guardians' schedule reaches a crescendo this week as they welcome the dreadful Colorado Rockies to Progressive Field. A fascinating (or boring — it could definitely wind up being boring) few days lie ahead. As Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase retreated to the visitors dugout Saturday afternoon, he attempted a frustration-filled kick of Jonathan India's blue helmet, which had rolled away from the Royals' celebration at home plate after his walk-off home run. Clase whiffed on the boot (probably for the best). It was the first walk-off homer he has surrendered since July 16, 2021. He wasn't thrilled with the strike zone in the 10th inning of the first game of the doubleheader. He urged manager Stephen Vogt to let him pitch in the nightcap, and he sealed a Guardians win. Clase is the most prolific closer in franchise history, and despite the India homer, he has resurrected a season that started miserably. Before Saturday, he had logged a 1.10 ERA since May 1. He has three more seasons of team control remaining after 2025, and at less than $30 million total. As far as relievers go, Clase has a bunch of value and a lot of teams calling — all the contenders you'd expect. Clase has heard the chatter and says he doesn't give it much thought. The Guardians tend to move on from pitchers before it's too late — that's how they acquired Clase in the first place, for Corey Kluber in December 2019 — but they certainly don't have to trade Clase this week. That's the message to other teams, too. The Guardians have scouts checking in on prospects for some of the legitimate contenders, due diligence that every team conducts this time of year. (For what it's worth, there's been a throng of pro scouts following the club the last couple of weeks, too, especially with the team playing the Baltimore Orioles, a certain seller, and the Royals, a team in the middle.) Advertisement Is there an offer for Clase that wouldn't exist this winter? For the Guardians to hang around in the race, don't they need Clase, since their lineup isn't going to receive an extreme makeover? These are the debates taking place in the offices at 2401 Ontario St. He sits atop the list of potentially available relievers, though, and there's a long line of teams interested. The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Tigers all want bullpen help. As one teammate put it: 'No reliever is safe on planet Earth. Not even (Clase), which is crazy. But every team wants him. When you get to the postseason, you need more relievers. No (team) is sitting here today being like, 'I think we're good with the relievers we have.' That's what makes it interesting.' On July 29, 2023, the Guardians sat at 52-53, 1 1/2 games out of a playoff spot. On July 28, 2025, the Guardians sit at 52-53, 3 1/2 games out of a playoff spot. Cleveland's decision to sell in 2023 came pretty late and was fueled, in part, by the notion that it would never be able to obtain more for Aaron Civale than it could at that moment, when it landed Kyle Manzardo from the Rays. Civale's value had peaked. He has been traded twice since and could be dealt a third time in the next few days. Rays execs even acknowledged to members of the Guardians front office at the time that it wasn't the Rays' typical mode of operation. Manzardo was a top 100 prospect, and the Rays drool over future value. But they had first-base depth and needed a win-now move to help their rotation. This year, the Guardians' selling options fall into three categories. In addition to Clase, teams have called about Steven Kwan. He's the exact player the Phillies desire in left field. For the Guardians, it's the same thought process they have with Clase. Is it something they need to do right now, or can they revisit it this winter, especially if long-term extension talks continue to hit a dead end? Advertisement Cade Smith falls into this group, too, but it's almost impossible to envision the Guardians trading him when he has 4 1/2 years of team control remaining and could be the heir apparent to Clase. Carlos Santana's punchless bat — and at 39 years old, that shouldn't be a shocking development — has sapped him of his value, at least at the plate. He remains a skilled defender, but teams aren't exactly lining up for glove-first first basemen this time of year. He likely ranks behind Baltimore's Ryan O'Hearn and, if the Rays make him available, Yandy Díaz in the first-base pecking order. Santana did not crack The Athletic's big board of the top 50 trade candidates. The Seattle Mariners, who tried to sign Santana last winter, opted to deal this week for Josh Naylor, whom Santana replaced in Cleveland. 'Any moment that a team shows interest in you and the product that you bring,' Bo Naylor said of his talk with his brother about the trade, 'and the type of player you are, that's always something to be excited about.' If the Guardians move Santana, they could promote Kayfus from Triple-A Columbus to share first-base/DH duties with Manzardo and David Fry. If Fry could play first base at some point in the final two months — he's throwing out to 90 feet, and one coach said his arm looks great — that would give the front office even more motivation to part with Santana. Vogt, though, sprinkled some doubt on Fry's playing in the field in 2025 and said the focus is for him to catch in 2026. Lane Thomas, another impending free agent, would have been a trade candidate, but his foot has not cooperated. He's likely out until September because of a lingering case of plantar fasciitis. This contract year has been an abject nightmare for him. Paul Sewald, who has a $10 million club option for next year that almost certainly will not be exercised, is on the shelf with a strain in the back of his shoulder. He said himself that it probably eliminates him from trade consideration. And then there's the curious case of Shane Bieber. He logged three innings at Class-A Lake County on Tuesday, but his start Sunday for Triple-A Columbus was rained out. If the Guardians want to move him, there's a market. He's earning $10 million this year and has a $4 million buyout or a $16 million player option for next season. Barring a significant setback, it's difficult to envision him exercising that option, so he should hit free agency this winter. Advertisement The Guardians have received calls on Bieber, and they know all about midseason acquisitions of pitchers recovering from injury. They signed Matthew Boyd and traded for Alex Cobb last summer to rescue their rotation. The starting pitching market is lacking in sizzle — that is, unless the AL Central reshapes the market. Even with Lugo off the board, Bieber and Minnesota's Joe Ryan would be two of the top names on the market. For Cleveland to move Bieber, it would need to acquire a prospect with more potential than whoever it could select with the draft pick it would recoup if Bieber departs in free agency. If the Guardians hold on to him and he opts out, they can submit a qualifying offer (which last year was worth about $21 million for one year). If Bieber rejects that and signs elsewhere for at least $50 million, the Guardians would be awarded a compensatory pick after the first round. If he signs elsewhere for less than $50 million, the Guardians would be awarded a compensatory pick after the second round. If his rescheduled outing takes place Tuesday in Akron, the staff at Canal Park might want to clear some extra seats for scouts. (Top photo of Emmanuel Clase: Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Rapoport: Joe Mixon (foot) placed on NFI list; RB's Week 1 availability in doubt 'Back Together Weekend'
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport provides the latest on the unfolding scenario with Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon's foot injury potentially sidelining him during Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.
