Minnesota Vikings host ascending player at an emerging position that will evoke memories of Cordarrelle Patterson and Percy Harvin
The Minnesota Vikings hosted CFL Most Outstanding Rookie and Special Teams Player Trey Vaval of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for a visit.
The Minnesota Vikings are technically still alive for a playoff spot, but most of the focus is on next season. On the field, it’s about figuring out what they have in quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has only had McCarthy as the starting quarterback for seven games through two seasons, and they have a 3-4 record in those starts.
Aside from seeing McCarthy develop, there will be a significant focus on who could be added to the team next season. The college scouting staff is evaluating who they might draft this coming April, and the pro scouting staff is scouring game film across the NFL and other leagues, including the Canadian Football League.
Minnesota Vikings host elite CFL player Trey Vaval on a visit
The Vikings weren’t standing pat on Tuesday, as they hosted one of the best CFL players from the 2025 season in Trey Vaval of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Vaval is an interesting player. He played his college ball in Minnesota at the University of Minnesota State-Mankato and played in the CFL this season as a rookie. He didn’t just play well; Vaval won the Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player awards this past year for his success as a returner.
Vaval returned four kicks for touchdowns: two kickoffs, one punt, and one missed field goal.
In the CFL, most missed field goals are returned to avoid a one-point rouge, as touchbacks score a single point for the other team. His field goal return wasn’t just a long one, but for 128 yards, which is one yard shorter than the longest possible play in the league.
It may not feel like a big deal, but the return is becoming increasingly prevalent in today’s game.
| Season | Kickoffs | Kick Returns | Return percentage |
| 2024 | 2,803 | 920 | 32.82% |
| 2025 | 2,124 | 1,645 | 77.45% |
Returns are up significantly year over year at a 135.99% clip. That means more opportunities to flip the field and make an impact play. Special teams matter, and having an elite returner like Vaval could do damage. There is no other team that understands this as the Vikings do. They have had a lot of successful returners, including two All Pros in Cordarrelle Patterson and Kene Nwangwu, along with Percy Harvin and March Sherels, who were great in their own right.
Adding Vaval to a room that already includes Myles Price is a potentially smart move. He’s also a talented depth cornerback who could grow into something more than just a depth player. It’s a smart move for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah if they can sign him to a contract.
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