Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Preview: One storyline for each position, including Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy
With training camp finally on the horizon, the Minnesota Vikings have a lot of interesting position groups on the roster.
The Minnesota Vikings report to training camp this weekend, and every position group carries questions worth monitoring over the next several weeks. From the quarterback competition timeline to the edge rusher depth concerns, this roster has fascinating storylines at every level. Here’s a position-by-position primer for what to watch when players hit the field.
Quarterback competition timeline matters more than the winner
The biggest question isn’t whether J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray wins the job. It’s when the decision gets made. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has been clear about wanting a “timely decision” that still gives the starter enough runway to prepare for the Sept. 14 opener against the Green Bay Packers.
The sweet spot appears to be around Aug. 23, right after the joint practices and preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. That gives the coaching staff over three weeks of evaluation, including the intensity of joint practices, and still leaves three full weeks for the winner to settle in as the unquestioned starter. O’Connell said the timeline involves “making sure we get our starter ready to go” and that “by the time we play the Green Bay Packers, there’s been ample time to have the best possible offense we can.”
Optics matter here. Too short a competition invites questions about whether it was genuine. Three-plus weeks should satisfy both the evaluation process and the public perception of fairness.
Running back usage and the wide receiver depth battle
Aaron Jones figures to start over Jordan Mason, but his usage might not reflect a traditional lead-back role. Mason thrives in the wide zone scheme the Vikings are expected to lean on, with plus-3.5 yards per carry after contact. The real competition is for the third running back spot, where Zavier Scott’s pass protection, receiving ability, and special teams value could edge out rookie Demond Claiborne.
At wide receiver, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings are locked in. The intrigue lives at the back end of the room. Dillon Bell generated buzz throughout the spring, and Tai Felton’s special teams contributions could secure him a roster spot. Keep an eye on Dontae Fleming, an undrafted free agent out of Tulane who spent last season on the practice squad making plays in his limited practice reps.
T.J. Hockenson isn’t washed
Yes, T.J. Hockenson’s production dipped last season, but context matters. The quarterback play was poor across the board, and Minnesota asked him to block far more than catch. He’s further removed from his torn ACL now and should settle in as a solid, if not elite, option. Something around 750 yards and five touchdowns would be a quality return alongside three high-end receivers.
Offensive line feels solid
The Vikings have a solid starting five for the first time in seemingly forever. The only major question is with Blake Brandel, and it has solely to do with his snapping. He did have an offseason to get that figured out, which is a good thing.
Outside of the starters, the depth is much better as well. Ryan Van Demark is an improvement at swing tackle, and third-round pick Caleb Tiernan might not even be the third player off the bench. How the depth shapes out will be fascinating to watch.
Edge rusher depth is a legitimate concern
Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel are the unquestioned starters. After that, the room gets thin. There are real questions about whether the Vikings can survive an injury to either starter. The idea of using a player built more as a 3-4 defensive end in a stand-up edge role like Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins raises concerns about bend and arc ability that simply may not translate.
Signing a veteran like Jadeveon Clowney could address the problem. Clowney produced 40 pressures and 8.5 sacks in fewer than 400 snaps last season. That kind of production as a third option would be a significant upgrade over what the current depth chart offers.
Will the rookies start?
Jalen Redmond is the best defensive tackle in the NFC North, but the real intrigue lies in what the Vikings will do with the other two spots. Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange are in good spots, but that doesn’t mean they will be starters for the Vikings. Especially with Banks’ foot injury from the NFL Scouting Combine, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see either player start as a backup and work their way up to the starting lineup.
Jake Golday’s impact will set off a chain reaction at linebacker
The second-round pick out of Cincinnati projects as an off-ball linebacker, not an edge rusher. What remains to be seen is how much he will play right away. If Golday proves he can be counted on in a rotational role and potentially LB3, Ivan Pace Jr. could be expendable and his $3.52 million salary a potential cut candidate. That saved money could go toward extending O’Neill, who may hold in without a new deal.
Cornerback and safety rooms are fascinating
The cornerback and safety rooms carry their own intrigue, particularly with Harrison Smith’s status still unresolved and rookie Jakobe Thomas potentially earning early playing time. At cornerback, two main questions exist:
- Will James Pierre usurp Isaiah Rodgers for a starting spot?
- Can Charles Demmings earn playing time?
This could also be the end for Dwight McGlothern, as he enters year three but has yet to earn the trust of Flores.
Safety specifically will hinge on whether or not Smith returns. Jay Ward would likely be the starter, but the addition of Thomas could be huge for the room. There is a realistic outcome that sees Thomas earn a starting spot, and it would be huge for the future of the unit.
