Top Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Topics
1. The Quarterback Competition
Of course, it starts with the quarterback competition between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray. Personally, I don’t really care who wins the starting job. When the Vikings have even average quarterback play they can win with the playmakers that surround that average quarterback. Few teams in the league can match this playmaking group.
Receivers:
Justin Jefferson
Jordan Addison
Jauan Jennings
T.J. Hockenson
Josh Oliver
Runners:
Aaron Jones
Jordan Mason
Demond Claiborne
Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings are the best receiving trio in the league. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are a nice tight end duo. With an improved run scheme, a solid offensive line, and a diverse running back committee, the Vikings pass game and run game might finally complement each other well.
It really doesn’t matter whether the Vikings quarterback is J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray. Either will flourish in this offense. I have two hopes for this Vikings quarterback training camp competition. The first hope is that the coverage of the competition doesn’t focus on the drama bullshit between the two quarterbacks. The second hope is that the quarterback that is named QB2 isn’t a baby about it. If two of the last three seasons has shown anything, there’s a chance that all three quarterbacks on the active roster will be needed.
2. The Offensive Line
The starting offensive line projects as a strong group. The question of that group is center Blake Brandel. Through five years with the Vikings, he’s pretty much covered every offensive line position but center. He’s had 31 starts. 17 of those starts were at left guard in 2024. Injuries forced Brandel to play center for the first time in his football life last season. He did alright. He did alright enough that it’s believed by all those that matter that he can hand handle the full-time center job this season. Despite playing his college days at Oregon State, Brandel is a bright guy. I believe that he’ll be at least as good as Garrett Bradbury-good. My hope is that he’s much better. He is the biggest question on what could be a very good offensive line.
3. The Defensive Line
Before the 2026 NFL Draft, I felt the Vikings had a very curious defensive line group with intriguing potential. It was a curious group because all of the returning players were late-round or no-round picks.
Jalen Redmond
Levi Drake Rodriguez
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
Elijah Williams
Taki Taimani
Jalen Redmond broke out last season as an emerging star. As a 2025 fifth-round pick, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is the highest drafted of the group. He’s spent some offseason time with the outside linebackers. He might spend his hopefully long Vikings career spending time both on the line and on the edge. I believe that Elijah Williams has the talent to break out this season like Redmond did last season. That’s the pre-draft group. The Vikings had a clear defensive line focus in the draft. Caleb Banks was selected in the first round. Domonique Orange was selected in the third round. The Vikings have the makings of a deep and dominant defensive front. For three seasons, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has manufactured pressure through scheme. He might finally have a Vikings defensive line group that can pressure with dominating talent. I can not wait to see this group on the field.
4. Outside Linebackers
I wasn’t a fan of trading Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles during the draft. I didn’t like it but I get it. Dallas Turner is ready for a full-time role. He and Andrew Van Ginkel will be a terrific edge duo. Behind the two, there’s no proven depth. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is working with the outside linebackers. He’s an intriguing edge option. Jake Golday may have been selected in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft as an eventual heir to Van Ginkel’s versatile role. Golday is learning both on- and off-ball linebacker roles. In a Brian Flores defense, that’s a lot to learn. Other than the potential supplemental involvement of Ingram-Dawkins and Golday, Van Ginkel and Turner are backed up by undrafted Tyler Batty, Bo Richter, Chaz Chambliss, Cam’Ron Stewart, and Arden Walker. Outside linebacker is probably the position most in need of a veteran addition between now and training camp.
5. Cornerback
Other than Kyler Murray, it’s always about the quarterback, the biggest Vikings free agent addition is James Pierre. He might be one of the best under-the-radar additions across the league. I can’t wait to see the cornerback trio of Pierre with Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers. I’ve often wondered if Brian Flores played three safeties as a nickel preference or if he did so because he didn’t have three corners he trusted. With Pierre, we might finally see the Vikings defense that Flores has in his head. Not only is the group topped by a nice trio, Chuck Demmings was added in the draft. I have a feeling that Demmings is taking the first steps toward a brilliant Vikings career.
6. Safeties
When does Harrison Smith announce his return for a 15th season.
I like this potential safety group.
Joshua Metellus
Theo Jackson
Jay Ward
Jakobe Thomas
Tavierre Thomas
I like this one even more.
Harrison Smith
Joshua Metellus
Theo Jackson
Jay Ward
Jakobe Thomas
Like Chuck Demmings, I believe that Jakobe Thomas is going to be an impact player. The pair could soon be franchise cornerstones in the Vikings secondary.
For now, those are my top Minnesota Vikings training camp topics.
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