Image courtesy of Vikings.com
This will be a particularly historic offseason for the Minnesota Vikings. Following the NFL Draft in April, the team will hold offseason workouts at the new franchise headquarters in Eagan for the first time. The dates of those sessions were announced Monday.
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press tweeted spring drills will start April 16th. The OTA (organized team activities) sessions will be May 22-24, May 29-31, and June 4-7 and the team’s Mandatory Minicamp is June 12-14.
Following the offseason workout program, the TCO Performance Center will host training camp for the first time in July. For the past 52 years Minnesota State University in Mankato has been the team’s home for training camp.
In early August, Randy Moss will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Then in September, the Vikings will take on the Eagles in the NFL’s season opener in Philadelphia.
Here’s a look ahead at important offseason dates as we inch closer to the Vikings’ 2018 season:
April 16th: Offseason workout program begins
April 20th: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 26th – April 28th: NFL Draft (AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX)
May 4th – May 7th OR
May 11th – May 14th: Optional 3-day Rookie Minicamp
May 14th: Rookie Football Development Programs begin
May 17th – May 20th: NFLPA Rookie Premiere (typically first and/or second-round selections attend with permission from team; players are unavailable for offseason workouts, OTA days, and minicamps during this period)
May 21st – May 23rd: Spring League Meeting (Atlanta, GA)
May 22nd – May 24th: OTA offseason workouts
May 29th – May 31st: OTA offseason workouts
June 4th – June 7th: OTA offseason workouts
June 12th – June 14th: Mandatory Minicamp
Late June: Mandatory Rookie Transition Program
July 16th: Deadline to re-sign designated franchise player to contract extension (Vikings did not use tag)
Mid-July: Training Camp (veterans may report no earlier than 15 days prior to first preseason game or July 15, whichever is later; rookies may report up to seven days prior to veterans; QBs and injured players may report up to five days prior to veterans if rookies have reported)
July 23rd: Deadline for team to sign transition player (Vikings did not use tag)
August 2nd: Hall of Fame Game
August 2nd – August 5th: Hall of Fame Weekend (Randy Moss’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony is August 4th)
August 7th: Deadline for players under contract to report to team
September 1st: 53-man roster deadline (3pm CST)
September 2nd: Practice squad roster set (Noon CST)
September 6th: NFL season opener: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles (Lincoln Financial Field)