A First-of-Its-Kind Element at Vikings Training Camp
Dustin Baker
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Rookies report to Eagan, Minnesota, on July 23rd marking the start of Minnesota Vikings 2023 training camp.
Veterans and everyone else are due back two days later on July 25th.
A First-of-Its-Kind Element at Vikings Training Camp
The Vikings hope to maintain a certain standard of living after winning the NFC North in 2022. The franchise hadn’t won the division in five years, and during Year One with a new head coach, Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings scooped the NFC North’s crown.
Meanwhile, most NFL experts expect Minnesota to regress, using last year’s point differential as evidence. Opponents cumulatively outscored the Vikings by three points in 2022 despite Minnesota’s 13-4 record. A mathematical oddity, indeed.
O’Connell and the gang begin the process of proving doubters wrong at camp in three weeks, and when they do, they’ll have a first-of-its-kind occurrence that applies directly to fans. The Vikings will host two night sessions at camp.
Here’s the full schedule:
Sat, 7/29 (Noon-5 pm) — Back Together Weekend
Mon, 7/31 (Noon-5 pm) — Daily Practice
Tue, 8/1 (Noon-5 pm) — Daily Practice
Thu, 8/3 (5 pm-10 pm) — Night Practice
Sat, 8/5 (Noon-5 pm) — Daily Practice
Sun, 8/6 (Noon-5 pm) — Daily Practice
Mon, 8/7 (Noon-5 pm) — Daily Practice
Tue, 8/8 (5 pm-10 pm) — Night Practice
Sat, 8/12 (TBA) — Daily Practice
Sun, 8/13 (Noon-5 pm) — Daily Practice
Wed, 8/16 (TBA) — Joint vs. TEN
Thu, 8/17 (TBA) — Joint vs. TEN
Wed, 8/23 (TBA) — Joint vs. ARI
Thu, 8/24 (TBA) — Joint vs. ARI
**NOTE: Daily practices start at 2:30 pm CST, but doors open at noon. 7:00 pm for official practice time at night practices.
Night practices are known for more fan-fueled intimacy and are hence among the most popular events at training camp. ‘The night practice’ was typically a weekend ordeal, but the club has evidently pivoted to weekdays in 2022 and 2023.
Among the Vikings notable summer battles include the WR2, RB2, NT, DT, CB2, CB3, FS, and perhaps kicker. Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson stated at minicamp he would attend training camp in July with or without a contract extension. One of Jefferson’s teammates, Danielle Hunter, is a wait-and-see situation. Hunter is in the market for an extension, and it is unclear if the Vikings will grant his wish.
For 52 years, the team operated summer activities at Minnesota State University in Mankato, but TCO Performance Center opened for camp in 2018, and the Vikings have held the summer event there ever since.
The 2023 version will be the second for O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after taking over for Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman about 18 months ago.
For daily practices, tickets cost $5 for adults, and children 17 and under are free. Night practices on August 3rd and August 8th are $10 for adults, $5 for children, and children 36 inches and under are free.
You can purchase tickets here.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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