New Minnesota VIkings quarterback Sam Darnold at June 2024 minicamp. Eagan, Minnesota. TCO Performance Center. Darnold has played with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers in his six-year career.
Minnesota Vikings training camp is formally underway, as all players reported to Eagan as of Tuesday.
To spice up festivities, the team’s front office extended Christian Darrisaw’s contract this week, connecting the cornerstone left tackle to the franchise through the end of 2029. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also re-signed folkloric hero from 2022, Duke Shelley, a cornerback.
And with camp in the here and now, we asked Vikings fans what they were most excited about for training camp. These are their responses.
Note: We told respondents to exclude rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy because that’s such a no-brainer.
Question to all: Other than J.J. McCarthy, what are you most excited about for Vikings training camp, either attending or monitoring from afar?
Who Said It?
Christina
@Christiinamary
I am excited to see Dallas Turner in person and see what he will look like in Brian Flores’ defense. And I’m super excited to see Aaron Jones in purple and how big of a difference he makes with our offense — and just overall everyone together again! Ready for a new season.
Who Said It?
Ivan, Czar of Bohunks
@Up4Discussion_7
Besides J.J. McCarthy, I’m most excited about Vikings training camp to see if Danielle Hunter’s departure hurts the OLB/EDGE room as much as I think it will. I personally wasn’t as high on Dallas Turner as many others, so I’m very excited for him to (hopefully) prove me wrong!
Who Said It?
RedNPurple (from Norway)
@rednpurple77
I am excited about the development of our young players and want to see if anyone has taken a step. There are usually one or two who come out of the blue. Other than that, I’m excited about what Sam Darnold can do. Can he finally make it? It would be inspiring for some of us who might need the fourth chance to finally make it.
Who Said It?
Eric Horstman
@EHorstman23
I’d say the thing I’m most excited about is the evolution of the defense now with the 2nd year under Flores. Getting Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, and Dallas Turner has me fired up for what they can do. I don’t think I will make it up there this year, but the other thing I’m kind of excited about is the rookie kicker. Sounds like he crushed it at OTAs, so maybe he can finally break the curse. 🤞🏻
Who Said It?
Steve Berglund
@VIkesin18
Overall, I’m just waiting to see how the offense looks with Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. I would love to see Darnold take the position and run with it as Baker did last year for the Buccaneers.
Who Said It?
Skol Tom
@SKOLfromWI
I’m most excited to see the differences from the past few seasons in offensive scheme with Darnold under center (at least to start, in all likelihood).
Personally, I’m looking forward to attending my first training camp night practice this season and witnessing the team scrimmage in person. It will also be interesting to see what different exotic looks Brian Flores will be able to create on defense with so many new young contributors on that side of the ball, which has been sorely lacking since the end of the 2019 season.
Who Said It?
Bruce Johnson
@sachikojohnson
How are the UDFAs doing? Which ones look like keepers? We’ve done well the last couple of years with UFAs making the 53.
Here’s another one: Which returning young players look like they are making a case for an increased role for playing time? Maybe I’m a bottom-of-the-rotation guy, but I’m looking for unforeseen contributions from under-the-radar players. Josh Metellus was that kind of player. So was Ty Chandler.
One more: Which more established players could be in trouble because cheaper players are rising up and potentially providing the same level of performance for less money? If I were a player, I would always look for ways to get better in order to keep my job.
Who Said It?
Tadd
@ST7cubs
As far as position battles, I’m looking forward to the cornerbacks. There are many questions to be answered about specific players and schemes. My actual favorite part of training camp is joint practices. They’re the first taste of real football to me. Unfortunately, the Browns are hosting this time, and I’ve heard it’s closed off to fans, but I hope we get to see some highlights at least.
Who Said It?
Alexis
@lexyarnold
I am most excited to watch Dallas Turner. His impact could be significant, especially if he shows versatility. Observing how he integrates into the defensive schemes, his performance in drills, and his overall development will be critical.
Who Said It?
Keat_on
@keatN34
I genuinely believe Darnold can have a 3,750+ yd season, 25+ TD’s, and 14 INT’s. He has everything a QB could want around him. It’s tough to answer this question because I believe Kevin O’Connell could be my most exciting aspect, could be Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, could be the Flores defense taking steps forward, could be the rejuvenation of the run game, or even the chance to see a rookie emerge into a new Danielle Hunter 2.0.
Who Said It?
SkolSister
@Babsdeedee
Dallas Turner, of course … but I am also interested in seeing what plays out on the defensive side of the ball with our new signings … but most intriguing is what emerges for WR3. Jordan Addison rumors of taking big strides are also on my radar … but hearing how he’s fixing his life will be important, too.
Who Said It?
Chris
@Skol227
WR3 is exciting because whoever wins will have a great chance to significantly help the team and be a breakthrough player. With the double teams on 18 and 3, WR3 should be able to shine, and if Addison gets suspended or in trouble again, they will depend on that player to step up and play.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.