4 Takeaways from Vikings Training Camp Press Conference
The Minnesota Vikings kicked off training camp on Sunday, with rookies arriving in Eagan. Eighteen veterans joined, and the rest of the squad will arrive Tuesday.
On Monday, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell fielded questions from the media, the duo’s first official joint correspondence since [right after] the 2024 NFL Draft.
4 Takeaways from Vikings Training Camp Press Conference
These are the four major takeaways from the session, ranked in order of importance (No. 1 = most important). You can watch the full press conference here.
4. Jordan Addison Indeed in Hot Water
It wasn’t a misunderstanding or emergency.
Addison was arrested in California a week and a half ago while asleep and blocking freeway traffic near Los Angeles International Airport. Though the police report didn’t mention his BAC, something fishy occurred.
“We’re disappointed in Jordan. We care about these players. We really do. We want to make sure we’re doing our part for the development on the field,” O’Connell said. “The other aspect of that is the off-the-field, the life skills, and the development of decision-making and learning how important it is within our culture — which we’re very proud of — that our players understand personal responsibility and accountability.”
O’Connell also mentioned that the league usually handles discipline on such matters, seeming to set the stage for a possible Addison suspension.
Overall, Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell struck a supportive tone on Addison’s situation, but the young playmaker will likely encounter a punishment, unlike last year when his reckless driving charge vanished with a misdemeanor and fine.
3. Hockenson on the PUP
O’Connell noted that his tight end, T.J. Hockenson, was “well ahead of schedule” via his injury recovery but would begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.
The move didn’t surprise anybody, instead serving as a formality. Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph injured Hockenson seven months ago, tearing his ACL and jeopardizing his status to start the 2024 season. This is the jeopardy — the PUP designation.
Minnesota made the PUP move official about three hours later, accompanying cornerback NaJee Thompson.
2. Darnold as QB1; McCarthy with 1st-Team Reps, Too
O’Connell expressed his desire for a “really competitive situation” at QB1, all but anointing Darnold the QB1 in July.
“I have no preconceived, pre-set chart depth chart in my mind. I said at the end of spring that Sam was the No. 1 quarterback,” O’Connell explained.
He also said about McCarthy’s impending development, “I don’t know if it’s the former quarterback in me, but I will not allow any factors outside what’s best for J.J. and what’s best to help the Vikings win in regards to that question.”
“We get a whole lot of time on the grass and three preseason opportunities to joint practices to really work through exactly where each individual is at this point in time,” O’Connell added.
So, Darnold will receive the bulk of QB1 snaps, as expected, but McCarthy will be right there in the competitive mix.
1. Khyree First
Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell set the tone for the presser by paying tribute to Khyree Jackson, who tragically passed away in a car accident on July 6th. The Vikings will pay for the bulk of his funeral services and the entirety of Jackson’s signing bonus to his family.
Players will wear a “KJ” helmet decal in 2024, and Jackson’s No. 31 will not be used this season.
Adofo-Mensah shared a story about Jackson’s draft lead-up, while O’Connell talked about how Jackson had fully immersed himself into the Vikings’ locker room and culture in a short period. The man will be missed.
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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