Jul 27, 2022; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell looks on at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings finished 7-10 in 2023, hoping to improve in 2024 and avoid back-to-back losing seasons, even after parting ways with franchise staples Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter in March.
Minnesota drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy and outside linebacker Dallas Turner in the draft to replace Cousins and Turner three months ago.
And with training camp underway, these are five items onlookers learned right away, ranked in ascending order of importance (No. 1 = most important).
Nailor has already made the highlight reels at training camp, not unlike the start of last year. We’ve seen this before from Nailor, and now he’ll hope to remain healthy enough for a WR3 assignment.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis also mentioned Nailor’s possible WR3 frontrunner status. “When Jalen Nailor is healthy, he stands out. Wide receivers coach Keenan McCardell directed the Vikings receivers through early drills Wednesday, and Nailor appeared bulkier than in years past,” Lewis wrote Wednesday.
“If he stays healthy, he is likely the internal favorite to be the team’s No. 3 receiver, a role O’Connell discussed Wednesday,” he explained. “For as much faith as the staff has in Brandon Powell and Trishton Jackson, it still feels like the Vikings could add a more experienced and reliable option at this spot.”
Cross your fingers for a Nailor clean bill of health.
A lifelong left guard, Dalton Risner is in the mix to win a right guard job, at least to start training camp. A lot can still change, but Risner at RG would be a brand new animal for the veteran lineman.
Minnesota has showcased Blake Brandel at left guard, aligning with the coaching staff’s comments all offseason. They believe in Brandel, and he might be the starting left guard when September hits the calendar.
Few thought Risner would change positions. It could happen.
Sam Darnold always looks great in July and August — there’s a documented pattern from 2018 to 2023 — but McCarthy would remain a question mark until players took the practice field.
Well, both look great, at least in a practice setting. It’s especially good news from McCarthy because he is the Vikings’ one big hope of leading the team to the Promised Land.
Minnesota’s X account had a field day posting the clips:
And from McCarthy:
Mekhi Blackmon’s season ended before it even really started, tearing his ACL at training camp and becoming the NFL’s first big injury of the summer. He’s gone for all of 2024. A day later, Shaquill Griffin was hobbled, although he seemed to escape major injury.
Of course, rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson passed away on July 6th.
Minnesota re-signed Duke Shelley, as well, so there was cornerback news all over the place. Generally speaking, a deep position one month ago now has more serious question marks.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah stunned all Vikings fans this week, extending Christian Darrisaw’s deal one year early. Most expected contract talks to seep into the 2025 offseason and maybe even hit June like Justin Jefferon’s recent negotiations.
Not this time, though, as Adofo-Mensah locked Darrisaw down through the end of 2029 — probably saving around $10 million via the salary cap in the long run.
No Darrisaw drama next offseason.
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.