Patriots Practices Allow a Glimpse for Vikings

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May 21, 2025
Aug 2, 2024; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) talk during practice at Vikings training camp in Eagan, MN. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

It has become customary in recent seasons for NFL teams to host joint practices with the opponents that they host during the preseason. For the Minnesota Vikings, that means the New England Patriots will invade TCO Performance Center.

Patriots Practices Allow a Glimpse for Vikings

Of course, there will be a few skirmishes and plenty of highlight tape to dissect from the interactions. However, this particular matchup provides an opportunity for Kevin O’Connell to think about what may have been.

Patriots
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; New England quarterback Drake Maye (10) during warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images.

In the lead-up to last year’s NFL Draft, there was plenty of talk that the Minnesota Vikings had a level of interest in quarterback Drake Maye. It was always unlikely he would fall to their pick, but there was a potential they could throw around assets to move up and grab him.

Ultimately, the Vikings stood firm, moving up just a single spot, and decided to select Michigan signal caller J.J. McCarthy. He didn’t wind up playing after suffering a season-ending knee injury during a preseason contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. That isn’t going to be the case this time around.

Aug 10, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

With Sam Darnold signed as the long-term answer in Seattle, the Vikings are leaning into McCarthy as their full-time starter. He’ll be able to square off against new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel’s defense. Beyond that, Brian Flores can throw everything Minnesota offers against Maye and New England.

As a rookie, the Patriots put Maye in 13 games while he started 12 of them. It was Jerod Mayo’s team then, but the former North Carolina Tar Heel orchestrated just a 3-9 record. He completed 66% of his passes while owning a 15/10 TD/INT ratio. By all measures, it was a successful debut season.

Nov 18, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass against the Clemson Tigers during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports.

The hope for New England is that Maye would take another step forward this season. The dream for Minnesota is that McCarthy already resembles a talent a step above.

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Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes daily for Minnesota Sports Fan. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.