3 Vikings Questions That Could Be Answered by Training Camp
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up the final practices of their mandatory minicamp this week, and now, we are officially heading into the summer hiatus before training camp begins in late July.
While the Vikings’ players are on break, there are still a couple pretty big questions that could be answered by the time training camp officially begins on July 26.
Is Josh Metellus Getting an Extension?
The Minnesota Vikings have seen some great defensive play over the past two seasons, and it is no coincidence that this success has coincided with the emergence of safety Josh Metellus.
The man does it all.
One play, he’ll be back playing free safety, and the next, he will be up by the line of scrimmage ready to blitz or help in run defense. Metellus truly is the Swiss Army Knife of the Vikings’ defense, and as a result, it has him looking forward to a big pay day with his next contract.
Metellus is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2025 after signing a two-year, $8 million contract extension back in 2023. The safety’s next agreement should dwarf that contract in terms of the price tag, but will it be with the Vikings?
This offseason, the Vikings watched Camryn Bynum walk in free agency as he signed a four-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts worth $60 million. There is a good chance Metellus gets a deal of that magnitude or perhaps even larger with a third successful season in Brian Flores’ system. Add in Harrison Smith’s looming eventual retirement that will be a topic surrounding the 36-year-old all season, and the Vikings could be looking at the safety position as a drastic need in 2026 if Metellus does not sign an extension.
It seems like signs are pointing to Metellus remaining in Minnesota with a contract extension, but it is also very possible Kwesi Adofo-Mensah decides he doesn’t want to pay a safety big money, similarly to what ended up happening with Bynum this year.
Will the Vikings Add Another Veteran CB?
The cornerback position arguably is the single most fascinating position on the Vikings’ roster this summer. Outside of Byron Murphy’s obvious starting role, there are seemingly infinite possibilities for the position this summer. This is largely due to the lack of true starting experience on the roster right now.
Jeff Okudah has started 31 games in his career, but only nine since 2023 and zero in 2024. Isaiah Rodgers has started 13 games in his four-year career. Mekhi Blackmon started three games during his rookie season before missing the entire 2024 campaign due to injury.
Those are the three favorites to land starting roles in Minnesota this season, but with some intriguing talent still remaining in free agency, could the Vikings decide to make another signing?
Asante Samuel Jr. has been a topic in Vikings circles all offseason seeing as he doesn’t turn 26 until October, seemingly drips with potential, and is the son of a four-time Pro Bowler. Samuel played just four games in 2024 before going on the shelf with a shoulder injury. He also had surgery in April, seemingly being the main factor in the talented player remaining on the free agency market.
Additionally, the Vikings could go after one of two former Packers cornerbacks, keeping the trend alive of Minnesota grabbing former Green Bay stars. Both Rasul Douglas and Jaire Alexander are free agents. Douglas spent 2024 with the Buffalo Bills, starting 15 games, while Alexander was released by Green Bay just over a week ago.
Douglas, who will turn 30 in August, has seemingly taken a few steps back over the past couple of seasons while Alexander has played just seven games in each of the past two seasons after being selected as a Pro Bowler in 2022.
Ultimately, the Vikings could very well just decide to roll with their current group and hope for a couple young players to step up in reserve roles, but if Minnesota has come away from minicamp with a few concerns at the position, there are options available.
How Long Will Jordan Addison Be Suspended?
A big question mark looming over the heads of the Vikings is Jordan Addison’s eventual suspension. The star WR was arrested last July in California on DUI charges after he was found sleeping at the wheel near LAX. Addison has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a jury trial conference hearing was held on Monday.
The arrest came after another incident prior to his rookie season in July 2023 when he was charged with reckless driving in the Twin Cities.
Over his first two seasons, Addison has been nothing but spectacular for the Vikings despite the off-the-field distractions. He has totaled 133 receptions, 1786 yards, and 19 touchdowns in 32 games, emerging as the perfect WR2 complement to Justin Jefferson.
However, depending on the jury’s verdict, and the NFL’s subsequent response, Minnesota could be without their 2023 first-round pick for multiple games this season. That leaves a void that must be filled.
Luckily, the Vikings have a couple options to take on the challenge if Addison does indeed get suspended. Jalen Nailor broke out last year with career highs across the board, including six touchdown receptions. Rondale Moore put up 40+ receptions in every season from 2021-2023 before missing 2024 with injury. And finally, Minnesota selected Tai Felton in the third round out of Maryland, giving them a big target with blazing wheels in the open field.
Ultimately, we are still in “wait and see” mode with the Addison situation, but Vikings fans probably should start preparing for the idea that the WR2 will not be around for at least 2-3 games this season.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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