The Main Takeaways from Vikings Minicamp
Minnesota Vikings’ mandatory minicamp is in the books, an annual event in Eagan that serves as a back-together party before training camp in July.
Minnesota Vikings minicamp is in the books for 2025, and here’s what folks learned from the event.
The club now has more organized team activities (OTAs) scheduled for next week, followed by a five-week break.
And for those keeping track at home, here’s what was learned from minicamp, with the items listed from least important to most (No. 1 = most important minicamp development).
6. Zemaiah Vaughn Hype
Some had never heard of Vaughn, a cornerback, until this week, and understandably so — the guy is an undrafted free agent with a low profile.
But he performed well at minicamp, so much so that he may turn into fans’ latest and greatest candidate for a deep roster sleeper.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis opined on Vaughn, “Whittling down the roster in training camp won’t be easy. Receiver, tight end, offensive line, cornerback, defensive line, linebacker and cornerback all contain plenty of talent worthy of 53-man roster spots.”
“Vaughn consistently positioned himself near the ball and reacted comfortably in coverage. He even mixed in Thursday with the starters. Bolden, meanwhile, caught most of the passes directed his way and fielded both kicks and punts. Vaughn might be competing with former undrafted corner Dwight McGlothern, and Bolden’s skills might be juxtaposed alongside Rondale Moore, who has yet to fully join in the practice mix.”
High praise for a relative unknown.
5. Big Plans for Isaiah Rodgers
Rodgers was the very first free-agent signing in March for the Vikings, and it appears the purple team executed the maneuver with intent.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores pounded the table for Rodgers, claiming he had followed his career closely since Rodgers’ collegiate days at the University of Massachusetts. A day later, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels pumped up Rodgers as the team’s leading contender for the kick-returning job.
Based on coach’s commentaries, Rodgers might’ve won the week.
4. Josh Metellus Indeed Wants a New Contract
Josh Metellus didn’t show up for the first few days of OTAs, leading onlookers to wonder if he was playing hardball regarding a contract extension. The verdict? Kinda.
The Swiss Army knife safety attended minicamp but told reporters his agent was handling his extension negotiations.
Reporters asked Metellus if he was nervous about his contractual standing, and he replied, “Never anxious, man. I did the work the past two years. Whatever I did is out there, my tape is my tape. It’s gonna play itself out. I was anxious when I got cut (as a rookie) and didn’t have a job. I know what kind of player I am in this league, I’ve shown that. I’m only growing. It’s all about timing, upstairs and my agent doing things how they’re supposed to, so I’m not worried.”
And about his intentions at training camp sans an extension, Metellus said: “I haven’t even gotten there yet. I’m worried about these next two days. I’m an all-in kind of guy, gonna be where my feet are. We’ll figure that out when we get there.”
3. TE Josh Oliver Extended
Many didn’t expect it — they thought he could be on a path toward 2026 free agency — but the Vikings locked Josh Oliver in for the long haul, extending his contract for three years and $23.3 million. He’s now attached to the purple team through the end of the 2028 campaign.
Oliver said about the agreement, “I’m stoked. I couldn’t be more happy. I just want to thank God. You know, it’s a blessing, and without Him, I couldn’t be here. I also want to thank the Wilf family for allowing me to have this opportunity and be in this organization. Super excited to be with a team that has a culture like we have, like K.O. and Kwesi have built. I just couldn’t think of a better place to be.”
2. J.J. McCarthy Looks, Sounds the Part
While some nefarious characters spent the week claiming McCarthy struggled at minicamp, boots on the ground reported the opposite.
McCarthy showed his stuff at minicamp, providing a leader-of-men persona while letting the ball rip like a QB1.
The young quarterback also has the microphone part down, answering reporters’ questions with charisma and kindness. Unless you watch The Herd with Colin Cowherd, McCarthy passed the test for a few days at minicamp.
1. Christian Darrisaw Is Back
A plot twist, minicamp kicked off earlier this week with Christian Darrisaw there in the flesh.
The phenom left tackle tore his ACL last October, and many fans thought Darrisaw’s summer status would be a grand waiting game. Indeed, Darrisaw still has a long way to go before Week 1 clearance, but participation at minicamp bodes well for 2025.
Darrisaw may not be back, but Darrisaw is back.
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