4 Big Storylines for Vikings 2nd Preseason Test
The Minnesota Vikings will take on the New England Patriots on Saturday at noon, the club’s second preseason showdown of the summer.
Discover the four biggest storylines for the Vikings’ second preseason contest, including key player battles and performances that could shape the 2025 season.
Minnesota won its first exhibition contest last weekend, knocking off the Houston Texans by a score of 20-10.
And while starters probably won’t play for the Vikings this time, a handful of storylines are worth following. These are those ranked from bottom to top (No. 1 = most important storyline).
What to Watch in Vikings’ Second Preseason Game
Here’s what to monitor on Saturday for Vikings-Patriots.
4. Sam Howell’s Case for QB2
J.J. McCarthy won’t play, much to some fans’ chagrin, so Sam Howell will start versus the Patriots. Howell fired off a forgettable first couple of weeks at training camp but stabilized last weekend against the Houston Texans. In that game, Howell very much looked like a suitable QB2.
Now, folks need to see more.
The Vikings have never been hesitant to finagle a trade in the interest of improving the roster, and when Howell struggled at camp, onlookers began wondering if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would get on the phone, possibly eyeing an alternative backup like Trey Lance, Taylor Heinicke, or Jameis Winston, for example.
Howell can put QB2 fears at bay with a strong showing on Saturday.
3. Zavier Scott vs. Ty Chandler
Scott and Chandler actually played commendably last Saturday, with Scott earning the edge in fans’ estimation because of his unknown status. He felt like a preseason breakout and revelation.
The team mostly knows what it has in Chandler, a fourth-year tailback in a contract year who doesn’t pass-block with the best of them.
Current momentum suggests that Scott will grab the RB3 spot, but a verdict will be reached on August 26th, roster cutdown day.
Saturday will be about consistency for Scott.
Zone Coverage‘s Matt Fries wrote about the battle this week, “As a pass protector, neither Scott nor Chandler appears to be ready to play full-time. However, Chandler tends to make mental mistakes, while I saw only good reads from Scott in his (admittedly limited) attempts. I think Scott may end up a better pass protector than Chandler.”
“It’s also noteworthy that Scott was a significant contributor on special teams, with 12 snaps throughout the day. Chandler played 146 special teams snaps in 2024. As it stands, I’m not sure Zavier Scott has done enough to unseat Ty Chandler for Minnesota’s RB3 job, but it’s close. Another strong performance in the next two preseason games could solidify Scott’s case for the roster.”
2. The Reserve Cornerbacks
Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah appear to have the main three CB jobs in the bag.
Then what?
Some pair of these four cornerbacks will fill out the end of the CB depth chart:
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- Zemaiah Vaughn
- Ambry Thomas
- Tavierre Thomas
Those players will be showcased heavily at U.S. Bank Stadium versus Mike Vrabel’s Patriots.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores said about Vaughn specifically a few weeks ago: “Size. Obviously, you guys walk on the field and see a guy with six two long arms a corner can run. So, the measurables are there. We brought him in on a top 30 visit. He was really very good, just from a mental standpoint, acumen standpoint, he works hard.”
“You put all those things together, and it’s something that you’re excited to work with any work. He works at it, and really, just as a general message to our guys, it’s really four things: be on time. That’s number one. And then, you know, work hard in every area, whether it’s in the weight room or, obviously, on the field, in the meeting rooms and walk-throughs.”
Vaughn is currently buried on the depth chart but could still snag a CB5 or CB6 job title.
“So work hard, be unselfish. Because, this is a game where there’s 11 guys on the field and everybody relies on somebody else to do their job, for them to do their job, for us to be efficient as a defense. And the last thing I ask is for those guys to have fun. And that’s the message that I gave to the team,” Flores continued.
“I think specific to Zemaiah, and to any young player, if you can do those four things, then you put yourself in the best position, and that’s what we’re trying to do with each one of these guys.”
1. Which WR Steps Up?
Similar to the cornerback matter but on the offensive side of the ball, Minnesota won’t have Jordan Addison (suspended three games) or Rondale Moore (out for the season) at Chicago in three weeks. McCarthy will be getting his career off the ground, and his favorite training camp and preseason target, Addison, just won’t be there.
Therefore, some of these players may be asked to step up next to Jalen Nailor, who has a roster spot sewn up:
- Tai Felton
- Lucky Jackson
- Silas Bolden
- Jeshaun Jones
- Thayer Thomas
- Tim Jones
- Myles Price
Those players will be in plain view on Saturday, and the roster is screaming for a few to emerge. Now is their chance.
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