It’s July. Here Come the Vikings Moves
Welcome to July 1st, the next stepping stone to the Minnesota Vikings’ regular season, which is less than 10 weeks away.
July has arrived, and that means the Vikings are ready for roster moves, signings, and surprises. Here’s what to expect from the purple team.
The fun starts this month after a traditionally quiet June, as the Vikings tweak their roster to prepare for the 53-man depth chart in September. Training camp also gets underway.
Here’s what to monitor for the Vikings this month, using the last three offseasons as an example.
What to Expect from the Vikings in July
Roster additions and subtractions are on the way, along with injury designations before the real red meat.
Roster Waivers
The Vikings typically don’t fire off rim-rattling roster cuts in July; that’s reserved for late August. But a couple of men could be waived. It happens every year.
These are examples during the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell era:
2024:
Abraham Beauplan (LB)
John Parker Romo (K)
K.J. Cloyd
2023:
John Reid (CB)
2022:
Nate Stanley (QB)
It’s worth noting that Romo found his way back to the Vikings during the regular season last year and performed wonderfully.
Free Agent Signings
Yes, there will be new players — maybe splashy names like Asante Samuel Jr. or Mike Hilton.
The Vikings habitually add a player or two in July, usually before training camp, and generally a player that casual fans don’t know by name recognition.
Last year was busier than most for Adofo-Mensah, the team’s general manager:
2024:
Duke Shelley (CB)
Jabril Cox (LB)
Jacobi Francis (CB)
Bobby McCain (S)
Fabian Moreau (CB)
2023:
Collin Thompson (TE)
Jack Snyder (G)
Bobby Evans (OT)
2022:
Shaun Beyer (TE)
Moreau ended up being a somewhat notable contributor in 2024.
Injury Designations
Here’s where the notable news starts — normally not in a good way. The Vikings use July to place injured players on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and Non-Football Injury (NFI) list. The designations are essential because they’re the first tangible evidence of injury severity that folks have speculated about for months.
Example from the last three offseasons:
2024:
NaJee Thompson (PUP)
T.J. Hockenson (PUP)
DeWayne McBride (NFI)
Mekhi Blackmon (IR)
2023:
Andre Carter II (PUP)
Chris Reed (NFI)
2022:
Nate Hairston (NFI)
Blake Proehl (PUP)
Ryan Connelly (PUP)
The Vikings have several players returning from season-ending injuries in 2024, and unfortunately, many are high-profile personalities: Jonathan Allen (DT), Christian Darrisaw (LT), Will Fries (G), Javon Hargrave (DT), and Ryan Kelly (C).
You’ll get early verdicts on Vikings injuries this month.
Josh Metellus Extension Watch
In 2024, Minnesota surprisingly extended Christian Darrisaw’s contract — about a year sooner than expected. Extensions like Josh Metellus’ often bleed into August and September, but his deal should be a relative no-brainer, increasing the chances of its fruition in Darrisawian form.
Adofo-Mensah could complete Metellus’ deal before the start of training camp, hoping to avoid distractions, or this one could persist through the preseason. Stay tuned.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis mentioned Metellus’ extension last week: “This brings us to the current player idling at a fork in the road: Josh Metellus. The veteran safety is under contract through the 2025 season — then his contract will void. Not surprisingly, he’d like an extension. The Vikings recognize that and view him as a key cog in the present and future of their defense. How could they not?”
“Metellus checks all of the boxes. Age isn’t an issue; Metellus recently turned 27. Injuries haven’t been a problem. Metellus has played more than 2,000 defensive snaps combined over the last two seasons. His production stands out, too. In the last two seasons, Metellus has totaled more than 150 tackles, five forced fumbles, three interceptions and 10 pass deflections.”
Jordan Addison Reckoning
Two weeks — that’s when Jordan Addison’s 2024 driving infraction will come to a head. Addison has encountered back-to-back summers with legal woes, so onlookers will hope he takes taxis this go-round.
His DUI trial is set for July 15th, also known as two weeks from today.
WCCO’s Anthony Bettin wrote about Addison last month, “Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison is set to go to trial next month on a drunken driving charge in California. The jury trial for 23-year-old Addison will begin July 15, according to court records.”
“He pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence and driving with .08% blood alcohol content in December. Authorities allegedly found Addison asleep behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce on a Los Angeles freeway on July 12, 2024. Addison has yet to face discipline from the Vikings or the NFL, but he previously said he would accept whatever punishment is handed down.”
Vikings fans are bracing for a three-game suspension for Addison to start the regular season, although that’s speculative and a worst-case scenario.
“In 2023, ahead of his rookie season, Addison was cited for speeding and reckless driving in St. Paul, Minnesota. Authorities said he was driving his Lamborghini 140 mph in a 55 mph zone,” Bettin added.
Start of Training Camp
Finally, the main event. Training camp kicks off on July 26th in Eagan.
Camp runs through August 14th, and fans are encouraged to attend. You can buy tickets here.
All eyes will be on quarterback J.J. McCarthy and his maturation, mainly because he’s Minnesota’s one big hope at a Super Bowl in the next several years, and the roster around him is sculpted for a deep playoff push.
Fans will also monitor the cornerback battle(s), as the CB2 job may be up for grabs, including competition from players like Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern.
The aforementioned Darrisaw’s ACL recovery, too, will be tracked with the utmost attention.
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