Vikings Rookie Could Be on the Shelf for All of 2025
Safe to say that Vikings rookie Gavin Bartholomew hasn’t had the start to his NFL career that he was envisioning.
The tight end was picked up by Minnesota in the 6th of the 2025 NFL Draft. That draft slot meant he entered training camp and the preseason as the favorite to earn the vacant TE3 job (previously held down by Kevin O’Connell’s favorite player: Johnny Mundt). Bartholomew’s pursuit of the open job has been put on hold since health hasn’t allowed him to get onto the field.
Vikings Rookie Gavin Bartholomew & The TE3 Spot in 2025
On Tuesday, August 26th, Alec Lewis (The Athletic) offered an update: “Sounds like TE Gavin Bartholomew’s back injury is serious enought [sic] to keep him out for the duration of the season. Likely to revert to the IR from the 53.”
The 53-man roster was announced and Gavin Bartholomew wasn’t included.
Lindsey Young of the team’s website clarified how Minnesota has managed their young tight end’s roster status: “The Vikings also moved rookie tight end Gavin Bartholomew from Active/Physically Unable to Perform to Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform.”
Atop the tight end position are a pair of excellent veterans.
The TE1 is T.J. Hockenson, an in-season trade acquisition from back in 2022. He has shined brighter in Minnesota than he did in Detroit. He’s leaned on to carve up defenses in the shallow and intermediate area of the field, proving to be both reliable and explosive as he works off of Justin Jefferson. Mr. Hockenson should be excellent in real and fantasy football (especially PPR leagues).
Next up is Josh Oliver, someone who is uniquely capable as a blocker.
Mr. Oliver stands out on a football field for how large he is. Folks, it’s quite difficult to stand out in the NFL for being huge since almost everyone is huge. Oliver is a physical, rugged player who can function as a sixth offensive lineman (in a sense) while having more athleticism than people realize. He’s an excellent option at TE2.
Next up is Ben Yurosek, the undrafted rookie who has impressed the coaching staff with his blocking. He’s now firmly in control of the TE3 job. Not immovable, no, but someone who now has quite a few supporters inside of TCO Performance Center.
The absolute best thing Gavin Bartholomew can do is get his body right.
While doing so, become the best teammate possible and a student of the game who is unmatched in his pursuit of knowledge. Leave no stone unturned when it comes to mastering the scheme on offense (which is to say nothing of jumping into the special teams studying, as well).
Bartholomew, 22, stands at 6’5″ and weighs 246 pounds. The final chapter of his NFL career hasn’t been written, even if he does miss all of 2025. Goodness, the team’s QB1 for the upcoming season is someone who missed all of his debut season. So, whatever comes for Bartholomew, do note that he can keep working toward fulfilling his NFL dream.
Minnesota’s opening game of the season is going to arrive on Monday, September 8th when the Vikings take on the Bears inside of Soldier Field.
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