7 Must Watch Storylines for Vikings Training Camp
The time has arrived. Minnesota Vikings training camp is live and in the flesh.
From injuries to roster battles, these are the 7 must-watch storylines from Vikings training camp that could shape the 2025 season. Here’s what to know from head to toe.
Fans can join the festivities on Saturday, July 25th, and the first preseason game is just two weeks away.
Like every summer, training camp has oodles of storylines, and these are those for the Vikings this go-round. They’re listed in ascending order of importance.
Vikings Storylines at Training Camp
The team has a lot to cover and conquer over the next two weeks.
7. UDFA Roster Spots
This one applies to every training camp, but because we’re in 2025, the intrigue is palpable.
A handful of Vikings undrafted free agents could make the active roster. It’s not unrealistic. Keep an eye on these players, who make the 53-man cut:
- Tyler Batty (OLB)
- Silas Bolden (WR)
- Logan Brown (OT)
- Joe Huber (OL)
- Zemaiah Vaughn (CB)
- Ben Yurosek (TE)
Obviously, not all these men will earn a spot, but a few could.
6. Donovan Jackson’s Quest for LG1
The Vikings’ leaders have pounded the table since the draft for Jackson’s game-readiness — part of the reason they picked him in Round 1. But then Vikings.com came along this week, insisting that Jackson will be in a roster battle with Blake Brandel.
It would be rather weird for Jackson not to show his skill set enough this summer to dethrone Brandel, who struggled down the stretch of 2024. But Vikings.com claims there’s a legitimate LG roster battle.
So, you must follow it and ensure Jackson earns the top spot. Nobody wants a Lewis Cine situation, the former Vikings safety from the 1st Round who failed to earn a starting job in 2022.
5. Josh Metellus’ Contract Situation
Metellus “held in” during spring activities, wanting a new contract from Minnesota after signing a team-friendly agreement two offseasons ago.
He showed up this week to training camp, but it’s rather evident that he wants a new contract. His extension could fetch $10 million or more per year. The timing of that arrangement is a training camp storyline.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis wrote about Metellus this week: “Metellus said Wednesday that he won’t take the approach that Cam Bynum and Byron Murphy Jr. took last year — betting on themselves, hitting the market and cashing in — because they went that route and it paid off.”
“For one, his situation is different; Bynum, for example, had just completed his rookie contract. But it also doesn’t mean Metellus is afraid of taking the leap if he and the Vikings can’t find common ground.”
4. The Starting Cornerbacks
If fans were forced to choose one roster weakness for the 2025 purple team — there aren’t many — almost all would pick cornerback. It’s Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Mekhi Blackmon holding down the fort.
Unless Minnesota signs Asante Samuel Jr. or trades for a player like Greg Newsome II, the three starting cornerback identities are mysterious, especially after Murphy Jr, as the unabashed CB1.
3. Jordan Addison’s Suspension Verdict
Addison pleaded guilty to a “wet and reckless” charge last week, a step down from a DUI. His California legal saga needs formal resolution in NFL-speak, and the league is expected to rule on his fate in the coming weeks.
Will he miss three games to start the season? Or will the NFL oddly “take it easy” on the Vikings’ WR2?
2. J.J. McCarthy’s Development
McCarthy has already played quite well for a 22-year-old at training camp, a continuation from last summer when McCarthy turned heads to the utmost.
He’s Minnesota’s golden boy, drafted in 2024 to end quarterback instability and perceived mediocrity. He doesn’t have to play like a Pro Bowler in 2025, but head coach Kevin O’Connell can’t afford for McCarthy to play miserably, sinking a Super Bowl-caliber roster.
PurplePTSD.com‘s Janik Eckardt noted Thursday on McCarthy, “Despite some big-time newcomers, the Vikings are still not considered among the top Super Bowl threats for one sole reason: Nobody knows how good first-time starter J.J. McCarthy will be from the get-go.”
“He was selected with the tenth overall pick 15 months ago, but hasn’t taken a single NFL rep, excluding the preseason. Still, he has the potential of a first-rounder, and he undoubtedly showed some talent in college and the limited preseason reps.”
1. Christian Darrisaw’s Injury Status
Darrisaw appears ready to smash all forecasts about his ACL tear recovery and be ready for Week 1. Hell, Stefon Diggs has been fully cleared for all NFL operations, and he and Darrisaw tore their ACLs on the same weekend.
But with McCarthy making his first start in six weeks, life would just be easier with Darrisaw fully recovered for Week 1. If not, veteran Justin Skule would presumably get the nod for a few weeks.
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