You already know the main topic of conversation is going to get beat, beat again, and beat again. It is already a runaway train and there is no stopping it now. Stories must be written and there will be new imaginings produced incessantly. I cannot wait!
Since that subject is going to be regurgitated endlessly, what other positions offer some areas of intrigue. The defensive line group is interesting. We have lots of youts but the team did add Eric Johnson and Isaiahh Loudermilk who have 4 and 5 years
of experience respectively. The next two most experienced defensive linemen are Levi Drake-Rodriguez and Jalen Redmond with 2 years each. I see some final 53 predictions already and many do not have the veterans making the team. I wonder if that will hold true?
I would say the EDGE rusher depth behind Van Ginkel and Turner is less than comforting. I am not sure if Ingram-Dawkins can transition and be effective so there is reason to be concerned. At least from this no nothing fan.
Are you concerned about any other position?
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Top Vikings storylines after minicamp, from QBs to new GM
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49072014/nfl-minnesota-vikings-kyler-murray-jj-mccarthy-nolan-teasley
The Minnesota Vikings’ on-field work this spring began with quarterback Kyler Murray fulfilling expectations as the most talented quarterback on the roster.
It ended with evidence that Murray had bogged down during the installation of a complex offense, which by his own acknowledgement was taking place amid fewer reps than he is accustomed to.
In the big picture, however, the basic premise of the Vikings’ quarterback competition did not appear to flip. Murray remains the favorite to win the starting job in training camp, even as incumbent J.J. McCarthy made clear moves to stabilize his rocky 2025 performance. Murray’s advantage in arm talent — throwing to a difficult spot, varying the speeds and trajectories of his passes — was evident. And what might be the most significant differentiator in the competition — his elite-level running ability — was dormant during the noncontact drills NFL teams use during spring practices.
“I definitely understand his difficulty of understanding some things,” receiver Justin Jefferson said of Murray, “just because this offense is difficult — and especially going against our defense. Seeing the different coverages, seeing the rolls, the disguises that our defense does is really going to help him out when the season comes if he’s the starting quarterback. … So I’m pretty sure that he’s going to get to that point where he knows [the offense] like the back of his hand, and he’s calling the plays freely.”
…
Let’s run through some more takeaways from the Vikings’ work this offseason, starting with a separate but not insignificant part of the quarterback competition.
Personal connection is clear
It shouldn’t be a surprise that McCarthy ended the spring with a more developed connection with his teammates. He is entering his third season with the team, while Murray has been in Minnesota for four months.
But the disparity also supported what’s obvious about both of their personalities: McCarthy is a vibrant connector, while Murray has a quieter disposition.
McCarthy, for example, notably organized an outing to a Minnesota Wild playoff game in April. Murray was invited and attended.
Jefferson referred to Murray as a “real cool guy, chill.” He said they “definitely talk on the sidelines” about “different things he’s looking for, that I’m looking for.”
Running back Aaron Jones Sr. said he had spoken to both quarterbacks about having an “F it” mentality during the competition, to not worry about any opinions other than those from Vikings coaches. Jones also relayed that one of his conversations with McCarthy occurred in March after Jones was on a flight that got stuck in Chicago. He said he called McCarthy, who is from the Chicago suburbs and happened to be in the area that day, and McCarthy drove to the airport to hang out for the night.
Players won’t get much of a say in O’Connell’s final decision, if any, and their personal feelings are minimally relevant to who is best equipped to run the Vikings’ offense. None of the players who spoke with reporters during the five open offseason sessions expressed a favorite. Jefferson went out of his way to say he planned to work with both quarterbacks during his summer break.
But just as a function of time spent together, all of them know and understand McCarthy better than they do Murray. Take that for what it’s worth.
Enhanced WR depth
Last summer, the Vikings were concerned enough about their receiver depth that they traded the equivalent of a fourth-round pick to acquire Adam Thielen. Barring injuries, a repeat scenario appears unlikely.
Jefferson, Jordan Addison and free agent addition Jauan Jennings make up what Jennings called the “Big Three,” referencing the Golden State Warriors’ trio of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. (Jennings playfully identified himself as Durant in that scenario.) Behind them are at least three receivers who are genuine competitors for the No. 4 and No. 5 jobs.
Jefferson noted that Tai Felton, a third-round pick in 2025, “has definitely been coming on.” Myles Price, who spent last season primarily as a punt and kickoff returner, reported leaner and certainly looked quicker on underneath routes. Most notable, however, was the presence of undrafted rookie Dillon Bell.
Edge rusher needed
Depth is much less evident on the defensive edge following the draft weekend trade of outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard. The Vikings are set with Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner as starters, but Turner’s excused absence for a personal matter on the second day of minicamp revealed the significant gap that exists between the next set of players at that position.
Bo Richter, Chaz Chambliss and Tyler Batty were the next three players up on the depth chart. The Vikings also experimented with defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, a fifth-round pick in 2025 who is 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, on the edge. But it is a certainty that the Vikings will be on the lookout for veteran help at the position as training camp approaches.
Among the top free agents remaining on the market, according to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, are edge players Joey Bosa, Jadeveon Clowney and Haason Reddick. Leonard Floyd is also available
Brian O’Neill contract extension looms
Longtime right tackle Brian O’Neill is in line for a third contract, following the rookie deal he signed in 2018 and the five-year, $92.5 million extension he received in 2021, which expires after this season.
O’Neill was an observer during OTAs and didn’t participate until mandatory minicamp. The Vikings have long anticipated an O’Neill extension, but according to sources, the structure and finances were complicated enough to merit placing talks on hold during the tenure of interim general manager Rob Brzezinski. The hiring of Nolan Teasley to the permanent role is expected to jump-start talks.
O’Neill, who turns 31 in September, said he has no interest in moving on after the season.
“Five years ago when I went through a similar process, I said, ‘I want to be here and there’s nowhere else I want to be,'” O’Neill said. “That rings more true now than ever. If you’ve been around me long enough, you know how much this place means to me. There is unequivocally nowhere else I’d rather be.”
Lunchbreak: Experienced Perspective on Quarterbacks; Virtue of Versatility
https://www.vikings.com/news/2026-quarterbacks-virtue-of-versatility
So, what’s next for Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray?
The competition between Minnesota’s highest-drafted quarterback in franchise history (McCarthy) and the only person to be selected in the Top 10 of the NFL and MLB drafts (Murray), will resume in training camp next month after they embraced the situation and shared starting reps in the offseason program.
It’s understandable to want to look ahead, but glancing back is important, as well, for the sake of context.
Let’s turn, then, to Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune, who on Tuesday did exactly that, outlining Murray’s “fresh start” and McCarthy’s “upward trajectory,” to set the stage for their next test.
Goessling prefaced his article on the dueling quarterbacks with insights from the longest-tenured player on the Vikings offense, right tackle Brian O’Neill, who has blocked for nine QBs who have started at least one game in the past eight Vikings seasons.
Goessling wrote that O’Neill has “become a keen observer of the human condition, particularly the mental state of the quarterbacks he’s charged with protecting” since he was drafted by the club in 2018.
O’Neill’s closeness to the position has provided him an honest perspective of McCarthy’s undulating career arc.
“I don’t know how I would handle it,” he commented last week about the 23-year-old QB who was injured his entire rookie year and then struggled to stay healthy and perform consistently when he became the starter last season. “Not many people I know on this team have had the path that he’s had. There [are] so many more eyes on a quarterback. … Everything’s amplified.”
JJ McCarthy trade suitors if Vikings move forward with Kyler Murray
https://fansided.com/nfl/jj-mccarthy-trade-suitors-if-vikings-move-forward-with-kyler-murray
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta is basically in the same boat as Minnesota: Michael Penix Jr., a 2024 first-round pick, is attempting to fend off Tua Tagovailoa, a former high-paid veteran just released from his prior obligations due to lackluster performance. Tagovailoa has a sturdy track record, but concussions and turnover problems tanked his final two years in Miami.
Penix, selected two spots ahead of McCarthy at No. 8 in the 2024 draft, is coming back from a major knee injury — the latest in a worrying string of major knee injuries that have impacted him since early in his college career. Frankly, neither Tagovailoa nor Penix inspire much confidence at this point. Both are limited in their ability to operate outside the pocket and beholden to certain schematic principles.
Pittsburgh plainly believes in 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, who has a longstanding connection to new head coach Mike McCarthy. Then again, he’s 42 and has already vowed to retire after this season. That is not a long-term solution, and Pittsburgh may be too competitive to land a top quarterback prospect in the loaded 2027 NFL Draft.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers could view McCarthy as a worthy successor. There is clear organizational faith in Will Howard, a sixth-round pick in 2025. Drew Allar was selected in the fourth round in April. That said, neither has the same prospect pedigree as McCarthy. Howard is a very sturdy, point guard-like QB. Allar is more of a wild card, both immensely talented and incredibly reckless.
New York Jets
The Jets quarterback room is rather depressing, so we needn’t dwell on it too much. Geno Smith was brought in after a catastrophic year in Las Vegas to, um, “stabilize” a young offense. Aaron Glenn is very clearly coaching for his job, so the Jets will attempt to round into contending shape this season. Of course, nothing from last year gives one confidence in their ability to win more than four games. New York will be vying for Arch Manning’s services in 2027.
Beyond Smith, the depth chart features Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook — two formerly undrafted free agents with more career interceptions than touchdowns — and Cade Klubnik, a fourth-round pick in April whose stock plummeted after a letdown senior campaign at Clemson.
Vikings Suitor for $5 Million QB Before Kyler Murray Ever Takes Snap
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/minnesota-vikings/brendan-sorsby-kyler-murray-second-round-pick/
That is a question Ben Solak of ESPN posed on Monday, June 15 when he dubbed Minnesota as among eight teams that are viable suitors for quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the upcoming supplemental draft.
Also on Solak’s list of potential landing spots are the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.
“The Vikings have Kyler Murray secured for only one season and probably want more longer-term options beyond JJ McCarthy,” Solak wrote. “When quarterbacks with NFL size, NFL arm talent and NFL movement skills become available, depth charts that were previously endorsed by coaches suddenly become more tenuous. On talent alone, there should be a robust market for Sorsby in the supplemental draft — but of course, his unique case is not just about talent.”
Vikings Sign TE Marshall Lang & DL Jahvaree Ritzie; Waive 2 Players
https://www.vikings.com/news/marshall-lang-jahvaree-ritzie-signed-roster-moves
Sources: Ex-Browns GM Pace joining rival Vikings in adviser role
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/49083406/vikings-pilfer-foes-hiring-ex-bears-gm-pace-adviser
Vikings Offensive Line’s 2026 Offseason Program Boosted by Improved Health & Increased Experience
https://www.vikings.com/news/offensive-line-2026-offseason-health-increased-experience
The Vikings Must Resist the Brendan Sorsby Temptation
https://zonecoverage.com/2026/minnesota-vikings-news/the-vikings-must-resist-the-brendan-sorsby-temptation/
J.J. McCarthy Assigned the Dreaded NFL Label
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/analysis/jj-mccarthy-bust-candidate-vikings
NFL QB Battles: Who Should Start for the Raiders, Browns, Vikings, Falcons?
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-qb-battles-who-should-start-raiders-browns-vikings-falcons
Minnesota Vikings’ best fit at quarterback for one NFL analyst is relatively simple
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/minnesota-vikings-best-fit-quarterback-nfl-analyst-kyler-murray-jj-mccarthy-kevin-oconnell/
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell knows that QB Kyler Murray can be magical
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-hc-kevin-oconnell-knows-170640658.html
Vikings defender gets serious praise for unique trait that everyone in Minnesota knew he had
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-defender-gets-serious-praise-211255801.html
Vikings OC loves the team’s addition of Max Bredeson to the offense
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/vikings-oc-loves-teams-addition-181519722.html
So, Is that Vikings Rumor Finally Going to Turn into a Deal?
https://vikingsterritory.com/2026/news/top_news/vikings-rumor-deal-wilkins
How Do the Vikings Maximize Their 3 Backs?
https://zonecoverage.com/2026/minnesota-vikings-news/how-do-the-vikings-maximize-their-3-backs/
Vikings 53-Man Roster Projection: Nolan Teasley set to make an impact after minicamp cleared up multiple positions
https://atozsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings-news/vikings-53-man-roster-projection-nolan-teasley-kyler-murray-jj-mccarthy-justin-jefferson/
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