Similar to Cousins’ injury, Darrisaw’s was just ahead of the trade deadline and prompted a trade, with Minnesota acquiring Cam Robinson to play left tackle. While Robinson filled in well with the change on the fly and helped Minnesota launch a 9-game win streak, “Big Dog” had been reaching an elite status at the time of his injury.

Darrisaw worked through the situation last season, playing in parts or all of 10 games, but he’d probably be the first to say he didn’t feel like his best self.

O’Neill was a warrior after suffering a knee injury during a questionable tactic by the Steelers during their FG block attempt in Dublin.

While clean health is never guaranteed, the thought of having both players back is quite encouraging. The Vikings were crafty in signing Ryan Van Demark during free agency and have confidence in his ability to step in at either spot if needed. Minnesota also drafted Caleb Tiernan in the third round.

We’ll learn much more about the lesser-experienced/known players through training camp (once the pads are strapped) and preseason games when opponents can go full-throttle at QBs, but it did seem like the “Minnesota Moving Company” was building some nice momentum this spring.

Having experienced the shift from four to three preseason games in 2021 (plus a fifth in 2015 when the Vikings were in the Hall of Fame Game), I can’t even imagine what it was like when teams played six exhibition contests (and starters participated in all or most of those).

Claiborne’s addition provided breakaway speed that the Vikings have not had at the position for a few seasons. That’s not to takeaway from how much of an impact Aaron Jones, Sr., had in his first season with Minnesota (career-high 1,138 rushing yards, threat as a receiver and reliability as a blitz-picker-upper) or what Jordan Mason added last season. The Vikings like both of those players, but the prospect of explosive plays on the ground is highly welcome after Minnesota recorded just seven runs of 20+ yards in 2025 and only one of 40+. Only six teams had fewer 20-yard rushes in that span. Twenty teams had two or more of 40+, with Detroit carding a league best seven.

Claiborne was productive and gritty at Wake Forest, but it’s also possible that he has some potential yet to be fully unlocked, and Jones and Mason will be tremendous resources for him.

Flores’ accomplishments in three seasons as Minnesota’s DC are impressive and could continue to increase, even with the departure of OLB Jonathan Greenard and the potential of not having Harrison Smith, unless the safety returns for a 15th pro season.

The additions made on that side of the ball in free agency (namely cornerback James Pierre) and the first two days of the draft (defensive linemen Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange, linebacker Jake Golday and safety Jakobe Thomas) were impacted by Flo’s vision for the players and his system.

In case you haven’t seen yet, VEN’s Rob Kleifield has done deep dives on players Minnesota drafted in the first three rounds of 2026. I highly recommend reading each of these to help pass the time between now and training camp.

Tiernan: Scheduled to post July 8

Thomas: Scheduled to post July 15

New GM Nolan Teasley has already expressed that his philosophy on football includes emphasizing the importance of the line of scrimmage, and he has lauded what he’s seen from Minnesota’s defense under Flores.

We’ll get to the quarterback competition between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray (I’m listing them alphabetically on first reference) in questions below, but yep, there’s always pressure on that position because of how much QBs are tasked with handling beyond the hopes and dreams of the organization and fanbase.