The first training camp practice is 34 days away. Rookies report to training camp in 28 days. Time flies no?<\/p>\n
Without any practices there is not a lot to discuss besides the endless debate about the QB competition. I am preparing for the 2027 draft which leads me to plan my viewing schedule (as if I plan that) for the upcoming college football season. I realize that some folks do not care to read about this stuff but there is a segment of the fanbase that does like to talk about it and thus, I am obliged.<\/p>\n
The Minnesota Vikings\u2019 primary needs for the 2027 draft include offensive tackle, edge rusher, cornerback, quarterback, and tight end<\/p>\n
The 2027 Draft Is Loaded \u2014 and the Vikings May Have Big Shoes to Fill Quarterback? You betcha. What\u2019s wild is that McShay has the Vikings taking Mensah in his way-too-early mock draft.<\/p>\n \u201cMensah has some serious upside. I thought there was a chance he\u2019d declare for the 2026 draft, but I think he made the right call in transferring to Miami from Duke (he played at Tulane in 2024). Here\u2019s hoping he makes the same leap that Cam Ward and Carson Beck did once they made their way to Coral Gables,\u201d McShay wrote Tuesday.<\/p>\n Offensive tackle? It\u2019s very possible. Edge rusher? AVG could be gone\u2026 Cornerback? It\u2019s always in demand in Minnesota. Tight end? Hockenson\u2019s last year under contract. I always look at the contracts and go from there.<\/p>\n The unrestricted free agents (UFA) in 2027 on the Vikings will be \u2026 The restricted free agents (RFA) in 2027 on the Vikings will be \u2026 I am hoping to see an extension for O\u2019Neill and maybe a surprise extension of Redmond. After those two Van Ginkel and Brandel could be next up.<\/p>\n Of course, the season needs to play out to see if the team should try to retain these players but the top of the 2027 could provide some answers. Hence, the early planning has begun. At least for this Hipster Draft Doofus!<\/p>\n Rookie Arrival: First-year players report to the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota, on July 26. 2026 Vikings Training Camp Full Schedule DATE : TIME : PRACTICE The Minnesota Vikings 2026 preseason schedule features three matchups Minnesota Vikings News and Links<\/p>\n Vikings Emerge as Contender to Sign 8-Time Pro Bowler The Big Lead\u2019s Jobe Morrison has named Minnesota as one of the three NFL contenders who could sign Hopkins late in free agency.<\/p>\n \u201cThe obvious connection here is a reunion with quarterback Kyler Murray. The Vikings\u2019 receiver room already features Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings, meaning Hopkins would likely slot in as the team\u2019s fourth wide receiver,\u201d Morrison wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t mean head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell couldn\u2019t find a role for him. Hopkins could serve as the utility receiver he described, particularly in key third-down situations. Plus, he already has established chemistry with Murray.\u201d Kyler Murray for MVP? KC Concepcion for OROY? Long-shot picks for major NFL awards in 2026 Most Valuable Player Rating each position on Vikings\u2019 roster heading into 2026 NFL training camp Quarterback Injuries have hurt the former national championship signal caller from Michigan in his first two years with the Vikings. While he has some intangible characteristics, he completed just 57.6 percent of his passes and threw 12 interceptions last season. He is not likely to overcome Murray this summer<\/p>\n Offensive line Defensive line Secondary Vikings Hire Andrew Healy & Trent Kirchner as Assistant General Managers Minnesota on Thursday announced the hires of Andrew Healy and Trent Kirchner as co-Assistant General Managers, as well as Director of Football Strategy Tyler Hamblin, Football Advisor Ryan Pace and Assistant Director of Pro Scouting Azzaam Kapadia \u2014 marking the first major additions by new Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley.<\/p>\n The Vikings also announced the following five promotions (individuals listed alphabetically by last name): Dabness Atkins to Scouting Assistant, Chris French to Director of Football Quantitative Methods, Claire Morrison to Football Quantitative Methods Analyst, Jack Murphy to College Area Scout and Brian Schnorr to College Scout\/BLESTO.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m excited about the staff we\u2019ve assembled and confident in the talented, hardworking group we have throughout our entire football operation,\u201d Teasley said. \u201cThe additions we\u2019ve made further strengthen an already outstanding staff and bring valuable experience and perspective to our organization. We\u2019re committed to building a championship-caliber team and creating an environment where everyone can do their best work in pursuit of that goal.\u201d<\/p>\n Bill Barnwell Drops Bold Take on 2026 Minnesota Vikings Jennings is a massive get, but the Vikings already had a quality No. 1 and No. 2 receiver on the roster. ESPN NFL analyst Bill Barnwell took notice and ranked the Vikings as No. 8 best roster of running back, wide receiver and tight end combined. Here was Barnwell\u2019s analysis.<\/p>\n \u201dThere\u2019s a tier break between the top eight teams and everyone else on this list. Even coming off his worst season as a pro, Justin Jefferson still has a deserved reputation as one of the most feared receivers in the game. He also has been healthy for five of his first six seasons in the league, which makes it easier to project a full season. And adding Jauan Jennings gave coach Kevin O\u2019Connell an overqualified No. 3 to play behind Jefferson and Jordan Addison.<\/p>\n Both Jefferson and Addison saw their catch rates drop to career lows last season, which I feel comfortable chalking up to subpar quarterback play. T.J. Hockenson, though, recorded the best catch rate of his career, in part because he was catching bunches of short checkdowns. The tight end hasn\u2019t been the same player since his 2023 ACL tear, and the Vikings could really use his ability to create after the catch and up the seam to help new QB Kyler Murray this season. This is a make-or-break year for Hockenson, who will be a free agent after the campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n Five NFL stars who could force a Giannis-like trade: Justin Jefferson, Jonathan Taylor ripe for new homes Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Then, J.J. McCarthy happened. Minnesota opted to let Pro Bowl quarterback Sam Darnold walk in free agency last offseason because they drafted McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. McCarthy wasn\u2019t ready for the speed of the NFL game, ranking dead last in the entire league in completion percentage (57.6%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (11-12), and passer rating (72.6) in 2025. His ineptitude led to Jefferson posting career lows in receiving yards (1,048) and receiving touchdowns (2) in 2025, which dropped his receiving yards per game average down to 90.2 — the second-most in NFL history behind Puka Nacua\u2019s 95.3 average.<\/p>\n Prediction on whether or not Jefferson will eventually ask for a trade: Yes, by the 2028 NFL offseason<\/p>\n Richard Sherman Is All Smiles on Vikings\u2019 Latest Move The Minnesota Vikings hired general manager Nolan Teasley, formerly a front office executive in Seattle, earlier this month \u2014 and former Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman emphatically endorses the move. Sherman said this week, \u201cIt\u2019s really incredible, and it\u2019s fantastic, and I love it. He\u2019s a guy who works incredibly hard, a guy who cares about the players, he cares about his job, he cares about the organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s put in the time, and that\u2019s the hard part for a lot of people who get in these positions, is they haven\u2019t worked themselves through, they haven\u2019t taken the stairs to the top. A lot of people get the elevator, and then you get to the top, and you don\u2019t know how to operate.\u201d<\/p>\n Minnesota interviewed nine candidates for the general manager vacancy, and the Teasley choice turned heads because he was the only contender truly outside the organization without preexisting ties.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you take the stairs, you know how the building operates. You know what the first floor does, you know what the second floor does, you know what the third floor does. And I think that\u2019s important in leadership and the guys you put in leadership positions,\u201d Sherman continued.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s going to do a fantastic job for the Minnesota Vikings, and I\u2019m excited to see it.\u201d<\/p>\n Ranking Every Quarterback the Vikings Will Face in the 2026 Season Vikings face an important contract decision with Brian O\u2019Neil Vikings\u2019 biggest strength could make their QB debate irrelevant Dales: Kyler Murray in \u2018unchartered territory\u2019 with Vikings amid starting QB competition \u2018The Insiders\u2019 Hopefully Justin Jefferson Won\u2019t Share One Year 7 Similarity With Randy Moss How Will the Vikings Allocate Targets in 2026? Vikings Film Breakdown: Studying Rookie Linebacker Jake Golday 3 Vikings Who Could Sneak into the Starting Lineup Should the Vikings Bring Back Cam Gill To Solidify the Edge Room? Las Vegas Raiders \u2018likely landing spot\u2019 in hypothetical Justin Jefferson trade Vikings drawing the short end of the stick despite success Vikings Myths and Misses: Joey Bosa, Aaron Jones\u2019s Pushback, NFL Top 100 Top 100 NFL players of 2026: Myles Garrett tops rankings as Rams boast three players in top 10 No 8 Justin Jefferson Minnesota Vikings WR Note: I think that O\u2019Neill and Van Ginkel might have good arguments to make this list.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/vikings\/onsi\/the-2027-draft-is-loaded-and-the-vikings-may-have-big-shoes-to-fill<\/a><\/p>\n
The top QBs in 2027? Arch Manning (Texas), Dante Moore (Oregon), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), C.J. Carr (Notre Dame), Julian Sayin (Ohio State), Darian Mensah (Miami), and Brendan Sorsby (Texas Tech).<\/p>\n
The top tackles in the 2027 class may include Jordan Seaton (LSU), Trevor Goosby (Texas), and Austin Siereveld (Ohio State).<\/p>\n
Who are the top edge rushers at this point? Colin Simmons (Texas), Dylan Stewart (South Carolina), Damon Wilson II (Miami), Quincy Rhodes (Arkansas), and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. (Ohio State).<\/p>\n
The top corners in the 2027 class include the likes of Leonard Moore (Notre Dame), Ellis Robinson IV (Georgia), Jyaire Hill (Michigan), and Ja\u2019Bril Rawls (Florida State),<\/p>\n
Among the best tight ends at this point in the draft process, we\u2019re looking at Jamari Johnson (Oregon), Trey\u2019Dez Green (LSU), Terrance Carter Jr. (Texas Tech), and DJ Vonnahme (Iowa).<\/p>\n
Aaron Jones, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Brandel, Blake Cashman, Brian O\u2019Neill, Carson Wentz, Isaiah Rodgers, Ivan Pace Jr., Jauan Jennings, Jordan Mason, Kyler Murray, Ryan Van Demark, T.J. Hockenson.<\/p>\n
Dwight McGlothern (CB), Jalen Redmond (DT), , Bo Richter (LB)Josh Ross (LB), Kahlef Hailassie (CB)<\/p>\n
Veteran Arrival: Returning players and full-squad activities begin two days later on July 28.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.vikings.com\/schedule\/vikings-events\/training-camp\/schedule<\/a><\/p>\n
Saturday, Aug. 1 : Noon- 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 3 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 4 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 5 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 7 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9 : 5 – 11 p.m. : 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 11 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 12 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 17 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 19 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m. : Joint Practice with Baltimore Ravens
Thursday, Aug. 20 : Noon – 5 p.m. : 2:30 p.m. : Joint Practice with Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n
Week 1: Saturday, August 15 at New York Giants (1:00 PM ET)
Week 2: Saturday, August 22 vs. Baltimore Ravens (12:00 PM ET)
Week 3: Friday, August 28 at Denver Broncos (Time TBD)<\/p>\n
https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/minnesota-vikings\/emerge-contender-sign-8-time-pro-bowler\/<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2026
Should Minnesota sign Hopkins? Quite simply, there would be nothing wrong with bringing him onboard. He has previous chemistry with Murray and his experience could help lead the Vikings back to the playoff run they\u2019re hoping to make.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/news\/kyler-murray-for-mvp-kc-concepcion-for-oroy-long-shot-picks-for-major-nfl-awards-in-2026<\/a><\/p>\n
Kyler Murray
Minnesota Vikings \u00b7 QB
The combination of Murray\u2019s spectacular playmaking ability and Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s creative scheming could quickly remind the football world why this quarterback won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and then went first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Injuries have plagued the former Offensive Rookie of the Year in recent seasons, but Murray\u2019s dual-threat skills should be enhanced by the Vikings\u2019 playmakers and play designer. After watching KOC transform a struggling Sam Darnold into a Pro Bowler in 2024, I\u2019m confident that the coaching wizard can help the ultra-talented Murray regain his magic in Minnesota. Given the 28-year-old\u2019s prowess as a dual-threat weapon, the Vikings could re-emerge with a potent offense to complement Brian Flores\u2019 swarming D. If Murray makes Minnesota a true contender in a loaded NFC North, the eighth-year pro could add another major piece of football hardware to his mantel.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/clutchpoints.com\/other-sports\/rating-each-position-on-vikings-roster-heading-into-2026-nfl-training-camp<\/a><\/p>\n
Kyler Murray established himself as one of the most athletic quarterbacks in the league during his seven-year run with the Arizona Cardinals. He combines arm strength with a quick release along and the ability to make key plays on the run. Injuries have limited his production in two of the past three seasons, but he is healthy as he enters the 2026 season. The 28-year-old Murray is the favorite to emerge with the QB1 position over McCarthy.<\/p>\n
The Vikings have a pair of outstanding tackles in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O\u2019Neill, but the key is keeping them healthy for a full season. Darrisaw missed seven games at left tackle a year ago while O\u2019Neill failed to play in three games. Second-year left guard Donovan Jackson is expected to assert himself this season and right guard Will Fries hopes to improve in his second year. Center Blake Brandel is likely to win the starting center job after filling in last year and serving as a backup guard and tackle.<\/p>\n
This is one of the most unproven areas of the team. The Vikings have one of the most respected defensive coordinators in Brian Flores, but he needs rookie DT Caleb Banks to stay healthy and remain on the field for 17 games this season. Fellow rookie Domonique Orange \u2014 The Big Citrus \u2014 must clog the middle at the NT position and shut down the opponents\u2019 interior running game. Jalen Redmond has been a great find after recording 62 tackles and 6.0 sacks a year ago.<\/p>\n
Cornerback has been a weakness for the Vikings dating back to previous head coach Mike Zimmer, but Byron Murphy has a chance win All-Pro honors and Isaiah Rodgers has flashed his talent. However, the safety position appears to be the issue as the retirement of Harrison Smith looms and the Vikings need Jay Ward to step up. Josh Metellus is one of the key players in the Flores scheme and he can be a game changer.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.vikings.com\/news\/vikings-hire-andrew-healy-trent-kirchner-as-assistant-general-managers<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/bill-barnwell-drops-bold-2026-170037603.html<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/nfl\/news\/nfl-stars-giannis-trade-justin-jefferson\/<\/a><\/p>\n
Minnesota Vikings four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson raced out to a historic start to his NFL career: his 7,432 yards receiving from 2020 to 2024 are the most in a player\u2019s first five seasons in league history. That production resulted in Jefferson averaging 96.5 receiving yards per game, which also ranked as the most in NFL history.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2026\/news\/top_news\/richard-sherman-nolan-teasley-vikings<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2026
Teasley crossed paths with Sherman for four seasons in Seattle, which should explain Sherman\u2019s adoration.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/vikings\/onsi\/ranking-every-quarterback-vikings-will-face-in-2026-season<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/vikings-face-important-contract-decision-002527852.html<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/got-wrong-vikings-offseason-130600791.html<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/videos\/dales-kyler-murray-unchartered-territory-235006243.html<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/zonecoverage.com\/2026\/minnesota-vikings-news\/hopefully-justin-jefferson-wont-share-one-year-7-similarity-with-randy-moss\/<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/zonecoverage.com\/2026\/minnesota-vikings-news\/how-will-the-vikings-allocate-targets-in-2026\/<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.vikings.com\/news\/jake-golday-linebacker-film-breakdown-review-analysis-2026<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2026\/news\/top_news\/vikings-starting-lineup-depth-chart-2026<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/zonecoverage.com\/2026\/minnesota-vikings-news\/should-the-vikings-bring-back-cam-gill-to-solidify-the-edge-room\/<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/las-vegas-raiders-likely-landing-140000916.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/articles\/vikings-drawing-short-end-stick-202525881.html<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2026\/news\/top_news\/vikings-rumors-bosa-jones-top-100<\/a><\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/nfl\/news\/top-100-nfl-players-2026-rankings\/<\/a><\/p>\n
He was hurt by poor quarterback play last year, but he remains the most talented receiver in the game. He had 84 catches and only two touchdowns last season. Kyler Murray should help his numbers this year. (Last season: No. 5)<\/p>\n