EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings multi-month voluntary offseason workout program concluded and left us with 10 top takeaways.

Players and coaches are taking a break from the building, but they desire to maintain momentum for when they report to training camp next month.

1. Front office construction | by Craig Peters

The Vikings essentially entered the 2026 offseason with two "A topics." One was a change at general manager enacted when the team parted ways with Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on Jan. 31. The other was the desire to elevate the competition and depth in the quarterbacks room.

Vikings Ownership tabbed Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski to guide the personnel department and coaching staff through free agency (with limited salary cap space) and the draft. Brzezinski talked about the importance of stacking good decisions, and his experience, comfort and relatability-to-all in the organization shined, resulting in the economical addition of Kyler Murray with the Arizona Cardinals paying most of the QB's 2026 salary, sensible other signings and the use of nine selections.

Brzezinski interviewed for the GM position after the draft, but a comprehensive process led by Vikings ownership resulted in the hire of Nolan Teasley, who rose the ranks from intern to assistant GM during his 13-season run in Seattle that was bookended by Super Bowls XLVIII and LX.

Teasley's hire was announced by the team on June 1, and he's begun a thorough review of the front office. Changes have not yet been announced by the team.

The Wilf family expressed gratitude for Brzezinski's leadership and excitement for what they believe he, Teasley and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell will mean for the Vikings efforts for sustained success and the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl.

2. Continued QB competition | by Lindsey Young

The Vikings are being intentional in their process to name their 2026 starting quarterback.

O'Connell has noted the importance of Murray and J.J. McCarthy competing for the role, and that has been demonstrated throughout the offseason programming. McCarthy, who is entering his third season, and Murray, who spent his first seven seasons in Arizona and signed with the Vikings as a free agent, shared first-team reps during voluntary Organized Team Activity and mandatory minicamp practices.

As Murray — the No. 1 overall pick in 2019 — works to learn a new offensive system, McCarthy is taking steps forward with the benefit of a healthy offseason.

Murray and McCarthy are part of a Vikings QBs room that also includes veteran Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer, whom Minnesota signed as an undrafted free agent last year.

"All four of those guys are at different points in their comfort level in our offense, their comfort level of playing the position in their careers and all trying to apply those things to what they're doing right now," O'Connell said in early June. "But I've been really happy with the way both those guys, J.J. and Kyler, have kind of attacked it in their own individual kind of ways, knowing that they're competing.

"It's a competition, and these guys are working every day," O'Connell added. "The greater good of the Minnesota Vikings and our team ceiling is the most important thing. That's clear to both of those guys."

He added at the end of minicamp: "I'm excited about where both those guys are at. Looking forward to them using the time between now and when we report back to build on what they've accomplished, which is a lot."

3. Adding a gem in Jauan Jennings | by Lindsey Young

The Vikings added more than a dozen players to their roster through the NFL Draft and free agency.

In my mind, one of the top signings this offseason is going to be WR Jauan Jennings, who spent the first six seasons of his career in San Francisco.

Jennings, affectionately known by 49ers fans as "Third-and-Jauan," is not only a talented receiver but also one who plays physical and is among the league's top blockers at his position. Last season, he started all 15 games he played and had 55 catches for 643 yards and a whopping nine touchdowns.

The former seventh-round pick adds tremendous value to a Vikings receiving corps led by Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

"I think our receivers have been pretty good at [blocking], and adding [Jennings] to that room, they're going to get even better," Aaron Jones, Sr., said. "They're going to take over some of that mentality, as well, and it's going to make everybody better.

"He brings a grittiness," Jones said. "He does all the dirty work in a sense, where he may not be highlighted on the play — or sometimes it will be highlighted because he's the receiver in there doing the blocking … but he's doing it for the sacrifice of the team, and he just brings that dog mentality with him. It doesn't matter who lines up in front of him; he's going to win, and he's going to show them, 'Hey, I'm physical.' "

4. Developing WR depth | by Rob Kleifield

Jefferson, Addison and Jennings are distinguished in their own rights. One is a global phenom. Another has been as dynamic a WR2 as anyone. All three are dogs, so to speak – and combined, they have a case to be the most prolific set of three wide receivers on one team in the league.

Behind them, however, there's almost zero prior NFL production at the position. Tai Felton, a third-round pick in 2025, is the only other wideout on the roster with an NFL catch; he has three. Then there's Myles Price, who starred on special teams as a rookie, and Dontae Fleming and Jeshaun Jones, who have had their moments in practices the past two offseasons. The rest of the room features six undrafted rookies: Dillon Bell, Michael Briscoe, Terrill Davis, Trayvon Rudolph, Marcus Sanders, Jr., and Luke Wysong. Bell was the only one who caught passes from McCarthy and Murray in team periods this spring, but each player has caught Jefferson's eye, so much so that when he was asked to differentiate one, he deferred to everyone.

Along with position coach Keenan McCardell, "Jets" is setting an elite example and supporting them.

"Every single time that they come out here, I'm definitely [giving them tips]," he said, "and making sure that everybody is held responsible, and have those high expectations for everybody to come out here and be a 'Justin Jefferson', be a 'Jordan Addison'; it's really holding those standards high [for] everybody, and everybody can have a chance to be on that field. Obviously, [there are] three guys who are at the top of the list, but beyond that, anybody can step up and be a playmaker on special teams [and] on offense."

5. Offense gaining ground | by Rob Kleifield

Several additions to the coaching staff, such as Gerald Alexander and Ryan Nielsen, heading up the secondary and defensive line, are working with Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores to elevate that side of the ball. Similarly, Assistant Head Coach Frank Smith is helping the offense make strides under O'Connell.

Formerly an offensive coordinator, Smith played an integral role in the Dolphins rushing success the past four seasons; Miami ranked first in the NFL in yards per attempt in 2023 (5.1) and fourth in 2025 (4.7). In just a short time, Smith's acumen, energy and teaching style have influenced players, as well as his peers.

"He's one of the smartest, [most] intelligent people," said Jones, adding that Smith helps players grasp the schematics from an all-11 standpoint, which maximizes understanding of their assignments. "Some people play checkers; he plays chess when it comes to football – just him breaking it down, him [figuring out] an advantage … he's just a great, brilliant mind, and he brings a lot of energy."

Right guard Will Fries added, "It's been a lot of fun learning from him and seeing the fire in his eyes."

O'Connell spoke about the run game's evolution this month and lauded OL coach Keith Carter and Smith: "Keith's done a phenomenal job really being the engine behind the technique and fundamentals, and I can't understate Frank's impact from a schematical, big-picture standpoint of really being what we want to be as an offense … you get new ideas every day based upon some things you see."

6. Bredeson receiving baton from Ham | by Craig Peters

There was some pondering back in 2022 when O'Connell was hired about the fate of fullback C.J. Ham, who had totaled 1,134 offensive snaps from 2019-21 and made his first of two career Pro Bowls after the 2019 season in which Minnesota deployed the Kubiak offensive system.

Ham's offensive snaps dropped in 2022 to 169 (15 percent), but he contributed a career-high 324 special teams snaps.

Coaches increased Ham's involvement in the offense over the next three seasons, which his offensive snap share going to 19 percent in 2023 (another Pro Bowl season) to 24 percent in 2024. Last season, he missed six games, but his 184 offensive snaps accounted for 28 percent of the team's share in those contests. The Duluth native received a fitting hero's send-off in the 2025 season finale, scoring his sixth career rushing touchdown in a win over Green Bay.

Ham's execution, combined with Minnesota's offseason emphasis on the run game, positioned the team to use a fifth-round pick on fullback Max Bredeson. Minnesota importantly calculated how long it could wait on Day 3 of the draft before tabbing Bredeson to take the baton from Ham.

Although the offseason program was spent in helmets and shorts (and with an emphasis on 7-on-7 passing and a deemphasis on physicality), Bredeson looked the part with his ability to move around the formation before the snap and his GPS-esque navigation to the right spots for lead blocking.

McCarthy, who was at Bredeson's house for the draft via invitation from his former Michigan teammate, said Ham is an "absolute legend" with big shoes to fill, but Bredeson is somebody "I can't speak highly enough of."

"He's a foxhole guy, does it all, and he has this aura to him that is, just by any means necessary, he's going to get the job done," McCarthy said. "We know he's a guy that we can count on when it comes down to it."

7. Checking in on Banks & the DL | by Lindsey Young

When the Vikings drafted defensive lineman Caleb Banks in the first round, they knew he wouldn't be quite ready to go. The former Florida standout has been rehabbing a foot injury and hasn't yet participated in on-field individual or team drills.

Media members did get a look at Banks working out on a side field with trainers, though, and his energy and motivation is evident.

O'Connell said he and the coaching staff have received "really, really positive reviews" from training staff.

"Had the offseason continued, he probably would have continued to get some work in some of the individual drills and then progressed him into some of the team stuff," O'Connell said. "I will say this: the feedback I'm getting from the coaches — Ryan Nielsen, [Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores], Pat Hill — has been phenomenal. As far as his ability to hear information, retain it and apply it. There's a lot of different ways we can be activating Caleb's brain and the above-the-neck challenge of learning Flo's intricate system. I'm excited about where he's at."

O'Connell noted the physical presence Banks and fellow rookie Domonique Orange adds to the interior of Minnesota's defensive line, which will look different this season than it did last year. Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen departed in free agency, and the Vikings are enthusiastic about the growth of Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, the latter of whom can play both inside and on the edge. Free agent signee Eric Johnson II also logged a good bit of time on the interior during the offseason program.

8. Collective effort of replacing Greenard | by Craig Peters

Lindsey noted Ingram-Dawkins' potential position flexibility, which could be important to helping the team offset the departure of Jonathan Greenard. It was tough to send a Pro Bowl edge player to Philadelphia, but the Vikings netted a third-round pick this year (safety Jakobe Thomas), a third next year and important cap relief that enabled the signing of Jennings.

In 2024, veteran Jihad Ward (6-5 and 285 pounds) played a hybrid role for the Vikings, working with defensive linemen and outside linebackers. Although he had only one sack, Ward logged 14 QB hits, and some were absolute wallops that took steam out of opposing QBs.

Ingram-Dawkins (6-5 and 290) is kind of a tweener, too, who will turn 23 this Friday (HBD!). He recorded his first career sack as a rookie and could take another step forward in his second pro season that will add to Minnesota's defensive efforts.

Andrew Van Ginkel, who made the Pro Bowl after his 2024 Vikings debut season, is back to wreak havoc. Van Ginkel, who turns 31 on July 1 (HBD, too!) plays one of the most important roles in Flores' defense and does so at an expert level.

Third-year pro Dallas Turner, who is still only 23, rotated with Van Ginkel and Greenard and has started in place of both. Turner particularly thrived in Greenard's spot, boosting his sacks total from 3.0 as a rookie to 8.0 in 2025.

The Vikings have several other young players to keep an eye on during camp and preseason games, which will be particularly helpful for coaches' evaluations.

The infusion of young talent on the defensive line could become a force multiplier for Minnesota's edge players.

9. Special specialists | by Rob Kleifield

All-Pro punter Johnny Hekker, meet All-Pro long snapper Andrew DePaola and All-Pro kicker Will Reichard. In case free agency slipped past the radar, Minnesota seamlessly helped an already fantastic specialist trio that lost Ryan Wright this offseason, and Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels stated the youngest of the bunch, Reichard, has another level of excellence to attain entering his third season.

With last year's breakout returner, Price, top of mind, as well, Daniels is stoked about the nucleus of his units and how their experience — more so, their standards — can trickle down to the entire Vikings roster.

"They are the engine to the scheme. They are the drivers of the bus. We go as far as our specialists take us at the end of the day," said Daniels, emphasizing that younger players can look to veterans as models.

One area with great attention on it is a special teams leadership void. Bredeson is on a fast track to replace Ham on offense — but what about in the third phase? It's a "critical piece."

Daniels also commented on rookie punter Brett Thorson, who is competing with Hekker. The winner of that gig may come down to whomever is the better holder, which is interesting because Thorson was not used in that capacity at Georgia. The Aussie-born player garnered Daniels' trust in the offseason, though.

Daniels said Thorson has solid hand-eye coordination and is mainly focused now on tilting the ball how Reichard likes it: "I watched over 300 snaps of this guy in practice, and there's no issue with the holding."

10. Rookies ready for next steps | by Rob Kleifield

Undrafted newcomers such as Bell and safety Jacob Thomas (not to be confused with third-round pick Jakobe Thomas), were super busy during the offseason program, taking reps with starters and backups in different packages. It will be interesting to watch their involvement — and others — in training camp, where there's a shift from teaching/learning fundamentals to competing and practicing specific installs.

That time also will magnify Minnesota's 2026 draft class, headlined by Banks, LB Jake Golday and Orange. The latter two rotated into the action this spring and flashed the athleticism that made them appealing to Vikings scouts and coaches, but there's a lot more for them to show once they don pads.

Now that a foundation has been laid, rookies – regardless of draft status – are primed for camp and the competitive process of vying to become immediate contributors on offense, defense and special teams.

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