EAGAN, Minn. — It's Kevin O'Connell's favorite time of year.

The Vikings head coach relishes training camp, which kicks off for Minnesota this week, and the opportunity it provides to continue developing the roster ahead of the 2026 season.

New Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley is equally optimistic about camp getting underway, as he noted Tuesday afternoon during a joint press conference with O'Connell.

Teasley, whom Minnesota hired June 1, emphasized how in-step he and O'Connell have been over the past two months.

"Working together with this guy every day," Teasley said, gesturing at O'Connell, "it's become clear we're aligned in our vision — but in terms of where we are currently and as we embark on the 2026 season, but also where we're headed in the future and as we build this thing out."

O'Connell told Twin Cities media members he's "really enjoyed" working alongside Teasley and his staff.

"It's been a really cool summer getting to build these relationships and see so many of the things that made us all so excited about bringing Nolan here," O'Connell said. "It's just awesome when it starts coming to life on a daily basis. And it's not only Nolan, but the staff that he's assembled has been just as good of a staff as I've been around, quite honestly."

O'Connell and Teasley are pleased with Minnesota's offseason, both in player acquisitions and work accomplished during OTAs and minicamps, and now it's time for the next level.

"I know I speak on behalf of our players when I say they're excited about what the potential of our team can be," O'Connell said. "That's what this time of year is for all 32 teams. There's a wonderful opportunity out in front of all of us, and we've got to go to work and maximize it every single day."

Here are four other takeaways from the media session with O'Connell and Teasley:

1. Adams signing a result of 'good process'

Teasley and the team added a three-time Pro Bowler in Jamal Adams on the eve of training camp. The 30-year-old was the 6^th overall pick in 2017, and Teasley was part of the Seahawks staff that acquired him from the Jets ahead of 2020. Adams was named a Second-Team All-Pro that year.

When he was asked about reuniting with Adams, Teasley doubled down on alignment with coaches.

Teasley said he was most excited about "having the conversations with Flo' (Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores) and the personnel staff and kind of bringing those two areas of expertise to life, together.

"[We] first kind of started broaching the subject of Jamal just based on the skill set and my experience with him and the energy and the passion that he brings," Teasley continued. "And then, again, to the specific skill set of what he does well and what Flo' tasks players or what he can give them the freedom to do within the system. And so those things aligned. And I think Flo' was excited about the acquisition. I know Jamal was excited about the potential and the possibility of being here, and those two things came together. To me, that's good process. And then we'll see about the result. But I'm really, really positive about that direction."

Adams appeared in and started 24 games for Seattle from 2020-21 and recorded 170 tackles, 16 QB hits, 9.5 sacks and two interceptions as a safety, but injuries limited him to 10 games over the next two years.

The LSU product converted to linebacker in 2025 with the Raiders and had a resurgence, suiting up for all 17 games and playing 40 percent of the team's defensive snaps. His versatility aligns nicely with Flo's creativity, and he'll compete for a role in an ILB room anchored by fellow veterans Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson or embody multiple roles the way Joshua Metellus has in Flo's system.

2. Balancing physical camp with staying fresh

Limits on physicality during offseason workout programs during May and June are removed to a degree for multiple days of camp. O'Connell is excited to "start applying physicality and really going through a process to build our team the right way."

Asked a follow-up question from when O'Connell had said "It's going to be a physical camp," the coach elaborated on his philosophy for guiding his fifth with Minnesota.

"We want to build our team and the ability to play the way we want to play along the lines of scrimmage," O'Connell said. "We've got to find a way to practice it on a daily basis when we can, all with the mindset of knowing we need a fresh team, but a prepared team for the season."

The Vikings are scheduled to have their first padded practice on Monday, the initial opportunity to put in motion new approaches to the run game on offense and a renovated front seven that includes draft picks Caleb Banks, who is expected to be ramped up during camp, and Domonique Orange.

3. QB status entering camp

The most talked-about storyline of Minnesota's offseason has been quarterback, where Kyler Murray was added in free agency, and has been in competition with J.J. McCarthy, who made the first 10 starts of his career in 2025.

O'Connell said he met with both on an individual basis to "articulate the vision and the plan" that includes having each take reps with the first and second teams, and part of the plan has been developed in talks with Flores to best improve the entire team.

"I told the quarterbacks, we don't need to make this 50-50. It's going to be that way to start when [length of practices is limited]," O'Connell said. "But when we get into some longer practices, there's some move-the-ball periods. There's some periods where the number of plays is unknown sometimes as you really start to get into what real football is."

O'Connell has a general timeline in mind but declined to specify. He did say he wants the process to be transparent.

4. Darrisaw building momentum after healthy offseason

The Vikings are thankful for a healthy offseason enjoyed by left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who experienced ups and downs last season while recovering from a significant knee injury suffered Week 8 of the 2024 season.

Darrisaw played in all or parts of 10 games last season and is expected to be full go for the 2026 campaign.

O'Connell confirmed there are no physical concerns or limitations for Darrisaw but did note, "We've got plans for all of our players."

"Either players that are coming off injury or, in Christian's case, he's had a healthy offseason, and he's really built up to a place where I know he's excited to get going," O'Connell said. "But training camp can be a grind, and we want our players to experience that but still take an individual approach to how we best prepare those 53-plus players to be ready to go. And we want to be smart about that. But I'm excited to get Christian going, and I know he's excited for this training camp."

Darrisaw will anchor one end of the line, and Brian O'Neill isn't leaving the right tackle spot anytime soon. The Vikings on Tuesday signed O’Neill to a four-year extension to keep him in Purple through 2030.

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