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The human experience includes peaks and valleys, and the past week is an example of the fact those feelings can simultaneously occur. Such was the past week in Minnesota.

Last Wednesday, the same morning the Vikings finalized the trade with the Panthers to return Adam Thielen to Minnesota, the Twin Cities (and beyond) were grappling with tragic news of the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School that claimed the lives of an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old and wounded 15 other children youth between the ages of 6 and 15.

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were working on final roster details and practice squad construction.

"We all stopped, and immediately our hearts and minds were with the victims and all that were impacted," O'Connell said to begin a scheduled media session with Adofo-Mensah last Thursday.

Beyond being fathers of four (O'Connell) and two (Adofo-Mensah), their chosen vocations are centered on helping others reach full potential.

Two innocent children won't have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and survivors will have numerous challenges ahead.

"It's impossible for me to wrap my mind around what those parents are feeling, and I'm just absolutely heartbroken for them, and no child should ever be lost to violence in any way," O'Connell said. "We are praying for all those who were injured and hoping they make full and fast recoveries and also praying for all those who witnessed the attack, especially all the young kids who witnessed the attack. Their lives will be altered forever. Lastly, just thinking about the first responders and those hospital workers who stepped up in those moments so quickly and tirelessly to ensure more lives weren't lost. As an organization, I have no doubt, we will show up in the right way at the right time, and that's what we do, that's what we pride ourselves on, and we'll do that for those that were impacted. And the only thing that matters right now is wrapping our arms around all of those who were impacted."

Adofo-Mensah shared specific prayers in his heart after offering deep condolences.

"I pray we don't have to start a press conference like this again," Adofo-Mensah said. "I pray that we don't become numb to these seemingly more frequently occurring things, locally and nationally. And I pray that we break some of the divisiveness that's involved right now that we're in this cycle of inactivity toward being able to find solutions to solve these issues."

I understand when readers appreciate us keeping the focus on football, but I will quickly say what many consider the first time (Columbine) was one too many more than a quarter century ago. Unfortunately, tragedy has begotten tragedy, and it doesn't seem like much progress has been made since April 1999.

There's not a natural transition to any other subject matter, but I would like to mention that today Anthony Barr will be back in Minnesota. Along with officially retiring from the NFL as a Viking, Barr's Raise the Barr foundation will be hosting a back-to-school shopping event. It's been tremendous to see and write about his positive impacts on the lives of others for 10-plus years and wonderful to know his philanthropy will continue to help others.

We'll have coverage of Barr's retirement as we kick off Week 1 of the 2025 regular season.

I've been wishing for [Thielen's return] since before OTAs and minicamp back in the spring. And NFL prognosticators and procrastinators alike have been talking about it for the past week. Yet the Vikings wait until the morning after cutdown day, which I hope never becomes a holiday, to announce that a Minnesota and Vikings native son is returning home after spending two years in [Carolina].

Yes, it's a great day, and only fitting, that Adam Thielen should be reunited with his former team for what might be his final season. And his return couldn't have happened any later if you ask me. With the injury bug hitting the receivers, as well as [Jordan] Addison paying for his youthful indiscretion, the Vikings were in dire need of experienced help.

And who better than a guy that spent the first nine years of his career in Purple, and who's familiar with O'Connell's system, and who even played catch with J.J. McCarthy this summer? Now, with our first-round quarterback finally ready to bring on the heat, our 1-2 punch in the backfield, retooled offensive & defensive lines, rejiggered secondary and special teams, and a stacked wideout & tight ends group, I believe the Vikings can prove that last year wasn't a fluke.

— David A. (From the North Shore but Stuck in the South)

I received a good number of emails celebrating Thielen's return. People were hoping it would become reality once the notion was mentioned in the lead up to Minnesota's preseason finale at Tennessee.

One of Adofo-Mensah's traits that he's displayed on multiple occasions is calmness and patience as he trusts that an agreement can be reached. It took multiple conversations, but Adofo-Mensah was able to iron out the details in talks with the Panthers.

Thielen's addition comes at a needed time for the Vikings, who will be thinner at receiver during Addison's three-game suspension. He turned in an incredible training camp by the way, so the Vikings hope he resumes full stride quickly upon his return.

In addition to being plug-and-play (and play well because of talent and knowledge of the system), Thielen can add so much to a well-blended locker room that has been built with veterans and rounded out by seven players who went undrafted this spring.

That's also cool that Thielen and McCarthy have been able to get together in Minnesota for each of the past two summer breaks.

"When we were working out, there was no thought of ever actually playing together, which is just crazy," Thielen said Thursday. "But at the time, I had so much respect for him, for how he approaches the game, even in the summer months, when you don't really have to do those things, but just his work ethic, his mindset, his communication of how he's doing things.

"Sometimes you get in the habit of just going out there and throwing the football and not really thinking more than that," Thielen added. "I think what's cool about him is he just approached it from, 'This is what I'm thinking. This is kind of the route, and this is why we have this in our system,' and it's similar to what I was doing in Carolina, so it's cool to see that approach, especially from a young guy."

There are plenty of reasons for optimism with how the team has been built and excitement for the opportunities ahead.

Great news for the Vikes. Adam Thielen will be great, even if it's just a short-term thing. Let him retire a Viking.

Great hands, great route runner and great for the team.

Skol,

— Nicholas Balkou

Thielen's attributes should be great for a team with a first-year starting QB, and the Vikings wouldn't have made the deal if they didn't envision a role in which he will significantly contribute. He turned 35 on Aug. 22 and caught 48 passes for 625 yards and five scores on 62 targets last season. We've seen how good he is in the red zone, which is such an important area of the field.

Thank you for all the updates throughout the year. I love checking out what the Vikings organization is doing. Here we go with another NFL season. Great news having Adam Thielen back. My hope for this season is that Kevin O'Connell and Wes Phillips can bring some "creativity" to the offensive play calling. We have a great offensive line and a few top-notch offensive weapons that truly makes our Vikes major contenders to win it all. So let's hope we can see some creativity with the offensive play calling. I feel the last few seasons we have been too predictable with the play calling. Let's start the season by keeping the Bears defensive guessing. GO VIKES.

— Tom B. in Avoca, Pennsylvania

It's so wonderful to be able to provide the updates of the team and help further enhance the connection between the organization and fans. We all appreciate the privilege.

One of the things I'm interested in seeing after the rebuilding of the interior of the offensive line and the addition of Mason is whether the Vikings will earn favorable down and distances more frequently. The playbook gets a lot bigger in second-and-short situations, really offering a chance to attack a defense with the idea that a decent opportunity on third-and-short could follow if second-and-short resulted in an incompletion. Second-and-long or third-and-long significantly pivots the pre-snap advantages toward an opposing defense.

McCarthy's play style — running/scrambling won't be his first choice, but he's got some fleet feet — is another interesting and enticing aspect of what the Vikings might do to keep defenses off-balance.

Hi from Malvern in England.

Absolutely delighted to see one of my all-time favourite Vikings return to the team.

This gives J.J. McCarthy an absolutely great setup to succeed — what more could a [first-year starter] ask for than to have a backfield of Aaron Jones, C.J. Ham and — what a great pick up in Jordan Mason. Never mind being able to throw to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Adddison, Adam Thielen and T.J. Hockenson.

The GM and Coaches have done an incredible job building this squad. As fans we can't ask for anything more.

It's all on J.J. McCarthy now — I hope he is as good as we dare to hope. The pressure is immense — the whole season depends on his performance. Everything else is in place. I can't wait for the kickoff. I've never felt this optimistic as a Vikings fan for 40 years!!

Delighted to have tickets for the Browns game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Last year vs. the Jets was amazing. There's a lot of U.K. Vikings fans!

Skol!

— Jim Alcock

Hello in Malvern. Glad that the Thielen news is welcome and looking forward to you attending the Week 5 game that is a rematch of the 2017 game at Twickenham Stadium in which Thielen was named "Man of the Match."

I think McCarthy's experience of quarterbacking a talent-laden Michigan Wolverines team to the CFP title positions him nicely for playing with a strong supporting cast. There will be times when McCarthy makes a play, and there will be times when others make the play. The intangibles that are often desired in the position, particularly leadership and communication skills, have been well-displayed consistently by the 22-year-old.

Thanks for such a long run of support. I have no doubt your enthusiasm has helped spread the popularity of the Vikings and the NFL in the UK.

How can I alert Kwesi about a fantastic TE that was just cut from Tampa Bay? Tanner Taula would be a STEAL! He has been on Tampa's practice squad for two years and would make a terrific backup/blocking tight end (although his hands and yards after catch are great, too). Check him out and/or please pass his info along to the coaches for a look.

SKOL,

— Lisa Skinker (Vikings fan since 1997)

Taula joined the Buccaneers in 2023 as an undrafted free agent out of Illinois State. He's been with Tampa Bay's practice squad the past two seasons and has re-signed to their p-squad for 2025 after not making the 53-man roster.

Teams are glad when they can retain players they believe have been progressing on the practice squad. Players have goals of making the 53. If not, then the next best thing is remaining in the franchise on the practice squad if a player believes he is developing with the org. There are numerous examples of that with the Vikings roster. NFL teams also have pro scouting departments continuing to look across the league, and Minnesota's prides itself on overturning every stone.

Other teams are able to sign practice squad players to their 53-man roster, but I think the Vikings like how their tight ends room is shaping up, too. T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are again leading the way.

Undrafted rookie Ben Yurosek is the third rostered tight end, and he showed versatility in his game during camp. Minnesota also retained veteran Nick Vannett and undrafted rookie Bryson Nesbit on its practice squad.

The first edition of the 53-man roster has four cornerbacks and five safeties. That seems pretty small, but a lot of those guys can play both positions. Jay Ward and Joshua Metellus come to mind. Tavierre Thomas has played a lot of corner. Can any other of the nine DBs play both positions?

— Gerald Goblirsch

Minnesota placed cornerbacks Byron Murphy, Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah and Dwight McGlothern, Jr., along with safeties Harrison Smith, Metellus, Theo Jackson, Ward and Thomas on its Initial 53.

That is down from 11 DBs in 2023 and 2024, but I think part of that reason might be a result of the new kickoff rules that require much less running by the coverage and return teams. Squads can opt for some bigger-bodied players — Minnesota kept five inside and five outside linebackers — to contribute in those roles.

Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores is a big fan of versatility in the secondary, and we've seen the Vikings present a multitude of looks. Those guys are being coached up to affect the game from multiple spots.

Adofo-Mensah mentioned Minnesota's ability to go with big nickel (likely Smith, Jackson and Metellus with two corners) when asked about only having four cornerbacks. He also noted Minnesota has returned veteran CB Fabian Moreau to the practice squad. Also on the practice squad this year are undrafted rookie CB Zemaiah Vaughn and Kahlef Hailassie, who has prior experience at corner but made the switch to safety (and recorded two picks against Houston) during training camp.

Ward showed up quite a bit during Minnesota's practices, and he has a history of doing multiple things from different spots. It's been cool to see his growth in this system.

Feeling real good. Like after the Vikings beat the Packers. Why? Adam Thielen is back!!!!! Add that to Max Brosmer making it on the 53. How can you not feel good?

To balance the good feeling. The bad case — hope it doesn't happen, but this is the NFL. If J.J. McCarthy gets injured, is it assumed that Wentz becomes the starter? Would K.O. consider either Brosmer or Wentz as QB2 and select the individual who has the better chance of success against a specific team? Bit of a "stupid" question, similar to predicting the future. But just curious regarding the QB depth order.

SKOL!!!

— Noel in Bayfield, Wisconsin

I don't think this is a bad question at all. If anything, it might be one we don't yet know the answer to, or it might be one where the answer evolves over time.

Congrats to Brosmer, by the way. The more people saw from him, the more they believed he was earning a spot on the 53. And a hearty welcome back to the Upper Midwest for Wentz. Super cool back story of how he grew up a Vikings fan. The No. 2 pick of 2016 offers a depth of experience with 94 career regular-season starts, which is the total in the quarterbacks room.

Minnesota's unofficial depth chart will be updated this week as the team prepares to visit Chicago, so please keep an eye out for that.

I'd fully anticipate all three quarterbacks will be dressed out, but Minnesota will likely designate one as the emergency QB who would only play if an injury occurred to each of the other two players.

Brosmer has been immersed in the system all offseason; Wentz is probably comparing similarities and differences to his 2023 season with the Rams. Both must prepare to be ready at any moment's notice.

Interesting observation following the final cut to the 53-man roster. In the four drafts of Kwesi, they have 14 players on the roster and four projected starters. There are 11 UDFAs and one additional on Injured Reserve in that time with two projected starters.

Also curious why it seems we have not been able to develop any receivers over the past four years other than Addison, who should be good as a first rounder. Same thing for the cornerbacks room with zero development over that time. Defensive line has been the bright spot with this coaching staff. Thoughts?

— Rick

The 25 total players on the 53 who have been drafted or signed directly as undrafted free agents is 47.2 percent of the roster. The Vikings navigated a five-pick draft that tied the fewest selections in franchise history by identifying undrafted players who would have a chance to land a roster spot.

The later the selections, the more likely it is for a player to need time to develop. Receivers are tasked with a significant load in this system.

Minnesota has drafted three receivers (Nailor, Addison and Tai Felton) and three cornerbacks (Andrew Booth, Jr., Mekhi Blackmon and Khyree Jackson) in the past four drafts.

I'd offer that, although this staff did not draft K.J. Osborn, he really hit another level with these coaches and earned a big pay day. Nailor also showed a good deal of growth last season, and the Vikings anticipate that continuing. Addison has been requisite of a first-round pick's desired production. It's too early to check on Felton's development. Things didn't work with Booth or Blackmon (he missed all of 2024 with a torn ACL). Jackson died tragically in a July 2024 car crash, but he was someone coaches were excited about developing.

I think J.J. McCarthy should have played at least a half preseason game at QB. I mean he has not played but one preseason game a year ago. I think that was a mistake. He is going to have to learn on the run, and rookie quarterbacks are going to make mistakes. That's how they get better. Trading for Carson Wentz was a big A-PLUS. I think we still need secondary help in a big way! Fan since 1970!

— Alfred Allesandrine

O'Connell prioritized health over logging more in-game reps and really focused on practice time to continue to develop the offense. He wasn't going to play McCarthy longer than he intended to play his starting offensive line.

McCarthy's showing in the joint practices against the Patriots provided some quality opportunities.

Great job with the Mailbag. Finally, we're into the regular season. If the Vikings are up big in an early regular season game, what are your thoughts regarding getting Carson Wentz some playing time in the Viking system? I realize it's important for J.J. to get as many snaps as possible, but we should also be aware that Wentz is a new addition and could probably benefit with some playing time.

— Bruce H. in Gilbert, Arizona

Thanks so much. I like the plan Bruce proposes. The first part involves building a lead early in a game, which isn't the easiest thing to do in such a competitive league. Going back to Alfred's point above, I do acknowledge there's no substitute for in-game action, so any game reps that the Vikings could log would likely be a benefit.

I'd imagine the majority of practice reps will flow to McCarthy, but the Vikings are good about having their other quarterbacks who are not in on the play go through the rep as if they are.

Hello, my name is Kyle, and I'm from St. Paul. Just sending love and support to the Vikings players and supporters.

Skol and God bless.

— Kyle S.

Sincere thanks for this encouraging message. Football has an uncanny ability to bring people together. We're excited to embark on this journey.

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