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Welcome back from the break. I hope everyone enjoyed the Independence Day holiday and celebrated the United States of America's 250^th birthday as they wanted.

It was wonderful to be able to catch up with family and friends, as well as unwind with a bit of adventure during the break.

Before we get to questions, I'd like to take a minute's pause on the news that three-time Pro Bowler Chris Johnson has been diagnosed with ALS, which was publicly announced last Monday during an interview with Good Morning America's Michael Strahan.

The interview poignantly illustrated the severity of the challenge that "CJ2K" is facing at just 40 years old.

Johnson's 4.24 time in the 40-yard dash at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine was a record for nine years and so elite it was printed on shoes. That translated to him zipping past defenders for electric touchdowns. His first five touchdowns of 2009 when he won NFL Offensive Player of the Year were from 57, 69 (receiving), 91, 52 and 89 yards. He later added another 85-yard run and 66-yard receiving score that season.

Johnson was coming off his 2,006 rushing yards in 2009 (and 2,509 scrimmage yards!!) when I joined the Titans as a graduate intern in 2010. He was at superstar status (and opened that season with TD runs of 76 and 4 yards) but quite unassuming. He was shy but cordial. I learned quite a bit from observing him, and believe I grew as an interviewer and storyteller through the opportunity to cover him.

Johnson joins his former teammate Tim Shaw, who had been picked up by the Titans on waivers after 2010 roster reductions, in confronting ALS. Both are beloved by "Titans Nation." May Chris, Tim and others facing this obstacle know that people care about them.

Today marks the two-year anniversary of former Vikings cornerback Khyree Jackson and his friends Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton, Jr., passing away in a car wreck in Maryland.

The Khyree Jackson Foundation hosted its inaugural Youth Football Camp on June 27 at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School for more than 100 athletes ages 6-17.

Before campers took the field, Jackson's parents and Mothers Against Drunk Driving CEO Stacey Stewart spoke about the importance of safe driving as part of a national driver safety initiative intended to prevent future tragedies.

Also in June, Hazel's parents launched the Isaiah Lee Hazel Foundation, which is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for young people through scholarships and financial support.

It's really impressive that the families have directed their hurtful experiences into helping others.

Man am I glad to have our bookend tackles coming back! I also like the way the o-line as a whole is healing. It's nice to hear things showing promise but, hey, it's camp! Shorts and helmets. Plus, we're not going to punch our teammates around. Save that for the enemies. (Sorry. Old timer here! But you get it. I recall six-preseason game seasons and players not only playing for jobs and positions but to teach the ones lined up against them a lesson).

The addition of Demond Claiborne I think is underrated. I believe he's got a chance to make a noticeable difference on the ground along with receiving.

The defense? C'mon! We got Brian Flores! It wouldn't surprise me if he took a high school D and put a formidable show against a pro team. I'm truly shocked we've been able to keep him in Minnesota, and he hasn't taken a head coaching gig elsewhere.

This season will rely strongly on our QB play. I'm good with the rest of the team, so our QBs probably have the most pressure on them than any other team when you consider the roster that's available to them.

Rock out Purple!

— Jason G.

'Tis far better to push people around in football than to be pushed around, and the Vikings offseason has shown glimpses of bolstering both sides of the line of scrimmage.

Some of the reinforcement has been through improved health at the starting tackle spots. Christian Darrisaw navigated his recovery track from the knee injury suffered in Week 8 of 2024. Aside from the Kirk Cousins' Achilles injury in 2023, Darrisaw's injury is arguably the most significant one Minnesota has experienced during Kevin O'Connell's tenure.

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 15^th 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.

Banks

Golday

Orange

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.

If you're a Vikings or any other team's fan, the beat writers can bring immense flavor to understanding a team.

The interview with the Vikings beat writers was an interesting take on the new Vikings team and what we can watch as fans.

My strong view is the Vikings will win a Super Bowl within the next three years.

— Robert Benedict

Another great option for you to check out between now and the ramping up of football content when players return is the roundtable discussion hosted by VEN's Tatum Everett.

Purple Insider's Matthew Coller, The Athletic's Alec Lewis and ESPN's Kevin Seifert (again listed alphabetically) offered their takes on Vikings offseason moves after observing the voluntary program and mandatory minicamp.

Each set of eyes watching may take something different from each practice rep, but the perspectives were offered by reporters who had attended the sessions.

I'd hesitate to move Jordan Addison unless the return is significant.

The Vikings are one of the deepest teams in the league at wide receiver with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and young depth behind them. At the same time, premium edge rushers are much harder to find than quality No. 2 receivers. Minnesota exercised Addison's fifth-year option this offseason, showing they still value him highly.

If the New York Giants were willing to part with a proven young edge rusher, or offer a first-round pick plus additional compensation, I'd at least listen. Otherwise, I'd probably keep Addison because having Jefferson and Addison together makes life much easier for the quarterback.

As for running back, Jordan Mason has a real chance to become the lead back if injuries hit. He's a physical runner who fits what Minnesota wants to do, and many expect him to push for a major role.

Unfortunately, Aaron Jones has dealt with injuries throughout his career, so it's reasonable to wonder if he'll miss time again. If that happens, Mason could absolutely emerge as RB1, while the rookie could carve out a complementary role.

As a fellow Vikings discussion point, if I could make one trade, I'd actually prioritize acquiring another impact defensive lineman or edge rusher over adding more offensive weapons. With this offense, a stronger pass rush might be what puts Minnesota over the top. SKOL!

— Toby in Alaska

The Vikings consistently said this offseason how much they appreciate what Addison adds to the team.

With Teasley roughly a month into his tenure, I don't know the extent to which the Vikings would entertain offers for any players. Understandably, a considerable amount of his time was spent on the new structure of the personnel department. I'd imagine he already has enhanced knowledge of the roster and has had good dialogue with the coaching staff about the roster's strengths, weaknesses and depth at various positions.

He, Jefferson and Jauan Jennings have a strong preseason case to be one of the best receiving trios in the NFL. Addison's numbers dipped a little in 2025, with a few factors contributing, but he remains a big-play threat able to create separation and win at contested catch points.

Ideally, opponents will have to take their pick on whether they double team Jefferson and take their chances with 1-on-1s elsewhere, and the Vikings will be able to capitalize when others win their matchups.

I hope you pick Kyler Murray as the number one quarterback. I think he will be the one to get us to the Super Bowl this year.

— Deb Carlson

O'Connell closed out the offseason program by saying the QB evaluation will continue as camp opens and progresses.

The best-case scenario is that Murray and McCarthy have tremendous camps/showings in the preseason so that each elevates the offense when they are under center/in shotgun.

O'Connell has often mentioned the importance of rhythm and timing for the passing game, and quarterbacks play a substantial role in the beat. Getting the ball to the right spots at the right time will have quite an effect.

An unknown influence on this system is Murray's elusive footspeed and potential to extend plays, allowing receivers to free themselves from initially sticky coverage.

I personally don't believe McCarthy's mobility got enough credit last season. His TD runs in games at Chicago and the New York Giants were impressive. The fake handoff at Dallas was one of the best okey-dokes in the NFL last season, allowing an easy half-trot into the end zone.

If it's Murray and things go as well as possible, it would be one heck of a story for a person who shed real tears during the 2009 NFC Championship Game to play such a role in Minnesota going back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 50 years. That also doesn't mean the Vikings would stop developing McCarthy. The timeline might shift, but the trajectory may not be fully determined.

If it's McCarthy, then he will have won the job while competing with the No. 1 overall pick of 2019.

Regardless, since the non-starter would be one-play away (and we've seen the effects of QB injuries in two of the past three seasons), it's best for the Vikings if both are at their best.

What is the remaining offseason schedule heading into training camp? I believe it's scheduled to begin Aug. 1, but I could be wrong. Also, where does the roster stand? Is the roster full, or is there room to add?

Lastly, the QB battle between Murray and McCarthy has been fun to watch thus far. Everyone and their dog seems to think Murray is the unquestioned starter, however I feel this competition is far more open and undecided than what the "experts" believe.

The information that's been out there makes it sound like J.J. is miles ahead of where he was at this point last summer. He is a competitor, and he won't go away without a fight. And for everyone who is rooting against him, he had the seventh best QBR in the league over the final four games last season.

— Roman B, ready for camp in Grand Forks, North Dakota

The roster is currently at 91 players (Minnesota is above the offseason limit of 90 because it has the exemption for International Player Pathway participant Brett Thorson, the undrafted rookie punter from Australia by way of Athens, Georgia). Adding anyone else would require removal of a player, unless a player wound up being placed on Injured Reserve.

My eyes, and maybe more importantly my ears, indicate that McCarthy has experienced quite a bit of growth in his game from this time a year ago, with Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips describing the trajectory as an upward arrow.

In early June, O'Connell said McCarthy, Murray, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer "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. 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."

I saw some nice throws during the offseason program, which largely amounted to 7-on-7 passing camp when the team was at full speed.

The interception that was returned for a touchdown at Chicago was not McCarthy's fault, but it put the team in a hole that he led the group from with key plays in the fourth quarter. In the second matchup last season against his hometown team, McCarthy was going through some struggles in November, but he still executed in crunch time to put the Vikings up on the Bears with under a minute to go. The lead was not protected because of a miscue on special teams.

Otherwise, the division could have had a different winner, and the conversations about McCarthy might sound a little different. I've previously commented in Mailbags about how much I think the cable shows go on and on ad nauseum about McCarthy. They're setting a narrative without offering up the most comprehensive perspective. Fans will have a chance to see the QBs for themselves at Vikings Training Camp, which has 13 sessions scheduled to be open to the public.

See the Vikings 2026 Schedule.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.

See more about the 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota.