Do you have a comment or question? Send it to the Vikings.com Mailbag! Every Monday we'll post several comments and/or questions as part of the Vikings.com Monday Morning Mailbag. Although we can't post every comment or question, we will reply to every question submitted.

Click here to submit a comment or question to the Mailbag. Remember to include your name and town in the email. If Twitter is your jam, you can send a question to me that way as well.

The first week of Vikings Training Camp is in the books, and players are scheduled to wear full pads for the first time today.

Last week didn't go completely without a hitch, as Justin Jefferson experienced a mild hamstring strain that will sideline him for a bit. The Vikings will play it smart with the superstar, and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell "broke news" last week saying Jefferson was not going to be playing in any preseason games. O'Connell was having a bit of fun with that one since Jefferson has never played a preseason snap and has seemed to be just fine without those in-game reps. He should still have plenty of opportunities to work to ‘outdo’ previous seasons, even though the bar he's set is so high.

Bigger and better news for the squad was how well Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries are doing in their recoveries from injuries last season. There are detailed progression plans for both offensive linemen, and the players are advancing nicely. Minnesota won't lose sight of what's important in bringing those guys back despite the desire to get the full first group together. In the meantime, however, other players are logging valuable reps.

We'll continue to churn out our 3 Observations after each practice open to the media, as well as some in-depth features about interesting storylines as camp progresses, but here are a couple of big-picture thoughts.

Wednesday's first practice had an incredible tempo. It seemed like everyone came back locked in on where to be and what to do. Guys were only in helmets and shorts that day and Thursday, which was a really strong showing by the defense. It seemed like Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores was dialing up some exotics, and the depth on that side of the ball showed up multiple times.

Although players wore shells for the first time Friday, O'Connell opted to slow the pace and hammer home finer points, particularly route running in the lower red zone. Based on Saturday's showing, the pupils put the lessons into practice for the first session open to the public.

Saturday also featured Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter joining offensive linemen in leading fans through the SKOL Chant, as well as the announcement of a contract extension for Joshua Metellus. I remember seeing Metellus pop up on the computer screen for a video chat after his selection in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. It's been so cool to see a guy work so hard to survive (he made his way back to the roster after being cut initially) and now thrive in so many aspects of life. Kudos to him, the coaching staff that's developed him and the scouts who projected correctly.

Lastly, another round of congratulations for Jared Allen, who will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this Saturday. Festivities begin this Thursday, and Allen and his 2025 classmates are scheduled to be interviewed during the Hall of Fame Game. Thought I'd throw in this link from 2022 when Jared guest hosted the Mailbag on his way to the Vikings Ring of Honor.

Give that a look and feel free to send any questions you feel went unanswered, and I'll do my best to relay a couple while in Canton.

Let's get to the questions.

Good morning. I am the most loyal Minnesota Vikings fan. I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, born and raised, and married to a Cheesehead. So, SKOL VIKINGS! My questions are what are we going to do about the cornerback position because I don't see a shutdown corner? And how can Brian Flores help bring out Dallas Turner's talent as a pass rusher? Thank you!

— Judie Bell

Thanks so much for your support. I'd imagine your house is pretty interesting during Border Battles.

We spent a good bit of our free agency coverage on the additions made to Minnesota's offensive and defensive lines, but the Vikings also made moves at cornerback, re-signing Byron Murphy, Jr., on the heels of his first Pro Bowl and bringing in Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah to help offset the departures of Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin.

Those swaps added youth and speed at the position to counterbalance the loss of advanced experience offered by Gilmore and Griffin.

Murphy, Rodgers and Okudah ran with the first group when three cornerbacks were on the field. O'Connell was asked Saturday what he wanted to see from cornerbacks once the pads go on and gave a comprehensive answer about the group.

"Jeff Okudah, the power at which that boundary corner spot, or whatever you want to call it, he can really in a condensed space, make it hard on receivers. In fact, the one turnover J.J. had went off the tipped ball to Harrison [Smith], that was off a hard reroute from Okudah, and the timing of the play got thrown off. Our footwork and the read progression were just totally thrown off because one guy jammed the primary target, and that was Jeff Okudah, so obviously I want to continue to see that. [Fewer] rules apply when you put the pads on to press coverage, quick jams, the techniques and fundamentals of that.

"The way [Murphy has] come back, the shape he's in right now, the versatility. We talk a lot about [Metellus], but if you think about Murph' playing outside corner in the bigger groupings then immediately shifting inside for the known passing downs to the nickel spot or dime, even matching up with a priority target, he's doing those things," O'Connell added. "And then I continue to say Isaiah Rodgers is a guy that is here for a reason, and he's already demonstrated why we really wanted to bring him here, probably one of the faster players on our team, ultra consistent, confident, just never, never off balance, never panics. And I think that's going to bode really well when you pair that skill set outside with the way we can pressure the quarterback. And then I think there's a lot of depth there, a lot of competition. Mekhi has looked good coming back. We've got some young players that are really going through their first camp for the first time, and then Nudie (Dwight McGlothern) coming back from last year, so that right there is the group. How that plays out is going to be very fascinating for all of us to watch, I think throughout the rest of camp."

The part about pairing the skill set outside with the way the Vikings should be able to rush the passer is important in the overall success of what figures to be a good defense and brings us to Turner.

The 2024 first-round pick is only 22 years old. He returned looking bigger but still lightning quick. He has screamed off the edge a few times so far and is sure to have some eyes on him when the pads go on to track his progress.

He happens to be in a position group that has 2024 Pro Bowlers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel.

O'Connell was asked about Turner last Wednesday.

"I think he's gained a lot of strength. I think he's gained a lot of understanding of the role and Flo' and the guys knowing that we basically feel about it with two Pro Bowlers at the position, and to say that we feel like we've got three starters, we really feel like that. And that's a testament to the work Dallas has put in.

"He's going to get a lot of opportunities, different personnel groupings, confusing groupings that even for me, and I see it on a sheet of paper, and then I see where these guys are lining up all over the place. It's going to be a really fun camp to watch those guys make that whole thing come to life. How many snaps can we have them all on the field together? How many snaps can we see our true depth of that outside linebacker position show up? But Dallas has had a great offseason. I'm expecting a huge jump for him."

The team is better this year, and I am excited to see J.J. McCarthy play QB. Look, the last time he played a full game, he won the NCAA National Championship. WOW, and with a new line, All-Pro line! I love the defense, too. Go Flo! Here's hoping he and the rest of the team can make it to the Super Bowl without major injuries. I think this is the year. A shoutout to Harrison Smith, the Hitman, for it's the more senior veterans I like to see shine.

— Gill Sorg in New Mexico

There's plenty of reasons to be excited about the 2025 Vikings, and the lists that people make usually begin with McCarthy. He's already uncorked several highlights, demonstrating his arm strength on a pair of 60-yard touchdown passes to Jordan Addison. The Vikings have great skill players, as well as the rebuilt offensive line and a running game that is expected to have a good 1-2 punch.

Smith already made a highlight play as well, with the interception on the tipped pass that O'Connell mentioned. Rather than run it back, he lateralled the ball to Jay Ward. Vet move to keep some mileage off the legs.

Is this going to be considered a rookie season for J.J. McCarthy since he was on the sidelines for the entire season?

— Dan J. in Albert Lea, Minnesota

No, McCarthy isn't considered a rookie and eligible for Rookie of the Year. People might occasionally slip and refer to him that way, but second-year pro or first-year starting QB is the way to go.

I do think people will benefit if they extend the "rookie" classification toward him in any critiques to understand there probably will be some growth opportunities along the way.

We are hyped for J.J. Can he be our Jared Goff?

— Warren

The hype is legitimately placed. I'm not going to hold him up against any other quarterbacks for comparison because I think McCarthy is focused on doing the best to maximize his abilities.

Goff has delivered some high-level QB play for the Lions and against the Vikings, even going back to 2018 when he was still with the Rams.

I did want to drop this post on X here (I wasn't at this interview with new Vikings C Ryan Kelly, but I thought it was full of perspective, given how many different QBs Kelly snapped to during his time in Indy).

Hope summers eternal (see what I did there?) for fan bases this time of year. And for several but not all, that hope is justified. Vikings fans mostly are in that group with justifiable hope. For many of us, a deep run in the playoffs would be most satisfying. For some, it's all about that elusive trophy. As I analyze teams that have had that joyful experience, I am struck with some common themes.

First, if you name any position, I can name a championship team that won without a premier player at that position. QB? Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson were fine, but Canton is not beckoning. You have to go back a way to find a team without an edge rusher, but the Dolphins in that perfect season didn't have a Deacon Jones or Carl Eller. Also going back, the Steelers of that era had multiple Hall of Famers but remain one of the few Super Bowl Champion teams that did not have a truly outstanding tight end. In fact, thinking of those Steelers teams, most fans would have to look up the name Bennie Cunningham.

Very few teams, even the best of all-time had stars at every position when they won it all. But recent winners, and especially the Patriots dynasty, had some consistencies that fit the common theme theorem. Bill Belichick always had a defense with one stud pass coverage player (almost always a cornerback) on defense. It was one of the few positions he would pay a premium. He also always had one stud edge rusher whether outside linebacker or true defensive end. And those championship defenses had versatile linebackers, as well as defensive tackles who could stuff the run. On offense, aside from Tom Brady were running backs that could catch and block, wide receivers most with decent, but not world class, speed and reliable hands. They could get open and be where Brady expected them to be. Aside from Randy Moss, Brady didn't have many truly elite wide receivers. On offensive line, the group was told by Brady don't get beaten inside and don't get beaten fast. Again, not a lot of household OL names on those teams. The defining factor for those successful Patriot offenses aside from Brady was the tight end position. When Rob Gronkowski went from New England to Tampa, "Hoodie" didn't waste much time before acquiring Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper. The pattern and formula for those championship teams seem pretty clear.

The Vikings have at least 15 (maybe 20) players who under the right circumstances could have Pro Bowl seasons. And 3-5 All-Pro selections would not shock me. The Vikings certainly have the talent to beat any team on its schedule and compete for a ring. We all know the variables that contribute toward wins and losses. Health, turnovers, penalties, red zone efficiency, clutch field goals, big plays in big moments all factor in.

This Viking fan is as optimistic as I have ever been. I'll be watching training camp and throughout the season as the team marches toward that elusive goal.

Skol!

— Jeff in Sacramento, California

Star power is entertaining and one of the most alluring qualities of football, but it ultimately is a team sport where multiple aspects must work together to accentuate strengths and minimize weaknesses.

I'd say most teams had a general philosophy they deployed — a certain identity. What is wild to me is that the Patriots in the early Brady years produced the desired results by leaning on defense and ball control, and they also enjoyed tremendous success once they aired it out with Moss for 23 touchdowns in 2007.

General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O'Connell participated in a joint press conference last Tuesday, and Adofo-Mensah explained the offseason efforts have been made with the goal of becoming "the type of team that can show up to a fight not knowing what the fight is going to be and be the last one standing."

They have been building a very good team in Minnesota. It will be tough to pick the final 53. Positional flexibility will play a big part as well as athleticism. We will have to wait and see.

— Gerald Goblirsch

The goal every offseason is to make an already tough roster reduction day as difficult as possible because it means there has been some great competition during camp and execution during preseason games to raise all ships.

The initial 53-man roster will be formed on Aug. 26, four weeks from tomorrow.

Flexibility can really become a factor when selecting reserves along the offensive line, because of the game-day roster limitations of 48 players. Impact on special teams, in addition to offense or defense, can also influence those decisions.

The Vikings have nine practices scheduled from today until opening their preseason by hosting the Houston Texans on Aug. 9, so quite a bit will be learned over the next few weeks.

View the 2025 Vikings Schedule.

Check out the 2025 International games.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.