The first fully padded practice of 2025 Vikings Training Camp featured good old-fashioned heat.

Yes, the air was hot. About 90 degrees. Humid, too. But the defense was more sweltering, applying pressure and exhausting Minnesota's offense in competitive 11-on-11s toward the end of the session.

"In the last couple periods we had at practice, I feel like I didn't even break a sweat, man," freshly extended safety Joshua Metellus exclaimed afterwards with a laugh to Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports. "You get back there, you get to your drops, the next thing you know, you just see the pocket collapse."

Based on a post-practice interview with Metellus, Benjamin on Tuesday filed a story covering ground on the Swiss Army knife defender's love for Minnesota, him being the perfect embodiment of Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores' exotic, blitz-packed scheme and his belief in starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Metellus, 27, was lauded as a "program player" by Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah. His journey from the sixth-round to stardom, manning a uniquely positionless role in Flores' defense, is well-documented, but never any less inspiring. Metellus was cut before sticking on Minnesota's roster; now, in many respects – namely his accountability, versatility and likeability – he's become indispensable.

He walks the walk and enjoys being vocal, as well.

"I can be that chirpy guy, that guy that leads from the front lines," Metellus explained. "K.O. (Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell) and his staff allow us to be our own selves while getting our jobs done."

It's easy to encourage individuality when the locker room has leaders like Metellus.

Even on an afternoon when one side of the ball flourished at the other's expense, Metellus identified and relayed silver linings in a youngster's performance. He likes a lot of what he's seeing from McCarthy.

"A big thing about J.J. is a mindset of, it doesn't have to be perfect every day, but you have to get better every day," Metellus said to Benjamin. "I don't think we've had a time where the offense can't line up, or a snap-count issue. Everybody's been pretty much dialed in, and that's a testament to the quarterback."

Metellus referred to McCarthy's professional approach and handling of his situation as "special" and likened it to more veteran quarterbacks he's played alongside, including Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold.

Interestingly, Metellus and McCarthy were coached at Michigan by Jim Harbaugh (now in his second season as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers). Metellus credited him for some of McCarthy's polish.

"Harbaugh brought that pro mindset, instilled it in us from 18 years old," Metellus explained. "When [J.J.] was able to come in here, learning how to be a pro wasn't his focus. It was more about learning the scheme and learning how to develop as a quarterback. ... He's a leader, he does things the right way."

The Vikings roster is constructed so that McCarthy won't feel forced to be Superman, Metellus said. Instead, the top-10 draft pick can listen to the coaching staff and tap into his instinctiveness and skills.

"Go out there and do what K.O. tells him to do and let his personality, his play, elevate the offense," Metellus added. "Not go out there thinking he has to make everybody miss and throw the ball 90 yards down the field. He just has to stick to the scheme, trust his coaches and let everything else take over."

Although it's normal for great attention to be placed on a player preparing for his NFL debut (as the franchise's unquestioned starter, no less), there's serious excitement for defensive progressions, to boot.

Metellus mentioned an ageless motto that sums up his mindset: "Offense sells tickets, defense wins championships," the three-time captain told Benjamin. "The offense is electric, it is explosive. But I think people are a little bit underrated about the Vikings [defense]. ... We're gonna show 'em soon enough."

Find Benjamin's story, plus his video interview with Metellus, here.

NFL.com lists "biggest" challenges for all 32 teams

Things tend to be easier said than done, huh?

Even with a brilliant infrastructure surrounding McCarthy – and tremendous physical tools that complement a mindset that's rarely seen in someone his age – there's a definitive lack of experience.

There's no way to beautify the reality that McCarthy's heading briskly toward a season of firsts.

As such, it's fair to claim the biggest challenge facing Minnesota this year is having McCarthy hit the ground running. That's exactly what NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha noted this week in an all-32 team preview.

Chadiha elaborated on the topic:

The Vikings have just about everything a team could want when it comes to being a championship contender ... except for experience at quarterback. McCarthy spent his rookie campaign watching from the sideline as Sam Darnold enjoyed a magical season that led to the Vikings winning 14 games. That could have been McCarthy leading that ride if he hadn't sustained a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, but there were benefits to him sitting in Year 1. He got to learn about life in the NFL at a more comfortable pace and see how Darnold went about his business to achieve a post-hype breakout.

Granted there's no time like time on the grass, McCarthy at least gained a ton mentally in his rookie year. Along with weekly 1-on-1 meetings with O'Connell to review game plans and discuss intricacies of life and football, McCarthy further developed his film habits and his relationships with teammates and staff.

So even in a season of firsts, McCarthy seems prepared.

Chadiha concluded it's time for McCarthy to capitalize on the same blessings Darnold was afforded, in terms of outstanding coaching, a talent-stocked supporting cast and a defense primed to qualify as elite.

That enabled Darnold to rebuild his career, Chadiha wrote, and should help McCarthy jumpstart his own.

In case you're curious about the rest of the division, here's the challenges Chadiha pinpointed for the other NFC North contenders: Chicago must foster significant growth from Caleb Williams; Detroit is tasked with adjusting to major coaching staff changes; and Green Bay needs to improve its pass rush.

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