EAGAN, Minn. — It's too early in the spring for any sensationalist headlines.

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell — with a good-natured smile — offered media members a friendly reminder of such following Wednesday's Organized Team Activity practice, the first of 2025 that was open to the media and second overall.

"As an ultimate reminder, it is the learning and teaching phase of the offseason program," he said. "So, getting out in front of any rep questions, competition questions, tracking of completions and/or handoffs; I'll go ahead and allow the time of the year speak for itself, but I will say it is great to see everybody, especially the big group, today."

O'Connell highlighted the energy players brought to Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center's Indoor Practice Facility, contrasting the dreary, wet weather outdoors.

"We've got darn near 100 percent participation," he said.

That included Vikings first-round draft pick Donovan Jackson, all the way up to Harrison Smith, the team's most-tenured player prepping for his 14^th season.

Practicing players also included Justin Jefferson, who has been spending time both on and off the field with quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

O'Connell said it's "been huge" having Jefferson in the facility for voluntary workouts.

"You know, not just for J.J., but you guys know this — he's an energy igniter of the whole building. And I think he's come back with a purpose and a mindset," O'Connell told a large crowd of Twin Cities media members. "I know this is kind of your guys' first time seeing him, but he's been here and spent some time here during Phase 2 [of OTAs], just when we're pitching and catching. You hear his voice, you hear his interaction with teammates, and they just carry such a long way.

"He and I have had a lot of conversations about his role," O'Connell added. "He's not only a captain, but he means so much to this organization, and the guys in that locker room that know, 'If this guy, one of the best in the world at what he does, is pushing himself in May and June, I sure as heck better be doing the same thing.' "

Here are four other topics O'Connell covered during his press conference.

1. Living and learning

This is the time to make mistakes … and learn from them.

O'Connell told the entire team earlier this week, "There is no judgement on a mistake. There's judgement on a repeat mistake."

OTAs offer players and coaches alike the chance to learn, develop and iron-out wrinkles as they appear.

If something does go wrong during practice, then it's important to address it directly. Was the issue coaching? Was it a player's failure to execute? A misunderstanding of a concept? O'Connell emphasized that he wants the offense to be aggressive, the quarterbacks to learn "can I fit this pass in there" during 7-on-7. He wants to see Brian Flores and the defense continue to evolve and push the envelope.

"There's a lot of things [we're looking for during this time]," O'Connell said. "Are we seeing growth and development, or are we seeing repeat offenders and repeat mistakes that are going to really set our football team back as from an all-11 standpoint?"

2. McCarthy on the move

Reporters observing Wednesday's OTA session noted McCarthy's mobility, the QB seemingly unhindered by the meniscus injury that halted his rookie campaign last August.

O'Connell acknowledged McCarthy's progress and said it's a "credit to the work he's put in" ever since the injury occurred Minnesota's 2024 preseason opener.

"You guys have heard me say it throughout the offseason, but there's been a lot of lonely hours where it's him and the training staff and the strength staff, and just the work he's put in to get his body where he's at, his arm feeling the way it is, and then of course, coming off the injury, his lower body feeling as good as it does to move the way he's doing," O'Connell said. "But he looks great. He's feeling really good. Now we've gotta stack a lot of really good days of spring together."

O'Connell has told quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, "No stone unturned," when it comes to making sure McCarthy is fully up to speed.

"We can't assume that he knows any particular thing just based upon the meeting room. We've got to come out and organically feel exactly where he's at," he said. "I've told quarterbacks for a long time, meeting room, when you're studying things on your own, and then when you're in it, in the huddle, coming off of a play where, 'Shoot, I might have missed a protection call,' but that doesn't change the fact that there's another down coming, and another one and another one.

"I've been really surprised by some of the things that he does know. You're like, 'Man, we covered that in a 10-minute burst in Week 11 last year; how do you remember that?' And then there's some other things where you're like, 'Oh, I assumed he knew that,' " O'Connell continued. "So it's our job, baseline teaching and stacking days and layered learning, so that we're constantly making him feel like he's growing — but never comfortable. Never satisfied on any particular outcome, because we're building toward something much greater than just a single play here or there."

3. Fries continuing to progress

O'Connell was asked about the timetable on free agent addition Will Fries, who suffered a broken right leg during the 2024 season with Indianapolis.

The coaching and medical staff are happy with Fries' progress, but O'Connell noted there's no reason to rush recovery.

"We're being really smart with the injury that it was," he said. "I don't know if we'll see him fully active this spring, but I have no hesitation to say that I'm really excited to see him when he's able to get out there, more than likely, for training champ. There's still a chance we could see him in some bits and pieces of work over the next two weeks. But he's in a good spot."

4. Offensive line work

While it certainly would be nice to see Fries on the field with his offensive line mates, O'Connell said there's plenty to take in from the position group at this point.

Blake Brandel, who started at left guard in 2024, lined up at right guard with the first group (and also took some snaps at left guard), and rookie Donovan Jackson lined up at left guard Wednesday.

Veteran newcomer Justin Skule filled in at left tackle for Christian Darrisaw, who is recovering from a knee injury he suffered in Week 8.

O'Connell also appreciates the chance to see center Ryan Kelly, Fries' teammate with the Colts who also joined Minnesota in free agency.

"He's getting to know not only the quarterback, but he's getting to know … just the calls, the feel, the timing of when he's got to be responsible for some information, the dialogue between Brian O'Neill, who's seen just about everything at that right tackle spot, and then the ability to communicate inside out in the huddle," O'Connell said. "I'd love to have all five of those guys out there. But you know, Donovan got some great work in there today next to Ryan Kelly, [and] Blake was moving left and right today. So it does give you some real beneficial options to see guys progress through the learning phase and, shoot, all of a sudden, you've got three or four guys that maybe are a little more versatile than we thought, based on how they handled this phase."

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