EAGAN, Minn. — And just like that, football is back.

The Vikings held their second Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice and first open to members of the media Wednesday and, for close to 2 hours, competed during individual drills, as well as 7-on-7 and team periods.

There were splashy catches and denied passes. Pass rush circuits and footwork stations. Routes on air and mugged blitzes. And even with lots of teaching/learning to be done, the competitiveness flourished.

After the session, quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray took turns rehashing their experiences so far, and wide receiver Jauan Jennings was one of a few players stopped by reporters to talk shop.

It was the first time Murray or Jennings met with Twin Cities press after signing with the team during free agency this spring after playing in the NFC West on the Cardinals and 49ers, respectively, since 2019 and 2020. Murray hyped Jennings' play. And Jennings reacted like the internet did when he was asked about joining forces with returning star wideouts Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, amongst other skillsters.

"It's awesome," he said with a smile. "I feel like Kevin Durant with the Warriors."

That reference, of course, is a nod to the Bay Area basketball team's former "Big 3" of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and K.D. With Jennings in the room now, it's hard to argue with the crossover analogy.

"I mean, I don't know how you can't love that room," Murray offered, smiling and shaking his head to accentuate his disbelief. "You got the best receiver in the league. And then, you know, J.A. and the guys. You got Jauan (and) all the young guys that have the talent and the ability that are hungry to go prove it."

McCarthy also is "so happy" to have Jennings part of the offense.

"He's got a great energy about him," McCarthy continued. "Been watching him for a long time; he's been doing it [at a really] high level for a long time and we're blessed to have him part of this group."

Here are three observations from OTA No. 2, which featured a temperature in the high 80s and a relieving breeze:

1. Waves of pass catchers

In addition to Addison, who hauled in a couple long go balls — one from McCarthy on the first play of 7-on-7 and one from Murray in a team period later on that snuck past newcomer James Pierre's coverage — and Jennings, who nabbed several receptions over the middle in the short-to-intermediate range, there were a few other players who popped, including former Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell.

Murray connected with Bell on a deep crossing pattern within his initial 7-on-7 throws. Toward the end of practice, the undrafted rookie Bell snatched a pass across the middle from veteran QB Carson Wentz.

Murray tried to find Bell again on an over-the-shoulder pass near the sideline, but he couldn't adjust in time. McCarthy targeted Bell, as well, near the end of 7s, but it was broken up by fellow UDFA rookie cornerback Da'Veawn Armstead, who ended college at North Texas and has intriguing length at 6-foot-1.

Myles Price and Dontae Fleming, both UDFAs in 2025, also were involved. A return specialist in his debut season, Price gathered a handful of short catches while Fleming demonstrated his field-stretching ability.

And 2025 third-rounder Tai Felton, who developed as a gunner on special teams last year, framed a nifty grab, successfully contorting his body in the deep-middle portion of the field to snag a deep dart by McCarthy.

2. Drills heard round the state

"Turbo, set, hut!"

"Turbo, set, hut!"

"Turbo, set, hut!"

As the frontmen worked through blocking drills against players holding dummy shields, Vikings offensive line coach Keith Carter got a workout, too, yelling ready-set-go cadences to his players that emanated a strong sense of urgency and aggression. Carter wasn't alone in coaches whose voices carried across the tandem fields, but it was easy to spot the former Vikings assistant buzzing around and instructing the OL.

In a different drill that was fun to watch because of the great strain without full pads, players split into pairs and took turns maintaining their leverage in a several-yard radius as their counterparts simulated a defender. Carter actively offered coaching points to linemen of varying experience as they traded roles.

Second-year guard Donovan Jackson told reporters afterward that two areas he's focused on improving are his first-step power in the run game and cleaning up his footwork to his landmarks in pass protection.

3. Quarterbacks spread the football

McCarthy, the incumbent starter, and Murray, the two-time Pro Bowl player, handled reps with the first-team offense. Both delivered positive moments, and both experienced misses.

Murray passed with touch and confidence, testing different parts of the field, but had a few chances wiped out by likely sacks that weren't whistled dead for the sake of building esteem with completions. On one, he linked with Jennings over the top but may or may not have been able to escape pressure by Jay Ward. Murray tried for Jefferson over the middle on another instance, but Theo Jackson deflected it.

McCarthy operated with equal confidence and flashed his arm strength on a back-shoulder hole shot to Fleming, and a quick-hitter to Price with room to run. He attempted to lay one in the breadbasket of Joaquin Davis, who is 6-foot-4 and has wheels (4.36 40 time), but it landed astray due to tight coverage by second-year UDFA Zemaiah Vaughn (6-foot-3, 4.45 40) and undrafted rookie Jacob Thomas. McCarthy also utilized tight end T.J. Hockenson near the line of scrimmage when deeper options weren't apparent.

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