We're getting to the point in training camp — and of Blake Cashman's ascension in Minnesota — where our eyes are playing tricks on us. Basically, we're taking for granted his steadiness and sheer dominance.

Perhaps, it's the way he teleports to the quarterback on blitzes. Or his wherewithal in coverage. Or his presence in the middle that feels so large and in charge, and natural, that it's like he's been here forever.

Technically, Cashman, an Eden Prairie native and former Gophers standout, has been nearby most of his life. The Vikings have only been spoiled by his talents — escalated by Brian Flores — since 2024, though.

Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune this week spotlighted the Vikings 30-year-old linebacker as he prepares to be the Commander-in-Chief of the defense, again, in Year 3 with his hometown franchise. The gist of the article is Cash’ is a coach on the field, and wants to be with Minnesota until he retires.

Krammer recalled a sequence in practice on Aug. 7 when Cashman and second-year defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins busted into the backfield for what would have been a sack of Kyler Murray. It was a defensive highlight — no doubt — but Cashman's immediate reaction was to grab Ingram-Dawkins for a teaching moment. Ingram-Dawkins noted that Cashman was "telling me to be alert for certain things and stay on point."

Krammer used it as an example of Cashman's value to the defense that eclipses a play's three-to-six seconds.

It's particularly noteworthy because Cashman is entering the final year of his contract.

"I love being here as a Minnesota Viking," Cashman told Krammer. "I don't want to be anywhere else."

"But, of course, I'm at a point in my career where I'm honest," he continued. "I've got less time ahead than I do behind me. But I think I still have gas in the tank, and I want to hopefully finish my career here."

Cashman has totaled 256 tackles over 27 starts with the Purple. Both tallies dwarf the number of tackles (181) and starts (21) that he made from 2019-23 when injuries limited him to 44 games and crushed his potential. Now, Cashman explained to Krammer, his legs are better off because of those early absences.

And the Vikings have been well off with Cashman serving as the Green Dot.

Rookie Report Card

We highlighted the preseason debuts of a handful of Vikings on the ground in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

A couple of days removed from the initial action of many young players' careers, NFL.com's Chad Reuter went a step further and attached a letter grade to one rookie performance in each of the 16 exhibitions.

For Minnesota, Reuter went with the biggest draw, assessing first-round selection Caleb Banks.

Reuter awarded the 6-foot-6, 327-pound defensive lineman a B-minus and wrote the following:

Banks showcased his elite size and explosiveness off the snap in the first half of the Vikings win over the Giants. When attacking a gap, the No. 18 overall pick twice found the backfield, first forcing a nifty cut from Cam Skattebo and then [converging on] Devin Singletary. Banks thought he stopped a fourth-and-1 QB sneak in the second quarter, but a questionable spot gave New York the first down. On the next play, he stayed engaged with his blocker with one eye on the ball to make a run stop 6 yards downfield. Banks was moved off the line by single- and double-team blocks when he failed to maintain a low pad level.

In the locker room afterward, Banks informed the media that he's focused on playing with better leverage, as well as sticking to his techniques and assignments. He played with "happy feet" on occasion, he said, and shared he was nervous for his first action (and only his fourth game since 2024 at Florida).

Banks played 27 snaps and was credited with three tackles.

All in all, Reuter's analysis captured the good and not so of Banks' debut, and future excitement for him.

Reuter, so you know, distributed A-minus or better grades to three players: San Francisco WR De'Zhaun Stribling (A-), Los Angeles Rams QB Ty Simpson (A) and Jacksonville OL Emmanuel Pregnon (A-).

Click here to read how 12 other rookies fared in Reuter's gradebook.

View the Vikings 2026 Schedule.

See future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.

See more about the 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota.