EAGAN, Minn. — The NFL's roster reduction line came and went Sunday, but new Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley said "there's no finish line" when it comes to roster evolution.

"It never stops," Teasley told Twin Cities media members Wednesday at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. "This is just really us trying to establish a landscape, an initial iteration of the Minnesota Vikings for this season. And then we're going to continue to build as often as possible to try to combine the elite talent to build a deep, talented roster as much as we can.

"We really view this as 70 [rather than] 53. And so, we used some roster mechanisms and some tools in our toolbox to build that holistic roster that we believed can be competitive in this league. And that's always the goal," Teasley added. "There are some hard conversations that come through that process."

All teams were required to reduce their camp rosters to 53 on Sunday. That meant meeting and empathizing with players who didn't make the cut — and it also meant celebrating those who did.

The Vikings continued to make moves on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, most recently adding veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and running back DeeJay Dallas to the practice squad. Minnesota also brought back QB Max Brosmer and WR Dillon Bell via the practice squad. Both made the initial 53-man roster but were placed on waivers Monday when the Vikings claimed G Trevor Keegan and C Nick Samac.

"It's a constant assessment. … There's an element of, you want the best players available, and it's another way of acquiring talent, but you have to balance your numbers, too, and insulate your roster," Teasley said. "It's just constant conversation with the staff and, 'How do we go about that?' And then there's constant change, too, because there's multiple waivers through the last couple of days and assessing who's available.

"I'm really proud of the process that we have," he added. "I told this to the staff the other night, and that kind of extends to what I was telling you guys in the opener. I'm sitting there Sunday night looking at all the ability and the talent and the perspective that we have in that room and just felt really grateful that we just got here on June 1st and we have this process and the skill sets in this room that allows us to constantly acquire and improve."

Teasley summarized the evaluation process, explaining the team goes all the way back to when a scout evaluated that player in college, the information gained during the pre-draft process, further input from the pro scouting department, the vision the coaching staff has for each player, insights from the Vikings FQM (Football Quantitative Methods) department and onboarding.

"All that is to say everybody has a role that allows us to build this football team," Teasley said. "It started a long time ago, and it's never going to stop."

Teasley's prior experience in Seattle that was capped by winning Super Bowl LX in February reinforced the importance of being able to backfill the roster with the practice squad, which expanded to 16 players in 2020 (and is up to 17 if an International Player Pathway participant is included). The max was eight players — and there were experience restrictions — when Teasley began with Seattle in 2013. The number of players has increased, and teams are now allowed to roster up to six players with unlimited experience.

Teasley's emphasis on the practice squad aligns with the appreciation Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and the coaching staff have shown in their commitments to developing players.

"We talk about 70 because it really is what you're going to need," Teasley said. "And in all honesty, it's more than 70 because the NFL season is a war of attrition. So that's why you handle them with care. It's encouragement, it's appreciation and helping them to understand, 'Maybe it's not really how you envisioned to begin, but there's going to be a lot of opportunity moving forward.' "

Here are four additional takeaways from Teasley's session with media:

1. 'Bullish' on Murray

Teasley usually encountered Kyler Murray twice a season since 2019, and he's excited to now be in the same building with the former Cardinals QB.

Teasley highlighted Murray's development this summer in managing the line of scrimmage and said he's seen "constant improvement" throughout Minnesota's training camp and preseason practices.

"And I've said this from the beginning — I'm really bullish on where he's headed in playing in this system, with this level of coaching from K.O., Josh McCown and everybody else on that side of the ball," Teasley said.

Further into his media session, Teasley fielded a question about additional details he's seen from Murray thus far.

In addition to seeing Murray's ability as a runner "as we got into more realistic football situations," Teasley noted his "anticipatory throwing ability," as well as Murray's ability to fit passes into tight coverage windows and "be a spot thrower."

"Really excited about where he is," Teasley said.

2. McCarthy's role in Minnesota

Asked if he expects J.J. McCarthy to be on the Vikings roster Week 1, Teasley responded, "I do."

"J.J. McCarthy's role is to continue to develop, to improve and to support his teammates," Teasley said. "And he's done an excellent job of that from the moment that I've been here and, from my understanding, since he walked through the door."

McCarthy did not play in the Vikings final preseason game due to an ankle injury that O'Connell said would not be long-term. Teasley was asked about the QB's current health and confirmed he "practiced in full" the past two days.

How does Teasley view McCarthy's "big-picture" future with the Vikings?

"He's really talented. I think I said that from the jump," Teasley said. "He was picked in the first round for a reason. Really good arm strength, underrated athlete, and looking forward to how he continues to develop in this system.

"I think the thing you need to keep in mind with J.J. is that he has the hardest job in sports," Teasley continued. "He's only started 10 games, and his story's not written."

3. Adding a vet in Van Noy

Elaborating on the signing of Van Noy, Teasley expressed excitement about adding an experienced player "at a premium position" who will be a good fit in Minnesota's defensive system. It certainly doesn't hurt that Van Noy overlapped with Brian Flores in New England and Miami, either.

"That's always a component of it," Teasley said of Van Noy's familiarity weighing into the decision. "But really, at the foundation, it's just that he's a good player."

4. Banks on the right track

Teasley also gave his assessment of Vikings first-round pick Caleb Banks and the rookie's progression through the spring and summer.

"He's a talented young man whose best football is ahead of him," Teasley said. "He's in a room with [Defensive Running Game Coordinator] Ryan Nielsen, who's a developer of young men, and he's the right man for the job."

Added Teasley: "We're excited about the direction Caleb's headed."

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