EAGAN, Minn. — The opening of 2025 Vikings Training Camp is nearing, including the July 26 session that will be the first practice open to the public.

To get folks primed, Vikings.com is using the week before camp opens to preview the roster by position groups. Here is the schedule for this week.

Monday: Quarterbacks
Tuesday: Receivers & Tight Ends
Wednesday: Running Backs & Offensive Line
Thursday: Defensive Front 7
Friday: Secondary

It makes sense to start this series with quarterbacks, a group that is usually an "A" topic for NFL teams and one with extra interest for the Vikings because of the transition to starting second-year pro J.J. McCarthy.

RETURNEES: J.J. McCarthy (played rookie season on IR) and Brett Rypien (a backup in 2024)

NEWCOMERS: Veteran Sam Howell (acquired from Seahawks) and undrafted free agent (UDFA) Max Brosmer

KEY DEPARTURES: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens and Daniel Jones

2024 RECAP: Darnold's 2024 signing to a one-year deal proved to be quite prescient by the Vikings. The former first round pick of the Jets was able to reboot his career with his best statistical season so far, helping lead Minnesota to a 14-3 record and appearance in the playoffs. Darnold exceeded his previous career totals in completion percentage by more than four points, his passing yards by almost 1,300, his passing touchdowns by 15 and his passer rating by almost 10 full points on the way to his first Pro Bowl. He earned a lucrative contract from Seattle, where the Vikings are set to visit the Seahawks on Nov. 30.

Mullens backed up Kirk Cousins (in 2022-23) and Darnold (2024) before heading to Jacksonville in free agency. Jones joined Minnesota after his release by the Giants and opted to sign with the Colts to compete for the starting job in Indy.

The production and elevated play by Darnold in Head Coach Kevin O'Connell's system involved Darnold reaching the potential that helped him become a first-round pick and reinforced the way Minnesota builds around quarterbacks.

POSITION OVERVIEW: The Vikings are preparing to have a new Week 1 starter for the third consecutive season.

Before any "woe is me" thinking sets in, we'll point out that 11 teams are projected to have a different Week 1 starter in 2025 from the player who opened the 2024 season: Minnesota, Atlanta, Cleveland, Las Vegas, New England, New Orleans, New York Jets and Giants, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Tennessee. You probably noticed the Vikings are the only playoff team from last year among that list. Moreover, Minnesota's roster does not have a QB who has played game snaps in Purple.

Optimism is high for the debut of McCarthy. The No. 10 overall pick of 2024 watched and learned as a rookie while rehabbing a knee injury he suffered last August. He showed during spring practices that he maximized his opportunity to grow in the system. Rypien, who was acquired just before the season, received credit for leading Minnesota's scout team in 2024. Howell was added via a draft-day trade with Seattle. The Vikings did their homework on him before the 2022 NFL Draft in which he was selected in the fifth round by Washington. Brosmer, the former Golden Gopher, stayed in town by signing as an undrafted free agent after setting a school record for single-season completions (268) during his only campaign in Dinkytown.

WHAT TO WATCH IF YOU MAKE IT TO CAMP: There's no class like time on the grass, especially at the sport's most difficult position — and when facing a tough defense. Be sure to appreciate accuracy and arm strength on passes but also observe some of the intangibles of playing the position like the ability to connect with teammates and move past a good or bad play.

3 KEY QUESTIONS FOR VIKINGS QUARTERBACKS

1. How much will be on McCarthy's plate?

The experience levels of Cousins and Darnold helped O'Connell integrate his system, and it hasn't seemed like he's needed to hold much back. Referred to by some as a "quarterback whisperer" — he usually chuckles at the notion — O'Connell is a former QB with several assistant coaches who also played the position. They've talked about the valuable learning McCarthy absorbed by being around the team and in meetings last season as he attacked his rehab. Minnesota's also made several moves this year designed to help a young quarterback, including providing an expected boost in the run game.

A pre-draft critique by some of McCarthy was that Michigan didn't ask him to do as much as some other programs asked of their quarterbacks, but the Vikings leadership group looked at the quality of "weighty downs."

Every game will be different, but the Vikings plan for McCarthy to handle whatever is needed in various situations.

2. What will be the key to handling success and/or disappointment?

McCarthy was part of a steamrolling Wolverines squad that went 27-1 with him as a starter from 2022-23, including a perfect 15-0 mark to win the 2023 CFP National Championship.

Part of Minnesota's pre-draft evaluation of McCarthy was how he handled being a "B.M.O.C. (big man on campus)" when they went to lunch in Ann Arbor. QB1 is identifiable in a town so crazy about college football, but McCarthy remained grounded, comfortable and approachable. The Vikings believe he can handle success at the NFL level.

But going without a loss — or even some adversity within a game — at the NFL level is different. How will McCarthy handle challenges posed by foes from week to week? Mistakes happen, especially during periods of growth, but it's critical to move past them and not let one bad play affect the next snap.

3. Which way will the depth chart fall?

The Vikings added experience and depth at the position during the final day of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The first move was acquiring Howell by just swapping picks and moving from No. 142 to gain the QB and the No. 172 selection that was later traded for Nos. 201 and 202.

Howell has 18 NFL starts under his belt, including all 17 games for an undermanned 2023 Washington squad. He spent last season as a backup for an NFC West team (Seahawks), similar to Darnold (49ers) in 2023.

Howell led the league with 612 pass attempts and 65 sacks taken during that 2023 season when the Commanders leaned heavily on the passing game and finished 4-13.

Rypien has four career starts under his belt during his time with the Broncos (three from 2020-22) and Rams (one in 2023). He turned 29 last week and has shown the bandwidth to help Minnesota's defense prepare for various opponents.

Brosmer spun the ball nicely during rookie minicamp, showing why he was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine. Prior to his time with the Gophers, he racked up awards at New Hampshire, including Second-Team FCS All-America status.

Minnesota's priority will obviously be prepping McCarthy, but the Vikings will evaluate as they develop the rest of the room.

Join us at Training Camp.

View the 2025 Vikings Schedule.

Check out the 2025 International games.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.