Do you have a comment or question? Send it to the Mailbag. Every Monday we'll post several comments and/or questions. Click here to submit a comment or question to Mailbag. Remember to include your name and town in the email. If Twitter / X is your jam, you can send a question to me that way as well.

The past week featured high optimism of first-year players making their first footsteps as Vikings on the practice fields at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.

It also included the announcement from the NFL that the 2026 schedule will be released this week. Vikings.com (plus the app and the team's official social media channels) will be able to post the slate at 6:30 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, May 14.

I look forward to the schedule unveiling every year because the organization can then mash the gas on planning signature moments at U.S. Bank Stadium (the Winter Warrior game last year was truly spectacular). People throughout the building are looking forward to this announcement for so many reasons, and I know and appreciate how well Vikings fans travel to road games.

Keep vikings.com/schedule handy for Thursday.

I want to briefly offer a word of appreciation to my mom (an avid Mailbag and Vikings.com feature stories reader) on this morning after Mother's Day. It's hard to summarize the opportunities in life I've been able to enjoy without some connection to Mom (whether it was an encouraging environment, a steadfast commitment or even a sacrifice). Much love.

Those thoughts bring me to last week's passing of Joe Senser, the former Vikings tight end, radio broadcaster and Twin Cities businessman. I wrote this story about Senser's legacy last week, trying to encapsulate a career that simultaneously delivered the only 1,000-yard season by a Viking at the position and experienced a devastating knee injury in 1981 that thwarted what could have been.

I had never gotten the chance to meet him, but everyone around the building and in the Vikings Legends community speaks highly of Senser.

His upbringing included tough walks to school on rough streets of Philadelphia and losing his father to a brain tumor when Joe was 11. Although it had to be a tough decision, Joe's mom sent him 120 miles away to Milton Hershey School, a top boarding school created to help low-income students try to emerge from circumstances like Joe was experiencing after his father died. The vision by Joe's mom, who worked multiple jobs to provide for Joe's siblings, created bigger and broader opportunities for Joe. He made the most of them during and after his career, living genuinely and generously.

You may notice the number of fan submissions is reduced this week, but there are plenty of topics covered, so let's get rolling (we'll cover the Vikings adding receiver Jauan Jennings below).

The dust has settled and the sun has set on the 2026 draft. I was quite skeptical at first, but I have admittedly warmed up to the selection of Caleb Banks substantially.

Our d-line hasn't had a true game wrecker since Linval Joseph wore shades and an oxygen mask on the sideline. Assuming Banks will have no lingering issues with his foot, he will be impossible for teams to handle, especially whenever he's lined up with his new wrecking crew.

Am I the only fan that can't contain excitement over how dominant this d-line is going to be? Banks is a monster. Big Citrus (Domonique Orange) will be a terrific run stopper in the middle. Jalen Redmond is always in the backfield. LDR (Levi Drake Rodriguez) is becoming a force. TID (Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins) showed some real promise and explosive capabilities in his rookie season. And let's not forget about Elijah Williams hiding in the shadows. Good Lord, that is something to get excited about.

Add Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel off the edge, Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson flying around the field, and hopefully a resurgence from Ivan Pace, Jr., and the potential of Jake Golday, this front 7 could be a very scary unit.

Lastly, as the offseason programs unfold, I think the Vikings got some diamonds in the UDFA rough. Three of them (Tristan Leigh, Scooby Williams and Brett Thorson) have a very legitimate and realistic chance of making the 53-man roster.

— Roman B.

(Impatiently waiting for training camp from Grand Forks, North Dakota)

When I read this one, I knew I had to resurface the above photo of "Big Goon" Linval Joseph, who is actually one of the nicest, largest humans I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He had the ability to flip the switch when stepping between the white lines and control games.

That was Joseph in 2018 after his 64-yard fumble return touchdown at Philadelphia (apologies to Carson Wentz, who fumbled when he was sacked by Stephen Weatherly). It became a meme, and I enjoyed revisiting that topic a year later in the *Playbook* game program cover story when the Vikings grounded the Eagles in 2019 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

People who know how impactful interior pressure can be and have been learning more and more about the potential ceiling for Banks are getting more and more excited about adding a player of his size and twitch (and versatility to line up from a couple of technique spots on the d-line) for what it could mean to the rest of the defense.

Banks rode an exercise bike and watched drills with his position group as other first-year players and select veterans participated in Friday’s rookie minicamp practice.

After the session, O'Connell noted the starting day isn't the end goal. The 90-minute session included some productive moments, but the team's goals are working toward an incredibly impactful training camp when the physicality will ramp up.

Until then, it is the teaching and learning phase with some opportunities for refining technique.

O'Connell was asked directly about new defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen and described the way he and offensive line coach Keith Carter (promoted this offseason from an assistant role) have already impacted their groups.

"Such a teacher," O'Connell said in answering the question about Nielsen. "If you are around him long enough and you get to watch him work, you just see a guy that is teaching the smallest of details to equal great gains, helping guys play with more power, helping guys that need to play a certain kind of way. Maybe they're a player that is good on the move and kind of creating edges via our scheme, but we're going to need you to also play to a higher standard as a needed gap defender. He knows how to do that. He knows how to kind of get the best out of players and do it in a way where you see these guys respond to it. It's been awesome to see.

"Keith Carter's been the same way with the o-line. Our o-line had a phenomenal first week. It was great to see those guys getting after it and working. That's the one thing about both those guys is they cherish their time on the grass with their players, and they're going to maximize it."

Orange and other draft picks participated in media scrums after the practice. He was asked about his fit and role in Brian Flores' scheme and described it as "almost verbatim" with what he was doing at Iowa State.

"This defense is really fit for me. I'm so glad the Vikings decided to take a chance on me," Orange added.

We haven't talked with Redmond yet, but between his breakout season last year and the opportunity to wreak havoc this year, he's got to be looking forward to 2026. It will be great to see all those young players, including Rodriguez, Ingram-Dawkins and Williams, grow together.

The front 7 could potentially be a key strength for the Vikings this season.

As for the UDFAs mentioned, Scooby Williams did agree to terms, but he wound up not signing and not participating in the minicamp.

Leigh had visited as a Top 30 guest and participated with the offensive line.

Thorson, a 26-year-old Australia native who didn't play in American football game until he was 22 (he said he had never seen a game before that moment!), will compete with four-time All-Pro Johnny Hekker at punter. The specialists did some work in the Indoor Practice Facility on Friday.

Two more UDFAs I find intriguing:

Cam'Ron Stewart, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound edge rusher. He ran a 4.56 in the 40 and did 24 reps on the bench press. He had 4 sacks in his first four games and then slowed down. Or, did other teams scheme against him causing his sack production to drop? He was quoted as saying it is time to put his head down and get to work.

Jacob Thomas, a defensive back from James Madison at 6-foot-1 and 212 pounds. Former QB — a walk on. Motor runs hot. Can play all over in defensive backfield. He has a chance. Camp will be competitive.

— Gerald Goblirsch

Stewart's performance at Temple's Pro Day certainly impressed, helping his case after he was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Had he been, his 40 time would have ranked fourth among this year's edge rushers. Only three invitees at the position participated in the bench press this year. Gabe Jacas led with 30 reps.

The 2025 Temple Owls totaled 16 sacks across 12 games, so Gerald's theory on other teams scheming to avoid Stewart could be true.

Apparently, it wasn't enough for the Vikings to re-sign Tavierre Thomas and draft Jakobe Thomas for the safeties group this offseason. The team also added Jacob Thomas. He outstretched a yellow-gloved paw during a passing play Friday and tipped the ball to second-round pick Jake Golday. The linebacker easily secured the pass for an interception (read more on Golday’s first day here).

One thing we've learned from Flores is he doesn't factor-in a player's path to the NFL when making roster decisions. Put more clearly, undrafted free agents have legitimate opportunities to make the final 53.

I've had a couple weeks now to digest the Vikings draft performance and (slightly) get over the passing on Dillon Thieneman (don't ask Siri to spell it, because she thinks I have a lisp and want cinnamon). But now we have to face him twice a year in a Bears uniform, and I hope he doesn't carry a grudge. Speaking of which, how is Caleb Banks doing in his recovery? Can the stellar training staff at TCO Performance Center not only get him healthy, but do they have a plan to help him learn to avoid another injury?

In other news, I'm guessing all the cost cutting since the new league year started must've helped, since we picked up a few free agents. Granted, Kyler Murray was a bargain, but he is just a "one-year rental," because I doubt we can afford to sign him to a new contract next year.

How Cincinnati could afford Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins with their contracts, no wonder they had to say goodbye to Trey Hendrickson. But can the Vikings afford such extravagance, with Jefferson tied down and Addison in line for his payday? And will Dallas Turner be closing in on a new deal as well?

Can the Vikings afford to get in another "kick the can down the road" salary cap quagmire again next year? And what about Gink'? And has Hitman Harry made his decision yet on retirement or another go around? So many pieces on that stellar defense to extend.

That means Murray will probably suit up for another team in 2027. And what will this mean for J.J. McCarthy's future? Will he show enough growth and development this season, or will the team cut their losses and start over in 2027? I may joke about it, but the Vikings do often embody the image of being the elephant graveyard of the NFL, where "quarterbacks go to die" at the end of their careers.

And speaking of one-year rentals, will that be the case with Jauan Jennings? And will whoever is under center be able to feed him enough that he doesn't feel like the stepchild? Though based on his on-field reputation, I'd be more curious to look back at the 2026 season and tally up the number of flags, fines and/or suspensions he accrued. It would have been interesting if the team had signed DeAndre Hopkins instead.

So whether it's [Executive Vice President of Football Operations] Rob Brzezinski or someone else who's hired as GM, I do hope they move away from the penchant of signing expensive free agents only to have to release or trade them when the salary cap rears its ugly head. That breeds instability and undermines cohesion.

Sincerely,

— David A. (from the North Shore but stuck in the South)

OK, lot of ground to cover here, so I'll try to efficiently close things out for today's edition.

O'Connell included in his comments Friday that the team "got some more positive information" as Banks reported.

"Very much looking forward to him establishing a real great plan with our medical staff and the coaching staff," O'Connell said. "Obviously, on the medical side getting healthy and on the coaching staff side, how can we push Caleb from an above-the-neck standpoint to be that much more comfortable when he does get healthy? But he gets a great chance this spring and summer to get strong and build himself up for the multiple aspects we think he can help our team in the fall."

If the Vikings projected Banks' impact correctly, it could work out quite well for the team.

The trading of Jonathan Greenard resulted in a third-round pick this year (Jakobe Thomas), a third-round pick next year and quite a bit of cap flexibility for this year and next, which then enabled the Vikings to add Jennings. It remains to be seen how the 2027 cap flexibility is applied, but it could come in handy in a variety of ways.

The OTA practices for the Vikings won't start this year until May 26. I'm sure the quarterback activity will be focused on quite a bit with Murray taking his first team snaps as a Viking and McCarthy set to progress after his first full, healthy NFL offseason.

In watching Jennings highlights, the tape shows a big-bodied receiver who doesn't shrink when it's time to make a contested catch, as well as a player who has some wiggle once he gets the ball. It also shows a determined blocker in the run game to go along with his productivity as a receiver (210 career receptions for 2,581 yards and 22 TDs in 75 regular-season games).

I did look up his penalty stats on nflpenalties.com. He's had 14 accepted since 2021 while logging 2,671 offensive snaps and 119 on special teams.

Jennings received a fine last year after a postgame incident with Panthers safety Tre'von Moehrig. Jennings confronted Moehrig following a 20-9 win by the Niners in which Moehrig punched Jennings below the belt. Moehrig received a one-game suspension for the left hook.

No disrespect to the five-time Pro Bowler Hopkins, who will turn 34 this summer, but Jennings, who will turn 29 in July, is able to deliver some unique aspects to the Vikings offense.

"I think Vikings fans are going to fall in love with watching this guy play football, his passion and the physicality that he plays with," O'Connell said of Jennings, who is scheduled to join the team this week.

O'Connell was asked about Harrison Smith's status and said there were no updates at this time. He also was asked about the GM search.

"First and foremost, just out of respect for the process, I would defer everything to ownership and [Chief Operating Officer] Andrew Miller as that process is ongoing," O'Connell said. "I'm excited for potentially forming that relationship, going through the process. And as much of a part as ownership and Andrew want me to be a part of it, I will. And very much looking forward to a great outcome, which I know we're going to get."

See the Vikings 2026 Opponents.

Check out the Vikings 2026 Draft Picks.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.