The countdown to kickoff — and the NFL's best stadium chant — is underway.

With Vikings 2026 Training Camp beginning next week and the first exhibition less than a month away, the excitement for game days is rapidly growing. We're eager for touchdowns, celebrations, victories and rallying cries. The latter is important to note since it gives Minnesota a supreme home-field advantage.

Karl Rasmussen of Sports Illustrated on Monday handed the Vikings — and fans — their flowers, ranking the "SKOL Vikings!" chant as the greatest of its kind in the NFL. He wrote the following of the battle cry:

The term "skol" stems from the Norwegian, Danish and Swedish word "skål," which means "cheers." Interestingly, the Vikings adopted the chant from the Icelandic men's national soccer team, who displayed and popularized it during the 2016 Euros. It made its way to Minnesota not long after that. When the Vikings played their first regular-season game at U.S. Bank Stadium in September 2016, legendary quarterback Fran Tarkenton led the fan base in the first rendition of the now-iconic thunderclap that has become a staple for the franchise. This chant can give anyone goosebumps. The beating of the drum, followed by the booming clap and "Skol!" roar, creates palpable intensity.

It's not only a treat for the ears and a way for spectators to stay involved with the on-field action, but it's also a weapon for the home team. For instance, two seasons ago the roar of the crowd resulted in Houston's offense committing a series of pre-snap infractions in a row. The penalties stole the Texans' confidence and helped the Vikings jump out to a convincing lead that never was in doubt in a 34-7 win.

The SKOL Chant also has seeped into road stadiums, and it's even showed up across the pond during international contests in London and Ireland. This season, it could overtake Estadio Banorte in Mexico City in a Week 11 matchup against San Francisco. Fans don't just love doing it — the players feed off it.

Click here to read Rasmussen's full list of the NFL's best fight songs/stadium chants. For what it's worth, NFC North counterparts Chicago ("Bear Down, Chicago Bears") and Green Bay ("Go Pack Go!") made the cut at Nos. 9 and 10, and second place was awarded to Jacksonville's "Duuuval," a nod to Duval County.

Assistants to watch

The past month or so of summer has been dominated by hot or "breakout" takes.

Dallas Turner is positioned for more snaps — and sacks — after Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard. Kyler Murray has the chance to reestablish himself as a force if he beats out incumbent J.J. McCarthy. Even Vikings rookies, such as first-round DL Caleb Banks and sixth-round RB Demond Claiborne have been touted in some capacity as players capable of improving — as breakouts — their respective rooms.

There's an adage in football that rings true every year; the gist of it is that games are won by the Jimmys and Joes, not the Xs and Os. The sentiment isn't necessarily constrained to players on the roster, though.

Strategy aside, it ought to apply to coaches, as well — and the many, many ways they can impact players.

On that note, we want to share Jordan Rodrigue's piece for The Athletic that introduces breakout assistant coach candidates for each club. Her choice for the Vikings is quarterbacks coach Josh McCown.

Rodrigue wrote that the 47-year-old McCown was one of the assistants who drew buzz at the league meetings this year, and his job leading the Vikings QBs in 2026 could draw interest and excitement if Murray (or McCarthy) plays "as well as many are expecting him to under McCown, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips." McCown played QB for nine different teams over 16 seasons before he transitioned into coaching with Carolina in 2023 and landed with Minnesota in 2024.

Additionally, Rodrigue noted there's intrigue surrounding new Assistant Head Coach Frank Smith, who previously helped develop Miami's rushing attack and will be critical to improving the Vikings run game.

More familiar faces on Rodrigue's list, which you can check out here, include former Vikings assistants Daronte Jones (Commanders defensive coordinator) and Grant Udinski (Jaguars offensive coordinator).

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