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The schedule for 2026 Vikings Training Camp presented by U.S. Bank was posted, and tickets are now available. Vikings.com/camp is a great place to start planning your trip (or trips) to Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center for an up-close look at this year's squad.

I'd also like to quickly welcome Special Olympians who have traveled from across the country to Minnesota for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, which opened June 20. The event continues through June 26 and will bring together 3,000 athletes, 1,500 coaches, 10,000 volunteers and 75,000 fans from all 50 states. I know Minnesota will do a tremendous job of hosting these wonderful guests.

Lastly, you might remember, the Vikings close the office for the week of the Fourth of July, a decision that is sincerely appreciated by employees for the opportunity to use the time as each would like before hitting the ground running with training camp. We'll schedule out a little content for the break, but we will skip publishing a Mailbag on June 29 and return on July 6. Please keep sending in your questions in the meantime so we can open July with some good dialogue.

With OTAs and minicamp done, there were a bunch of players who stepped up their performance. In the WR room they have the first three spots already worked out, but there's the WR 4 spot, and they have several who are contending for that spot. The three who stand out to me are Myles Price, Tai Felton and undrafted free agent Dillon Bell, with Bell standing out in both OTAs and minicamp. Felton was used as a gunner on special teams and a tiny bit at the end of the season last year, and Price was the punt and kick returner. Are they going to be back at the same spots as last year, or will one of them get the WR 4 spot?

Another position is at RB. They already have Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason locked in for 1 and 2, but who will have the third spot? They have Zavier Scott from last year that was a WR before changing to RB, then there's Demond Claiborne, whom they drafted. Claiborne brings speed to the room. Max Bredeson was drafted for the FB position to replace retired C.J. Ham, and he looked impressive.

With minicamp being over with, both Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy are still going to be working out away from the Vikings facility with Justin Jefferson. Which QB will have the upper hand entering training camp? Both have made mistakes, but they also have made some impressive throws.

I can't wait to see who gets the spots for QB1, RB3 and WR4.

SKOL VIKINGS,

— Matt from Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Quite a few items to get us started.

Beginning with receiver, we have seen Price and Felton participate in an expanded role that included some work with the first-team offense, making connections with McCarthy and Murray (QBs listed alphabetically). Despite only being a rookie, Bell also worked with that group, as well, and looked quite comfortable, despite limited time in the system.

It's worth noting there were a few more reps available during the offseason program than will likely be planned during the regular season because Minnesota didn't want to overuse established players Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jauan Jennings did some really great things with his reps, previewing a readiness to immediately contribute during his first season in Minnesota.

Price's debut season showcased his ability as a kickoff and punt returner, and Felton grew into the gunner role on special teams. That third phase is so critical to determining the game-day roster, which gets reduced from 53 players.

Price (5-foot-9 and 183 pounds), Felton (6-1 and 186) and Bell (6-0 and 209) offer different flavors of football and could carve out specific roles within certain offensive packages. This position group is always one of the most fun for people to watch when they come to training camp and during the preseason games, and I expect nothing less than that this year.

Was glad Matt brought up the running back position. VEN's Rob Kleifield featured Claiborne last week. Among diving into the rookie’s background, it also covered how beneficial it has been for Jones to take the young man under his wings. Claiborne's speed is something that the Vikings are interested in capitalizing on this season and beyond. We also had a Lunchbreak post last week that noted Mason's potential impact in fantasy (and real) football. Scott's can-do attitude and spirit are infectious, and he showed his receiving background multiple times. Bredeson has appeared ready to receive the baton from Ham based on practices and what teammates and coaches have said.

The QB competition is heading toward training camp. Murray is growing in the system, and McCarthy showed multiple signs of progress. Facing the Vikings defense will be challenging, and the goal for Head Coach Kevin O'Connell is to boost the entire QBs room, which he envisions positively affecting the rest of the offense.

How far along is Carson Wentz in the recovery process for his shoulder?

— Zion

Wentz progressed well in his recovery and had no limitations in practice, which was great to see after he gave everything he had last year. His presence during the offseason program can't be understated because of the wisdom and lived experiences he can share with the rest of the room and because of his savvy in leading the development team while McCarthy and Murray were repping with the first team.

Why are we not talking about Dontae Fleming more or Carson Wentz? This guy could play a lot this year for us.

— William W.

Part of the reason Wentz hasn't been mentioned much is that he's somewhat of a known commodity. Part of the reason is his role in the past few weeks has been in guiding that development team while taking a couple of first-team snaps here and there to help redundancy.

I'm glad you brought up Fleming. He is in his second year with the team and had some shining moments during last year's preseason and camp. He's looked smooth again this offseason and is another interesting player to keep an eye on at camp.

"Quarterback controversy." That is the spin the media likes to put on it. I do not agree. We have a dynamic QB room with a lot of potential. J.J. is only 23. His best days are ahead of him. Kyler Murray is dynamic. He can run and pass. He is much more mature, and his great athleticism will help counter his physical limitations. Carson Wentz is a warrior. He will not start, but he is there if needed. Not sure who to quote, but multiple people have said our starter will be the guy who gives us the best chance to win. I like this attitude. Training camp and the preseason games will give us our answers.

— Gerald Goblirsch

O'Connell said McCarthy and Murray "have had really good days and still have plenty of opportunities to learn."

"This phase, this time of year, it's a foundation to build from. Every rep obviously matters, but this time of year, the beauty of not going full-speed on a lot of reps is you can get a lot out of watching other guys' reps, as well," O'Connell said. "I think that's taken place. I think that's been great that's taken place, but those guys both know we have a plan in place to make sure that the decision we make that is going to be about what's best for the Minnesota Vikings and the timeline of that falls with getting our starter ready to go."

What do Vikings players do between minicamp and training camp? Are players required to track their weight, meals and activities on a daily basis? And might there be legendary stories where players did some unique things?

— Ed Helinski in Auburn, New York

O'Connell opened his final media session by saying he felt the team will be "ready to pick up where we left off as we fully enter the competition phase of being able to build our team and chase what our ceiling is going to be for the season."

He later added: "Looking forward to them using the time from now until we get back to continue to build on what they've already accomplished, which is a lot. Both those guys have done some really, really good things, and I they're elevating their football team because of it."

So I think the top goal for players at this point in the calendar is maintaining momentum while being prepared for camp, which could look a few different ways, depending on position, roster status, age and experience in Minnesota's offensive and defensive system.

The year-round emphasis on fitness and nutrition will continue. Each player has a personalized plan provided by Minnesota's Health and Performance staff. Training camp is no longer where players report to get into shape (decades ago, many worked offseason jobs), but they will continue to refine their "football shape" over the course of camp.

Ideally, players and coaches (and staffers like yours truly) are able to spend some of their time connecting with loved ones who may live in distant places or take the opportunity to explore this great big world. This might include gnawing on some home cookin' which may be a deviation from some of the nutrition plan, but players know expectations for when they return.

The first "legendary story" that came to my mind when I got to that part of the question was Carl Eller telling me about how he used to chase carts at the Theodore Wirth Golf Club to get ready for the toils of two-a-days in Mankato. Water hazards, sand traps and "Moose" on the loose. Only in Minnesota.

Nolan,

Congrats and welcome to Minnesota! My hometown is Ellensburg, class of '74. Also a CWU (Central Washington) grad ('79). Looking forward to a great Vikes season.

All the best as you get settled in Minnesota.

— Mitch

There have been multiple waves of well-wishes in the inbox directed toward new Vikings General Manager Nolan Teasley, who was announced three weeks ago. Teasley has had no shortage of things to do.

What would it take to change the helmet from the horns to the Norseman that appears at the center of the field? Has there ever been a discussion about changing the helmet?

— Terryll Tendle in Roseville, Minnesota

Any such change would be well-above my pay grade, but the horns on the helmet go all the way back to the founding of the franchise.

I believe them to be generally popular, and the traditionalist in me personally prefers keeping the horns because of their connection throughout franchise history, even as the shades of purple have varied a bit over the years.

The history of the horns is illustrated in the Minnesota Vikings Museum thanks to John and Tom Aldritt, the grandsons of Al Aldritt, whose Al Aldritt Sporting Goods Co. equipped the Vikings in the first 10 seasons of the franchise.

According to Tom, helmet manufacturer Riddell wanted the horn to be a decal, but the Vikings initially insisted that the horn be painted.

At the request first Vikings Head Coach Norm Van Brocklin, John Aldritt drew horn templates that were re-discovered by the family during the 1980s during a move to Florida.

The NFL introduced "Rivalries" uniforms in 2025, beginning with teams in the AFC East and NFC West. The NFC North will begin a three-year cycle of "Rivalries" uniforms this season, so stay tuned for a fresh Vikings look that is scheduled to be unveiled before the season.

See the Vikings 2026 Schedule.

View future opponents for the Vikings.

Buy single game tickets.

Download the official Vikings App.

See more about the 2028 NFL Draft in Minnesota.