The Pivotal Storylines for Vikings Training Camp: Preview

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) intercepts the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images. The Minnesota Vikings finished mandatory minicamp this week, and before too long, the grand party in Eagan will get underway, also known as Vikings training camp. Training camp is about six weeks away, and when we get there, these are the main storylines for Vikings training camp in 2025. It’s about six weeks away. So, when the time comes, these are the keynote storylines for that event. They’re listed ascendingly (No. 1 = top Vikings training camp storyline). 5. Isaiah Rodgers’ Status as the CB2 Mandatory minicamp this week was incredibly kind to Isaiah Rodgers. The defensive coordinator, Brian Flores, and special teams boss, Matt Daniels, complemented his skill set to the utmost. Rodgers, accordingly, is the odds-on favorite to win the Vikings’ up-for-grabs CB2 job after the club has not re-signed Stephon Gilmore or Shaquill Griffin this offseason. Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches practices during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images. But training camp is where he’ll physically earn the job, with players like Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, and Dwight McGlothern nipping at his heels. The Vikings have not signed any free-agent corners like Jaire Alexander, Asante Samuel Jr., Mike Hilton, Jack Jones, Rasul Douglas, or even Gilmore or Griffin. They evidently love Rodgers, and that ardor will take center stage at training camp. 4. All Injured but Big-Name Newcomers’ Status No other Vikings-themed websites really talk about this: all of the team’s keynote free agents, including guard Will Fries, center Ryan Kelly, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave — finished 2024 on season-ending injury reserve. It might actually be mind-boggling for all four to be completely healthy and ready for Week 1. The process appears to be trending that way, yet four stud additions with recent injury history just seems a little strange. Are they all cleared and good to go for training camp, the preseason, and Week 1? 3. Josh Metellus’ Contract Josh Metellus all but confirmed this week that he and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, are angling for a new contract as Metellus’ expires after 2025. Sep 19, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus (44) prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports. The Vikings have notably extended the contracts of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Josh Oliver in the last six weeks. There’s no reason to believe Metellus will be the odd man out. The question remaining? Timing — will the situation bleed into training camp? 2. Christian Darrisaw Injury Recovery Progress Folks had to do a double-take last Tuesday when Christian Darrisaw trotted onto the practice field in Eagan. The guy who tore his ACL in late October has returned to the field, at least in a practice setting. While that was marvelous news, Darrisaw must parlay that momentum into a full recovery, possibly available to start right away in September. Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) celebrates with teammates (Christian Darrisaw) after defensive stop during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Fans learned that Darrisaw is, indeed, on a great recovery path in June. July will be about pinpointing a specific return date. 1. J.J. McCarthy’s Readiness for Week 1 J.J. McCarthy will be the Vikings’ starter in Week 1 at the Chicago Bears. That’s all there is to it. Injury is the only hurdle that can derail the plan. Yet, in late July and the preseason, onlookers will learn if McCarthy looks the part early on. It will be acceptable if McCarthy plays like a raw rookie, but with the roster around him, it would sure be nice if McCarthy performs like Justin Herbert in 2020, C.J. Stroud in 2023, or Jayden Daniels in 2024 — rookies would looked much more poised and wise beyond their years. Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft. Watch as QB J.J. McCarthy addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on Friday. The Vikings traded up one spot on the draftboard with the New York Jets for McCarthy. Almost every storyline for the Vikings can be traced back to McCarthy. He’s The Golden Bay. Star Tribune‘s Chip Scoggins recently wrote about McCarthy, “McCarthy’s inquisitive nature and arm strength are two traits that stood out and were most encouraging to me while observing two mandatory minicamp practices this week. He is 22 years old and has yet to take a regular-season snap.” “Nobody can provide a bet-the-mortgage guarantee for what his career trajectory will look like. The process he’s following, though, in becoming an NFL starter is why the organization feels so optimistic about placing its present and future in his hands. McCarthy is a conversationalist, but in a good way, an endearing way.” McCarthy turned 22 this offseason. Scoggins concluded, “He connects with teammates with an authenticity that has already earned respect inside the locker room. Employees say he includes everyone inside the team headquarters in his orbit.” Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily ... More about Dustin Baker