Minnesota Vikings sort out Christian Darrisaw watched apply motion throughout coaching camp at TCO Efficiency Heart as gamers labored by means of one other summer time session in Eagan. On August 6, 2026, Darrisaw stood close to the sideline in uniform whereas Minnesota continued evaluating its offensive line earlier than preseason soccer arrived and the common season drew nearer. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
Rookies will report back to Minnesota Vikings coaching camp in 19 days, with veterans arriving a few days later, and followers formally invited on August 1st. The time is coming.
And whereas the membership, like each summer time, has a number of fascinating storylines, right here’s what we are able to’t wait to see in Eagan three weeks from now. The objects are listed in no specific order.
The Watchlist Has Actual Stakes
Miami Hurricanes defensive again Jakobe Thomas lined up in opposition to the Indiana Hoosiers in the course of the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship at Onerous Rock Stadium. On January 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Thomas labored by means of title-game motion as Miami’s secondary confronted Indiana in one of many season’s largest nationwide school soccer levels. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photos.
1. The Pecking Order at Security
This could possibly be moot or much less necessary if Harrison Smith returns to the Vikings, however as of early July, no person is aware of if that may occur. Smith is performing mysteriously.
If Smith is gone-gone, the Vikings will unveil a security unit with out him for the primary time since 2011. Josh Metellus will begin, however after Metellus, it’s a crapshoot to find out the opposite fundamental starter, amongst contenders Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, and rookie Jakobe Thomas.
Ward might be the frontrunner to acquire most security snaps as a result of he took over because the starter in December. That have to be confirmed, although, and coaching camp would be the first main clue. Usually talking, the Vikings’ security room is now not as simple as “Smith and Metellus.”
2. The Seriousness of the QB Battle
We absolutely perceive and embrace the truth that Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will battle at coaching camp; that’s wholesome for a soccer staff. We, nonetheless, consider that Murray will prevail slightly handily — as a result of he’s the higher, extra skilled quarterback.
So, we ask: How attention-grabbing will McCarthy make the competitors? Will it go right down to the wire? Will preseason video games be wanted to weigh execs and cons of every combatant? Will Kevin O’Connell see a apply or two and say, “Murray’s our guy, folks.”
It’s not a sham competitors, however McCarthy’s legitimacy as a contender is “to be determined.”
3. Brett Thorson’s Leg
In March, Minnesota signed punter Johnny Hekker, who was the perfect punter on the planet in 2015. In April, Minnesota signed punter Brett Thorson, who was the perfect school punter in 2025. We marvel why Hekker is even wanted.
There shouldn’t be a lot thriller about Thorson’s transition to the NFL; he’s the actual deal. The Vikings might not have recognized that Thorson would fall into their lap after the draft in undrafted free company. Maybe signing him was a perk that rendered the Hekker signing ineffective.
Thorson ought to be the punter in 2026 and for the lengthy haul, however he evidently has to show it in opposition to Hekker at coaching camp.
The Vikings at all times have some type of a kicking battle in the summertime. Clockwork.
4. The Dillon Bell Glow-Up
The hype prepare started for Bell in late April, when, like Thorson, the Vikings signed him as an undrafted free agent. Georgia head coach Kirby Good and former NFLer Steve Smith have pounded the desk for Bell, who brings WR versatility and a chip on his shoulder to the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray delivered a cross to broad receiver Dillon Bell throughout minicamp apply at TCO Efficiency Heart. In June 2026, in Eagan, Murray related with Bell as Minnesota continued offseason exercises and evaluated new offensive mixtures, giving the rookie receiver beneficial reps alongside the veteran quarterback earlier than coaching camp arrived. Necessary Credit score: YouTube.
Boots on the bottom additionally recommend that Bell regarded the half at OTAs and minicamp. That’s nice — however now Bell should earn a roster spot, dueling Tai Felton, Myles Value, and a number of other different nameless UDFA broad receivers at coaching camp.
Can Bell take the momentum by means of the summer time and snag a September roster spot? Felton or Value might need to be lower to make room. You’ve been warned.
5. Caleb Banks and His Foot
Groups shied away from Banks in Spherical 1 of the draft as a result of he injured his foot in the summertime of 2025 after which broke the identical foot on the NFL Mix. As a rule of thumb, it’s harmful to draft large males with unhealthy ft within the 1st Spherical.
It’s simply that the Vikings didn’t care.
Earlier than the second foot damage, Banks held 1st-Spherical draft inventory; it was only a matter of which DT-needy membership would choose him. After the NFL Mix, Banks’s draft hopes fell into Spherical 2, and he lived there till the Vikings went in opposition to the grain, deciding on him in Spherical 1.
Now, hear rigorously: Minnesota completely can’t afford a draft miss, particularly one from the first Spherical. The franchise is attempting to emerge from the rubble of failed draft picks like Lewis Cine, Andrew Sales space, Brian Asamoah, and others.
Watching Banks this summer time can be a significant clue whether or not the Vikings acquired this one proper. He actually can’t afford to “sit out” his rookie season with a nasty foot. If that’s the case, a 1st-Spherical choose was not value it.
6. Demond Claiborne’s NFL Translation
The Vikings are starved for younger legs at operating again. It’s been 9 years since they drafted Dalvin Cook dinner. After Cook dinner left — and fell off an NFL manufacturing cliff — Minnesota has most well-liked RB1 choices like Alexander Mattison, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason. These veterans are okay, however quickly the Vikings should restart the clock with a promising, explosive tailback.
Wake Forest operating again Demond Claiborne carried the soccer throughout first-quarter motion in opposition to Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium, including one other road-game snapshot to his school profile. On October 4, 2025, in Blacksburg, Claiborne labored by means of the Hokies’ protection because the Demon Deacons tried to generate offense in an ACC matchup. Necessary Credit score: Brian Bishop-Imagn Photos.
In concept, that could possibly be Claiborne, a Sixth-Rounder from Wake Forest with 4.37 velocity.
Onlookers will be capable of inform if Claiborne has the imaginative and prescient and tackle-breaking acumen to succeed as an eventual RB1 at coaching camp. He’ll present hints. The early returns, too, are promising.
However he has to make a dent this summer time to challenge effectively for the longer term. The query is that this: Can Claiborne turn out to be a uncommon late-round RB success story? Or is he simply one other Ty Chandler or DeWayne McBride?
Don’t forget: the Vikings are basically starved for a younger playmaking operating again.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
