Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy speaks with reporters throughout 2025 OTAs at TCO Efficiency Middle after getting back from the torn meniscus damage that sidelined his rookie marketing campaign. The previous first-round decide is utilizing the offseason to construct chemistry with teammates and set up himself in Minnesota’s quarterback plans transferring ahead. Obligatory Credit score: YouTube
Each weekend, VikingsTerritory publishes two batches of Minnesota Vikings-themed rumors, the newest fodder from the week concerning the purple group’s what-ifs. Think about this the post-schedule-release version.
Minnesota’s post-schedule rumor cycle has begun.
For Sunday, we check out the Vikings’ massive camp battle, Cooper Rush displaying up in Eagan, and the free company competitors for Jauan Jennings.
Three Vikings Storylines Start Transferring towards Coaching Camp
The Purple Rumor Mill for Might seventeenth, 2026.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell greets quarterback J.J. McCarthy after a first-quarter landing on Nov. 2, 2025, at Ford Discipline in Detroit, Michigan. The sideline interplay highlighted Minnesota’s continued funding in McCarthy’s growth as O’Connell labored via the rising pains of guiding the younger quarterback throughout a troublesome however vital stage of his early NFL profession. Obligatory Credit score: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Pictures
Rumor: Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy certainly will duke it out for QB1 in July and August.
Vikings coaching camp could have drama. NFL.com’s Grant Gordon wrote final weekend, “If it was assumed that Kyler Murray was going to be handed the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback reins following two ill-fated years for J.J. McCarthy, that won’t be the case. Minnesota will host a good, old fashioned quarterback battle between McCarthy and Murray this offseason, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.”
“McCarthy’s struggled in his two years in the NFL since the Vikings chose him 10th overall in an already celebrated 2024 NFL Draft. Some of his struggles have been self-inflicted (12 interceptions in 10 games), while others have been the result of injuries, as he missed all of his rookie campaign with a knee injury and dealt with multiple injuries in his sophomore season.”
Pelissero personally stated, “They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy. And both these guys are going to go into this believing they’re gonna win this job.”
“I don’t know, frankly, how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It’s going to be a very competitive quarterback room. From everything that I’ve understood, it is truly wide open; they’re keeping an open mind as a coaching staff.”
That units the stage for a true-blue Murray v. McCarthy battle if one assumes the NFL.com boys are telling the reality.
Rumor: The Vikings now have veteran passer Cooper Rush on pace dial.
No contract got here to fruition, however Rush is on the Vikings’ radar. NBC Sports activities‘ Mike Florio wrote this week, “Rookie minicamps routinely include more than rookies. In Minnesota, veteran quarterback Cooper Rush will participate on a tryout basis. The team has announced 57 attendees for the weekend session. Of that number, 23 have been invited to the weekend practices on a tryout basis.”
“Rush, 32, has played in 42 regular-season games with 16 starts. He has a 9-7 record. The Ravens cut him earlier this year, after making Tyler Huntley the primary backup to Lamar Jackson. Before that, Rush spent seven seasons with the Cowboys, starting eight games in 2024 and five in 2022.”
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush warms up earlier than a house matchup towards the Chicago Bears on Oct. 26, 2025, at M&T Financial institution Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Rush ready for an additional alternative throughout the Ravens quarterback room as Baltimore continued navigating the second half of the common season in pursuit of AFC playoff positioning. Obligatory Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Pictures
Head coach Kevin O’Connell stated about Rush’s surprising presence, “As I told Cooper, it’s almost like a free agent visit. He gets to know us, we get to know him. He’s played a lot of football over the years in the National Football League.”
“I think it can open up that world to him, or if there’s an opportunity in the future, he can make that a really positive situation for himself and become our first phone call.”
The best approach to think about this? If accidents rock Murray, McCarthy, and Carson Wentz, Rush will most likely be the primary man the Vikings name or the primary man they steal off some group’s apply squad.
Rumor: A number of groups needed Jauan Jennings from free company.
Adam Schefter defined that Minnesota has real competitors for Jennings this week.
He instructed Pat McAfee, “I was told that there were a few other teams. I think it was the Dolphins, the Commanders. There was somebody else that was interested. The Vikings were the only team he wound up visiting at all. The Chiefs and Commanders also were interested in Jauan Jennings.”
“Ultimately, he got a one-year deal from Minnesota worth up to $13 million; it’s about $8 million in base pay. Ideally, you want to get these deals done early in free agency, but Jennings was able to salvage a pretty good situation.”
Minnesota is a perfect scenario for Jennings. O’Connell’s pass-heavy offense incessantly makes use of three-receiver units, putting Jennings alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. With protection usually tilted towards the star wideouts, Jennings will inevitably discover himself remoted. His physicality and reliability place him completely to capitalize on these alternatives.
San Francisco 49ers large receiver Jauan Jennings celebrates after scoring a landing towards the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 14, 2025, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Jennings helped spark the 49ers’ offense early within the sport, persevering with his function as one among San Francisco’s most reliable bodily targets close to the aim line through the common season. Obligatory Credit score: Kyle Terada-Imagn Pictures
Stylistically, the match is equally compelling. In San Francisco, Jennings established himself as a rugged blocker and dependable chain-mover. With the Vikings, nonetheless, he’s anticipated to see considerably extra targets than he sometimes did with the 49ers. O’Connell gained’t relegate him to a hidden function.
Too, ought to Jefferson or Addison miss time, Jennings might rapidly transition from a complementary weapon to a borderline WR1. At this level in his profession, the touchdown spot might hardly be extra excellent. And the Vikings evidently obtained fortunate that he didn’t land in Kansas Metropolis, Miami, or Washington.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
