Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell surveyed the sphere on Oct. 5, 2025, in Tottenham, United Kingdom, earlier than the NFL Worldwide Collection matchup in opposition to the Cleveland Browns. The Vikings’ abroad look drew 1000’s of followers to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the place O’Connell’s focus throughout warmups set the tone for a vital midseason take a look at overseas. Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures.
Numerous the main focus was on who acquired added. GM Nolan Teasley oped to carry a brand new tight finish (Marshall Lang) and a brand new defensive lineman (Jahvaree Ritzie) to city.
Making room concerned the Vikings saying goodbye to a pair of gamers within the trenches. Most notably, defensive deal with Monkell Goodwine — who was among the many best-paid UDFA abilities — acquired proven the door. However then there was any person else: the monstrous offensive deal with Caleb Etienne.
The Vikings Mentioned Goodbye to Caleb Etienne
Little doubt, Mr. Etienne was dealing with an uphill battle. There may be maybe no extra formidable place on the roster than offensive deal with.
When wholesome (not a certainty in recent times), the Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill twosome is near nearly as good because it will get within the NFL. Darrisaw, particularly, has a excessive ceiling whereas O’Neill’s flooring is that of a high-compete, very-athletic giant lad.
Subsequent up are Ryan Van Demark and Caleb Tiernan, each of whom acquired added for a fairly beefy price.
Van Demark has the within monitor to be the OT3 after getting poached from the Buffalo Payments with an RFA supply that was too dear for Josh Allen’s staff. There’s then Tiernan, who’s getting into his rookie season after taking part in properly for Northwestern in faculty. He’s a towering man who boasts wonderful ft, giving him a shot to become a wonderful participant.
Minnesota Vikings gamers huddle earlier than a snap throughout a street matchup in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers at Lambeau Subject. Christian Darrisaw stands at left because the offense organized assignments and communication earlier than the play. On Nov. 23, 2025, Minnesota navigated one other essential NFC North battle whereas making an attempt to strengthen its postseason place. Necessary Credit score: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Pictures.
A part of what’s lacking inside these primary descriptions of the OT depth is the presence of Walter Rouse (a school OT earlier than getting latest work at G), Blake Brandel (a school OT who does every little thing, together with making a bid to be the C1), the presence of UDFA Tristan Leigh (a school OT who earned a beefy payday), after which different expertise, as properly.
So, a full home.
What made Caleb Etienne stand out was his measurement. The o-lineman stands at 6’7″ whereas weighing near 330 kilos. Even among the many Vikings’ different offensive linemen at Vikings minicamp, Etienne was a noticeable presence on account of his body.
Try the scouting report that emerged from the NFL’s web site: “From a tape standpoint, Etienne looks more like an undrafted free agent, but his traits will make him hard to pass up as a late-round lottery ticket. Though he has the size, length and athletic explosiveness teams covet, his fundamentals are a work in progress, and he doesn’t always play with the aggression that will be needed on the next level. If a team can stash him for a couple of years and fine-tune his technique, Etienne could become a much better player.”
Cincinnati Bengals offensive deal with Caleb Etienne (77) takes the sphere throughout Bengals Camp observe at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Aug. 2, 2025. © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Pictures.
Caleb Etienne continues to be solely 24. He’ll get one other likelihood to play ball within the NFL earlier than too lengthy.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Electronic mail: okay.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
