The Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens line up on the line of scrimmage throughout third-quarter motion on Nov. 9, 2025, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The interconference matchup featured two bodily contenders battling for positioning late within the season as each groups continued pushing towards postseason competition of their respective conferences. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photos
Each summer time, no less than as of late, the Minnesota Vikings schedule joint practices with one other NFL crew, both in Eagan or on the opposite franchise’s turf. In 2026, that dance associate is the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore’s August journey to Eagan now has an attention-grabbing purple-on-purple wrinkle.
It’ll be trial by fireplace for the Vikings in August, and that’s not a nasty factor.
Baltimore Brings a Actual Take a look at to Vikings Coaching Camp
Two purple groups in Eagan. E-book it.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson greets Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy after a matchup at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. The quarterbacks shared a postgame second on Nov. 9, 2025, after Jackson and the Ravens battled McCarthy’s Vikings throughout a notable interconference showdown that includes two of the league’s most dynamic signal-callers. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos.
MIN-BAL = Joint Practices
It’s official, as Vikings.com’s Craig Peters wrote Monday, “There will be purple on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Minnesota Vikings will host the Baltimore Ravens for two days of scheduled joint practices during 2026 Training Camp, the teams announced Monday. Details for timing and ticketing will be announced later, but the joint practices are planned for Wednesday, Aug. 19 and Thursday, Aug. 20.”
“The teams will conclude their week of work on Saturday, Aug. 22 when Minnesota hosts Baltimore for a noon (CT) kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium in the second preseason game for both teams. It will be the lone home exhibition contest this year for Minnesota, which will host nine regular-season games.”
Final 12 months, Minnesota danced with New England through the summer time — and the Patriots later reached the Tremendous Bowl.
Each 4-Yr Cadence
Matching up towards the Ravens is fairly becoming as a result of the Vikings don’t see that franchise typically. Primarily based on the league’s typical schedule rotation, the golf equipment meet each 4 years, and it simply so occurs that Baltimore toppled Minnesota final November.
Except the groups end in the identical place within the NFC North and AFC North, respectively, they gained’t face one another till 2029. Or — for instance — if the Ravens win the AFC North whereas the Vikings seize the NFC North, they’ll sq. off in 2027 in Baltimore.
Typically talking, that’s unlikely, so hooking up with an unfamiliar opponent through the summer time is nice enterprise.
Our Janik Eckardt’s tackle the joint apply system: “The Ravens will test the Vikings. They will have elite quarterback Lamar Jackson under center, a player that Brian Flores has had success against over the years. It will be a good test regardless. The Ravens will also have a new head coach on the sidelines, as they said goodbye to John Harbaugh, going with Jesse Minter, who was the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers.”
“The Vikings’ training camp will have one primary theme and that’s the so-called quarterback competition that every reporter and the head coach is teasing. Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will square off in training camp to determine the Week 1 starter.”
Vikings Get One of many League’s Finest
A saying like “iron sharpens iron” would possibly apply right here — if one assumes the Vikings will contend for the postseason in 2026. Baltimore certain will, perceived by sportsbooks because the second most-likely membership to win the Tremendous Bowl this 12 months. The Los Angeles Rams lead the pack at +700, based on oddsmakers, however the Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Payments, and the Ravens aren’t far behind at +1,000.
Baltimore Ravens working again Derrick Henry carries the soccer whereas Minnesota Vikings security Harrison Smith closes in throughout second-quarter motion at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. The veteran stars squared off on Nov. 9, 2025, throughout a bodily matchup between Baltimore and Minnesota as Henry powered the Ravens’ speeding assault towards Brian Flores’ protection. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photos.
Theoretically, Minnesota might’ve scheduled joint practices towards a weaker crew, just like the Miami Dolphins, however would that basically present the problem and competitors that Baltimore gives? Unlikely.
If wins and losses aren’t assigned in the summertime, there’s no cause to not scrimmage towards an elite crew — to find out how shut Minnesota is to true competition.
Former Participant + Coach Angles
The Ravens’ new skipper, Jesse Minter, labored because the Michigan Wolverines’ defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023. That’s when Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy performed there. Minter will know McCarthy higher than most, making it a productive few days for McCarthy, as Minter will carry the warmth and consciousness of McCarthy’s abilities.
Too, this offseason, Brian Flores interviewed for the Ravens’ head teaching job, however Baltimore declined and employed Minter. Some gas for Flores.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins scans the sector for a move whereas offensive deal with Christian Darrisaw blocks Ravens move rusher Justin Houston at M&T Financial institution Stadium. The play unfolded on Nov. 7, 2021, throughout Minnesota’s street matchup towards Baltimore as Cousins operated behind one of many Vikings’ rising younger offensive linemen. Obligatory Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photos.
Vikings TE2 Josh Oliver spent his rookie contract in Baltimore. He’ll get to see his previous buddies in August.
On the Ravens’ finish, former Vikings security Ok’Von Wallace, who spent a few of the summer time of 2025 in Minnesota, shall be on the sector as a roster bubble candidate. And for full disclosure, most Vikings followers, together with this web site, imagine Minnesota ought to have drafted Kyle Hamilton in 2022 when it had the possibility. He’ll patrol the Ravens’ summer time protection in Eagan.
Sportsbooks count on the Ravens to complete round 11-5 or 12-6 in 2026, whereas Minnesota has an 8-9 or 9-8 forecast.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
