With 2025 NFL training camps set to open, it's time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Kevin Patra has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the NFC North.
Catch up on the Minnesota Vikings' offseason developments and 2025 outlook below.
Training Camp Dates/Information
- Players report: July 20 (rookies); July 22 (veterans)
- Location: TCO Performance Center | Eagan, Minnesota (fan information)
Notable Roster Changes
| 2025 draft class | Selection |
|---|---|
| Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State | Round 1 (No. 24 overall) |
| Tai Felton, WR, Maryland | Round 3 (No. 102) |
| Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT, Georgia | Round 5 (No. 139) |
| Kobe King, LB, Penn State | Round 6 (No. 201) |
| Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Pittsburgh | Round 6 (No. 202) |
Preseason Schedule
- Week 1: vs. Houston Texans | Saturday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Week 2: vs. New England Patriots | Saturday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. ET
- Week 3: at Tennessee Titans | Friday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. ET (CBS)
2025 Schedule Note
- The Vikings will be the first team in NFL history to play a game in multiple international countries in the same season (Week 4 in Ireland and Week 5 in England).
-- NFL Research
What You Need To Know
1) It's all about J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota. The second-year quarterback will be under the microscope as he takes over an offense that rejuvenated Sam Darnold's career last season. The Vikings decided not to buffer McCarthy with a veteran backup after Daniel Jones opted to sign with Indianapolis. Apologies to the Sam Howell stans, but he's not a threat to McCarthy. The former first-round pick inherited the Porsche of offenses, which has made almost every driver look good. Kevin O'Connell is a proven QB whisperer, so the assumption is that McCarthy should have little trouble keeping things afloat. With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and a remade offensive line, the Vikes offer weapons to aid the young signal-caller. Minnesota is a 14-win club that, on paper, improved entering 2025. The loudest question is McCarthy and whether he can keep the engine humming after missing all of 2024. It's not hyperbole to suggest that McCarthy is the pendulum that could swing the course of the entire NFC North.
2) The top camp battle in Minnesota comes in the secondary. Heretofore, the Vikings have yet to add a veteran to the mix who could push for a starting gig next to Byron Murphy. It feels as though the club could be waiting to see how Mekhi Blackmon bounces back after missing the entire 2024 season due to an ACL tear. Isaiah Rodgers, Blackmon, and Jeff Okudah are in line to battle for the CB2 role. Elsewhere in the Vikings' secondary, the club didn't replace No. 3 safety Camryn Bynum, who left for Indianapolis this offseason. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores used three safeties liberally last season. If he does so again, would he trust the likes of Theo Jackson in that role? Could a veteran be added closer to the season?
3) Will the interior offensive line upgrades pay off? The internal pressure proved to be Sam Darnold's undoing last year. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah set out to fix the issue, signing veterans Ryan Kelly and Will Fries from Indy. Then he drafted guard Donovan Jackson in the first round. In theory, the moves should solidify a leaky interior. However, Kelly and Fries are both coming off injury-plagued seasons. Those concerns are coupled with star left tackle Christian Darrisaw coming off a season-ending knee injury. The offseason overhaul is excellent from a starter's perspective, but there are questions among the second-string crew should injuries strike again.
