You have to be hyped up to see our QB!
It is an exciting time to be a Vikings fan. It is a little like 1998 for me. Obviously, the QB situation brings “worry” but the rookie QBs last year performed fairly well so there is no reason to believe that JJ McCarty is not going to do well especially playing in KOC’s offense.
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The next organized team activites.
The schedule is …
OTAs: June 2-3, June 5, June 16-18
Mandatory Minicamp: June 10-12
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Five new quarterback-play-caller duos NFL defenses should be most worried about in 2025
Rank 2
Minnesota Vikings
QB: J.J. McCarthy
Play-caller: Kevin O’Connell
In his three years at the helm, KOC has worked wonders with every quarterback donning purple, including Sam Darnold , who revitalized his career by helping Minnesota finish sixth in the NFL in passing yards in 2024. So it follows that the Vikings’ offense should continue to roll even as McCarthy, who missed his rookie year because of a preseason knee injury, takes over as a first-time starter under center this season. Yes, McCarthy arrived in the NFL as the 10th overall pick in last year’s draft with a limited amount of experience (28 college starts), and he has not been able to gain much more yet. But the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder adds a different dimension to the offense as a mobile playmaker with the potential to terrorize opponents inside or outside the pocket.
I expect the call sheet to feature more movement-based concepts and RPOs that could make the young gunslinger a dynamic weapon in the backfield, meaning the Vikings’ prolific playmakers should ring up big numbers while snagging passes all over the yard. With Justin Jefferson , Jordan Addison , T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones taking turns as playmakers in a “catch-and-run” offense, the Vikings should remain a high-powered unit with McCarthy running the show.
J.J. McCarthy is preparing the right way
One of the things that McCarthy has done is spend a lot of time with wide receiver Justin Jefferson. McCarthy understands that building a rapport with the best wide receiver in the game is important.
He also gets the little things that need to be done, including developing chemistry with his center Ryan Kelly. It’s an underrated relationship when it comes to the success of the offense, and he talked about spending time with him
“[I spent] a good amount of time with Ryan Kelly. We met a couple times with Coach Kup [Chris Kuper] and just went over just little things about the offense, base stuff, and just be on the same page with that. And it’s a continued process. That relationship is going to grow throughout the remainder of this off season and the entire season. So, I’m very excited. He’s an absolute stud. I can’t wait to get Will [Fries] out here and Justin [Skule] has been fantastic. Great additions to the room. Donnie [Donavan Jackson] got some time today. So, it’s been really awesome having those guys.”
Javon Hargrave Faces Pivotal Season Entering Vikings OTAs
At 31 years old, Hargrave needs to prove himself as still a viable starter in the NFL. The 2025 season might be the most crucial season of his career.
In his recent article, PFF writer Dalton Wasserman examined the top bounce-back season candidates from each of the 32 teams. Hargrave was the top candidate with Minnesota after missing significant time in 2024 with the San Francisco 49ers.
“Hargrave played just 104 snaps in 2024 before a torn triceps sidelined him for the remainder of the season. In the three years prior, he posted a 92.4 pass-rush grade, a 13.2% pressure rate and a 16.6% pass-rush win rate, all of which ranked in the top four among qualified interior defenders over that span. He now joins a Minnesota defensive front that finished 29th in pass-rush grade from interior defenders last season. Hargrave should have plenty of opportunities to make his presence felt in 2025.”
Vikings’ Justin Jefferson Makes Major Change for J.J. McCarthy
Ranking NFC North RB rooms for 2025: Where does Vikings’ new duo land?
3. Vikings
Starter: Aaron Jones
Others: Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler, Zavier Scott
I thought about putting the Vikings in second place on this list, but couldn’t quite justify it. Nonetheless, I was a huge fan of the trade for Mason, which I wrote about at length here. The 26-year-old ran for nearly 800 yards last year and has a career mark of 5.3 yards per carry. Somehow, his advanced metrics are even more impressive. He’s big, physical, explosive, and possesses excellent vision. Mason’s agility and tackle-shedding ability should help the Vikings quite a bit on early downs and in short-yardage situations.
The 1A back is still Jones, who is coming off an outstanding year with 1,546 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns. He played in all 17 games and handled a career-high 306 touches in the regular season. The Vikings want to reduce the 30-year-old’s workload a bit, which is part of the reason why they made the Mason trade. Still, Jones will be a key weapon for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy and could perhaps improve his per-carry efficiency in tandem with Mason behind Minnesota’s upgraded offensive line. Chandler had a strong finish to the 2023 season but is a distant third on the depth chart heading into a contract year, which made it slightly surprising the Vikings didn’t draft a running back this year.
Andrew Van Ginkel Shares Thanks for Contract Extension, More Time in Vikings Defense
“First off, I just want to start by thanking the Wilf Family for, obviously, adding another year to my contract,” Van Ginkel said Wednesday, speaking to reporters for the first time since his extension April 29. “I love this place. I love this organization. It’s a family atmosphere, and it’s a big part of who I am.
“I’m just thankful for my wife and kids, and being able to be in this city, this organization and state, is a blessing,” the 29-year-old added after concluding Minnesota’s second Organized Team Activity practice of 2025.
“Spending a majority of my career with Flores, I kind of know all the ins and outs, and I kind of know the expectations; what he’s trying to get done, and how we’re trying to attack different offenses,” Gink’ said.
Van Ginkel pointed out that Flores’ defense hinges on versatility, which he prides himself on.
“You have to be ready to adjust on the fly,” he emphasized, noting one of the draws of playing for Minnesota. “At any moment the game plan can change, or the scheme can change, and something that makes me love this defense is I’m versatile; I can play many positions, and I think me and Flo’ think alike.
“He’s always trying to evolve, he’s always trying to be one step ahead, and that’s one thing I love about him,” Van Ginkel continued. “He’s open to hearing what we recommend, or what we think will work.”
“J.A. (Jonathan Allen), ‘Graves (Javon Hargrave), all these guys that came in, you know, they’re bringing the right people in,” Van Ginkel said about the roster adds, singling out a couple interior d-linemen that could feasibly elevate his game on the edge. “They built a culture here and they’re sticking to it, and props to K.O. (Head Coach Kevin O’Connell) – kind of his standard, his expectations, and just filling voids.”
Regarding the not-so-surprising choice by captain Harrison Smith to return for Year 14, Van Ginkel quipped he was on the fence over any shock: “I am, but I ain’t,” he said, smiling and shaking his head.
“He’s a guy that loves football, he loves being around the guys, and just being able to develop a relationship with him is special,” Van Ginkel added. “And, you know, he’s still got more left in the tank.”
Van Ginkel, too. And then some.
“Obviously, we love it here,” Van Ginkel reiterated. “We wanted to be here, and anytime you can just get an extension, get more security, it’s something that I wanted and I’m glad that we could get it done.”
Kevin O’Connell Named Horrigan Award Winner by PFWA
O’Connell has been named the 2025 Horrigan Award Winner, the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) announced Friday. The honor comes on the heels of his third season at the Vikings helm, during which he led Minnesota to a 14-3 record in the regular season and appearance in the postseason.
According to the PFWA, the award is given annually to a league, club or other official for his or her qualities and professional style in helping the pro football writers do their job. The following was written of O’Connell for consideration:
O’Connell stands out from his coaching peers because of his openness and helpfulness with reporters. He routinely gives 1-on-1 interviews, meets regularly with beat writers for off-the-record discussions, provides thoughtful explanations for his decisions after games, and he creates an environment for both players and assistant coaches — like Grant Udinski, the assistant QB coach who became the Jaguars offensive coordinator — feel free to tell their stories.
NFL announces Vikings preseason dates, including national CBS game
The NFL released all the details for the preseason on Thursday, and Minnesota will open Saturday, Aug. 9 at 3 p.m. CT against the Texans inside U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
The Vikings will then host joint practices with the New England Patriots the following week before hosting the Patriots in the second preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 16. That’ll be a 12 p.m. CT kickoff.
The preseason wraps up with the Vikings on the road against the Tennessee Titans on Friday, Aug. 22. That’ll be a 7 p.m. CT kickoff and the game will be televised on CBS. The Vikings-Titans matchup is one of only five preseason games that’ll receive national television coverage.
Hall of Fame Game: Chargers vs. Lions on July 31 (NBC)
Bills at Bears on Aug. 17 (FOX)
Bengals at Commanders on Aug. 18 (ESPN)
Patriots at Giants on Aug. 21 (Prime Video)
Vikings at Titans on Aug. 22 (CBS)
Yore Mock
Trade Recap
Minnesota Receives: 2026: Round 1, Pick 24, 2026: Round 3, Pick 88
San Francisco Receives: 2026: Round 1, Pick 18
..
Minnesota Receives: 2026: Round 4, Pick 107, 2026: Round 6, Pick 186
Indianapolis Receives: 2026: Round 3, Pick 88
…
24. Dillon Thieneman S Oregon 6’0” 207
50. D.J. McKinney CB Colorado 6’2” 190
82. Zxavian Harris DL Ole Miss 6’6” 320
97. T.J. Guy EDGE Michigan 6’4” 250
107. Jaydn Ott RB Oklahoma 6’0” 210
118. Iapani Laloulu IOL Oregon 6’2” 325
174. Ethan Onianwa OT Ohio State 6’6” 335
186. Taylen Green QB Arkansas 6’6” 230
232. Devon Jackson LB Oregon 6’2” 230
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