The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for training camp later this summer and made a big announcement on social media to that effect.
Minnesota is among the more interesting teams in the NFL heading into the 2025 campaign after winning 14 games last season before changing quarterbacks from a Pro Bowler in Sam Darnold to a second-year signal-caller in J.J. McCarthy who will not take his first regular-season snap as a professional until Week 1.
The intrigue around McCarthy and what he can accomplish in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system while surrounded by what otherwise appears to be a championship-caliber roster has already permeated one of the hungriest and most passionate fan bases around the league. For those members of Vikings nation who don’t want to wait until early September to see with their own eyes what the offense can do, Minnesota announced on Tuesday, June 17, several opportunities for fans to come out and get a closer look at the team during its summer work.
“The #Vikings will hold 12 open practices during training camp, beginning on July 26 and concluding on Aug. 13-14, when the [New England] Patriots are in Eagan for joint practices,” Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune posted to X. “Tickets for practices are available today on the team website.”
J.J. McCarthy Has Made Strides Early in Offseason Work
GettyQuarterback J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings.
McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie campaign with a knee injury, got off to a rough start with regards to offseason work. The 22-year-old tossed three interceptions on three consecutive days of minicamp, drawing the criticism of some analysts from around the league who wondered aloud whether he is ready to drive what was an elite offense for most of 2024.
However, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported on a June 14 edition of “SportsCenter” that McCarthy’s performance has seen an uptick since then, adding that the Vikings remain strong believers in the player he can be as early as this season.
“Coming off that knee issue, they knew he could start a little slowly. But they like the way he’s throwing the ball, they feel very comfortable with where he’s at going into the training camp,” Fowler said. “They didn’t sign [Aaron] Rodgers and went with McCarthy because they believe in their three-year plan — a young quarterback they like on a rookie scale. So they’ll be aggressive on the roster [around McCarthy]. They believe they can win a Super Bowl in the next three years.”
Vikings May Still End up in Market for Veteran Backup QB
GettyFormer Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Fans willing to pay to witness one of 12 open practices coming up this summer will get to make such determinations of their own, as well as evaluate the quarterbacks behind McCarthy on the depth chart: Sam Howell and Brett Rypien.
Minnesota could still consider adding a veteran signal-caller behind McCarthy to provide greater insurance against injury or struggles than what either Howell or Rypien can provide.
For instance, Carson Wentz remains a free agent, while the Atlanta Falcons are looking to move former Vikings starter Kirk Cousins at a discount before the summer is out.
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