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The Vikings’ Lost-and-Found Pass Catcher Keeps Turning Heads
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- The Vikings’ Lost-and-Found Pass Catcher Keeps Turning Heads
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Folks, it's hard not to feel enthusiastic about what sophomore tight end Gavin Bartholomew is doing at training camp.
The Vikings' lost-and-found pass catcher missed all of his rookie year due to a back injury. The 6th-Round selection thus got off to a modest beginning to his career. Many would have seen this setback function as the death knell but that doesn't appear to be the case for Mr. Bartholomew. Reports keep insisting that the Pittsburgh alumnus is playing well.
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Gavin Bartholomew
The Vikings' Lost-and-Found Tight End
On social media — generally a dreadful place — Lindsey Young offers her assessment of players who have been doing excellent. Consider how she frames things from a post earlier today : "Today is the players' day off, but here are some of the first- and second-year Vikings who have stood out to me at training camp so far."
Sitting atop the pile is Gavin Bartholomew.
Note, that's not necessarily to say that Young is insisting Bartholomew has been the team's best player. Rather, it's simply the first name on the list. The point, folks, is that Young is adding her voice to a chorus of people who believe that the young tight end has looked really good.
Sep 14, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr. (1) battles Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Gavin Bartholomew (86) for a pass in the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Image Images
Will Ragatz sent praise to the tight end, writing on August 4th , "One guy who keeps standing out and making plays: second-year TE Gavin Bartholomew, who missed all of last season with a back injury."
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Alec Lewis offered his two cents on July 29th : "Semi-random Vikings camp takeaway, but I thought TE Gavin Bartholomew looked really good. Made two impressive over the middle catches. Moved well. First time really seeing him out there after back injury happened last year."
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In these brief snippets, there's a pattern emerging.
Vikings writers are observing training camp. Pretty consistently, these writers step away having noticed the promise that Mr. Bartholomew has been showing. A touch basic, perhaps, but there's something to be said for multiple people all arriving at the same conclusion. Better yet, they're doing so across multiple days, suggesting that the kid has been playing well consistently rather than just having a single sizzling day (that's what coaches want to see).
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The Old Testament book of Proverbs insists that there's safety in the counsel of many. Many are pointing toward promise from Bartholomew, so people would be wise to take note.
Oct 12, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; California Golden Bears defensive back Miles Williams (left) and defensive back Craig Woodson (2) tackle Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Gavin Bartholomew (86) during the fourth quarter against at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 17-15. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images – Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
In all likelihood, the Vikings feel confident about the high-end talent at tight end.
Veterans T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver are very likely to secure the top pair of positions. Minnesota's hope is to have an impact pass catcher and blocker within those two.
Where things get more fascinating is the TE3 (and potential TE4) spot(s). Ben Yurosek held down the third spot last year but that was within the context of Bartholomew missing his entire rookie season. Note, as well, that Bryson Nesbit is back after spending 2025 on Minnesota's practice squad. Nolan Teasley turned up the competitive heat a bit more by adding Marshall Lang.
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The Vikings, in other words, are seeing four players battle for what is a maximum of two open positions. Quite possibly, there will be just a single slot due to FB Max Bredeson being capable of lining up as a tight end.
Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pittsburgh tight end Gavin Bartholomew (TE02) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Gavin Bartholomew, 23, stands at 6'5″ and is close to 250 pounds. He's doing what he needs to do in order to position himself for a spot on the final roster.
