Vikings Rumor Mill Update: The Camp Battle, Cooper Rush, Jauan Jennings

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Vikings Rumor Mill Update: The Camp Battle, Cooper Rush, Jauan Jennings

Vikings Rumor Mill Update: The Camp Battle, Cooper Rush, Jauan Jennings — Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy speaks with reporters during 2025 OTAs at TCO Performance Center after returning from the torn meniscus injury that sidelined his rookie campaign. The former first-round pick is using the offseason to build chemistry with teammates and establish himself in Minnesota's quarterback plans moving forward. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

Dustin Baker · Vikings Territory

Sun, May 17, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Every weekend, VikingsTerritory publishes two batches of Minnesota Vikings-themed rumors , the latest fodder from the week regarding the purple team's what-ifs. Consider this the post-schedule-release edition.

Minnesota 's post-schedule rumor cycle has begun.

For Sunday, we take a look at the Vikings' big camp battle, Cooper Rush showing up in Eagan, and the free agency competition for Jauan Jennings .

Three Vikings Storylines Begin Moving toward Training Camp

The Purple Rumor Mill for May 17th, 2026.

Kevin O'Connell celebrates with J.J. McCarthy after a Vikings touchdown against the Lions at Ford Field. Vikings rumors — Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell greets quarterback J.J. McCarthy after a first-quarter touchdown on Nov. 2, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The sideline interaction highlighted Minnesota's continued investment in McCarthy's development as O'Connell worked through the growing pains of guiding the young quarterback during a difficult but important stage of his early NFL career. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Rumor: Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy indeed will duke it out for QB1 in July and August.

Vikings training camp will have drama. NFL.com's Grant Gordon wrote last weekend, "If it was assumed that Kyler Murray was going to be handed the Minnesota Vikings ' starting quarterback reins following two ill-fated years for J.J. McCarthy, that won't be the case. Minnesota will host a good, old fashioned quarterback battle between McCarthy and Murray this offseason, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero."

"McCarthy's struggled in his two years in the NFL since the Vikings chose him 10th overall in an already celebrated 2024 NFL Draft. Some of his struggles have been self-inflicted (12 interceptions in 10 games), while others have been the result of injuries, as he missed all of his rookie campaign with a knee injury and dealt with multiple injuries in his sophomore season."

Pelissero personally said , "They envision it being a true competition: Kyler Murray versus J.J. McCarthy. And both these guys are going to go into this believing they're gonna win this job."

"I don't know, frankly, how friendly that quarterback room is going to be. It's going to be a very competitive quarterback room. From everything that I've understood, it is truly wide open; they're keeping an open mind as a coaching staff."

That sets the stage for a true-blue Murray v. McCarthy battle if one assumes the NFL.com boys are telling the truth.

Rumor: The Vikings now have veteran passer Cooper Rush on speed dial.

No contract came to fruition, but Rush is on the Vikings' radar. NBC Sports ' Mike Florio wrote this week, "Rookie minicamps routinely include more than rookies. In Minnesota, veteran quarterback Cooper Rush will participate on a tryout basis. The team has announced 57 attendees for the weekend session. Of that number, 23 have been invited to the weekend practices on a tryout basis."

"Rush, 32, has played in 42 regular-season games with 16 starts. He has a 9-7 record. The Ravens cut him earlier this year, after making Tyler Huntley the primary backup to Lamar Jackson . Before that, Rush spent seven seasons with the Cowboys, starting eight games in 2024 and five in 2022."

Cooper Rush warms up before the Ravens played the Bears at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Vikings rumors — Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush warms up before a home matchup against the Chicago Bears on Oct. 26, 2025, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Rush prepared for another opportunity within the Ravens quarterback room as Baltimore continued navigating the second half of the regular season in pursuit of AFC playoff positioning. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Head coach Kevin O'Connell said about Rush's unexpected presence, "As I told Cooper, it's almost like a free agent visit. He gets to know us, we get to know him. He's played a lot of football over the years in the National Football League."

"I think it can open up that world to him, or if there's an opportunity in the future, he can make that a really positive situation for himself and become our first phone call."

The simplest way to think of this? If injuries rock Murray, McCarthy, and Carson Wentz , Rush will probably be the first guy the Vikings call or the first guy they steal off some team's practice squad.

Rumor: Multiple teams wanted Jauan Jennings from free agency.

Adam Schefter explained that Minnesota has genuine competition for Jennings this week.

He told Pat McAfee , "I was told that there were a few other teams. I think it was the Dolphins, the Commanders . There was somebody else that was interested. The Vikings were the only team he wound up visiting at all. The Chiefs and Commanders also were interested in Jauan Jennings."

"Ultimately, he got a one-year deal from Minnesota worth up to $13 million; it's about $8 million in base pay. Ideally, you want to get these deals done early in free agency, but Jennings was able to salvage a pretty good situation."

Minnesota is an ideal situation for Jennings. O'Connell's pass-heavy offense frequently utilizes three-receiver sets, placing Jennings alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison . With coverage often tilted toward the star wideouts, Jennings will inevitably find himself isolated. His physicality and reliability position him perfectly to capitalize on these opportunities.

Jauan Jennings celebrates a touchdown during the 49ers' game against the Titans at Levi's Stadium. Vikings rumors — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 14, 2025, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Jennings helped spark the 49ers' offense early in the game, continuing his role as one of San Francisco's most dependable physical targets near the goal line during the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Stylistically, the fit is equally compelling. In San Francisco , Jennings established himself as a rugged blocker and reliable chain-mover. With the Vikings, however, he's expected to see significantly more targets than he typically did with the 49ers. O'Connell won't relegate him to a hidden role.

Too, should Jefferson or Addison miss time, Jennings could quickly transition from a complementary weapon to a borderline WR1. At this point in his career, the landing spot could hardly be more perfect. And the Vikings evidently got lucky that he didn't land in Kansas City , Miami , or Washington.

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