Story by
The Vikings’ To-Do List before Training Camp Is Loaded
- Story by
- The Vikings’ To-Do List before Training Camp Is Loaded
Jeffrey Becker
The Minnesota Vikings have completed free agency and the draft, and the roster is basically set, aside from typical summer maintenance. But that doesn't mean the club is fully ready to go; it still has a significant to-do list.
With no further ado, here's the itinerary, ranked from least to most important (No. 1 = most important).
Advertisement
The Vikings Still Have Work to Do Before Training Camp
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O'Neill celebrates with running back Cam Akers after a touchdown during fourth-quarter action on Dec. 16, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. O'Neill reacted as Minnesota gained late momentum against the Chicago Bears in a pivotal NFC North matchup, with Akers contributing to the Vikings' push toward a divisional victory. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
7. Extend Brian O'Neill's Contract
O'Neill is scheduled to test free agency in 2027; the deal he signed in 2021 is finally winding down. Thankfully for his sake, this feels like a no-brainer and more a matter of when than if .
And O'Neill will continue to be a rich man. The new contract will likely pay him something in the ballpark of $75 million over the subsequent three additional seasons. Minnesota can also lower his cap hit in 2026 to have more salary cap flexibility.
Always remember: O'Neill is arguably the most consistent Vikings player of the last several seasons, along with Justin Jefferson . He's the real deal.
Advertisement
6. Prepare Rookie DT Caleb Banks for Week 1
Banks injured his foot at Florida Gators training camp in the summer of 2025, played three games, declared for the draft, and broke his foot at the NFL Combine in February. The injury — especially for a huge human — sunk his draft stock to Round 2, or so the draft community would lead the masses to believe.
The Vikings ignored the injury concern, picking Banks in Round 1, which is where his original draft forecast aligned.
The problem? Minnesota is fresh off the steam of a few poor drafts, especially 2022 and 2023, besides Jordan Addison . It needs youth in the pipeline. Therefore, having Banks ready to contribute — and not another draft bust — is vital.
Advertisement
It will be a horrendous look if he's not regular for the regular season. Thankfully, he is trending to be ready for training camp in late July.
5. Get a Verdict on Harrison Smith
The Vikings, as an organization and fan base, treated Week 18 of 2025 as Smith's final game, and then that was the final correspondence the world got from the 37-year-old. Smith has not expressly retired, nor has he re-upped with the Vikings.
If he returns for Year No. 15, he's probably guaranteed to get at least 400 snaps, probably more, in Brian Flores's defense. It's just that June is three days away, and nobody knows if Smith will return or retire.
Advertisement
4. Cultivate or Sign an OLB3
Minnesota has four internal options at the OLB3 spot behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner : promote Bo Richter , promote Tyler Batty , mold rookie Jake Golday into a hybrid OLB-ILB, or groom a defensive tackle, like Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins , to play on the EDGE.
Brigham Young Cougars defensive end Tyler Batty lines up against Arizona State on Nov. 23, 2024, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. Batty helped anchor BYU's defensive front during a key Big 12 matchup, using his size and edge pressure to challenge the Sun Devils throughout a tightly contested conference showdown late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
If none of those sound promising to Flores, he must explore the free-agent wire for a player like Joey Bosa , Jadeveon Clowney , or Leonard Floyd .
For the first time since 2020, Vikings fans wonder if the EDGE depth is enough for the regular season.
3. Ensure LT Christian Darrisaw Is Ready
Darrisaw tore his ACL in October 2024. He's back at OTAs and reportedly looks fine, which is fantastic, but that's what everyone said at 2025 OTAs, too.
Advertisement
Minnesota put Darrisaw on a bizarre pitch count plan in 2025, even removing him from a close game in the 4th Quarter because he played too much. That doesn't sound like an ideal ACL recovery .
Darrisaw is one of the highest-paid Vikings. The team must ensure he's fully healed and ready for 2026 without any hiccups.
2. Hire a General Manager
After Sam Darnold helped the Seattle Seahawks win the NFC Championship, the Vikings' owners fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the previous general manager, five days later. Darnold became a Super Bowl champion soon after, and the Vikings looked like chumps.
Advertisement
The owners, the Wilfs, elevated Rob Brzezinski to an interim general manager role, and he steered the ship in free agency and the draft. Now, the franchise is smack dab in the middle of a general manager search that should conclude sometime next week.
It will always be strange that Minnesota didn't interview general manager candidates the day after Adofo-Mensah left — that was January 31st, and free agency didn't start until March 9th — but it's "better late than never" on finding a new boss.
The Vikings might even keep Brzezinski in a powerful role, with the new general manager overseeing scouting or a similar role.
1. Decide a QB1 for Week 1
Minnesota signed Kyler Murray in March to a one-year, $1.3 million contract, a tiny sum because the Arizona Cardinals are paying him to play for the Vikings. J.J. McCarthy quarterbacked the Vikings last year, but injuries and up-and-down performance rocked his world as a first-time starter.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy warms up before facing Green Bay on Jan. 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, while Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray competes against Seattle on Sep. 25, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The image pairing highlights two NFC quarterbacks connected to offseason discussion and speculation entering the 2026 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images and Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The team's front office and coaching staff insist that Murray vs. McCarthy is an honest, working man's quarterback battle. Sportsbooks claim Murray has a 90% chance of winning .
May the best man win.
