The Minnesota Vikings have two preseason games left, and regular season showtime starts in three weeks. Kevin O’Connell’s squad opens the year at home against the Green Bay Packers, a mighty test out of the gate. To get here, the Vikings changed a bit this summer, as expected.
These are the top developments of Minnesota’s summer.
The Vikings Look Very Different Than They Did in May
1. A New General Manager
The Vikings’ ownership group showed Kwesi Adofo-Mensah the door on January 30 after too many failed draft picks and a Sam Darnold decision that will live in infamy forever. Four months later, the franchise hired Nolan Teasley from Sam Darnold’s team’s front office. Some poetry there.
Teasley brings a Super Bowl pedigree to the Twin Cities and inherits a roster ready to win now. He has stated that he’s looking for versatile players and playmakers.
The Teasley Era has begun after the Vikings produced the NFL’s fifth-best win-loss record on Adofo-Mensah’s watch.
2. J.J. McCarthy Takes a Backseat
McCarthy superfans thought he could win the summer quarterback battle over Kyler Murray, but that was false. Murray made quick work of McCarthy, winning the competition in an even two weeks.
Now, McCarthy must maintain a grip on the QB2 job with Carson Wentz lurking at QB3. McCarthy’s career jeopardy is at its most mysterious point. He could eventually be a stellar QB1 in the NFL if his processing speed improves; he could also be a draft bust like so many before him.
One thing is sure: he now plays second fiddle to Murray, and there is absolutely no debate.
3. Brian O’Neill Sticks Around for the Long Haul
O’Neill was never going to leave the Vikings. He’s probably a lifer. The aforementioned Teasley extended O’Neill’s stay on July 28, signing him to a four-year, $96 million extension. Minnesota drafted O’Neill in Round 2 eight years ago, and he’s remained an offensive line stalwart, even during the rough OL patches of the Mike Zimmer era.
O’Neill said after signing the extension, “I just want to start by saying how excited I am to stay in Minnesota. I’m really excited to keep this journey going, and I’m going to give it my all every single day to finally get over that hump and go where we really want to go.”
“Not to mince words, I hated the whole spring situation. I don’t like not doing everything, I like being out there no matter what it is, walkthroughs, practices. I didn’t have to wonder too much what the other road would look like. Happy it didn’t get to that point.”
The veteran right tackle and his pal Christian Darrisaw are now contractually connected to the Vikings through the end of 2029 at the earliest (2030 for O’Neill).
4. 2026 Rookies Already Making an Impact
These rookies have notably looked impressive at training camp or in the preseason so far:
- Caleb Banks (DT)
- Jake Golday (LB)
- Domonique Orange (DT)
- Charles Demmings (CB)
- Demond Claiborne (RB)
- Jacob Thomas (S)
That is a lot for a team that has drafted poorly since 2022. Perhaps the tide is turning. Maintaining success – – regular season wins, playoff appearances, and postseason wins – – is next to impossible with consecutive bad draft classes. There’s optimism that the 2026 crop may flip the script on recent purple history.
5. No Christian Darrisaw or Caleb Banks Injury Mysteries
When minicamp and organized team activities unfolded a few months ago, two main injury storylines emerged: would Darrisaw and Banks be fully ready for training camp and, later, the regular season?
The answer is yes.
Both attended the first day of training camp, and neither has encountered setbacks. If you were worried about Darrisaw and Banks’s health, that was justified, but for now, both are good to go.
“I feel great. feel like I did before the injury. I was playing well before the injury. That rehab process, recovery process, I won’t lie, it’s tough,” Darrisaw said earlier this month.
“It really tests your love of the game. If I didn’t truly love the game, I’d never have been able to do what it takes to get back on the field.”
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VikesNow Verdict: From the front office to quarterback to the trenches, Minnesota exits summer looking materially different. The encouraging part is that several changes – – improved health and rookie development – – could affect the franchise well beyond September.
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