Will Harrison Smith return for one more season? Who will win the quarterback battle between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy? Can rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks be ready for Week 1? Is Christian Darrisaw 100% ready to go for a full season’s work? Those are the meaty storylines for Minnesota Vikings’ training camp, which is less than a week away when rookies report on July 26.
But what about the smaller storylines? The stealthy stuff. That’s what’s on tap below, with the storylines listed in no particular order.
The Overlooked Storylines to Watch
The RB3 Battle
Zavier Scott emerged as the Vikings’ third running back last year behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, and now, all three are back in 2026. But wait, there’s more. Minnesota drafted Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne in Round 6 this offseason. He has the speed to become a big deal in the NFL, and if his promising May and June showings were a reasonable indicator, he should win the RB3 job at training camp.
Of course, Vikings fans will remember DeWayne McBride in 2023 and his infamously poor summer. Based on that example, Claiborne cannot be crowned. He must earn the job from Scott.
The TE3 Duel
T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver don’t have anything to worry about as the TE1 and TE2, respectively, but after those two, the depth chart becomes mysterious.
Gavin Bartholomew missed his entire rookie season due to injury, and in return, a different rookie stepped up: Ben Yurosek of Georgia. Yurosek played 116 offensive snaps and 125 on special teams. He already has more experience than Bartholomew, who was supposed to be the standalone TE3 in 2025.
TE5 Bryson Nesbit is also theoretically in the mix here, but the main tight end battle is between Bartholomew and Yurosek. Both men are significant because 2026 could be Hockenson’s final year with the Vikings. If either man shines, well, that guy is auditioning for the TE1 job in 2027.
Tai Felton or Dillon Bell?
This job, on paper, should belong to Felton, who the Vikings drafted in Round 3 in 2025. A 3rd-rounder shouldn’t undergo battle with a rookie undrafted free agent. But that’s just not the case this summer.
Felton only really played special teams last year; Minnesota hardly used him on offense. Bell has already stood out at Vikings OTAs and minicamp, so much so that he could make the 53-man roster in late August.
Minnesota has Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings as the main three wideouts. Yet, WR4s matter – – so who’s it going to be? Felton or Bell?
Who’s the Primary Backup Guard?
Starting at guard for the 2026 Vikings will be Donovan Jackson on the left side and Will Fries on the right. There’s no ambiguity about it.
But what if one of them gets hurt?
Historically, the Vikings would turn to Blake Brandel; that isn’t an option in 2026 because he’s trending to be the starting center. Other than Brandel, the coaching staff has Joe Huber and Henry Byrd as backup guards. Whether those men can start in a pinch is totally unknown.
Therefore, wondering about the backup guard pecking order is fair. Could Minnesota swing a tackle like Walter Rouse or Ryan Van Demark to guard? How about backup center Michael Jurgens?
Reserve guard clarity is needed at training camp.
What’s the Deal with All These DTs?
Not long ago, the Vikings struggled to emphasize the DT section of the depth chart, but those days are gone. There are now “too many” decent options to choose from, believe it or not.
Even after cutting Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, Minnesota has an overabundance of defensive tackles. Here’s the group right now:
- Jalen Redmond
- Caleb Banks
- Domonique Orange
- Levi Drake Rodriguez
- Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
- Isaiahh Loudermilk
- Taki Taimani
- Eric Johnson
- Elijah Williams
- Smith Vilbert
- Jahvaree Ritzie
Last August, the club carried six DTs over the September roster. Perhaps Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins will fully convert to outside linebacker, but even so, this is a crowded house.
Who’s the Holder for Field Goals and Extra Points?
The Vikings had a magical special teams combination last year named Will Reichard and Ryan Wright. Reichard is still in town, whereas Wright split for the New Orleans Saints in free agency. He held field goals and extra points for Reichard – – rather successfully.
The new holder will probably be a punter. Veteran Johnny Hekker has holding experience; rookie Brett Thorson did not perform the task at the University of Georgia.
The punting battle is fascinating as an exclusive event, but one must factor in the holding angle, too.
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VikesNow Verdict: Minnesota’s headline competitions will dominate camp coverage, but the roster may be configured just as much by quieter battles. The RB3, WR4, TE3, backup guard and defensive-line races will determine whether the Vikings have enough depth to survive injuries. And don’t forget the holder.
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