A year ago, the Vikings had a tiny draft class, resulting in a limited impact from that group. Donovan Jackson, the first-rounder, showed promise at left guard. Third-rounder Tai Felton played well on special teams, but did little on offense. Day 3 selection Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins might be a dark horse to emerge as a playmaker on the defensive line after a rotational role in 2025. Kobe King, meanwhile, has already been cut.
But not so fast; there’s one more guy who hasn’t gotten his chance yet and that’s tight end Gavin Bartholomew. A sixth-rounder out of the University of Pittsburgh, Bartholomew has yet to see the field, as a significant back injury knocked him out for his entire debut season, including training camp. On Wednesday, he participated in the practice session and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic used social media to share his thoughts: “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.”
In many ways, Wednesday felt like Bartholomew’s true NFL debut. He spent all of last season watching from the sidelines, learning the offense in meetings but never getting the opportunity to translate it onto the practice field. That’s why every rep this summer carries a little more significance than it normally would for a second-year player.
The Vikings desperately needed some tight end help a year ago, when they entered the draft with only two players in that position room. Bartholomew was drafted and undrafted rookies Ben Yurosek and Bryson Nesbit were signed.
Bartholomew’s goal should be to unseat Yurosek for the TE3 job, as teams often carry only three tight ends. At the very least, he needs to show enough to convince the Vikings to keep a fourth.
Starter T.J. Hockenson was asked about Bartholomew and praised his teammate after his tough rookie year: “Gavin’s great. We were with him last year in meetings and he was learning the offense and how to do things and just how this league is. Just to have him out here and see him working, and he makes some good plays, is a lot of fun. Continue to see his growth and see what happens.”
Last year, a handful of tight ends got playing time. Hockenson headlined the crew, playing 691 offensive snaps. Josh Oliver came in second with 400. Yurosek got another 116, and mid-season addition Ben Sims registered 83. Nick Vannett, who had been on the practice squad until the Los Angeles Rams grabbed him, appeared 31 times.
Sims and Vannett are no longer on the team. Hockenson is in the final year of his contract, but he has a guaranteed roster spot and so has Oliver, a premier blocker. Yurosek showed his skill set as a blocker, while Bartholomew is a more explosive athlete and pass-catcher.
At Pittsburgh, Bartholomew caught 105 passes for 1,257 yards and 11 touchdowns. More importantly, he entered the NFL as a polished receiving tight end with dependable hands and experience in a pro-style offense.
Minnesota viewed him as a developmental player behind Hockenson and Oliver, but the back injury delayed that plan by an entire year. Now, the evaluation effectively starts from scratch. If he can prove he’s healthy, he gives Kevin O’Connell another legitimate receiving threat at the position rather than relying almost exclusively on Hockenson in the passing game.
A year after Donovan Jackson, Tai Felton, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins began establishing themselves, Bartholomew is only now getting the opportunity to begin his own NFL journey.
One encouraging practice won’t determine Bartholomew’s future, but it was a reminder that the Vikings still have an intriguing young player they barely got to evaluate a year ago. After losing his rookie season to injury, the sixth-round pick finally has an opportunity to show why Minnesota drafted him in the first place.
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