Head coach Kevin O’Connell begins his fifth training camp as the lead boss of the Minnesota Vikings, hoping to break through in 2026 and win a playoff game. There is no shortage of storylines for the 2026 club, and VikesNow is here with official predictions.
Before the start of the regular season, expect these Vikings predictions to get a verdict of yay or nay.
7 Predictions for Vikings Training Camp
1. Brett Thorson Wins the Punting Competition
In March, Minnesota signed Johnny Hekker for punting duty. The team’s front office perhaps had no idea that Thorson, a rookie from Georgia, would be gettable in the draft or during the post-draft process. After all, there are 32 teams in the NFL; it’s not a safe bet to bank one single punter – – especially the man who won the Ray Guy Award in 2025.
Lo and behold, the Vikings indeed secured Thorson’s services, and his big leg is in town to compete with Hekker at training camp.
Thorson will win the battle after he proves that he can hold Will Reichard’s field goals and extra points. The Australian rookie should have an immediate job in the NFL, not some International Program or practice squad arrangement.
2. Ivan Pace Jr. Gets Cut or Traded
The Vikings signed Jamal Adams on Monday night, who has basically converted to a linebacker in the last couple of years. Adams didn’t sign in Minnesota just to get cut a month later.
Meanwhile, Minnesota can cut Pace Jr. with absolutely no salary cap penalty. The writing is on the wall here: it’s Adams in and Pace Jr. out.
3. Brian O’Neill’s Contract Extended
You blinked, and O’Neill became the longest-tenured player on the Vikings’ roster after Harrison Smith didn’t re-up with the purple team and C.J. Ham retired in March. O’Neill will turn 31 in September, which is not ancient for a right tackle.
There’s just no wise reason for the Vikings to let O’Neill depart in free agency next March. His contract runs out after 2026, and he needs an extension.
To reward a guy who’s been around the Vikings for nine seasons – – and performed wonderfully every step of the way – – new general manager Nolan Teasley will give O’Neill a new deal worth $70 million over the next three years.
4. Vikings Hold Their Own at Joint Practices against Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have the fourth-best odds to win the Super Bowl in February. The Vikings rank 17th on Super Bowl odds lists. The world rather vividly believes Baltimore is a better team, and that take should not be very controversial.
But at joint practices, the Vikings and Ravens look like equals, so much so that fans will think, “If they can hang with the Ravens, this team can be really, really good.”
Minnesota will not look overmatched and will not be outclassed by Jesse Minter’s squad.
5. Demond Claiborne Shows Enough to Get Everyone Excited
This rookie 6th-rounder from Wake Forest has 4.37 speed. Speed that kills. It’s now up to O’Connell, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, and new assistant head coach Frank Smith to incorporate that speed into the offense.
It won’t be all that difficult because Minnesota does not employ a superstar running back. Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason are steady, but neither is the type of guy who can keep Claiborne on the bench forever.
Erasing the bad memories of DeWayne McBride from 2023, Claiborne will pop at training camp and prompt fans to chant for his inclusion in the regular season offense sooner rather than later.
6. Domonique Orange Does Enough to Earn the Starting NT Job
Orange brings a clean slate from Iowa State. He does not have recent injury history, unlike his rookie draft mate Caleb Banks from Florida, who also plays defensive tackle.
Levi Drake Rodriguez stands in Orange’s way of the starting nose tackle job. The two will battle for a few weeks before Orange emerges as the better starting option in September.
7. Kyler Murray Wins the QB Battle
J.J. McCarthy will put up a valiant fight, showcasing improved mechanics and convincing Vikings fans that he deserves another look to run the offense. But Murray will just be too formidable.
Murray and McCarthy will exit training camp as two viable QB1s, with Murray taking the cake because of his experience and speed.
Under O’Connell, quarterbacks like Murray have cooked in Minnesota: Kirk Cousins, Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs for a couple of games, and Carson Wentz to a lesser extent. The younger guys – – McCarthy, Jaren Hall, and Max Brosmer – – have not quite found the same rhythm.
Murray fits the O’Connell modus operandi of success and thus wins the competition. McCarthy waits for his chance to shine sometime in the regular season if Murray misses a game or two.
───────────── ─────────────
VikesNow Verdict: Minnesota has enough legitimate training camp battles to make all seven predictions plausible, but a few could age very boldly by September.
───────────── ─────────────
About The Author
