The Minnesota Vikings have two full weeks of training camp in the books, with the first preseason matchup on the way this Saturday – – at the New York Giants. And even before that showdown, several Vikings-themed expectations have been flipped on their heads.
Here’s a look at important items that have changed.
How Two Weeks in Eagan Changed the State of Play
1. The QB Competition Would Last into the Preseason
Kyler Murray entered training camp as the overwhelming oddsmakers’ favorite to win the battle – – and he proved them right, grabbing the QB1 baton in two weeks. Head coach Kevin O’Connell announced Tuesday that Murray, not J.J. McCarthy, would lead the team in 2026, capping a high-profile competition that had fans debating since March.
Some credible sources claimed the battle would go all the way to the brink of Week 1. That was not true. Murray is in the driver’s seat – – four days before the first preseason game.
2. Charles Demmings Would Trend as a Developmental Rookie
Demmings’ summer has changed from “This guy could be good and should easily make the 53-man roster” to “Could this guy play on defense in Week 1?” The rookie from Stephen F. Austin has barstormed training camp, repeatedly making plays, even when matched up against Justin Jefferson.
Vikings.com on Demmings earlier this week: “It’s Demmings, however, who deserves the highest praise for Vikings rookies so far. The fifth-round pick out of FCS Stephen F. Austin has contested numerous throws to starting receivers and is garnering serious belief from peers and coaches – – a reflection of his extreme self-belief (and his daily mental tips).”
A 5th-round lottery ticket could make an impact inside Brian Flores’s defense as early as September. The Demmings steam appears to be real.
3. Caleb Banks Would Need Plenty of Time
With their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Vikings drafted a guy who suffered two foot injuries in six months. Spending 1st-round capital on a big human with a bad foot carried a major risk.
But then training camp arrived, and just as the team’s coaches had preached all offseason, Banks was ready to go. He’s even intermixed with starters, which is obviously the long-term goal for a Round 1 defensive tackle.
On draft night, former interim general manager Rob Brzezinski said of Banks, “He’s got to get healthy, he’s got to go to camp, he’s got to earn a job, but he’s got all the potential.” All of that is in motion.
O’Connell said in June, “The feedback I’m getting from coaches has been phenomenal. His ability to hear information, retain it and apply it.”
There will be no injury-riddled redshirt year for Banks.
4. Tai Felton Could Be on the Roster Bubble
Minnesota went out of its way not to play Felton as a rookie last year, spending mid-round draft capital on a trade for Adam Thielen. And when it was later revealed that Thielen didn’t quite have the same juice from yesteryear, the Vikings still targeted Felton very little.
Felton’s stock felt so low in the spring – – after the Vikings signed Jauan Jennings – – that he could’ve been on tap for a roster cut this month. Then something novel occurred: a young wide receiver improved. Whoodathunkit? Felton has put extremely impressive catches on tape at training camp, stealing the show last week with a highlight damn near every day.
Felton went from a roster-bubble suspect to a no-brainer WR4 on the 2026 depth chart.
5. Dillon Was the Next Big Thing in UDFA Speak
Each offseason, the Vikings find at least one promising undrafted free agent, and all signs pointed to Bell as the guy in 2026. He played great at organized team activities and minicamp. And then that was it. Bell has not made meaningful strides at training camp, dampening the once lofty forecast.
Bring Me the News‘s Will Ragatz noted last week, “Coming out of OTAs and minicamp, Bell was a popular 53-man roster pick. But he’s been quieter so far in camp than he was in May and June.”
“Unless he balls out in the preseason, he’s probably a guy the Vikings can get through to the practice squad. Same with Jones, who seems trapped in p-squad purgatory.”
Fans believed Bell could sneak onto the 53-man roster as the WR5 or so about a month ago. Now, they wonder if he’ll make the practice squad.
───────────── ─────────────
VikesNow Verdict: Training camp rarely unfolds exactly as expected. Murray ended the quarterback battle early, Demmings and Banks accelerated their timelines, Felton strengthened his standing, and Bell lost all momentum.
───────────── ─────────────
About The Author
