Minnesota Vikings training camp preview: Key dates, notable additions, biggest storylines

With 2024 NFL training camps set to open, it’s time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Kevin Patra has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the NFC North.

Catch up on the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason developments and 2024 outlook below.

Training Camp Dates/Information

• Players report: July 21 (rookies); July 23 (veterans)
• Location: TCO Performance Center | Eagan, Minnesota (fan information)

Notable Roster Changes

Preseason Schedule

• Week 1: vs. Las Vegas Raiders | 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 10 (NFL Network)
• Week 2: at Cleveland Browns | 4:25 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 17
• Week 3: at Philadelphia Eagles | 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 24

2024 Schedule Notes

• The Vikings start the season with three out of their first four games against teams that made the playoffs in 2023.
• Minnesota will participate in three continuous road games during Weeks 10-12 and then immediately play three back-to-back home games during Weeks 13-15.
• The Vikings game against the Jets in Week 5 marks the fourth time they have played a game in London, and it will be the team’s second appearance at Tottenham-Hotspur Stadium in three years.

— NFL Research

What You Need To Know

1) Where in the pecking order will J.J. McCarthy start the season? Coach Kevin O’Connell has made it clear that Sam Darnold enters camp as QB1. By all accounts, it would take an impressive camp and preseason by McCarthy to pass Darnold for the starting gig out of the gate. We’ve seen rookies ride a hot summer into the Week 1 gig before, so it can’t be ruled out. And it’s not like Darnold has been a rock-solid veteran during his career. Still, if things go as O’Connell suggests, McCarthy will likely spend most of camp battling Nick Mullens for the backup spot. Mullens, a roller-coaster-ride of a QB, was taking reps ahead of the rookie during offseason workouts. J.J.’s first step will be passing Mullens before setting his sights on Darnold. McCarthy is the signal-caller of the future. The question is when in 2024 will that future begin.

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2) O’Connell revealed last month that both guard spots are up for grabs. Dalton Risner is set to push Blake Brandel (left) and Ed Ingram (right) for a starting gig. Risner started 11 games at left guard after signing in mid-September last season. He didn’t allow a sack but struggled in the run game at times. Ingram has had his issues in pass protection, and Brandel has made just five starts in three seasons. When Risner re-signed in May, the presumption was that he’d compete with Brandel for the left guard spot. However, O’Connell’s comments indicate that Ingram’s gig isn’t assured. With a young quarterback inevitably taking over, getting the best protection up the middle is critical.

3) How is T.J. Hockenson‘s recovery going? He said in May that there is no timetable for his return from the knee injury he suffered late last season. How he looks to open camp and his progress through the preseason could determine if he begins the season on the PUP or if the club decides to hold out hope for an earlier return. If he does land on the PUP list, that would create big questions about the pass-catching tight end role to open the campaign. Josh Oliver is likely the blocking TE. Johnny Mundt and free-agent signee Robert Tonyan are first in line to play the pass-catching role. Both are solid. Neither is extremely potent. N’Keal Harry, making the transition to TE, is a wild card. He’d have to impress the staff to leap veterans, but if he does, the former first-round wideout would bring receiving experience to the position.

4) Who will win WR3 duties? Justin Jefferson deservedly made history with his recent payday. Jordan Addison has had off-field issues and could face discipline under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. He has the talent to be one of the top No. 2 receivers in the league. When Jefferson and Addison are on the field, who will play the No. 3 role in 2024 after K.J. Osborn left in free agency? The position is particularly notable with Hockenson likely missing time. Brandon Powell could get pushed by Trent Sherfield and Jalen Nailor for the gig. Powell’s versatility gives him an early edge, but Nailor has the size (6-foot, 190 pounds) and upside to bring more explosiveness to the table. And Sherfield owns the speed to become a contributor. It’s possible that O’Connell mixes and matches early in the season depending on the opponent — unless one of the three separates from the pack.

5) How does the revamped edge rush look? The Vikings completely overhauled the position this offseason, inking underrated Jonathan Greenard and do-it-all Andrew Van Ginkel before drafting Dallas Turner in the first round. I love how all three fit together, and the upside in Brian Flores’ scheme is exceptionally high, particularly if Van Ginkel is fully healthy (he’s a PUP list candidate). Greenard is coming off an outstanding campaign in Houston (career-high 12.5 sacks) and should have received more love nationally. I’m intrigued to see how Flores uses the trio this season and how he’ll inevitably get them all on the field together. The battle during camp will be for the No. 4 spot and depth on the 53-man roster. If Van Ginkel starts on the PUP list, the depth competition, with the likes of Patrick Jones II, Andre Carter II and Gabriel Murphy, will be critical at the opening of the campaign. There should also be camp battles on the defensive interior, which is one of the biggest question marks for Minnesota entering the season. Veteran Harrison Phillips could have his reps at the nose curtailed this season. Who fills the rest of those snaps? Can Jerry Tillery finally find a home in Flores’ D? The depth questions inside are one reason Flores could move his top three edge players around when they’re all healthy.