VIKINGS 2023 OTA's/Training Camp

REPORT DATE...

Vikings: Rookies 7/23, Veterans 7/25

EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings already planned on double joint practice sessions with the Titans and Cardinals and are now doubling their night practices for 2023 Minnesota Vikings Training Camp presented by Omni Viking Lakes Hotel.

The 63rd training camp in franchise history will be the sixth hosted at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center and will feature 14 open practices, beginning with Back Together Weekend on July 29.

Minnesota will host night practices at TCO Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 3 and Tuesday, Aug. 8.

The Vikings also have two sessions of practices with the Titans (Aug. 16-17) scheduled before hosting Tennessee on Aug. 19 and two more practices scheduled with the Cardinals (Aug. 23-24) before hosting Arizona on Aug. 26.

A complete list of daily practice times will be finalized and posted at vikings.com/camp soon, but here are some significant dates.

Saturday, July 29 – Back Together Weekend


Monday, July 31 – First Padded Practice

Thursday, Aug. 3 – Thursday Night Football at TCO Stadium

Tuesday, Aug. 8 – Family Night Practice at TCO Stadium

Wednesday, Aug. 16 & Thursday, Aug. 17 – Joint Practices with Tennessee Titans

Wednesday, Aug. 23 & Thursday, Aug. 24 – Joint Practices with Arizona Cardinals

 

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said K.J. Osborn has been a “real standout” during offseason practices.


“He’s moving around, he’s playing multiple spots, taking on a leadership role, which I expected him to do in that room, and it’s just been a really cool process to see not only what his ownership of what his role was previously, but you can see it when he breaks the huddle,” O’Connell said of Osborn, entering his fourth NFL season after emerging as Minnesota’s No. 2 receiver in the final month of the 2022 regular season. Playing mostly out of the slot, Osborn caught 25 passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns over the team’s final four games. He was 19th among receivers in yards per route run over the stretch. Osborn will compete with rookie Jordan Addison for WR2 duties in 2023. Addison has missed all offseason activities with an undisclosed injury. Osborn profiles as a sensible late-round pick in 12-team leagues.

 

Minnesota Vikings NFL training camp preview: notable additions, biggest storylines

1) What will life look like without Dalvin Cook? Alexander Mattison is set to take the lead-back role, now that the Vikings have released Cook. Mattison has never handled more than 134 carries in a season since entering the league in 2019. He's in for a big boost in playing time in 2023, but we should expect some sort of rotation to shake out of Minnesota's backfield. Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu and seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride will battle for reps during camp.

2) How will Danielle Hunter's situation unfold? The Vikings received trade calls for the pass rusher, who skipped mandatory minicamp last month. Hunter and the Vikings haven't been able to agree on a contract solution, with Hunter due $5.5 million this season. Will the two sides work out a deal before camp begins? Will he be traded? Will he report without a new deal or a new team? It seems like all options are on the table at this point.

3) It will be a pivotal season for Kirk Cousins, who is due to become a free agent next offseason, and the Vikings might be leaning more on the passing game after jettisoning Cook. All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson is the clear go-to target. The question is whether first-round pick Jordan Addison can hit the ground running in his rookie campaign. With Adam Thielen off to Carolina, the Vikings need the rookie to make an immediate impact. Minnesota will be counting on big contributions from tight end T.J. Hockenson in his first full season with the team. K.J. Osborn is a solid target, and Jalen Reagor adds field-stretching ability, but the Vikings need Addison for the passing game to shine in head coach Kevin O'Connell's second season.

4) What will Brian Flores' defense look like, especially with a revamped secondary? Hiring Flores to lead the defense was a coup for Minnesota, particularly after the group struggled last season (28th in points allowed, 31st in yards allowed). The secondary remains the most significant question mark. Byron Murphy Jr. was signed in free agency, and third-round pick Mekhi Blackmon could be in line for a substantial role. Outside of Harrison Smith, the Vikings' secondary is riddled with questions. We'll start to get some answers during camp.

5) Is Justin Jefferson's contract extension coming? It's not unusual to see extensions announced before or in the early stages of training camp. Will Jefferson get paid before entering his fourth season? The star receiver has been dynamite since Minnesota drafted him 22nd overall in 2020. In three seasons, Jefferson has generated 4,825 receiving yards on 324 catches with 25 TDs. In 2022 he led the league with 1,809 yards and 128 catches. Due $2.399 million in 2023 and $19.743 million in 2024, Jefferson is underpaid for his production at a premium position. Will the Vikings give him his payday now or later?

2023 Draft class Selection
WR Jordan Addison Round 1 (No. 23 overall)
CB Mekhi Blackmon Round 3 (No. 102)
S Jay Ward Round 4 (No. 134)
DL Jaquelin Roy Round 5 (No. 141)
QB Jaren Hall Round 5 (No. 164)
RB DeWayne McBride Round 7 (No. 222)





NFL.com

 

If the Vikings can pull this off with the running game and the secondary with the pieces they have, I will be very impressed.

 

I have question I've been wondering about is Kwesi-Adofo-Mensah is he a football man? or a stock market man pretending to be a football GM the only trade that he has made was Hockensen that worked out don't know about Andrew Booth Jr and will Cine ever become
a big time player maybe it's just me but so far he seems like bad news and Tricky Ricky was bad! I just don't know what think anyway GO VIKINGS

 

Well, Kwesi is kind of new to this stuff and especially as a GM as the Vikings are his first ever go at that position. He's no doubt a smart guy and started his NFL career in San Fransisco with the 9ers in 2013. He was in charge of 'football research and development', whatever in hell that is.

In 2017, Adofo-Mensah was retained under new general manager John Lynch and was promoted to director of football research and development.

On May 15, 2020, Adofo-Mensah was hired by the Cleveland Browns as their vice president of football operations under general manager Andrew Berry.

On January 26, 2022, Adofo-Mensah was announced as the new general manager of the Minnesota Vikings.

So, yep, he's a newbie, but he did rise up fast to GM for hopefully all the right reasons.

In my opinion, his hiring is an experiment of sorts as he really isnt proven in that area, so we are all going along for the ride. Could be glorious, could be another crash & burn type deal... only time will tell.

 

In my opinion, his hiring is an experiment of sorts as he really isnt proven in that area, so we are all going along for the ride. Could be glorious, could be another crash & burn type deal... only time will tell.[/QUOTE] this is going to be scary as hell here my goodness why did the Wilfs not go with an more experienced person and how long will it take for him to get his sh*t together looks is going to be hit miss hope there more hits then misses GO VIKINGS

 

this is going to be scary as hell here my goodness why did the Wilfs not go with an more experienced person and how long will it take for him to get his sh*t together looks is going to be hit miss hope there more hits then misses GO VIKINGS

Honestly, I feel better about the whole situation. Kwesi is moving players, but the play calling and offense is on KOC and he really hasnt given me cause for concern yet. Im at the point where im getting more optimistic and the Vikings just might be damn good.

Im not crazy about the player/money crunch, but if Flores and KOC do their jobs well, they should keep their heads above water, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

 

I got to believe and I do think the Vikings will be very good also just waiting for training camp to start to see what players can cut it this will be One To Watch improvement of the Defense and the Offense always needs some polishing

 

Alexander Mattison the ball is in your hands its your time to shine Dalvin Cook is gone....really hope you can get the job done

 

The Vikings are back in the building, and the group includes Danielle Hunter.

After the three-time Pro Bowler did not participate in the team's voluntary offseason program or mandatory minicamp in June, there was some speculation that the talented edge rusher might not report to Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center for training camp by Tuesday's deadline.

But Hunter did on a day that included a conditioning test for most veterans before they're scheduled for Wednesday's first practice of 2023 Vikings Training Camp presented by Omni Viking Lakes.

There's a progressive ramp-up period for all players that eventually leads to higher intensity days on the practice fields. The first session open to fans is scheduled for Saturday, two days ahead of the first session in full pads.

Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah participated in press conferences Tuesday and provided updates on the plan for Hunter.

"Danielle has reported. He's going through that process right now," O'Connell said. "It's going to be a day-to-day thing where Danielle and I have had such good dialogue over these last few days and really trying to build a plan for him that allows him to come to work as a Minnesota Viking every single day and continue to work through the contractual side and let that be dealt with by Kwesi and [Executive Vice President of Football Operations] Rob [Brzezinski] and the rest of our crew that do a great job with that.

"As always, I try to keep the dialogue and communication with all of our players open at all times, and I think Danielle feels comfortable communicating with me, and we'll work through it day-by-day, but he is here, and it was great to see him a few minutes ago," O'Connell added.

VIKINGS.com

 

This Danielle Hunter contract is going to be tricky. Hunter wants a long term/big bucks contract, but the Vikings are most likely reluctant... He will turn 29 on Oct. 29th and missed all of 2020 to fix a herniated disk in his neck and played in only seven games in 2021 before suffering a torn pectoral muscle. Id be cautious too, but when you trade Z Smith to the Browns, you are left with a huge spot to fill. In my opinion, this is where both sides are going to have to compromise. Vikings; How bad do you want a top-notch Edge?... Hunter: How bad do you wanna play in Minnesota, or is all about the money?

Kwesi has his work cut out. Hope he's up for it.

 

In part from Vikings.com... Harrison Smith on Hunter;

Vikings safety Harrison Smith, who walked into the facility, weighed in and took the podium for a media session to open his 12th NFL training camp, said it is good to have Hunter with the team.

"I think we all kind of know the type of player and the type of teammate he is, so it's obviously great that he's here," Smith said. "I don't really know the details of things, but having him here is obviously a great thing for the Vikings."

Hunter adjusted as Minnesota shifted to a 3-4 base in 2022. He wound up finishing the season with a team-high 10.5 sacks, eclipsing double-digit sacks for the fourth time in his career.

 

Vikings Training Camp Recap, Day 2: Jaren Hall Impresses
The Vikings' rookie quarterback has a long way to go, but he looks sharp already.

It was another sweltering afternoon at TCO Performance Center as the Vikings held practice No. 2 of training camp on Thursday. Steady hydration was needed as the real-feel temperature reached 103 degrees, though a steady breeze helped make the conditions tolerable.

On the field, the Vikings' rookie quarterback had a sharp day and their longest-tenured player did what he's been doing for a dozen years now. Let's get to some observations from the second practice of camp.

Nailor absent
One of the biggest standouts of the offseason program, Jalen Nailor kept his momentum going with another impressive day to kick off camp on Wednesday. But he was absent on Thursday, which meant more reps for rookie Jordan Addison with the first-team offense.

Otherwise, attendance was the same as yesterday. Brian O'Neill continues to work off to the side and Danielle Hunter remains nowhere to be found.

Jaren Hall's strong day
Watching rookie quarterback Jaren Hall on Thursday, it was easy to see why the Vikings believed in him enough to take him in the fifth round of this year's draft. Hall has crisp mechanics, throws a pretty ball, and seems to be an extremely smart, mature player. He doesn't have any crazy physical tools, but he makes up for that with everything else.

In the first 11-on-11 period of practice, Hall ripped accurate throws over the middle to Lucky Jackson on consecutive plays. Later in practice, he threw a perfect ball with touch to Thayer Thomas on a well-covered crossing route, putting it just over the defensive back where only Thomas could catch it. Hall followed that up with a nice back-shoulder throw up the left sideline to Cephus Johnson III.

Hall has a long ways to go in his development, and it's worth noting that he's playing with and against third-string players. He also had a few missed throws, including one while rolling to his right that Jay Ward jumped and nearly picked off. Still, it's hard not to be impressed by what we've seen from Hall in just these first couple days.

"He's a very mature individual," offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said on Thursday. "He studies. They got little Jeopardy-type quizzes that (QBs coach Chris O'Hara) gives those guys, and you could tell he hadn't just put it away all summer. He came in ready to go in that aspect."

Harrison Smith's still got it
One of the very first plays of the Vikings' 11-on-11 period served as a reminder that their longest-tenured player is still one of their best players. Harrison Smith, the six-time Pro Bowl safety going into his 12th season in Minnesota, jumped in front of a Nick Mullens pass for an interception. Not only that, but he took off untouched and would've had a pick-six if it had been a full-field drill.

Mullens, who is clearly ahead of Hall as the No. 2 quarterback, had some nice throws later in practice — but Smith got him on that one.

Other notes

• Behind Alexander Mattison, all three of the Vikings' other running backs are getting reps with the second-team offense. That includes rookie DeWayne McBride.
• Addison had another solid practice, taking advantage of the opportunity to see more time with the 1s due to Nailor's absence. It was fun to watch him and Mekhi Blackmon, the Vikings' other top pick from USC, go at it a couple times.
• The Vikings' wide receiver depth is pretty remarkable. I continue to be impressed by Trishton Jackson, who has been making plays seemingly every day going back to the spring. And don't forget about Jalen Reagor, who is competing to retain his punt returner role. Kirk Cousins hit Reagor in stride on an out-and-up route for a big play during 7-on-7s.
• T.J. Hockenson is going to have a huge year. Cousins trusts him so much.
• Jonathan Bullard and James Lynch rotated in with first-team defensive line late in practice. Harrison Phillips, Dean Lowry, and Khyiris Tonga are the top three at that position, but there will be plenty of competition for playing time.

Friday's practice will be the final one without fans. They'll be at TCO starting on Saturday. Then there's an off day Sunday before the first padded practice on Monday.

Inside the Vikings

 

The Vikings really ain't got no choice here but to sign him or trade him...( would hate that ) its a ĺot of if this and if that the Danielle Hunter contract will tricky

 

Now we will see what kind of GM Kwesi-Adofo-Mensah is cause Minnesota Vikings is at a crossroad which way you gonna go forwards or will it be backwards or will you finally make the Minnesota Vikings one of the elite teams in the NFL time will tell

 

Vikings Training Camp: Brian Flores’s Defense Has Secondary Ascending
Plus, linebackers filling leadership voids


How good Minnesota’s secondary winds up remains to be seen—but it will certainly be more flexible than it was a year ago. The Vikings really emphasized position flexibility with new coordinator Brian Flores coming in, and it’s shown through the offseason in how players such as Byron Murphy (a corner capable of playing inside and outside) and Josh Metellus (a safety who can come down and play linebacker) have ascended. Flores’s defense, at its best, is similar in philosophy to Kevin O’Connell’s offense, in its basis in the “illusion of complexity,” a principle founded on making it easy for players to run, while looking complicated to the opponent.

The play of linebackers Jordan Hicks and Brian Asamoah has been rock solid through the spring and early in camp, and that’s important because the Flores defense certainly needs its traffic controllers out there. But more than just that, it’s their leadership that’s been encouraging. The Vikings’ offseason page-turning left leadership voids to fill in certain spots, and linebacker is certainly one of them with Eric Kendricks gone. Hicks had already emerged as a leader last year, and Asamoah, in Year 2, is showing early signs he’ll get there.

The continuity of the offensive line is one thing that came up a lot during my visit. All of the starters return, and 11 of last year’s top 12 have returned, which gives Kirk Cousins and the skill guys a great foundation. It also won’t hurt in the run game, with Alexander Mattison the lead dog, and the guys behind him likely to battle it out for regular-season reps through training camp.

Albert Breer / SI
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Thats some real positive news as Camp continues. Im really excited to hear about the defense catching on to the 'new style' and aggressiveness. Seen a video of Lewis Cine making some nice plays on defense at practice also... he is going to be crucial for that secondary.

Offensive line intact and has veteran experience and leadership is something we havnt been used to in a while.

 

Like the new aggressive mindset for the D and I think Capt Kirk will have a good year after being so relaxed I expect him to be much more relaxed this year

 

Vikings Training Camp Recap, Day 5: Pads Come On, Mekhi Blackmon Runs With 1s
Pads came on for the first time on Monday. Here's everything we observed.

Training camp doesn't fully feel like training camp until the pads come on. That's when the intensity and physicality goes up a notch. Well, the Vikings held their first padded practice on Monday, and it was great to hear the iconic football sound of those pads popping as players collided.

The big story of the day was Danielle Hunter's return to practice, one day after he agreed to a reworked one-year deal. Hunter warmed up and did individual drills, but he didn't participate in the full-team periods. Today was the start of a two-week plan to ramp him back up to full speed, he said after practice.

Jalen Nailor and Brian O'Neill are still out with injuries, as are Chris Reed and Andre Carter II. Backup quarterback Nick Mullens missed Monday's practice because of a family matter, so rookie Jaren Hall received a ton of reps. We'll get to his day shortly.

First, how about a depth chart observation?

Mekhi Blackmon plays with 1s in red zone period
Up to this point, veteran Joejuan Williams has been the Vikings' third starting cornerback in nickel defense. Byron Murphy Jr. and Akayleb Evans are the clear top two on the depth chart, and when the team went to nickel, Murphy would slide inside and Williams would join Evans on the outside.

Interesting, that changed at the end of Monday's practice. During a red zone period, it was rookie Mekhi Blackmon playing with Murphy, Evans, and the rest of the first-team defense. Williams was with Andrew Booth Jr. and the second unit.

Does this mean Blackmon has suddenly surpassed Williams on the depth chart? Not necessarily. It's still very early in camp, so I'd imagine both players will see time with the 1s moving forward as they compete for that third starting job. But at the very least, it's a noteworthy change from last week's practices.

Blackmon had some fun one-on-one battles with fellow USC rookie Jordan Addison earlier in practice, with the two splitting a pair of reps. He's not your typical rookie; he's already 24 years old and spent six years at the college level. Blackmon looks like someone to watch closely moving forward.

Jaren Hall gets major reps...and mostly struggles
As mentioned earlier, Mullens was absent from this practice. That meant Kirk Cousins and Hall were the only two QBs on Monday, so both handled a ton of volume. That's normal for Cousins, who takes all of the first-team reps and has looked sharp throughout camp. It was a big change for Hall, who had been seeing limited reps as the third-stringer.

Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprisingly, Hall struggled with the added volume. His mechanics look good, but he sailed more than a few throws on Monday, which is something that's been a recurring issue early in camp. It happened several times during 1-on-1s and again in the team period. One ball that wasn't high during 1-on-1s was jumped and intercepted by Harrison Smith. Hall was also under center for two false starts during 11-on-11 action, which may or may not have been his fault.

As a fifth-round rookie, Hall is going to go through growing pains in his first training camp. After an impressive practice last Thursday, he's had a few tougher days. It happens. It's far too early to come to any conclusions about Hall — or any player.

Other notes

• Perhaps I'm too easily impressed by practice performance, but the Vikings seem to have legitimately excellent depth at wide receiver. Even looking beyond the top four of Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Jordan Addison, and Jalen Nailor, there are several intriguing guys. Trishton Jackson had the biggest highlight of 1-on-1s with a superb falling one-handed catch on a deep ball. Veteran Brandon Powell continues to be solid. And undrafted rookie Thayer Thomas is someone to keep an eye on as well — his route-running talent stood out during 1-on-1s.
• Speaking of Addison...the kid can play. He is an incredibly twitchy athlete, which makes him tough to cover. Osborn is an important player, but something tells me Addison is going to end up as the No. 2 receiver in this offense sooner or later. The rookie got loose in the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown towards the end of the red zone session.
• Murphy, Smith, and Lewis Cine had pass breakups on Monday. Smith's came on a rare poor throw from Cousins, who sailed a pass for T.J. Hockenson that Smith nearly picked off.
• Josh Oliver is a large individual. He can really block.
• Rookie RB DeWayne McBride got a bunch of carries today with the 2s.

FAN NATION/INSIDE THE VIKINGS

 

What a slick azz move by Jordan Addison and Jaren Hall should be ok we will see if he can adjust to the speed of the NFL it might take 2 to 3yrs or less,Dalton Risper might be a nice.depth piece or replace Ed Ingram Mekhi Blackmon just might a good player I hope