The Minnesota Vikings opened training camp in Eagan, Minnesota, with team reporters on site providing daily updates, according to Vikings reporter Kevin Seifert. The file of observations will be updated frequently through the first full week of the preseason, which begins Aug. 13.
On the first day of practice, Wednesday, July 29, Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy rotated evenly during team drills, Seifert reported. There were two sets of 11-on-11 work: Murray took the first eight snaps (four with the first team and four with the second) while McCarthy took the next eight, though a shortened second set left McCarthy with only four snaps. That produced totals of 16 snaps for Murray and 12 for McCarthy.
McCarthy’s best throw of the day came in 7-on-7 when he hit Myles Price on a deep corner. Murray overthrew Justin Jefferson on a deep sideline attempt in 7-on-7 work but connected productively with Jordan Addison, Seifert wrote. In 11-on-11 action McCarthy threw over the middle to Jefferson but was late and safety Jay Ward tipped the pass away. McCarthy said he believed the competition would be fair, adding he was “100%” confident, and Murray said he felt “great,” noting that OTAs helped prepare him for camp.
Rookie defensive lineman Caleb Banks, who missed spring practices while his broken left foot healed, was fully cleared for camp and worked into 11-on-11 drills with the second team, Seifert reported. Banks is expected to challenge soon for a starting job. Linebacker Jamal Adams called his playmaking upside “the sky is the limit” in defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ system, while acknowledging that after signing for the veteran’s minimum his first priority is to ensure he makes the roster.
On Tuesday, July 28, coach Kevin O’Connell outlined the plan to rotate Murray and McCarthy between the first- and second-team units during the early part of camp. O’Connell said the split might not be 50-50 on any given day but that the staff would try to keep reps even over time. He also said there is a target date in mind for a decision and that the staff will balance being comprehensive with leaving time for the eventual starter to take command of the offense.
