Minnesota Vikings training camp is fast approaching. Rookies report on July 26, with veterans set to arrive two days later. After several weeks of practicing amongst each other, the Vikings will then face off against the Baltimore Ravens in joint practices on August 19 and 20.
All eyes will be on the offensive side of the ball, which ranked 28th in total yards in 2025. The quarterback competition will drive headlines, but there are other position battles and key players to monitor that have almost as much of an impact as who is under center.
Advertisement
Here are five players to watch on offense for the Vikings during training camp.
Kevin O’Connell continues to tell us that the Vikings are holding a true competition at quarterback. But if Kyler Murray is able to make the routine passes look easy and can display his world-class athleticism, the competition should be closed early on. That said, if Murray struggles at all, then that makes this competition even more interesting, because…
Media members who looked upon OTAs and minicamp practices reported that J.J. McCarthy had made noticeable strides since his disastrous 2025 campaign. His mechanics appeared more polished, and he was more “in command” of the offense than Murray. We’ll see if that continues, because Murray will only get more comfortable in the offense. But how will McCarthy react if/when O’Connell announces Murray is the starter?
Advertisement
The speedy sixth-round pick out of Wake Forest has already been lauded for his explosiveness in offseason activities. Demond Claiborne can carve out a role in the offense immediately, with Aaron Jones’ age and durability in question. Jordan Mason has never been a full-time starter. This could be a scenario where Claiborne begins the season as RB3 but quickly works his way into the RB1/RB2 rotation because of necessity.
An undrafted free agent out of Georgia, Dillon Bell has a chance to not only make the roster but also work himself into a significant role at receiver. He was utilized on jet sweeps and screens in college, providing a unique skill set that the Vikings don’t necessarily have at the position. Bell was catching passes from Murray during OTAs, signaling he has gained the trust of the coaching staff. He could wind up battling with 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton for the WR4 job.
Advertisement
This one may feel out of place, but it can’t be overstated how important Christian Darrisaw is to this offense. He started ten games in 2025 and was forced to exit early several times after returning from an ACL injury suffered in 2024. Darrisaw reportedly was in much better spirits and looked healthy in offseason activities, hopefully a sign he is both physically and mentally past his injury. We may not be getting many highlights from him during camp, but seeing Darrisaw participate and be healthy could signal some stability on the offensive line this year.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: 5 Vikings to watch on offense during the training camp in 2026
