The Vikings Are Taking On Kevin O’Connell’s Identity | Top 5 Vikings Camp Takeaways | Albert Breer

We have 5 from the Minnesota Vikings.

Takeaway number 1, good day to be here.

The Vikings named Kyler Murray, their starting quarterback.

Of course, the question is coming out of that, why Murray?

Why now?

Well, it's Kyler Murray because he's playing with better accuracy now.

He's playing with timing and rhythm in Kevin O'Connell's offense, and they really feel like once they're able to showcase his athleticism, you get to the regular season and do that.

Um, he'll be able to help dictate coverage.

You got to spy on him or play zone against him.

And the belief is that'll only make Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and TJ Hawkinson and the whole crew here even more dangerous.

Um, as for why now, Kevin O'Connell thought he owed it to his team after everything that they went through last year to give him the best possible answer at the quarterback position for right now.

No 3-year plan, no 5-year plan.

This is going to be about right now.

Got a bunch of players in that locker room that won 14 games 2 years ago, um, and those guys don't have forever.

So, I felt like this, that, that like this was what was right for the team, and this gives the team a month to build an offense for Kyler Murray and prepare for the season.

As for JJ McCarthy, I will say that he was lauded by people in this building for his professionalism, for his handling of it today, and also the work that he's done in the offseason.

He's gotten better from a technique standpoint, um, from a fundamental standpoint.

And the hope is that he'll keep developing behind Kyler Murray.

Um, takeaway number 2, the run game is going to be better.

Frank Smith, one of the underrated pickups of the offseason, comes over.

He was the offensive coordinator for Mike McDaniel in Miami the last 4 years.

We know what the McDaniel run game is capable of.

Frank Smith's bringing that run game to Minnesota, and it's gonna be built with veterans.

You know, you've got a couple of veteran backs in, in Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.

You got a couple of veteran tackles and Christian Darisa.

And Brian O'Neal, and Kyler Murray's gonna be a part of the run game too, both in the keeper game and in the wide zone looks, the way he's gonna be able to hold the backside of the defense and help stretch the defense out.

Um, they feel really good about where they are from a run game standpoint.

Again, that's gonna help highlight the multitude of skill position weapons they have here.

Take away number 3.

Um , the Vikings are really doubling down on the core that helped Kevin O'Connell build what he's built here over the course of the last 4 years.

What does that mean?

Well, it meant some veteran players on their way out, but it also meant looking at guys like Blake Cashman, like Andrew Van Ginkle, like like Josh Matalli, like the two tackles I just mentioned, O'Neal and Daria, and really empowering them to be leaders of what they hope is a turnaround here .

And the proof was in the pudding at the end of last year.

They went 4 and 8 to start the year , a disastrous start given the expectations, and they were able to win 5 games in a row.

And that sort of thing, where you're coming back when you don't have a lot to play for.

And producing win after win after win again, when the playoffs aren't really in the picture, that has to come from the players.

Last year did.

Those guys, those five guys I mentioned, are going to be a big part of trying to build off of that in 2026.

Take away number 4, the pass rush is another area where they expect a lot of improvement, even with Jonathan Gernnard gone.

Ben Ginkel, of course, will be a part of it.

But the biggest name to watch here is Dallas Turner, the 2024 1st round pick who's got outrageous athleticism.

It looks like he's finally putting it together.

Tyler Batty is a name to watch there.

And then rookie Jake Golday, who has the flexibility to play both on and off the line, perfect fit for Brian Flores' scheme.

He's gonna be a factor too.

So that, that, that, that pass rush group, um, really good summer so far.

They got high hopes for them in the fall.

Finally, take away number 51 issue over the last couple of years, they have gotten older here and part of the reason why is they haven't had an influx of young talent the way that you would hope.

There's a lot of hope that the rookie class that happened between GMs after the, after Kwesi Adolfomenta was let go before Nolan Teasley was hired, um, is going to be able to contribute right away.

Dominique Orange, their 3rd round defensive tackle, looks like he's got a chance.

He's really benefited from working with Ryan Nielsen to play and contribute right away.

Charles Demings is fighting for, um, is fighting for playing time at corner.

I mentioned Gold Day is kind of like the flexible on the line, off the line linebacker.

And then if you're looking for a young guy on offense, the, the, the draft was almost completely defense.

Caleb Banks is another one of those guys.

He's still knocking some of the rust off.

Uh, a 3rd round pick from last year, Ty Felton, is one to watch.

He's a burner, was really good as a special teamer, as a rookie, and he's really benefited from working with receivers coach Keenan McCardell.

Um, and it looks like he's gonna be able to have a bigger role.

Speedy Naylor's gone now, so there is a void to fill there.