McCarthy returns to the helm in the wake of a valiant but fruitless effort by Carson Wentz, who, in obvious pain, stayed in the game. Joe Oberle and Mark Craig talk about next weeks game. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Wentz and the Vikings had a chance to beat the Eagles, who have not looked like the defending Super Champions that they are. But scoring a touchdown in just 1 of 6 forays into the Red Zone (due to a number of different and infuriating reasons: bad snap, holding penalty, an intentional grounding penalty, one overruled by review and then a TD pass called back by a penalty), the Vikings have been mulling over a change throughout its short week to Thursday night against the San Diego Chargers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And nowhere is that injury report more important than in the quarterback room. Right now, this season’s starter at quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, is trying to return from a high ankle sprain that took place in the second game of the season; his backup Carson Wentz, who secured a 2-1 record from the bullpen, injured his left shoulder last game and since the team is on a bye, we know little more of his condition; and practice squad-er (and former Golden Gopher) Max Brosmer, who did see his first NFL action in replace of Wentz, is ready and eager to step in where needed. This is the biggest question of the bye week, but certainly not the only injury-related one for the Vikings. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The unpredictable 2025 Minnesota Vikings season continues with another comeback victory and sound play from unlikely sources. The Vikings beat the Cleveland Browns 21-17 in London, leaving their European tour with a split and climbing back above .500 thanks to the performance of a makeshift offensive line that thwarted one of the best defensive fronts in the league. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After the win last week, things were bright on the Purple horizon, but the view darkened quickly. Two winnable games in the early part of a tough schedule have been lost, two new offensive linemen have joined others already on the injured list and the defense is suddenly not the world beaters we imagined. There is so much to discuss. And we at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast (Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com) are here to do just that. Tune in and check it out. Skol! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rodgers, actually, nearly took care of the Bengals on his own, forcing two fumbles and scoring two defensive scores in a game (the first player to do so in league history)—accomplishing it in the first half to bury them. Still, we at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast (Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com), will certainly offer our opinion on that question and all things from Sunday’s game. Tune in and check out our discussion of the 2-1 Vikings, who are in a tie for first place in the NFC North. Skol! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On Sunday night, Vikings fans were still warming themselves from the embers of last Monday night’s memories of the fourth quarter of the Chicago Bears game (in which their quarterback of the future, J.J. McCarthy, put on a display for the ages with three scores in fifteen minutes to secure the win in his NFL debut) when they were doused with the cold, wet reality of a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. McCarthy played like he had for the first three quarters against the Bears, and suddenly joy over the NFC Player of the Week turned to fear and loathing of a season quickly on the brink. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

To everybody watching, the Vikings looked dead in the water after the third quarter, but then momentum changed—and the Bears could not stem the tide. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

McCarthy will be surrounded on offense by a new offensive line, is joined in the backfield by Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones, and a healthy T.J. Hockenson fortifies the pass-catching crew of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison (in game four) to give the second-year Viking signal caller plenty of assistance in the first season as a starting NFL quarterback. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Vikings first traded defensive lineman Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets for some draft capital, then traded QB Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles for more picks, signed Carson Wentz to take Howell’s spot in the quarterback room and then shipped CB Mekhi Blackmon off to Indianapolis to play for the Colts for yet another draft pick next offseason. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The spotlight remains on the QB position and in particular the Vikings second-year signal caller J.J. McCarthy (who didn’t play in the preseason game), and he did not disappoint this week in practice. The first joint practice for JJ was up and down but the second one featured a period during which he completed 13 consecutive passes and threw four TD passes—plenty to get Purple Nation excited for the coming NFL regular season. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brosmer completed five of eight passes for 47 yards and a touchdown, compiling a rating of 118.2 against many of the Houston Texans’ reserves Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The preseason got serious this week, as the Minnesota Vikings held their annual night practice (which used to be a scrimmage) on Monday to prepare for their first exhibition against the Houston Texans on Saturday, August 9. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who was announced as the starter in the Texans game, was featured in the night practice, where are all the anxious eyes of Purple Nation were focused Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The injury has been called a mild strain, and the Vikings are taking no chances. But that means it opens up opportunities for a young and eager wide receiver group to take advantage of the additional reps in practice. And when you consider that wideout Jordan Addison will be watching from the sidelines as the season begins (due to an off-field incident that will likely result in a suspension by the league), players such as Jalen Nailor and rookie Tai Felton have a chance to shine. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Vikings returned to TCO Performance Center for the 2025 Training Camp this week, and, thus far, it is mostly good news coming out of Eagan, Minn. Where many feared the Vikings’ offensive line would be missing two players fans are counting on this season, both veteran left tackle Christan Darrisaw and recent free agent addition right Matt Fries will not start the season on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Fries will be ready to go at camp, while the team will bring back Darrisaw slowly from his major knee injury—but he is expected to be ready to go for week one. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There is a little news trickling out of TCO Performance Center, such as the fact that Swiss Army knife-like defender Josh Metellus is still not signed and wide receiver Jordan Addison had a court date this week. Hopefully there will be resolution on both accounts, and everyone will report to Eagan on time for camp. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Training camp is coming—and it could be one of most consequential in Minnesota Vikings history. The powers that be (general manager Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell) have spent the offseason upgrading the roster to put the best team possible around second year pro (and first year starter) quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s July in Minnesota, where it has been alternately rainy and blistering hot—which always make for some sweltering Vikings football practices. But the Vikings aren’t in camp—in fact they aren’t even in that summer furnace of Mankato (as in days gone by), either. There are a couple more weeks before camp begins in Eagan, and the roster change speculation persists amidst Viking Nation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

And so we shall, first with a recap of what we learned at minicamp. Who shined, who rusted and, most importantly, how did starting quarterback JJ McCarthy do? Once again, there are some undrafted rookies to talk about (particularly this year, as the Vikings only had five draft picks), so those names are worth a look as the camp nears and ultimately, the roster begins to be trimmed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It all begins in earnest. The Vikings mandatory minicamp commenced at TCO Performance Center this week, and the news is already spilling out regarding who is there and who is there but not practicing. Thus far, the Vikings have good numbers in attendance, including left tackle Christian Darrisaw (who injured his knee last season) taking part in individual drills. Certainly, TE Josh Oliver is there, as he inked a contract extension and becomes an important cog in the development of the Purple’s young quarterback. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.