What are we buying and selling from camp so far?
Looking at the developments and storylines and how much to lean into strong performances and concerns
By Matthew Coller
As we prepare for the final stretch of training camp and the preseason, here’s a look at some of the major storylines that have arisen during camp and whether we’re buying into them or selling.
Let’s dive right in…
Buying
Kyler Murray and Justin Jefferson connection
Throughout training camp, Murray and Jefferson have been largely on the same page, connecting on passes at the short, intermediate and deep levels on a regular basis. Jefferson had a ton of success playing with an anticipation passer Kirk Cousins early in his career and he has seemed to enjoy the opportunities to adjust to the ball in the air and catch jump balls. Murray also executes a Jefferson special very well: The quick out. He’s one of the most accurate quick game QBs in the NFL and Jefferson runs that route as well as anyone in the league.
Historically, Murray has pushed the football to his No. 1 target. When he was with DeAndre Hopkins, the former Texan saw 160 targets in only full season in Arizona (2020). Superstar tight end Trey McBride had 147 in 16 games in 2024.
It wouldn’t be a shock at all to see similar numbers for Jefferson based on what we’ve seen thus far in camp.
The run game being improved
It feels like the Vikings are trying to speak it into existence with as much as they have talked up their new run scheme but we are seeing plenty of signs that things are different. The two explosive runs in the opening preseason game are a reflection of what’s been happening during practice as well. They seem to be playing aggressively and in sync up front. It’s particularly noteworthy that Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries, who were both returning from injury at this time of year in 2025, appear fully healthy now.
In the backfield, Jordan Mason’s “best shape of his life” story looks legit. He’s been making cuts and hitting top speeds that he probably couldn’t reach last year. Aaron Jones’ health is always going to be a concern but he has appeared spry as well.
Add that with Frank Smith’s scheme with improvements running out of the shotgun and the presence of massive fullback Max Bredeson and the Vikings might have something going on the ground.
I know, I know. Will they actually use it? At least from the commitment they’ve shown, it would seem that the answer is yes.
Chuck Demmings can play and Jacob Thomas is becoming convincing
The fifth-rounder from Stephen F. Austin has been a serious playmaker in training camp, racking up PBUs on a daily basis (and letting everybody know about it). But there is a natural skepticism that comes along with a Day 3 pick shining in camp. Is he the real deal?
If Demmings was just making plays on the third unit, then you would question it, but he’s been playing with the 1s and 2s all summer and lining up against the top receivers on a regular basis and hanging with them. Brian Flores wouldn’t be mixing him in at CB3 or making him the next-man-up when someone takes a rep off just for footballs and giggles. How much Demmings gets to play right away is yet to be seen but he fits right into the NFL.
Undrafted safety Jacob Thomas had an interception against the Giants. That would normally not move the needle much in the preseason except for the fact that Thomas has been looking the part in camp. He has shown athleticism, playmaking and understanding of Flores’ scheme. That has resulted in plays being made on the practice field and then coming to fruition in the game as well.
Thomas was a key player on James Madison’s playoff team last year and ran a 4.45 40-yard dash at his pro day along with a good 3-cone drill time (6.8) that is comparable to Harrison Smith’s when he was in the NFL Combine back in 2012.
There’s something natural about playing the position for Thomas that is worth keeping a close eye on.
Myles Price is legit as a receiver
Last year, Price made a heck of a first impression as a kick and punt returner during camp, earning himself a spot on the 53 and a full-time returning role. He spent this offseason focusing on how he could add more to his repertoire as a wide receiver and it has shown up on the practice field and in the opening preseason game.
Price has spent the entire camp with the second team, acting as a main target for Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy during the quarterback competition and he carried it over to the game against the Giants with a contested catch that turned into an explosive play and a one-handed touchdown catch.
The Vikings may have the best receiver trio in the entire NFL and Tai Felton has been the one to take first-team reps when either Jordan Addison was out or Justin Jefferson didn’t play in the preseason game but Price has something about his game that is unique. Call it the natural baller gene or whatever you want. When he’s out on the field, he knows how to make plays.
That might not result in a big role right away but if there’s an injury in the WR room it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in action and his continued development might give them some confidence to use him down the road.
Concerns about the center position
Blake Brandel has received strong reviews for his ability to communicate with the other offensive linemen and his do-anything attitude toward playing all the positions along the line. Last season he played fairly well in a pinch after a tough start in his first two games so there was reasonable confidence going into training camp.
Brandel hasn’t had issues with the blocking part of the position in camp, rather the snapping element. On a near daily basis there have been shotgun snaps that have either rolled back to Kyler Murray or been wide right or left.
The uncertainty of how he will play in a bigger sample with an offensive line that has the potential to be excellent combined with the snapping problems should have the team feeling a bit nervous. They do not have an experienced backup, rather developmental center Michael Jurgens is the only other option.
Adding an outside linebacker
The OLB group behind Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel has a lot to like with Ty Ingram-Dawkins showing his versatility and Tyler Batty and Bo Richter appearing to be useful role players and special teamers but they are lacking that quick twitch gene that only a handful of players on earth possess. There are still available free agents like Leonard Floyd and Haason Reddick but time is running out to get them in the building and ready to roll.
It’s possible that Flores likes his options with Eric Wilson and Jake Golday both having the capability to move to outside linebacker. Still, three’s no clear backup for Turner. After the joint practices, it would make sense to make some phone calls.
Carson Wentz as QB2
It’s hard to use a handful of preseason reps to declare that Wentz is the better of the two options for backup quarterback but JJ McCarthy has to earn the trust of O’Connell to be able to run the offense with the right rhythm and timing that the scheme demands and we haven’t seen that consistently in camp or in the game against the Giants.
It’s possible that Week 1 against the Packers could feature Wentz as the backup.
Questions about the safety position
With Jamal Adams out for the year, Harrison Smith golfing and Jakobe Thomas sidelined with a back issue, the depth at safety has questions (even with respect to Jacob Thomas’ performance in camp to date) as we go down the stretch of camp.
The good news for the Vikings is that their top three are healthy and Jay Ward has had a very good camp but all three starters have questions. Josh Metellus is being asked to play a different position, Ward is playing big nickel for the first time and Jackson had consistency issues last year. Can they all bring it together? Certainly. But it remains unproven until we see it in action.
Selling
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