His speed to the quarterback on blitzes, his wherewithal in coverage, and his presence in the middle. Cashman's steadiness and sheer dominance makes it seem like he's been here forever.

📰: https://t.co/sTTzcOstVo pic.twitter.com/vUsPxfypdl

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 18, 2026

“Teammates rave about how quickly he has taken to coach Kevin O’Connell’s complex offense. Bredeson is already lining up with the first team. His responsibilities require him to line up in several spots. His assignments can even change depending on how defenders move after the… pic.twitter.com/rL5PwBY6rJ

— SleeperVikings (@SleeperVikings) August 18, 2026

comet52 wrote:

If they were thinking about playing certain frontline guys next Saturday, losing Adams might have changed their minds. We'll never know.

Agreed, Add Rondale Moore injury last PS and KO has a lot to consider and think thru.

Brand new Q&A episode of @AlecLewisShow talking Jamal Adams, safety depth, J.J. McCarthy, Caleb Banks and more... https://t.co/m6FVTPiXjm

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 19, 2026

No camp today, so we had to make do 🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/6DbnOGKmqP

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 18, 2026

Brian Baldinger tells @richeisen the Vikings are the team not being talked about enough 👀

🎥 @RichEisenShow on TikTok pic.twitter.com/JaIQdICjMm

— SleeperVikings (@SleeperVikings) August 19, 2026

Prepare for fighting today....joint practices per usual.

Joint practices with the #Ravens begin today at TCO Performance Center.

A matchup I’m keeping my eye on:
Rookie standouts Jakobi Lane & Chuck Demmings lining it up! 👀 pic.twitter.com/QA3GDGNCk1

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) August 19, 2026

The Minnesota Vikings take on the Baltimore Ravens in joint practices the next two days. Here's what I'll be looking for @AtoZSportsNFL https://t.co/8VOyiEVeFw

— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) August 19, 2026

https://atozsports.com/nfl/vikings-vs-ravens-joint-practice-preview-kyler-murray-lamar-jackson-jordan-addison-caleb-banks/

Vikings vs. Ravens Joint Practice Preview: Kyler Murray vs. Lamar Jackson and 2026 rookie class highlight two-day extravaganza

The Minnesota Vikings are wrapping up their training camp with joint practices against the Baltimore Ravens at TCO Performance Center. The matchup provides a rare opportunity to see Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson on the same field for two days, where both quarterbacks can attack vertically and use their legs to create an extra element for defenses to conquer.

Within the context of these joint practices, there will be plenty to parse out over the course of two days. Here are five things to watch for the Vikings.

Blake Brandel’s snapping needs to improve

When the Vikings decided to keep Blake Brandel going into the season, it was a questionable decision. I was very much in support of it, thinking that an entire offseason focusing on snapping and playing the center position would fix the issue and help Minnesota figure out its biggest problem. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to have been fixed completely because snapping has still been a concern throughout training camp.

Brandel needs to put together a couple of strong days snapping the ball well to Murray; otherwise, the Vikings could be reaching a crisis point at the position. Normally, centers don’t draw attention because the snap itself is relatively routine. When it is routine, you don’t think about it. The second it isn’t, it becomes borderline catastrophic.

With the Vikings running such a timing-based offense, a bad snap throws everything off. That was an issue Minnesota had last year. It’s similar to throwing a ball with poor placement to a wide receiver. They can still catch it, but it can hinder yards after the catch. Here, it could hinder a completion entirely down the field.

Kyler Murray working with the 1st team

It has been just over a week since Minnesota named Murray its starting quarterback, and he has rewarded the organization with some good practices. In his first drive against the New York Giants, he led the offense down the field on a 10-play, 54-yard drive that culminated in a Will Reichard field goal. The operation was clean and solid, but there was still room for growth.

These practices will show an element of that growth because they’re going to be competitive, and both teams will be working through a multitude of issues. Murray will develop more chemistry with guys like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson throughout these joint practices. They’ll also be going against a defense that isn’t Brian Flores’, which should make for potentially easier competition.

Seeing Murray thrive across these two days will go a long way in building confidence in the Vikings offense heading into the 2026 season.

Jordan Addison compared to Zay Flowers

Over the course of the offseason, we have talked multiple times about a potential extension for Addison. The fourth-year wide receiver had a great first two years, averaging 900 yards and 9.5 touchdowns each season. Last year was a downturn, though. He did serve the three-game suspension for the DWI arrest that occurred in the summer of 2024, and he only had just over 600 yards and three touchdowns. Those aren’t great numbers for a guy who looked to be the next big thing at wide receiver for the Vikings.

If Addison wants to earn a contract extension, a strong 2026 season could help seal the deal. It just so happens his rookie classmate, Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, who was picked two spots ahead of him, will be on the other side of the field. If Addison can prove he is better than Flowers over the course of these two days, it could go a long way in him securing his future, both financially and with Minnesota. It won’t mean everything, but doing so could help him take a huge step forward.

Caleb Banks and his pad level

Caleb Banks didn’t have the greatest debut, but the issues he had were ones we already knew about going into the NFL Draft and training camp. Banks is a very unique player at 6-foot-6 5/8 and 327 pounds. He’s huge for an interior lineman, and that is going to cause issues. Pad level will always be at a premium with Banks, and it is something he struggles with.

The Vikings will help Banks work on it. However, it’s going to take time. It won’t be fixed overnight (potentially not at all), and these joint practices will likely be a major point of focus for Banks in order to improve that element of his game. If he can do that, the sky is the limit for what he can be. It will also give more confidence to both the fan base and the coaching staff that Banks is going to be ready to contribute right away in 2026.

How real is Charles Demmings?

Charles Demmings has been the talk of camp. He’s been an absolute star over the first three weeks of training camp, showing out against the likes of Jefferson, Addison, and Jawan Jennings. Can he do it against other competition? He only allowed one catch against the Giants, and that came on a throw underneath him when he was playing over-the-top coverage.

Even so, Demings being able to prove it against the likes of Rashad Bateman, Flowers, and tight end Mark Andrews will go a long way toward helping him secure the cornerback 3 spot. Radio announcer Paul Allen alluded to that possibility during the preseason game on Saturday. If Demings can prove he is the guy at cornerback, that could be huge for the Vikings long-term on a fifth-round pick contract. We know Flores will play rookie cornerbacks if they’re ready, as he did with Mekhi Blackmon in 2023.

Things I'm looking for during #Vikings - #Ravens Joint Practices:

-Murray & the Vikings offense operating against Jesse Minter's defense. Lot of talented players on that defense including Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins, Malaki Starks, Roquan Smith.
-OL/DL 1on1's - How will Tiernan,…

— Vikes\/erified (@VikesVV) August 19, 2026

The Vikings are signing C/G Joshua Gray, per sources. Adds more depth on the interior. Most recently been with the Panthers. Was on the Falcons' PS last year. Smaller frame but can really move off the ball.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) August 19, 2026

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/SleeperVikings/status/2089874799807848501?s=20

Given how the Vikings keep getting power ranked in the late teens or 20s, they would seem to be the obvious answer to this question. But apparently lot of people in the media haven't yet put 2 and 2 together.

Cricket wrote:

https://x.com/alec_lewis/status/2090070144076636456?s=20

Probably just having a look but could be bad news for Gerhardt or Rouse.

Lance Zierliens write up coming out:

Overview

Team captain and five-year starter who can best be described as tough, strong and reliable. A majority of Gray’s nearly 4,000 snaps came at left tackle, but he moved to guard in 2024 and proved he was more than capable. He has average size but good point-of-attack strength. He can generate movement during the sustain phase of the block and fits into all run-blocking schemes. The pass protection posture looks good and he’s generally accurate with his punch but displays surprisingly average reactive athleticism to mirror movement and recover when beaten. Gray has more work to do at guard, but his intelligence, strength and durability will make him a favorite of offensive line coaches.

Strengths

• Made seamless switch to guard after four years at tackle.

• Lands inside hands and latches in with excellent grip strength.

• Engages base blocks with strong core and good strain.

• Possesses tools necessary to play in all run-blocking schemes.

• Keeps head back and back flat in his protections.

• Able to time things up with his punch.

• Average bender but is able to respond to and quiet a bull rush.

Weaknesses

• Fits up run blocks with average acceleration and pop.

• Gets grabby instead of meeting movement with his feet.

• Inconsistent timing and footwork on combo blocks and double teams.

• Allows his feet to get too heavy and static in pass protection.

• Had issues remaining patient and maintaining positioning against twists.