MAD GAINZ wrote:

Is it my JJM bias or does it look like Kyler is kinda going 3/4 speed and not locked in, but JJ looks on point with his footwork, throwing mechanics, and even a little eye fake before he lets it rip?

I get what you are saying. Definitely look different.

#Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw says he feels “the best he’s felt in 2 years” since tearing his ACL:

“Feeling like myself truly, not even have to worry about stiffness waking up, things like that. It’s like night and day from how I can’t into the season and how I’m feeling now.” pic.twitter.com/IGQf6fsa8H

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) July 30, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

Wes Philips is really talking up Brandel at the presser. He's more comfortable and better technique for center this year. O'Neill mentioned that Blake is his best friend on the team, so he's really rooting hard for him.

Meh, he sailed a snap today.

Can't do that!

He has to stop the yips.

StickierBuns wrote:
I just don't like this 'competition'. I don't. 🤔

The media circus is the biggest beneficiary. Popcorn, peanuts, clowns, acrobats, lion tamers, you name it. Camp battle video breakdowns of single throws amping up guys on social media into taking sides and attacking each other... cats and dogs living together!

Well, guess I really should've posted this in here, since it's day 2 related:

https://www.vikings.com/news/2026-training-camp-observations-receivers-cris-carter-larry-fitzgerald

Vikings Training Camp Observations: Receivers Make Plays with Cris Carter & Larry Fitzgerald in the House

EAGAN, Minn. — What do you call a scene with Cris Carter, Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., and Justin Jefferson?

Vikings Training Camp is what you call it.

Carter, the franchise leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns graced Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center on Thursday in a bucket hat to block out the sun and give him vision of Minnesota's preparations for the 2026 season. He spent ample time with Fitzgerald, the state's native son, who used to work as a ball boy during Carter's time with the Vikings and is a week and two days away from his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Both got a good view of the present superstar: "Jets."

Where else does this sort of thing happen? Can't be many places with as storied a connection to pass catchers (yeah, yeah, so what if Fitzgerald never played for the Purple; he's a Minnesotan by birthright).

In addition to Carter and Fitzgerald attending the session (current players enthusiastically greeted both after practice), here are three observations from the second day of training camp, which was open to family and friends.

1. Sweet adjustments

Again, quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy took turns with the 1s, and both made some good throws. Moreover, a bunch of receivers made some impressive adjustments to finish catches.

In the first team period, Murray took a chance on second-year wideout Dontae Fleming who is 6-foot-2 and looked even longer as he laid out to haul in an over-the-shoulder pass after slipping by the defense. Nothing new for Fleming – just extra flashy; he showed up as a reliable field-stretcher in the spring, too.

Another Year 2 player, 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton, who excelled on special teams as a rookie, displayed nice play strength and reactivity when he got low to corral a pass by Murray that bordered the right sideline.

Undrafted rookie Dillon Bell delivered an impressive, juggling catch via Carson Wentz, as well, to close out a period focused on second-down play calls. Bell was super busy during the offseason program and continued those efforts Thursday.

Even sweeter than those adjustments, however, the best of the session belonged to dynamic return man Myles Price. To begin the final team period, Wentz arced a deep pass to the small but mighty third-phase ace. The pass spun, beautifully, and Price recalculated his route, sneaking like a mouse behind cornerback James Pierre, to track it into his breadbasket like a vet inside the 10-yard line.

2. 'Good' on 'Good'

The first offense faced the first defense several times Thursday, and both units had their moments, granted the dark side looked ahead in overall execution (tends to be the case early in training camp).

Murray started the work with the 1s but faltered after a first-play handoff to Aaron Jones, Sr.

In succession, Murray bobbled a shotgun snap that hit the grass, then threw over the left middle of the field and was nearly intercepted. On his fourth play, he targeted Felton in the intermediate level, far to his right, and young cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn came through with an aggressive breakup.

When Murray came back up, his snaps included pulling off a screen pass and Felton making sweet tea near the turf.

3. Competitive plays on ball

Vaughn's PBU was one of many defensive highlights.

Joshua Metellus almost picked off one of Murray's passes – a deal he probably seals 9 out of 10 times – and he also timed up a flick from Murray to Jordan Addison, perfectly, punching it into the atmosphere.

Linebackers were involved, too.

Eric Wilson had sticky coverage on a middle-of-the-field route by Felton, denying a sizzling pass from McCarthy; and Wilson's running mate Blake Cashman blitzed through the offensive line before jumping and swatting the ball.

StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/KyleBrandt/status/2082825513958019475

I love the question from Kyle. Very much the position I (several others) have been in since Murray was signed. KO’s response and daggers were all I needed to hear and see. You gave up on McCarthy, Kevin. You gave up on him. If I wasn’t so hellbent on having McCarthy perform for the Vikings, I would have pounded the table for him to leave the second Murray signed.

IceRatz16 wrote:

I love the question from Kyle. Very much the position I (several others) have been in since Murray was signed. KO’s response and daggers were all I needed to hear and see. You gave up on McCarthy, Kevin. You gave up on him. If I wasn’t so hellbent on having McCarthy perform for the Vikings, I would have pounded the table for him to leave the second Murray signed.

I don't think KOC has given up on him. I think he wanted to give JJM another year to develop coming off a missed rookie season and he didn't get it with the moves Kwesi made. I think that's why there was so much Rodgers chatter after Darnold and Jones signed deals. There was a power struggle which Kwesi ultimately "won" and then lost because fucked it up. In hindsight, JJM likely needed another season to get back into football form coming off 6 months of no football activity.

I think KOC is trying to give him that now... right or wrong. The question is does he need it? He's looked much improved in OTAs, mini-camp, and the first two days of training camp. Guess we'll see what happens.

IceRatz16 wrote:

I love the question from Kyle. Very much the position I (several others) have been in since Murray was signed. KO’s response and daggers were all I needed to hear and see. You gave up on McCarthy, Kevin. You gave up on him. If I wasn’t so hellbent on having McCarthy perform for the Vikings, I would have pounded the table for him to leave the second Murray signed.

Like I've said, the master of the word salad was exposed in a major way last season. He should absolutely have to take those hard, uncomfortable questions and answer them. I wish more in the media would stop fawning over and him and ask him more uncomfortable questions. I smile anytime I read McCarthy has outperformed Murray in practice because to me, it's mud in the face of OConnell

IceRatz16 wrote:

I love the question from Kyle. Very much the position I (several others) have been in since Murray was signed. KO’s response and daggers were all I needed to hear and see. You gave up on McCarthy, Kevin. You gave up on him. If I wasn’t so hellbent on having McCarthy perform for the Vikings, I would have pounded the table for him to leave the second Murray signed.

I like the question too. Very direct and pointed. In KOCs own words earlier this offseason, the timeline has changed for the organization, including KOC. Kwesi was fired. We failed to make the playoffs. QB play (including a lot of JJMs games) was quite substandard. Our best player on offense (Jefferson) barely broke 1,000 yards and had a mere 2 TDs. As reporter Matthew Coller has stated, the team is not the Minnesota McCarthys, it’s the Minnesota Vikings. The Wilfs expect success and want to make the playoffs. KOC is going into year 5 without a playoff win. There was no way we could just roll out JJM, Wentz and Brosmer again after last year’s showing. Murray was the best available, cheapest option.

Magnus1018 wrote:

There was no way we could just roll out JJM, Wentz and Brosmer again after last year’s showing. Murray was the best available, cheapest option.

But, ultimately...was the better move to continue developing McCarthy and not retard his growth and progression by creating a quarterback controversy, err competition, or signing a veteran who's skillset doesn't fit this offense as we've come to know it under a head coach who has continually shown his unwillingness to bend his system? I get wanting to "upgrade the room" but the better move in the short and long term was to continue developing the younger player in McCarthy, and sticking with the plan of building the roster around a quarterback on a rookie contract. Instead, after an up and down "rookie" season that was derailed by several mitigating factors, the head coach, who did a piss poor job in the development of that quarterback, pivots to a veteran who doesn't fit the system. It's a clear desperation move by the head coach who's feeling the pressure of not winning in the playoffs. Will it work out? I have my doubts and don't like anything about how OConnell has conducted business with this group of quarterbacks.

The Saw is healthy and feisty again. Good to hear. Let's get back to squashing people. Needs a full year healthy, may as well start this year.

comet52 wrote:

The media circus is the biggest beneficiary. Popcorn, peanuts, clowns, acrobats, lion tamers, you name it. Camp battle video breakdowns of single throws amping up guys on social media into taking sides and attacking each other... cats and dogs living together!

And these guys all see the same practices, the same throws....and have different views on who 'won'. Its stupid, because you can barely trust what you read because these guys don't know what they are seeing. Or are disingenuous for clicks and views and are rage baiting on purpose. Both suck. X has been scorched earth with the two QB fan camps, such an eye roll.

Just declare Murray QB1 and move the F on. Its what KOC wants and what the plan is behind the scenes. Take away the X fanboy fuel and focus on getting QB1 reps.

StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/KyleBrandt/status/2082825513958019475

I joked the other day about the KOC/Teasley presser that neither gives any info but at least Teasley only needs a sentence or two to b.s. us while Kevin has a 250 word minimum.

I slowed this Brandt video down and counted as best I could and after a while lost my mind (or maybe that happened when I decided to count) but anyways I was up to around 350 words here, maybe more. It got foggy at the end, like a night at the bar when you've had one too many.

comet52 wrote:

I joked the other day about the KOC/Teasley presser that neither gives any info but at least Teasley only needs a sentence or two to b.s. us while Kevin has a 250 word minimum.
I slowed this Brandt video down and counted as best I could and after a while lost my mind (or maybe that happened when I decided to count) but anyways I was up to around 350 words here, maybe more. It got foggy at the end, like a night at the bar when you've had one too many.

I think KOC is slightly irritated that the whole media and fan world hasn't genuflected at the alter of K1. He's got no one but himself to blame after getting on his soapbox and saying how organizations let down young QBs.....then hypocritically does so. It takes some fortitude to hang in there, but maybe sweet realization kicked in when it happened to him that there needs to be 'standards in the QB room'. Which is a dig on JJ.

Whatever, just have to hope for the best.

To me, if JJ performs last year, shows enough upside and stays on the field, we’re not having this conversation.