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.