https://www.vikings.com/news/2026-training-camp-observations-receiver-depth-defensive-backs

Vikings Training Camp Observations: Testing Depth at Receiver; DBs Make Plays

EAGAN, Minn. — It was a "bluebird day," as some like to say, at TCO Performance Center.

The Vikings kept their 2026 Training Camp rolling with fans present Tuesday, and temperatures in the mid-70s as a breeze counteracted the humidity. And even with a teaching focus, the action was spicy.

Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy continued to interchange with the first offense, and the younger quarterback seemed to piece together one of his stronger days so far on the grass, highlighted by touchdowns to Gavin Bartholomew, Myles Price and Bryson Nesbit during a low-red zone 7-on-7 period.

One of Murray's sharpest pitches of the afternoon was caught over the middle by Jauan Jennings; it featured Murray staying on schedule and zipping the ball into a zone right on Jennings' 6-foot-3 frame.

Before practice, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said that he really likes the direction the team is headed.

"There's always going to be different levels to the competition," O'Connell explained. "Our guys are handling it the right way. One side wins one side of things, another side wins another. But it's [all about the] next play, next period, next practice. We're just kind of in this mindset that we're trying to build right now of totally committing yourself, all 11 guys, both phases, each individual snap, and can we move on? Can we respond? Can we be better on the next play no matter what happened on the previous?"

Here are three observations from Day 6 of camp, which included a good mixture of wins for the offense and defense, as well as a ramped-up competitiveness that carried over from a full-pads session Monday.

1. Rotating receivers

One of the earliest highlights Tuesday involved Justin Jefferson linking with Murray to the right corner during a half-field rep in the red zone that was designed to drill WR spacing out of bunches and stacks.

On the very next pass, Murray went to the opposite side and connected with big TE Josh Oliver for six.

But once the practice shifted into competitive periods, Jefferson and other starters got some rest.

At times, Jennings was WR1. Tai Felton, Price and Jeshaun Jones were involved behind him, and Dontae Fleming and Dillon Bell got work, too. On one occasion, Fleming and McCarthy synced on a Cover 2 hole shot with Bell attracting tight coverage in the flat. Second-year TE Gavin Bartholomew made several strong, contested catches, again, as well, to keep up his stretch of productive days in camp.

2. Chucky D celebrations

You'd never guess Chuck Demmings played at FCS-level Stephen F. Austin.

He's around the ball too often – for positive reasons – and his play strength is on par with guys from much larger programs. Anyway, let's add "locked-in celebrations" to his focus, faith and freestyle rap.

Each aspect of Demmings has been fun to watch/learn about.

On Tuesday, "Chucky D" collected a PBU on Felton in the back of the end zone, another PBU on Price on a quick pass to the left. He followed the plays by whipping out LeBron James' "Silencer" celly and a strapping seatbelt celly.

Demmings also aggressively pursued Jennings after a short catch to finish practice with a stop by the defense.

3. Finding quick answers

The offense – and the quarterbacks – successfully dialed a few quick passes Tuesday.

Once, Murray executed a snappy play-fake and found fullback Max Bredeson in the flat to his right. Murray also had a quick connection with Felton, and he snuck one between two defenders to Jones.

Two of McCarthy's fastest releases were caught by Bartholomew, including a swift score to the left side.