 looks on during the teams training camp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://l8rn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/localimages/Justin-Jefferson-3.jpg689151d32a57e.jpg” data-large-file=”https://l8rn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/localimages/Justin-Jefferson-3.jpg689151d3a7fd9.jpg”><figcaption><span>Jul 29, 2025; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) looks on during the teams training camp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.</span></figcaption></figure>
<p>Sportsbooks believe the Minnesota Vikings will win about eight or nine games this season, a steep drop-off from a 14-3 record in 2024.</p>
<p><strong>Big things are perculating at Vikings training camp as key players emerge, surprises unfold, and the roster begins to take shape for the 2025 campaign. Here’s the skinny.</strong></p>
<p>So, to smash that forecast, the purple team is formulating a regular season roster at training camp, which will wind down next week, with the preseason kicking off on Saturday, August 9th.</p>
<p>And at training camp, these are the top developments to date, ranked from least important to most important at No. 1. </p>
<h2>The Top Developments at Vikings Training Camp</h2>
<p><strong>Training camp has not disappointed for the Vikings.</strong></p>
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Kevin O’Connell said about Isaiah Rodgers, a newcomer, this summer, “Isaiah was a guy that Flo really identified pretty early. And historically, I haven’t been doing this long with Flo, but when Flo kinda has that tone in his voice about guys — I’m not gonna mention the other ones that he has had that in his voice about — but he’s been pretty darn accurate.”
“And that guy, whether playing for us or somebody else, has immediately shown up. So no pressure on Isaiah, but he definitely got that evaluation from Flo.”
2. Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries Trending Positively
Around the time onlookers wondered about the cornerback situation, the return dates for Christian Darrisaw and Will Fries remained uncertain. Would they be ready for Week 1 after season-ending injuries in 2024 — or would their absences draw out into the regular season?
Well, both are back. In the flesh at training camp. Practicing even.
 and guard Will Fries (75) stand next to each other before beginning an offensive play during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://l8rn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/localimages/Will-Fries-1-1.jpg689151db08c9b.jpg” data-large-file=”https://l8rn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/localimages/Will-Fries-1-1.jpg” src=”https://l8rn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/localimages/Will-Fries-1-1.jpg689151db08c9b.jpg” alt=”Wesley French and Will Fries line up for Colts against Texans in 2023.” ><figcaption>Indianapolis Colts linemen Wesley French (62) and Will Fries (75) get set for a snap during a divisional showdown with the Houston Texans on Sep 17, 2023, at NRG Stadium in Houston. The interior offensive line duo helped anchor the Colts’ run game. Mandatory Credit: Jenna Watson-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>The club will issue a formal Week 1 verdict on Darrisaw and Fries later this month or in early September, but both players are in a wonderful spot to be available at Chicago on September 8th.</p>
<h3>1. The Defense Is Unstoppable</h3>
<p>Good lord. The Vikings’ defense is a total hellfire group through almost two weeks of training camp, pestering the offense to the utmost and making some fans question whether the defense is just unstoppable — or if the offense has warts.</p>
<p>Even the most optimistic purple fans — <em>homers</em>, to the layperson — didn’t expect the defense to look <em>this </em>sharp right away at training camp, but here we are.</p>
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per EPA/Play last year, so to an extent, a promising camp showing isn’t all that surprising. But it’s telling how dazzling Brian Flores’ group looks in late July and early August.
Defense may be the team’s calling card, much like last year.
CBS Sports‘ Cody Benjamin wrote about Minnesota’s defense at camp this week, “The pads were on and the sun was blazing Monday as the Minnesota Vikings kicked off a new week of 2025 training camp. Fans flocked by the thousands into TCO Performance Center to catch a first look at the team in full gear and full speed.”
“But what they saw in the heat of the summer, with the season barely a month away, may have been a bit unexpected. New quarterback J.J. McCarthy, see, was far from the star of the show. His No. 9 still housed a bouncy step and bubbly smile, but the energy didn’t translate to any meaningful offensive momentum, especially in team drills.”
It makes sense that the group looks fantastic; Flores enters Year No. 3 as the defensive boss and is hitting his groove.
Benjamina continued, “No, Monday belonged squarely to the defense, which safety and captain Josh Metellus proudly declared a ‘swarming’ force while speaking with CBS Sports. Was the defensive takeover simply a product of star wide receiver Justin Jefferson taking the day off while nursing hamstring tightness?”
“Or, worse yet, cause for legitimate concern regarding McCarthy’s readiness under center? The truth is almost assuredly more complicated … and hopeful.”
