Minnesota Vikings

Darnold spent the 2023 campaign with the 49ers, where he unsurprisingly played sparingly behind Brock Purdy and finished with 297 passing yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding a rushing score as well. After signing a one-year deal with the Vikings earlier this offseason, Darnold is currently positioned as the team's top quarterback. However, that slotting doesn't figure to survive all of 2024, as Patra notes head coach Kevin O'Connell is likely to afford the veteran quarterback at least a few starts early in the season while a rookie signal-caller gets acclimated to the NFL.

It has been most commonly reported that Hockenson and the Vikings were targeting a Week 7 return, following Minnesota's bye. Schefter instead suggests that the team could be more cautious, particularly with the Vikings off to a hot start to the campaign. Hockenson's status Wednesday could provide a clue as to when he'll return to game action, as the Vikings will need to activate him within 21 days of opening his practice window.

The veteran back is fresh off a seven-season stint with the Packers where he enjoyed plenty of success, and Sunday will mark his first appearance at famed Lambeau Field as a member of an opposing team. Jones confirmed Wednesday he was "definitely leaping" into the stands if he managed to score a touchdown, and he added that he'll ideally find some Vikings fans in the front row of the end-zone bleachers so he could have a picture with both them and Packers fans surrounding him.

The quarterback was sent for an MRI after the game, but no structural damage was detected, and he was diagnosed with only a bruised knee. Darnold has been outstanding so far for the 3-0 Vikings, completing 67.9 percent of his passes through three games with 8.4 yards per attempt and an 8:2 TD:INT. Should the knee injury prove to be more serious than expected, Nick Mullens would be the next man up for Minnesota under center.

Darnold injured his knee in Sunday's 34-7 win over the Texans, though he came back into the game after missing only one play. Mullens had a run for no gain on that one play while filling in for Darnold. The Vikings are off to a 3-0 start with Darnold under center after Mullens went 0-3 as a starter last season, even though Mullens averaged 370 passing yards in those games.

With Addison out for a second straight week due to an ankle injury, Nailor will once again step into a larger role in the Vikings' offense. Nailor has caught a touchdown pass in each of the first two games of the regular season, and in Minnesota's Week 2 win over San Francisco, he registered three catches on four targets for 54 yards and a touchdown. Nailor should continue to see more open space in the passing game while the Texans' secondary hones in on Jefferson.

A quarterback change to Sam Darnold hasn't kept the star receiver from staying among the league's most productive players, as Jefferson has a touchdown catch in each of the first two games while totaling 192 yards on eight receptions.

Jefferson expects to be available when the Vikings host the Texans in Week 3. Prior to bruising his quadriceps, Jefferson scored a 97-yard touchdown against the 49ers as part of his final stat line of four catches for 133 yards and a touchdown on seven targets.

Nailor saw just one target in Week 1 against the Giants, but he turned that into a 21-yard touchdown reception. He played only 26 snaps on offense in Week 1, but he was limited in practice due to an ankle injury, and he was a full participant in all three sessions leading up to Week 2. That could mean Nailor plays a larger role in the Vikings' passing attack while the 49ers' defense focuses its efforts in shutting down superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Addison has sat out Minnesota's last two games after rolling his right ankle in a season-opening 28-6 win over the Giants. This came after he injured his left ankle in mid-August. Jalen Nailor has stepped up in his absence, catching six passes for 85 yards with a pair of TDs in the last two games.

Addison was listed as a limited participant in practice Wednesday. If he ramps up to full participation by the end of the week, Addison would likely avoid carrying an injury designation into the regular-season opener. He's slated to start opposite star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in a Vikings offense with Sam Darnold at quarterback.

Nwangwu was subsequently claimed by the Saints, leaving Minnesota in search of a new kickoff returner just as the amount of kickoff returns is expected to increase significantly compared to the last few seasons due to a rule change. Powell is a candidate to fill that role, as the wide receiver is already expected to return punts this season. The other top candidate currently on the roster to return kickoffs is running back Ty Chandler. However, Minnesota has only two running backs on the roster after cutting Nwangwu, which may dissuade the Vikings from risking an injury at the position on special teams.

That means Hockenson, who is working his way back from a torn right ACL and MCL he sustained last Christmas Eve, will have 21 days to practice before the Vikings have to decide whether or not to take him off the PUP list. Previous reports stated Minnesota was targeting a Week 7 return for the two-time Pro Bowl tight end.

Jackson was among the top preseason performers in the NFL, scoring a touchdown in each of Minnesota's three preseason games. Those showings should help Jackson make the team, and he could even push Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell for playing time in three-receiver sets alongside Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, the latter of whom is recovering from an ankle injury. Jackson appeared in seven games with the Vikings in 2023 but had only two catches for nine yards.

Corral's signing came in response to rookie 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy's placement on injured reserve following his surgery for a torn meniscus Wednesday. Corral spent a few weeks with the Patriots just before the start of the 2023 regular season following his exit from the Panthers, but he finally had a chance for some regular-season professional experience with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL this past spring. Corral's best chance of sticking with Minnesota past final cutdowns appears to be by beating out Jaren Hall for the No. 3 quarterback role.

McCarthy's official NFL debut will have to wait, though the 2024 No. 10 overall pick is expected to be fine for training camp next summer. Sam Darnold is now Minnesota's unquestioned QB1 for this season and with probably the best supporting cast he's ever had, should have a chance to improve on his lackluster career numbers.

Jefferson will have to wait until 2025 to take his first in-game snap of any kind with McCarthy, as the three-time Pro Bowl wideout sat out Minnesota's preseason opener against the Raiders on Saturday, a game where the rookie signal-caller threw two touchdown passes. McCarthy ultimately emerged from the contest with knee soreness that eventually led to the torn meniscus diagnosis, cementing Darnold as the starter for the foreseeable future. While Darnold naturally has the experience edge over his rookie teammate, McCarthy was thought to have a much better chance of consistently capitalizing on Jefferson's considerable talents.

The second-year wideout's injury isn't considered serious, but Seifert reports the team is nevertheless likely to exercise caution after Addison required a cart to leave the field Wednesday. During any practices or preseason games Addison does miss, Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell could be beneficiaries in the form of additional snaps.

It's been a whirlwind last few days for McCarthy, who spurred optimism with his professional on-field debut Saturday against the Raiders while tossing a pair of touchdowns and throwing for 188 yards. However, he apparently suffered his injury at some point during his six-series stint in the game, with soreness setting in over the following 48 hours. Further evaluation led to the torn meniscus diagnosis, and McCarthy's absence cements the No. 1 quarterback job for Sam Darnold for the foreseeable future.

The Vikings have seen Jones up close for years while he played for the NFC North rival Packers, and Minnesota's coaching staff believes Jones is at his best when another backfield option mixes in to keep him fresh. Jones averaged 15.6 touches per game in the regular season in 2023 and 16.0 in 2022, so his usage profile will likely be similar in Minnesota to what it had been in Green Bay.

With McCarthy sidelined, Mullens slides up to second on the depth chart behind Sam Darnold. Mullens' chances of seeing the field in 2024 were previously looking slim with Darnold and the rookie first-round pick McCarthy both blocking him, but McCarthy is now out of the mix, while Darnold has a 21-35 record as a starter. If Darnold struggles early, the Vikings could turn to Mullens, who lost all three of his starts last season but averaged an impressive 370 passing yards in those games.

Darnold and McCarthy had been competing for the starting role in camp, with the former looking likely to start Week 1 but the latter expected to take over at some point this season. With the rookie 10th overall pick sidelined for the entire campaign, Darnold will have a chance to showcase his abilities on his fourth team in five years. Darnold has a 21-35 career record as a starter, but he's likely to hold off Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall for the top spot on the depth chart in McCarthy's absence.

Hockenson wasn't expected to be available for Week 1, but the Vikings remain optimistic that he will return at some point in the first half of the season after having surgery to repair a torn ACL in January. A combination of Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Robert Tonyan is set to fill in at tight end while Hockenson recovers, though Tonyan has been dealing with lower-back spasms in training camp.

Since the league office usually moves slowly and waits for law enforcement to settle legal matters before deciding on supplemental punishment, a decision on Addison's suspension is unlikely to come in the early part of the 2024 season. Minnesota's staff is relieved by this development, as the team expects to have tight end T.J. Hockenson back from his knee injury to bolster the team's group of pass catchers by the time a possible suspension is handed out to Addison.

Darnold played only one series, which ended with an incomplete pass from Vegas' four-yard line for a turnover on downs. McCarthy then played the next six series, rebounding from an early interception to finish with 188 passing yards, including touchdown passes of 45 and 33 yards. Even if Darnold holds off McCarthy for the Week 1 starting job, a strong preseason from the rookie 10th overall pick could help McCarthy expedite his path to regular-season playing time.

The perennial Pro Bowler will unsurprisingly be handled with caution this preseason after an injury-shortened 2023, although it's possible he sees action at some point during Minnesota's two preseason games after Saturday's opener. Jefferson has been healthy during training camp and is in the process of developing chemistry with new quarterbacks Sam Darnold and J.J. McCarthy, but the opportunity to do so in live game action will have to wait at least another week.

Training camp reports have confirmed Darnold has been taking most of the first-team reps in practice, even as McCarthy has had some encouraging moments. Despite the fact the veteran signal-caller will draw the start over the rookie 10th overall pick Saturday, head coach Kevin O'Connell noted that he still expects McCarthy to see "a significant amount of work" during the game and "hopefully apply some of the things that he's been doing really well" in camp. Neither quarterback will have a chance to throw to Justin Jefferson, who isn't expected to suit up.

Training camp reports have confirmed Darnold has been taking most of the first-team reps in practice, so this latest news falls right in line with those developments. Head coach Kevin O'Connell did add that he still expected McCarthy to see "a significant amount of work" during the game as well, but neither signal-caller will have a chance to throw to Justin Jefferson, who isn't expected to suit up.

McCarthy is battling Sam Darnold for the starting quarterback job in training camp, but the team has a strict progression it's following to get McCarthy game ready. Minnesota has gone out of its way to not rush its rookie quarterback, making it very likely Darnold will be under center in Week 1. It's unclear when McCarthy could take over, though Week 7 against the Lions is logical as Minnesota plays in London in Week 5 before getting a bye the following week.

Darnold began training camp atop the depth chart, and the Vikings haven't been in a hurry to push J.J. McCarthy into the starting role. Graziano reports that the team had specific plans for each of the prospects it selected in the 2024 NFL Draft and will stick to that process, leaving Darnold as the likely leader of the offense for at least the early stages of the season. Darnold's last significant sample in the NFL came in 2021, when he averaged 6.2 yards per attempt with a 9:13 TD:INT as a member of the Panthers.

The No. 10 overall pick out of Michigan is being handled with plenty of patience by his head coach Kevin O'Connell, a one-time NFL signal-caller. McCarthy seems to be embracing that approach, noting that he has an ultimate goal of maximizing each day and preparing for whenever his opportunity may come. McCarthy has hit the ground running in training camp, as he remained in Minnesota after the team's final offseason activities in June to maintain a focused mindset and work on executing plays from the offense with former Vikings and current Panthers receiver Adam Thielen.

Turner, who is excused from camp Friday to attend Jackson's funeral, played two seasons with the defensive back at Alabama and had been reunited with him in Minnesota's 2024 draft class. Turner has placed Jackson's nameplate above his own in his locker and plans to constantly keep his fallen teammate in his memory as the edge rusher goes through his rookie season. "He helped me realize who I was, and he helped me build my confidence off the field and on the field in a way," Turner said. "But he was definitely a very impactful person."

Coach Kevin O'Connell indicated Monday that rookie J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 Draft, will also see action with the first-team offense, and when the Vikings feel that he's ready, they won't hesitate to move him into the starting role. For now, the job belongs to Darnold, the third overall pick in the 2018 Draft who is now on his fourth NFL team after stints with the Jets, Panthers and 49ers.

Hockenson didn't have surgery on the injury until late January, so he's unlikely to be ready to play by Week 1 against the Giants on September 8, but the tight end is encouraged by the progress he has made in his recovery. He's hoping to join a growing list of players who have recovered from ACL tears and regained pre-injury effectiveness.

McCarthy becomes the sixth and final 2024 first-round quarterback to sign his rookie deal. The one-time Wolverine standout went under contract just in time to participate from the onset of training camp, which begins for the Vikings when rookies report Sunday.

The well-traveled veteran wideout has topped out at 30 receptions, 417 receiving yards and two touchdowns in terms of single-season highs, but he's proven durable and has solid size at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds. The formidable frame is complemented by impressive speed that Patra points out could be the key to Sherfield vaulting over incumbents Brandon Powell and Jalen Nailor for the No. 3 receiver role.

Hockenson's condition will be closely monitored throughout training camp and preseason before a decision is made on whether he'll open the campaign on the PUP list. If Hockenson is indeed sidelined or at least limited early, Patra points out Tonyan, who has two 50+ reception seasons in his career, is the best pass catcher between him, Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt, although he adds converted receiver N'Keal Harry could be a wild card if he distinguishes himself on the practice field and exhibition games.

Hockenson's recovery will be one of the overriding storylines of the Vikings' training camp and preseason, and how he looks over the next several weeks will determine whether he starts the campaign on the PUP list. Particularly if that comes to pass, Patra notes that with a strong enough summer, Harry could potentially vault over solid but non-descript veterans like Johnny Mundt and Robert Tonyan on the positional depth chart, or at least carve out a somewhat relevant role alongside one of them.

Addison was reportedly asleep behind the wheel of a white Rolls Royce on I-105 in Los Angeles when a California Highway Patrol office arrived on the scene. The talented second-year receiver was subject to a DUI investigation and subsequently taken into custody for a two-hour period before being released. Potential league discipline will be a factor to consider as the legal process plays out.

The left tackle will be playing on his rookie deal through 2025 after having his fifth-year option picked up in April, but both sides are interested in having Darrisaw remain in Minnesota for the long haul. The 23rd overall pick in the 2021 Draft also now has Drew Rosenhaus as his agent, and Rosenhaus has an excellent relationship with the Vikings' front office. With no incentive to get a deal done quickly, however, the team will likely make extending Darrisaw a priority after the 2024 campaign.

Jefferson was the consensus first overall pick in fantasy football heading into the 2023 season, but he dropped to the second round of Friday's mock draft before being scooped up by Stephania Bell. The star wide receiver was limited to 10 appearances in 2023, but his average of 107.4 receiving yards per game was actually higher than Jefferson's 106.4 during the 2022 regular season, when he led the NFL with 1,809 receiving yards. Concerns about Minnesota's quarterback situation are dragging down Jefferson's fantasy stock, as the Vikings are poised to roll out Sam Darnold or rookie 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy under center.

Cashman referred to McCarthy, whom the Vikings selected with the 10th overall pick out of Michigan in April's draft, as "a great young man," and also called the rookie a natural leader and eager learner. Additionally, Cashman was able to get a first-hand look at McCarthy's physical skills while helping defend against him in OTAs and minicamp, and he came away impressed by his arm strength and deep passing.

Addison is overshadowed by star receiver Justin Jefferson in Minnesota, but the 2023 first-round draft pick out of USC is coming off a strong rookie campaign in which he racked up 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. After getting stronger and improving his releases during his first full NFL offseason, Addison is well positioned to post even better numbers in his second NFL campaign, provided Minnesota gets adequate quarterback play from Sam Darnold and/or rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

Darnold is the favorite to start Week 1 over rookie 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy, and Lewis believes Darnold's tenure as the top option under center could extend well beyond that point. If Darnold can keep the Vikings competitive, Minnesota's regime would have the luxury of taking a patient approach with McCarthy in hopes of him developing similarly to Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, who all sat at least their rookie seasons. Darnold's 21-35 record as an NFL starter suggests he could have a hard time keeping the Vikings in the playoff hunt, though.

Lewis is a firm believer that Darnold will open the season as the starting quarterback, and if Minnesota's contending for a playoff spot with Darnold, McCarthy could spend at least his rookie season on the bench like Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love did. However, Darnold's 21-35 record as a starter in the NFL suggests it's only a matter of time until the team's fan base begins clamoring for McCarthy, whom Minnesota drafted 10th overall out of Michigan.

Turner is coming off an impressive college career with the Crimson Tide that included 22.5 sacks and 32.5 total tackles for loss over three seasons, and Reuter feels it won't take long for the edge rusher to start manifesting similar success at the NFL level. Reuter predicts Turner will already be a "defensive force" by the middle of his rookie campaign and will graduate from an early designated pass-rush role early to a more well-rounded one once he proves he can stop the run and drop into zone coverage effectively.

Entering his fifth pro campaign, Greenard is coming off a productive 2023, when he registered 52 tackles, including 12.5 sacks, two pass deflections and one forced fumble over 15 regular-season games. His sack total last season was tied for 10th in the league with Montez Sweat. Greenard's output last season earned him a four-year, $72 million contract with the Vikings in March, and Orr believes the 2020 third-round pick out of Florida will take his play up a level in the scheme of defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

With K.J. Osborn departing for New England in free agency, the WR3 battle is seemingly between Nailor, Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield. The struggle for Nailor, who was taken in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has been his availability, as he was limited to just six games in 2023 due to multiple injuries, including a concussion that landed him on the IL at the end of the season. A strong showing in training camp could give Nailor the edge as the third wideout behind Jefferson and Addison.

Romo has the stronger leg of the two kickers, but he has been far less consistent in OTAs and minicamp. Reichard, whom Minnesota selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, has the upper hand heading into training camp, though Romo could still close the gap by showcasing improved accuracy in training camp and the preseason. Neither kicker has attempted a kick in an NFL game.

Per Lewis, Reichard "was everything the Vikings hoped he'd be this spring - and then some." Reichard doesn't have as strong of a leg as John Parker Romo, but the former's consistency has him leading Minnesota's kicking competition heading into training camp. If Reichard continues to impress, the Vikings may not feel the need to bring in additional competition despite the rookie sixth-round draft pick's lack of experience.

Minnesota brought in veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin this offseason, while 2023 third-round draft pick Mekhi Blackmon has outplayed Evans in minicamp and OTAs. With holdover Byron Murphy also demanding significant playing time at cornerback, Evans could find himself relegated to a bench role in 2024 after starting 15 games in 2023. Evans failed to stand out as a starter, notching 65 tackles and seven passes defensed but also struggling in coverage at times and getting benched in Week 16.

Murphy is most effective in the slot, so Blackmon could be playing his way into a starting role on the outside, or at least as a prominent player in nickel packages. Blackmon recorded eight passes defensed as a rookie in 2023 before missing the final two games of the season due to a shoulder injury.

While Justin Jefferson was away from the team during negotiations on his contract extension, Addison took full advantage of the opportunity to work as the team's top wideout. The 2023 first-round pick out of USC also showed up in April physically stronger than he'd been as a rookie, an important development given his small frame even though Addison didn't miss a game in his first NFL campaign. The production from Minnesota's passing attack will depend on either Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy emerging as a viable replacement for Kirk Cousins, but whoever wins the starting quarterback job will have an elite wide receiver duo to target in Jefferson and Addison.

McCarthy will presumably be ahead of Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall, although O'Connell emphasized there was not an official depth chart put together yet. However, what does seem clear is Darnold outperformed his other three position mates by an appreciable degree this spring, but McCarthy has had his moments as well and seems to be taking a level-headed approach to any struggles. "I'm trying to maintain that trajectory of going up and up," McCarthy said. "Just attacking every day with a growth mindset, and it's been doing me well so far."

O'Connell naturally didn't project any depth chart slotting beyond that statement, simply saying he was planning for a "competitive" camp at multiple positions. O'Connell explained his decision was largely based on Darnold's strong spring and his experience, but added he'd also emphasized to all four quarterbacks on the roster that depth charts don't dictate the future.

According to Lewis, Minnesota's coaching staff was blown away by Tonyan in workouts prior to the team signing him. Tonyan has continued to increase his stock with strong showings in minicamp. He has a chance to open the season atop Minnesota's tight end depth chart if T.J. Hockenson's recovery from a torn ACL lingers into the season.

Chandler has been impressing at minicamp and could earn a sizable role at Jones' expense, especially since Chandler is already familiar with coach Kevin O'Connell's offensive scheme. Jones signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Vikings in the offseason after starting 85 games for the Packers. Chandler started the last four games of the season for Minnesota in 2023.

Chandler spent most of his first two NFL seasons in a backup role but played well as a starter over the final four games of 2023, rushing for 258 yards and two touchdowns while adding 69 receiving yards over that span. Jones is expected to open the season atop the depth chart after signing a one-year, $7 million contract with the Vikings in free agency, but Minnesota's coaching staff could opt for more of a platoon between the 26-year-old Chandler and the 29-year-old Jones.

McCarthy is being brought along slowly, and the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is still adjusting to the pro game. While McCarthy showed signs of progress Thursday, Darnold currently looks like the favorite to begin the season as Minnesota's starting quarterback, though how the quarterbacks play in the preseason may ultimately determine the outcome of their competition.

Lewis notes that McCarthy was better Thursday than the first two days, but the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has been missing some throws while Darnold looks calm, confident and prepared. While McCarthy will likely get a chance to start at some point in the season, Darnold is making a strong early case to be Minnesota's starter under center come Week 1, though there is still plenty of time for this quarterback competition to unfold throughout training camp and the preseason.

Harry has been a bust at wide receiver since being selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Patriots. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he has the size to play tight end. If Harry is able to stick at tight end, he could play a significant role early in the season as T.J. Hockenson works his way back from a torn ACL suffered in Week 16 of the 2023 campaign.

Jefferson inked a four-year, $140 million extension Monday, ending an offseason full of speculation about his future in Minnesota. Coach Kevin O'Connell addressed and denied some of those rumors Tuesday, saying none of the high-ranking members of the team ever considered dealing Jefferson away from the team. With his new deal, Jefferson is the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.

Minnesota did sign Trent Sherfield as a free agent, but Powell figures to get the first chance to claim the vacant position after catching 24 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown over an eight-game stretch in the middle of the 2023 campaign when Justin Jefferson was injured. Osborn posted consistent numbers over the last three seasons in the role, averaging 52.7 catches for 615 yards and five TDs.

The superstar wideout didn't show up for the voluntary offseason program in April, and he'll likely continue to sit out until he gets an extension, which is expected to reset the top of the wide receiver market. Jefferson's absence is costing him reps with new franchise quarterback J.J. McCarthy, ramping up the pressure on the Minnesota front office to get a deal done.

Jefferson is set to play on his $19.7-million rookie option in 2024, but he and the Vikings have been in contract negotiations on an extension for over a year. O'Connell is confident that the two sides will eventually reach a resolution. Jefferson is one of three young star wide receivers expected to reset the market with an extension soon, along with Ja'Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb.

The talented tight end made an appearance on NFL Network's NFL Schedule Release '24 show Wednesday, and his response came when he was asked about his chances of playing against the Jets in London in Week 5. Hockenson clearly isn't committing to any particular timeline just yet, but he certainly appears to be embracing the recovery journey and remains hopeful of participating in the marquee overseas matchup.

The veteran tight end was a bit player during his only year in Chicago in 2023, posting 11 receptions for 112 yards on 17 targets across 17 games. In Minnesota, Tonyan, who has a pair of 50-plus catch seasons in his career, will reunite with one-time Packers teammate Aaron Jones, who signed with the Vikings earlier this offseason.

McCarthy threw a few incompletions and one interception during 7-on-7 drills, but he reported feeling very comfortable and not like what would be a typical first day because of the amount of preparation he'd put into studying head coach Kevin O'Connell's system. The rookie signal-caller also raved about the chance to work closely with quarterbacks coach and former NFL player Josh McCown, who offered feedback after nearly every throw in Friday's session.

The sides have been working on an extension for over a year, and it will almost certainly make Jefferson the highest-paid wide receiver in the league. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah described the sides as having productive negotiations that will begin again soon. He also noted that he wanted the spotlight to be on Jefferson when the deal gets done, meaning the team may opt to wait a bit to announce any completed deal until buzz surrounding the draft and new quarterback J.J. McCarthy subsides.

Minnesota is intent on protecting McCarthy and not rushing him into action before he's ready, so the rookie will really have to wow the coaching staff in camp to claim the Week 1 starting job. That leaves Darnold to run the offense until McCarthy is deemed ready. The third overall pick in the 2018 Draft, Darnold has never been able to put things together in his career, but Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson are a more talented set of targets than he ever had to work with as a Jet or Panther.

McCarthy was reportedly somewhat of a desperation pick by the Vikings at that No. 10 spot, as the Falcons' selection of Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick threw a bit of a wrench into the plans of teams in need of a quarterback. Team brass is naturally now touting McCarthy's potential, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah noted Friday the Vikings are "not going to rush his development" and the final authority of when a promotion to the starting job occurs will be in the hands of head coach Kevin O'Connell.

Darnold, a one-time third overall pick himself, inked a one-year, $10 million deal in free agency to serve as the short-term veteran replacement for the departed Kirk Cousins. Darnold brings plenty of experience but a history of spotty play to the table, so the possibility McCarthy, despite admittedly having more question marks attached to his own profile than a top-10 quarterback normally would, can beat him out for the job with an impressive enough summer is seemingly there.

Minnesota moved up a spot in the first round to nab the Michigan product, whose stock had risen considerably in recent weeks. Seifert confirms the Vikings tried to acquire the No. 3 pick from the Patriots in order to take Maye, and he adds they'd also checked in with the Chargers earlier in the offseason about a possible trade for Justin Herbert but were rebuffed. McCarthy did have a private workout with the Vikings during the draft process, and after the Falcons surprisingly selected Washington's Michael Penix with the eighth overall selection, Minnesota felt compelled to act with urgency.

The superstar wide receiver is looking for a contract extension as he heads into the final year of his current deal, which is set to pay him $19.74 million in 2024. While this doesn't yet qualify as a holdout, Jefferson is sending an early signal that things could get contentious between him and the team if a new contract isn't worked out soon.

Darnold spent the 2023 campaign with the 49ers, where he unsurprisingly played sparingly behind Brock Purdy and finished with 297 passing yards with two touchdowns and one interception while adding a rushing score as well. After signing a one-year deal with the Vikings earlier this offseason, Darnold is currently positioned as the team's top quarterback. However, that slotting doesn't figure to survive all of 2024, as Patra notes head coach Kevin O'Connell is likely to afford the veteran quarterback at least a few starts early in the season while a rookie signal-caller gets acclimated to the NFL.