4 Takeaways from the Vikings’ Pre-Draft Presser

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) warms up near midfield before a matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium, on Sep 10, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, going through pregame drills as Minnesota prepared to open its regular season at home in front of a packed crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

1. Harrison Smith’s Return Remains a True Mystery

Smith completed his 14th NFL season in 2025; the Vikings even have a retirement party for him during Week 18. But since that moment, the communication on Smith’s retirement or return has hit radio silence.

Reporters asked O’Connell about Smith, and he comically replied, “Now that you remind me, I’ll probably bug him today.”

“We’re trying to give Harrison as much space as possible,” O’Connell added while insinuating that Smith is more than welcome back for Year No. 15.

Meanwhile, Minnesota could draft Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman or Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren at Smith’s position. In fact, the betting favorite for the Vikings’ first draft picks is — you guessed it — a safety.

Smith’s retirement-or-return situation still has no clarity.

2. J.J. McCarthy’s Back Is against the Wall

In a weird twist, the McCarthy comments came from his top playmaker, Justin Jefferson.

Jefferson said about his young quarterback, “And then for J.J., for somebody to enter that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he’s got to step it up a little bit.”

“So it’s good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, ‘It’s either now or I’m going to take that back seat again.’ So it’s all a competitive mindset when it comes to these type of things. So it’s all about who’s ready for that moment and who’s ready to step up and take that initiative.”

“Taking that back seat again” caught some listeners off guard. Jefferson must’ve been referring to 2024 when McCarthy was sidelined by a torn meniscus and Sam Darnold took the reins of the offense.

Regardless, with Kyler Murray in the house, Jefferson point-blank told the public that McCarthy must show up to training camp this summer with his game face on. And while that’s common knowledge by now, Jefferson confirmed it.

3. Vikings Don’t Want to Trade Jonathan Greenard, but He Is Not Untouchable

Greenard trade rumor smoke has billowed since the start of March.

O’Connell said Monday, “I had a conversation with him last week. We’re trying to keep our conversations and dialogue going. I have such a good relationship with Jonathan. He’s been so impactful on me personally, one of our leaders. He knows exactly how I feel about him, how we feel about him as an organization.”

“I’ll continue to have that dialogue and ongoing dialogue as we move forward. But it’s been good, and I think Jonathan’s really respected at least the point of view that our dialogue brings and the clarity, and he knows that I’m always a phone call away.”

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates after recording a sack against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, on Nov 24, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois, reacting with visible energy during the second quarter as the Vikings defense generated consistent pressure in a key NFC North divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

More importantly, Brzezinski added on Greenard, “I mean, JG’s a great player. I expect JG to be here. There’s been speculation. There’s conversations that take place with respect to players all the time on rosters.”

“And for some reason, sometimes some things get public and other times they don’t. But he’s a really good player and a special person and a leader. And we’re really happy he’s a part of our team.”

This is a textbook answer for a player on the trade block. The Vikings must decide if they can afford Greenard’s extension price, which may be upward of $35 million per season, especially after his former teammate, Will Anderson, just grabbed $50 million annually in Houston last weekend.

4. The Kyler Murray Excitement Is Palpable

Jefferson explained that the Vikings’ brass kept him abreast of the quarterback plan in March. He sounded pretty fired up about Murray.

“I’m definitely looking for those big, exciting plays from Murray. I’m definitely looking forward to his speed, his quickness, his arm strength that he’s shown countless times over the years,” Jefferson opined.

“It’s really good to get some good talent in the room to give a little spark in that room to see a competitive edge and from those guys to really lock in and to do what we’re expecting them to do, which is to come in and to be that guy. And we need that one guy for this team. So I’m definitely excited for that room, excited to see what those guys have in store for us in training camp.”

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray speaks with reporters after signing with the franchise during 2026 NFL free agency, addressing the media in Eagan, on March 12, 2026, as the team introduced its new starting quarterback and outlined expectations for the upcoming season. Mandatory Credit: YouTube

Down the stretch last season, Vikings fans were not fixated on a postseason chase because the club had been eliminated by mid-December. Instead, everyone counted Jefferson’s receiving yards, hoping he’d maintain his 1,000-yard streak.

Perhaps this year, with Murray in charge, the Vikings can cross Jefferson’s yardage off the to-do list in November and embed themselves in an honest-to-goodness postseason hunt. That’s the goal.