Vikings Summer Drama Has Several Moving Parts

1. Will There Be a Real QB Battle?

Minnesota inked Kyler Murray in March, and based on his skill set, resume, and reputation, he should start in Week 1, almost no matter what. Still, the Vikings will advertise a quarterback competition between Murray and J.J. McCarthy, the third-year pro who battled injuries and erratic performance last season.

The dramatic aspect here is whether McCarthy makes this a real fight — or if it just becomes so obvious that Murray is the starter that training camp serves as a coronation.

Some fringe thinkers believe McCarthy could score the upset. If so, training camp will be ultra-suspenseful.

2. Is There Any Malarkey with Christian Darrisaw’s Knee?

Darrisaw is likely on track for Week 1, and while that remains the reasonable expectation, the Vikings need concrete confirmation. “Probably fine” isn’t enough for a franchise left tackle.

Minnesota added some protection two weeks ago by drafting Northwestern tackle Caleb Tiernan in Round 3. This move doesn’t scream panic; instead, it simply provides the Vikings with a fallback plan should Darrisaw’s recovery encounter setbacks or take longer than anticipated.

Darrisaw tore his ACL in late October 2024, and the Vikings shut him down in December 2025 because his recovery wasn’t progressing as hoped.

3. Who Gets Extensions?

One, some, or all of these players can reasonably ask the Vikings’ front office for an extension this summer:

• Jordan Addison (WR)
• Blake Brandel (C)
• Blake Cashman (ILB)
• Jordan Mason (RB)
• Brian O’Neill (RT)
• Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
• Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB)
• Jay Ward (S)

So, we ask, who gets locked down for the long haul?

Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill celebrates with running back Cam Akers after a touchdown during fourth-quarter action against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Dec. 16, 2024. O’Neill remained a stabilizing presence on Minnesota’s offensive line, helping lead the blocking effort as the Vikings generated momentum late in the divisional contest. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness noted on O’Neill in March, “O’Neill has been a very solid player for the Vikings in his nine seasons, but the extension will start in his age 33 season, which is going to somewhat limit what he gets. Plus, it’s highly unlikely that O’Neill gets paid more than his teammate, Christian Darrisaw, who is the seventh-highest-paid offensive tackle.”

“Looking at the top right tackle contracts, which is how O’Neill will be judged with his extension, it’s very likely he will be a top-five paid right tackle. Will he be paid more than Lane Johnson, who is being paid an average of $25 million? I doubt it, especially since O’Neill isn’t better than Johnson, who might be the best offensive tackle to have ever played football.”

4. Harrison Smith, in General

For about four months, Vikings fans have pondered a single question: Will Harrison Smith stay, or will he go?

With May’s arrival, the conversation has shifted. Now, the fundamental question is whether Smith will come back. The prolonged silence makes it easy to wonder if he’s already gone for good.

The Vikings did add Miami safety Jakobe Thomas in Round 3 of the draft, but that acquisition didn’t feel like a direct replacement for Smith. While Minnesota passed on other notable safeties — including Dillon Thieneman, whom many expected to be the Vikings’ pick, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren — the draft didn’t yield a definitive successor. This suggests that if Smith was indeed waiting to see the Vikings’ draft moves, no one definitively stepped in to claim his job.

Many likely assumed Smith would have retired by now if that had been his plan this offseason. However, Smith has previously quipped that his retirement would go unnoticed, precisely because he wouldn’t make a grand announcement.

Perhaps that quiet departure is unfolding right before everyone’s eyes.

5. Caleb Banks and His Foot

The best-case scenario is that Banks will be fully cleared by training camp, ready for a usual summer workload.

Conversely, the Vikings might exercise extreme caution with him, a move that wouldn’t surprise anyone. Minnesota is known for its cautious approach to injuries, particularly with players in whom they have a significant investment, and Banks certainly fits that description.

Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks participates in a drill during spring football practice at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida, on April 1, 2023. Banks entered his Florida tenure with intriguing size and athleticism, developing into a disruptive defensive front presence while building his profile for future NFL consideration. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun.

His draft stock plummeted after he broke his foot at the NFL Combine. Foot injuries are a major concern for teams, especially with large offensive and defensive linemen, causing Banks to go from a projected 1st-Round lock to a ‘maybe Round 2’ prospect almost overnight.

The Vikings, however, remained unfazed, selecting Banks in Round 1 just two weeks ago and betting that the injury would not be a significant long-term issue. It’s a ginormous bet for a team that hasn’t drafted well in the last half-decade.