The first stop of the 2026 RosterWatch Training Camp Tour took me to Minnesota, where the Vikings quarterback competition has been a heated one on Twitter over the last few weeks. The backfield rotation and pass-catching hierarchy were sides to an otherwise great main course at Quarterback.

Quarterback Competition

Contrary to popular belief, the competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy did not appear particularly close.

The first-team distribution was closer to a 75-25 split in Murray’s favor than an even rotation. McCarthy received only two team periods with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and either Aaron Jones or Jordan Mason.

The difference extended beyond opportunity. The ball came out of Murray’s hand differently, and he displayed better accuracy, timing, and command of the offense.

• Murray opened team drills with the starting skill-position group and completed three well-timed passes: a deep crosser to Jefferson, a corner route to Myles Price, and a checkdown to Jordan Mason.
• McCarthy’s opening team period included two inaccurate throws and another play on which he held the ball too long. All three could reasonably have resulted in sacks.. two were 100% sacks.
• McCarthy later threw behind his receiver, leading to a tipped interception by Blake Cashman. This was around the end of the rough start for McCarthy.
• During red-zone work, McCarthy underthrew a pass toward the corner of the end zone and took another potential coverage sack. He rebounded with touchdown passes to Gavin Bartholomew and Dillon Bell, although the throw to Bell required an excellent adjustment in the back of the endzone.
• McCarthy’s best pass was a deep ball down the right sideline that went through T.J. Hockenson’s hands. Totally Hockensons’ fault, as McCarthy was really well timed and accurate, here.
• McCarthy finished practice more effectively, completing consecutive passes to Jeshaun Jones.
• Murray was generally accurate and decisive, although he missed Jefferson in the back of the end zone once, he delivered a comeback route late, and placed a seam throw slightly behind Jefferson that Jefferson contorted and caught.

McCarthy’s struggles resembled what I saw during three live evaluations last season. The same issues that appeared against Green Bay and during 2025 training camp.. accuracy, processing speed, and holding the ball far too long.

After watching one practice, I am in complete belief that Kyler Murray will start for Minnesota in Week 1 against Green Bay.

Running Back Rotation

Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason operated in a clear timeshare, with Xavier Scott occasionally rotating into the backfield.

My estimated distribution of opportunities on Saturday afternoon:

• Aaron Jones: 45%
• Jordan Mason: 45%
• Xavier Scott: 10%

Since last fall, Jordan Mason appears to have improved as a receiver, with more overall efficiency in the reception and getting upfield from an instant point of view. His vision, lateral movement, and acceleration looked better than they did at last year’s training camp. Both Jones and Mason offer fantasy value in the 9th and 10th rounds of Drafts this summer, although Jones’ durability remains a concern as always, lately.

Rookie running back Demond Claiborne did not practice. Rookie wide receiver Luke Wysong also received a small number of backfield snaps.

Wide Receiver Usage

Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison remained the expected starting receivers, with Jauan Jennings working as a clear third option.

• Jennings looked leaner than his listed weight of 212 pounds.
• He worked predominantly from the slot when Minnesota used three-receiver formations, and he was part of the first rotation off the bench alongside TJ Hockenson(more below).
• Rookie Dillon Bell served as the second punt returner behind Myles Price.
• Tai Felton made a strong catch on a deep slant from Kyler Murray and later connected with him again on a quick choice route. Minnesota is very mild after Jennings in the receiver room. My projected WR Room is as below,
  • WR1 – Justin Jefferson
  • WR2 – Jordan Addison
  • WR3 – Jauan Jennings
  • WR4 – Myles Price
  • WR5 – Tai Felton
  • WR6 – Dillon Bell vs. Dontae Fleming

Jefferson remains the clear centerpiece of the passing game. Addison projects as a complementary starter and a reasonable fantasy WR4 or WR5, in Round 9.

Tight End Outlook

Minnesota appears prepared to use a heavy dose of 12 personnel. According to Sumer Sports, Minnesota ran just 21% (17th) of plays from 12 personnel in 2025, while aligning in 11 personnel 63% (10th) of the time.

Hockenson and Josh Oliver split work throughout practice, but Oliver’s role extended beyond traditional in-line assignments. He also aligned outside and remained involved with the starting offense more often than Hockenson.

Hockenson caught a red-zone touchdown from Murray on an inside switch route and narrowly missed another score when he was stopped at the 1-yard line. However, his limited target volume and Oliver’s extensive usage create serious fantasy concerns for me regarding Hockenson.

Based on this practice, Hockenson is approaching undraftable territory at his current cost. Minnesota’s offense appears more likely to run through Jefferson, Jones, and Mason than through its veteran tight end. Though his RedZone usage didn’t go unnoticed, and it wouldn’t shock me if that wagged the dog for Hockenson in 2026.

Biggest Takeaways

• Kyler Murray held a substantial advantage in first-team opportunities.
• Murray was more accurate, decisive, and comfortable within the offense than McCarthy.
• McCarthy flashed late but struggled with accuracy and processing for much of practice.
• Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason operated at what I’d estimate as a 45-45 split.
• Minnesota looks to lean more into two-tight-end formations.
• Justin Jefferson remains the passing game’s focal point and is already showing a better rapport with Murray than he did with McCarthy in 2025.
• Hockenson’s fantasy outlook is concerning because of Oliver’s involvement; he is bordering on undraftable even in the 13th/14th round.

I’ll be back on Monday night, checking in from Kansas City Chiefs camp, hopefully with some eyes on Kenneth Walker and new rookie WR Cyrus Allen.