5 bold Minnesota Vikings predictions for 2024 training camp

After a long offseason, the Minnesota Vikings are reporting to training camp this week. The Vikings look much different than they did the last time they officially took the field, as they have a new quarterback, new faces on defense, and even a new kicker. But their goal of competing for a playoff spot remains the same.

With this in mind, the Vikings come to camp with several key storylines that will play out before the 2024 season opener against the New York Giants on September 8th. While some are more important than others, it opens an avenue for fans to place their bets to see what will happen during training camp.

In this article, we’ll make five bold predictions for Vikings training camp and how they could play out over the next several weeks.

Bold Minnesota Vikings Predictions for Training Camp

1. Sam Darnold will beat out J.J. McCarthy for the starting QB job

If you’ve been following the Vikings this offseason, you may think this prediction isn’t so bold. Sam Darnold was signed to be the veteran stopgap this season, and rookie J.J. McCarthy is set to learn behind him until head coach Kevin O’Connell believes he is ready to ascend to the starting role.

But even if McCarthy outperforms Darnold, it may be a tall task for him to wrestle the starting job away. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Vikings think higher of Darnold than most people do in part due to his time with the San Francisco 49ers last year, and they believe their infrastructure can elevate Darnold enough to buy more time for McCarthy’s development.

McCarthy will be one of the most popular players to watch in training camp, but it may be too much for him to start in Week 1.

2. The Vikings will sign another WR during camp

Jordan Addison’s recent arrest sent shockwaves among fans and front office personnel who were “incredibly pissed off” when hearing the news. But if the Vikings want to take action, they’ll need to provide depth at a position that is extremely top-heavy entering training camp.

Brandon Powell is currently listed as the No. 3 receiver but he has 76 career catches since being drafted in 2018. The situation behind him is even more questionable with oft-injured Jalen Nailor and training camp fliers Trent Sherfield, Lucky Jackson, and Trishton Jackson.

There aren’t many enticing names on the free agent market, but the Vikings could have their eyes on the waiver wire to add one more pass-catcher before the start of the season.

3. Ed Ingram will lose his starting job at right guard

The question, “Can he play guard?” is just as big of an annual tradition as deep-fried food at the Minnesota State Fair this time of year, but it’s something the Vikings will be asking when sorting out the guard position during training camp.

O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips have raved about Blake Brandel’s progress at guard this offseason, and the Vikings brought back Dalton Risner in part to challenge Brandel for a starting spot. With that, many people believe that Brandel and Risner will be competing for a starting job but it’s just as possible Ingram could be playing for his starting spot at right guard.

After a miserable rookie season, Ingram cut his quarterback pressures by 33 percent. But he still had too many mishaps to become a reliable guard. If he struggles early in camp, it could open the door for Brandel to start at right guard and Risner to return to his natural position at left guard.

4. Ty Chandler will be the last remaining member of Minnesota's 2022 draft class

We’ve already discussed Ingram, who could be demoted to a backup job or even traded with a rough training camp. But several members of the 2022 draft class could be on the ropes as they look to earn a roster spot this season.

2022 first-round pick Lewis Cine has played just seven defensive snaps since he was selected with the 32nd overall pick in that draft, and Andrew Booth Jr. has struggled to stay healthy and hasn’t earned the trust of Brian Flores. Brian Asamoah has been relegated to special teams with Ivan Pace’s emergence and the signing of Blake Cashman, and Nailor could be another cut if he’s unable to stay healthy in camp.

That could leave Chandler, who had his own form of mothballing when the Vikings signed Aaron Jones last spring. But Chandler has the playmaking ability to carve out a role on the roster, and after Wes Phillips described the situation as “1A and 1B,” the young running back could be the last man standing between the Vikings and a disastrous draft class.

5. Will Reichard will earn the trust of Vikings fans

We’re not going to know a lot about Will Reichard until the regular season begins but training camp is a good time to make a first impression.

Purple Insider’s Matthew Coller and the Pioneer Press’s Dane Mizutani raved about Reichard’s performance during OTAs during an episode of the "Purple Insider" podcast earlier this year, and Dallas Turner referred to his former college teammate as "a cold-blooded sniper" during a radio interview on KFAN this past spring.

But bombing 60-yard field goals indoors is one thing. Bombing field goals in training camp and preseason games is another. Reichard has the inside track in the kicking battle with John Parker Romo thanks to his status as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer and a sixth-round pick, but it might take a few kicks to make Vikings fans feel somewhat safe about his arrival.

It probably won’t be enough to make Vikings fans feel bulletproof. But it could be enough to make fans believe they have a reliable kicker, at least at the start of the season.

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