The Minnesota Vikings have taken one more step toward being ready for the 2024 NFL season. After a bit of a wait, it has been announced that the team have signed both their first-round picks from the 2024 NFL Draft to their rookie deals.
Minnesota selected Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 overall and Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner with the No. 17 overall pick. Having a high-potential rookie on both sides of the ball opens the door to prepare for the franchise's future after moving on from Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter this offseason.
McCarthy and Turner took their time agreeing to their rookie contracts with the Vikings, but both deals have been completed and the young collegiate standouts should be expected to be present for team training camp.
Vikings don’t have to worry about Dallas Turner missing training camp anymore
The speed of business in the NFL can be confusing at times. Transactions that could take place quickly can sometimes take much longer than expected. That was the case with the rookie deals of Minnesota Vikings first-round picks J.J.; McCarthy and Dallas Turner.
On Sunday, July 21, the official X account of the Vikings shared images of the two rookies with their contracts in front of them at team headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota with the caption "Ready to go!" attached to the photos.
Ready to go❗️@jjmccarthy09 and @UnoErra have signed their 1st NFL contracts.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 21, 2024
📰: https://t.co/CPFM35kv1f pic.twitter.com/LSLkzAvkra
This announcement should end any concern of a contract situation preventing them from attending training camp. Camp begins in Eagan on July 27 and will run through Aug. 8 with nine of those sessions open to the public.
Having the 2023 NCAA National Champion quarterback and the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year present for team activities should help them to acclimate to the NFL and possibly speed up their progress to get on the football field.
Turner was the final rookie of Minnesota's 2024 to sign his rookie deal, meaning the entire draft class is now under contract. He joins a Vikings pass-rush group headlined by Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. He will not need to be rushed into action and will be able to take his time before logging any significant snaps this season.
Although McCarthy and Turner signing their rookie deals was expected, it is nice to have done. Breathing easy that those two star rookies are expected to be present for training camp will put the Minnesota Vikings front office and coaching staff at ease entering the 2024 NFL season.