The Breer Report: Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Takeaways (2023)

Senior NFL Reporter Albert Breer shares his five biggest takeaways from Vikings training camp in Eagan, MN

Transcript

00:00 All right, it was 100 degrees yesterday in Kansas City, 100 degrees here in Minnesota

00:04 today.

00:05 We have five takeaways from steamy Vikings training camp.

00:07 Takeaway number one, the defense backfield scenario where the team has made a lot of

00:10 strides over the course of the offseason, and that's because the group really fits what

00:14 new coordinator Brian Flores wants.

00:16 With the possession flexibility, the guys like Josh Metellus, who can play linebacker

00:19 in safety, and Byron Murphy, who can play inside and outside a corner, bring to the

00:24 table, should allow Flores to disguise on defense and be multiple on defense.

00:28 Takeaway number two, while we're on that side of the ball, linebackers Jordan Hicks and

00:33 Brian Asamoah have both had nice offseasons, and their leadership has been really key in

00:37 what they're trying to do here, which of course is important with Eric Hendricks out the door.

00:42 Takeaway number three, at the receiver spot, Justin Jefferson was away for the part of

00:46 the spring.

00:47 Obviously, Adam Thielen is gone.

00:48 Jordan Addison's look good.

00:49 They really believe he can be a Calvin Ridley type player in the league, but a couple of

00:53 veterans used the opportunity when Justin Jefferson was out to take a step forward.

00:59 Those two guys, KJ Osborne, who's already playing a pretty big role in the offense,

01:03 and Jalen Naylor.

01:04 Those would be two guys to watch, just as far as depth and the versatility of the receiver

01:08 group.

01:09 Takeaway number four, continuity on the offensive line is going to be key.

01:12 Those five guys all back from last year, continuity at tackle is particularly important with both

01:17 Christian Derrissaw and Brian O'Neill entrenched here with the Vikings.

01:21 And finally, takeaway number five, a little bit of an update on the Neil Hunter situation.

01:25 The Vikings are in constant contact with him.

01:28 They've tried to avoid having to fine him, which they've been successful in doing to

01:31 this point.

01:32 He could be traded.

01:33 He could wind up in a new deal.

01:34 He could play on his current contract.

01:36 The Vikings are trying to keep this one as, I'd say, non-contentious as possible, the

01:42 same way they handled the Dalbert-Cruz situation.

01:45 Kweisi Dopplermesser's done a nice job with that.

01:47 Kevin O'Connell has too.

01:49 So we don't have a conclusion to the Hunter situation yet, but things are moving along

01:53 there.

01:54 That's it for Vikings camp.

01:55 Next stop, Green Bay.

01:56 [MUSIC PLAYING]