EAGAN, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings open 2024 NFL training camp Tuesday at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
Here's a closer look at a few storylines:
Biggest question: How will the quarterback position play itself out?
After the Vikings' final OTA, coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed the obvious: Veteran Sam Darnold would open training camp as the No. 1 quarterback. That had been the likeliest scenario since the Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy, knowing McCarthy's relatively short college career would necessitate some developmental time. Darnold flamed out in two NFL opportunities as a starter and spent last season as the 49ers' backup. But he appeared in command of the Vikings' offense during spring practices, and common sense suggests he will start the Vikings' regular-season opener at the New York Giants.
It's always possible that McCarthy could make a big jump in camp and challenge for the immediate starting job, but the far more likely leverage point is whether he can be the No. 2 quarterback or if the Vikings keep veteran Nick Mullens on the roster for that purpose.
Injury watch: T.J. Hockenson's progress
The tight end tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee Dec. 24, and his medical team delayed the ACL repair surgery for 36 days to allow the MCL to heal. Based on a typical recovery timeline, Hockenson won't be ready to play until about a month into the 2024 season. There have been no reported complications, but the team should get a better idea of whether he is ahead or behind schedule, or if the original recovery framework remains accurate, during training camp.
It's a crucial question, as the Vikings, who led the NFL in tight end targets last season (179), largely stood pat at the position during the offseason. They'll open training camp featuring veteran backups Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt as they await Hockenson's return.
The player with the most to prove: S Lewis Cine
The safety enters training camp buried on the depth chart after two seasons that made him one of the least productive Day 1 -- or Day 2 -- selections in the 2022 draft. Drafted in the first round at No. 32, Cine has played only 127 total snaps -- including just 10 on defense. That snap total is lower than all but three of the 103 players selected in the first three rounds of the 2022 draft.
A big part of the explanation is obvious: Cine suffered a compound fracture of his left leg in Week 4 of his rookie season. He was cleared to return in time for training camp in 2023, but he could not find a role in new defensive coordinator Brian Flores' scheme. The realistic question facing Cine is not whether he'll elevate into a prominent role in his third season, but whether he will make the 53-man roster.
Most compelling position battle: Defensive front seven
This isn't a specific competition as much as it is a chess match to understand how Flores will deploy the nine new defensive linemen and linebackers the Vikings drafted or signed in free agency. Not all of them will make the team, but many questions are unanswered. How will Flores use promising new edge players Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and first-round pick Dallas Turner? Can they be on the field at the same time?
Will Flores diversify his use of defensive linemen from last season, where veterans Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard got the bulk of the playing time? That will depend on early returns from Jerry Tillery, Jonah Williams, 2023 draft pick Jaquelin Roy and 2024 selection Levi Drake Rodriguez.
Fiercest fantasy-relevant battle: No. 3 WR/RB splits
If all goes according to plan, fantasy managers should expect four players to get the vast majority of touches in this offense: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Aaron Jones and -- eventually -- Hockenson. There are some caveats. The Vikings have used 11 personnel (typically with three receivers) on 69% of their snaps in their first two seasons under O'Connell, the eighth most in the NFL over that period.
So who will the Vikings look at for their third receiver in camp? Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield Sr. and Jalen Nailor will get long looks, but it's not out of the question the team could make a veteran addition. Meanwhile, Jones isn't likely to be a three-down back for 17 games at age 29. That will give a window for Ty Chandler, who rushed for 374 yards in the Vikings' final seven games last season, to force his way onto the field with a strong camp.