The Vikings roster has reported to Eden Prairie, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Minnesota, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the first time.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell have new extensions, as do their assistants and coordinators. J.J. McCarthy is finally healthy and ready to take over the controls of a franchise that trusted him enough to stick with him when so many other options presented themselves. All in all, the coaching staff remains essentially unchanged, while the roster sees some position groups infused with youth and talent to solidify them.

The first day of training camp has wrapped, though, for the team, and there is a lot to break down. We did our best to decide what was worth sharing and discussing, as a lot happened, we narrowed it down to three key points. Of course, we rounded up some quick hitters as well for your enjoyment.

J.J. McCarthy gets unleashed

The long-awaited return of J.J. McCarthy was finally unveiled to everyone in a much more competitive setting as the Minnesota Vikings opened training camp on Wednesday. After not seeing im in any clips or meaningful reps since last August, the team wasted no time in letting everyone know what is waiting for them in 2025.

Airing it out to Addison 🎯 pic.twitter.com/6nucBw8fl8

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 23, 2025

Every media member present at practice posted about the legendary throw made by McCarthy to Jordan Addison that resulted in a 60-yard touchdown. While no one was able to post the clip, the team did everyone a favor, as we can see above. It will be the first of many we see over the next couple of weeks, and in the process, the excitement to see McCarthy against the Texans on August 9 will grow.

Joshua Metellus was a full participant

Joshua Metellus is entering the final year of his contract with the Vikings, and to say he has outperformed it would be an understatement. The veteran safety has become a fan favorite both on and off the field, thanks to his play and social media presence. Despite all of that, it remained up in the air if he would test fans’ loyalties by doing a hold-in for the first day of training camp, where he would be present but not participate with the team.

While several players have achieved success during recent training camps by doing this, Metelluss walks to the beat of his own drum, and that means he is going to play. The veteran safety was available for everything the team needed in camp on Wednesday, and it resulted in him assuming the role of starting safety opposite Harrison Smith. The team has made it clear they want to make him a part of their future, so a contract is coming. Perhaps he is increasing his value in the meantime by practicing despite the lack of financial security.

Defense in mid-season form

The defense thrived in its playmaking ability in 2024, whether it was getting after the quarterback or forcing turnovers, they made it happen. Brian Flores benefits from having the majority of his defense returning in 2025, with some new pieces sprinkled in, such as Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They lost some key pieces in the secondary, such as Camryn Bynum and Stephon Gilmore, but all in all, they are set heading into camp.

They proved their readiness for the new season during the first practice, scoring not one, but two defensive touchdowns. The first came on the first pass of the day when linebacker Ivan Pace Jr intercepted Sam Howell. That was followed up by a patented Gink 6 when Andrew Van Ginkel picked off a screen pass from Brett Rypien and returned it for a touchdown.

To say the defense is in mid-season form may be an understatement, though.

Quick hitters

• Will Fries told the media his knee was “feeling good.”
• Joshua Metellus dubs Jeff Okudah’s nickname of “Jefe” as a top-five on the team.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings camp notebook, day 1: McCarthy unleashed, Metellus practices