Vikings defense, led by Danielle Hunter, dominates J.J. McCarthy's offense in July 31 practice. See how the elite unit is forging a new QB for the 2024 season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The theme of the day—and perhaps the entire Vikings training camp so far—is a classic battle of strength against strength. On one side, a ferocious defense that looks ready to pick up right where it left off last season. On the other, a developing offense led by a determined J.J. McCarthy. Thursday's practice was a showcase for the defense, which swarmed, pressured, and created turnovers, giving fans a glimpse of the elite unit they hope to see this fall. But for the offense, it was a day of valuable, if difficult, lessons.
You got to find that touch again... Those periods, they really, I like that where we learn the most about ourselves and our offense.
You could feel the energy from Brian Flores' unit from the first snap. The defensive line was a nightmare for the offense, with Danielle Hunter and rookie Dallas Turner living in the backfield, generating what felt like constant pressure. The secondary wasn't about to be left out, as Byron Murphy Jr. snagged an interception and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. punched a ball loose for a fumble. It's a continuation of the playmaking we saw Wednesday, which featured a pick-six from rookie corner Khyree Jackson. This is exactly what you want to see from a group that ranked second in DVOA and first in takeaways last year. They aren't resting on their laurels; they're looking even faster.
All eyes are on J.J. McCarthy, who is finally getting his first full training camp after a knee injury wiped out his rookie season. The challenge is immense, and facing this Vikings defense every day is a true trial by fire. While the offense struggled to find a consistent rhythm against the first-team D, McCarthy is embracing the grind. He acknowledged the rust, stating he needs to 'find that touch again,' but he sees these tough practices as the ultimate learning tool. There were positive flashes, particularly in red zone periods where timing is paramount, and a beautiful contested catch by Jordan Addison showed the potential of this pairing. This daily test is exactly what McCarthy needs to sharpen his skills and decision-making ahead of the season.
As the big picture drama unfolds, the front office is still tinkering with the margins of the 90-man roster. On Thursday, the team signed safety Gervarrius Owens for secondary depth, waiving linebacker Max Tooley in a corresponding move. These moves highlight the intense competition for the final roster spots. Young players know every rep counts. We've seen Ty Chandler break off a long run and rookie tight end Gavin Bartholomew remains the only player on the PUP list, a good sign for the team's overall health. With battles heating up across the board, the next few weeks will determine who makes the final 53-man cut.
The story of this training camp is clear: the Vikings' championship hopes may hinge on how quickly the offense can catch up to its dominant defense. The daily clashes at TCO Performance Center are forging this team's identity. As camp continues and the first preseason game approaches, the key thing to watch will be the offense's response. Can McCarthy and his unit start winning more of these battles? If they can, this Vikings team will be a force to be reckoned with in 2025.
