The Vikings kicked off their preseason with a win over the Houston Texans, but the real story wasn’t the final score. It was the performances that hinted at what’s to come in 2025. From breakout defenders to position battles heating up, Minnesota’s first exhibition offered plenty to talk about. Here are five key takeaways.
1. Gabriel Murphy Was a Game Wrecker
Last offseason, the Vikings made a splash in the undrafted free agent market by signing UCLA edge rusher Gabe Murphy to the largest UDFA contract on the roster. The hope was they had found another hidden gem like linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. But an early injury sidelined Murphy for most of the year. Limiting him to just two games and keeping his potential under wraps.
On Saturday, he finally got to show what all the hype was about. Murphy racked up two sacks and five total pressures on just 19 pass-rush snaps, earning an elite 85.3 PFF pass-rush grade. His first-step quickness and ability to bend around the edge were evident, and he played with the confidence of someone who knows a roster spot is there for the taking. Last season, the Vikings had four edge rushers with over 300 snaps. With Patrick Jones no longer in the fold, Murphy has a realistic path to meaningful snaps this season.
2. The J.J. to J.A. Connection is Real
If you’ve been watching training camp clips, you’ve seen it. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy and receiver Jordan Addison have been in sync all summer. The two even worked together outside of team practices to speed up their chemistry.
That work paid off immediately in the preseason opener. The first three passes McCarthy threw were all caught by Addison, including a crisp 18-yard comeback route that showed their timing and trust. With Justin Jefferson routinely drawing double or even triple coverage, this will often leave Addison in one-on-one situations. If Saturday was any indication, McCarthy is more than willing to exploit that. Once Addison returns from suspension, this pairing could give Minnesota a dangerous 1-2 punch in the passing game.
3. Zavier Scott Emerging as RB3
Kevin O’Connell has struggled to find long-term stability in the RB2/RB3 spots during his tenure. Ty Chandler has had chances, but inconsistency has kept the door open for others. With Cam Akers gone, the Vikings have quite to battle for that third spot. Enter Zavier Scott.
Scott, who spent last season on the practice squad, made the most of his debut. He carried the ball seven times for 40 yards and caught one pass for 11 yards, running with power and decisiveness. His background as a college wide receiver adds versatility, making him a potential asset in passing situations. If he continues to outperform Chandler over the next two games, the battle for the final running back spot could get very interesting.
4. “Will the Thrill” is Back
Few positions cause Vikings fans more anxiety than kicker. The Vikings seemed to have solved this problem in the 6th-round draft pick, Will Reichard. Who, early last year, made his first 14 field goals and earned the “Will the Thrill” nickname. Then came the fall, going just 10-for-16 over the final six games. Paired with whispers of inconsistent camp reports, the concern at kicker was growing.
Saturday offered some reassurance. Reichard nailed both of his attempts, from 48 and 38 yards, with plenty of leg to spare. If his late-season slump truly was injury-related, the Vikings hope Reichard got his confidence back and returns to his full form.
5. Backup QB Battle Heats Up
With a lot of talk this offseason surrounding the backup quarterback, the Vikings made a late-spring trade for Sam Howell. Hoping he could step in as McCarthy’s backup. While his camp performances have been shaky, with many reports highlighting how much Howell was struggling. It was a good sign when Howell was sharp in his preseason debut, completing 11-of-13 passes for 105 yards and leading a 94-yard touchdown drive that he capped with a short rushing score. If Howell can put together another solid, smart game, I highly doubt the Vikings add another option before the season.
Brett Rypien, on the other hand, struggled (1-of-4 for 6 yards), opening the door for UDFA Max Brosmer. The former Golden Gopher took advantage of his limited reps, going 5-of-8 for 47 yards and a touchdown to Myles Price. If Brosmer strings together another strong performance, the Vikings may have a tough decision to make at QB3.
