Vikings fans are one step closer to seeing the purple and gold back on the football field as players have started to report to Vikings training camp. But this year will be a bit different with a new voice running the show for the first time since 2014.
The Minnesota Vikings decided to part ways with General Manager Rick Spielman and Head Coach Mike Zimmer following the conclusion of last season.
Taking over is new General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O'Connell, and both are ready to prove themselves.
While both are looking to make their own mark on the franchise, Adofo-Mensah got his chance during the 2022 draft, and now O'Connell will get his shot, leading his first ever training camp, and he's got a full plate.
"As his friend, I think now that we're pretty close, I'm excited to see him fulfill his dream," Adofo-Mensah said. "Just like I got to call players at the draft and be the one to kind of start their NFL dream, I'm excited to watch him coach his first NFL game. So as a friend, it's exciting to watch up close."
Before O'Connell gets to his first game, there is plenty to be done, from implementing new offense and defensive schemes to establishing a connection with players.
But the work isn't overwhelming for the first-time head coach, as O'Connell shared that putting everything into place is exciting and that he is "clicked into gear" and "ready to roll."
Fans will get a chance to watch O'Connell's tenure begin, with the first public practice scheduled for July 30 and going nearly every day until mid-August. Tickets for the practices at the TCO performance center can be reserved online.
Since the removal of the old regime, many players have stepped forward criticizing the culture they said was heavily reliant on fear.
Now O'Connell will look to change that, and players have been open to it so far. Vikings star running back Dalvin Cook shared that O'Connell has been very vocal about his plans with the team and that they "appreciate him for that."
"He's been transparent with us through the whole process," Cook said. "He's leaned on the leaders a lot. We got a great leadership group. It's a bunch of guys that play a lot of football."
While fans will get their hopes up either way, it ultimately comes down to the team winning enough games to make the postseason. The groundwork to accomplish that goal starts this week at training camp.
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