EAGAN, Minn. — Football, in the best way, feels like a tease this time of year.

The Vikings convened for the mandatory portion of their offseason program Tuesday afternoon at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. It's really the closest thing to training camp before the real deal.

In addition to fine-tooth combing over the details and testing players' late-spring mental capacities, Minnesota ran through a couple jogging team periods and faster-paced 7-on-7s. Per usual at this point on the calendar, the primary focus was on coaching, learning and implementing correct techniques.

The work was welcomed by blue skies and a steady breeze that cooled off mid-80-degree temperatures.

Six players didn't participate: DL Caleb Banks, LB Blake Cashman, WR Terrill Davis, OL Tristan Leigh, WR Marcus Sanders, Jr., and WR Luke Wysong. Cashman, however, worked on a side field and closely followed his teammates.

After the 2-hour session, Vikings Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores and competing quarterbacks Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy spoke with Twin Cities media members and several national reporters on hand.

Flores shared the following in his opening remarks:

"There's a physicality to the game that you just can't get in this setting, but what you can find out is you can work on your techniques, your fundamentals. We've got new players every year. We've got some new coaches, new players. And, you know, just trying to bring everyone together, get on the same page, figure out what the strengths and weaknesses are of the new players combined with some of the guys who have been here for a while, what groupings work well together. But the guys are, they've been fantastic. They're just, you know, just from a chemistry standpoint, from a vibe, from an energy standpoint, a willingness to work and learn and, you know, try to improve and get better. And I think, you know, the spring and really the whole way through is a time for growth and improvement. And I think we're getting that on a daily basis. So, I'm really excited about the group. They're doing a fantastic job."

Beyond ample above-the-neck work, here are three observations from Day 1 of the team's minicamp.

1. Double trouble

Murray and McCarthy each totaled seven reps during the initial 7-on-7 period, including four in a row, apiece, their first time they conducted the offense — and, technically, the ball never touched the grass.

In his opening sequence, McCarthy found Dontae Fleming for a short gain, then progressed to Myles Price over the middle for a good-sized pickup. To nail his third straight pass, McCarthy located running back Zavier Scott on a checkdown, and he followed that by twirling a beauty to Tai Felton, who smoothly scooted past rookie cornerback Chuck Demmings and hauled in a picturesque over-the-shoulder catch.

When he came back up, McCarthy drilled RB Jordan Mason in the flat to his right before muscling an intermediate-level pass to undrafted rookie Dillon Bell, who made a nice adjustment for a reception. To put a bowtie on his reps, McCarthy connected with Jeshaun Jones on a snappy throw over the middle.

Seven up, seven down.

At the onset of the period, Murray began with quick completions to tight end Josh Oliver and Felton. Then, he tried fitting a ball to second-year TE Gavin Bartholomew, but Theo Jackson had a prescient jump on it and flew into the frame for an interception. Right after, Murray overshot Jauan Jennings up the field, and the quarterback's former Cardinals draft classmate, Byron Murphy, Jr., stepped in to secure an easy pick. In a demonstration of the defense having fun afterward, Murphy lateraled the rock to Jackson.

When Murray resumed his place in the shotgun, again, he almost went deep to Felton but instead used caution and hit Jordan Addison on a checkdown. Murray linked with Jennings next when the former 49er baited a defender one way in the middle of the field and ended up accelerating the other direction. On his final rep, Murray successfully targeted his safety valve, rookie fullback Max Bredeson, short and near the sideline. Bredeson pocketed the pigskin and flew into the open field, giving shades of Jim Kleinsasser.

3. Kicker & holders

Speaking of the First-Team All-Pro, which is code for best kicker in the NFL, Reichard had eyes on him in Tuesday's session and drilled a pair of kicks from point-after distances, as well as six field goals of varying distances.

Reichard's first four knockdowns were held by veteran punter Johnny Hekker. They matched perfectly during a PAT, plus tries from about 38 (left hash), 45 (right) and 50 (left) yards. Reichard stayed clean with rookie P Brett Thorson in a crouch, striking a PAT and FGs of 40 (right), 50 (right) and 53 (left).

It's hardly a surprise that Reichard was excellent after going 33-for-35 in 2025, but his comfort with Hekker and Thorson is an important storyline since former punter/holder Ryan Wright departed in free agency.

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