If anyone's an expert on NFL offense, it's Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss.
The former Vikings phenom recently joined Kay Adams’ show *Up & Adams* and discussed a variety of topics, including expectations for Minnesota's offense in the 2024 season.
During the interview, Adams asked Moss if the Vikings can make an impact offensively in the wake of Kirk Cousins' departure. Minnesota drafted former Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy 10th overall, but Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has said free agent addition Sam Darnold is currently slated as the team's starter.
Moss believes the Vikings can field a top-shelf passing game … if they also are a threat with their run game.
"To be honest with you, if Kevin O'Connell is able to scheme up some runs to be able to take some pressure off whoever – Sam Darnold, [or J.J. McCarthy] – he has, I think the passing game is going to be elite," Moss told Adams. "But if you don't have a running game, a running game that defenses will respect to open up the whole offense – that's what I'm looking at to see what the Vikings can do."
Moss also discussed the second and final retirement of Tom Brady, with whom he played from 2007-10, and his upcoming induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, which will take place Dec. 10.
"I am very appreciative and happy to be able to receive an award," Moss said. "Any time you get into something like that – it's like the Ring of Honor. It means your name, your family's name, will live on forever."
2 Vikings position groups highlighted as 'NFL training camp battles to watch'
Every summer, CBS Sports tabs training camp battles to watch across the league.
The Vikings will open their training camp next week, and two of their position groups were highlighted among 14 competitions to keep an eye on.
CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin first pointed to Darnold and McCarthy and wrote the following:
Darnold is widely expected to open 2024 as the shepherd of Kevin O'Connell's offense, primarily due to his NFL experience. And maybe Minnesota's weaponry will help him rejuvenate his own prospects. McCarthy is the future, though, and his play-action potential could convince O'Connell to speed up his entry.
As noted in today's first Lunchbreak item, O'Connell has named Darnold as the team's current starter at QB.
Benjamin also is intrigued by three new Vikings outside linebackers: free agent additions Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel and first-round draft pick Dallas Turner.
After letting Danielle Hunter exit in free agency, Minnesota pounced on a trio of potential successors. Greenard has done the most at the NFL level, fresh off a solid run under DeMeco Ryans in Houston. Turner has the potential to be an instant all-star, however, working under [Defensive Coordinator] Brian Flores.
Benjamin included two other NFC North position groups in his list: Lions cornerbacks and Packers kickers.
In Detroit, five corners will be vying for starting roles: Terrion Arnold, Carlton Davis III, Ennis Rakestraw, Jr., Amik Robertson and Emmanuel Moseley.
Like the Eagles, Detroit didn't settle for just one splashy addition to the secondary this offseason. Arnold and Rakestraw have the potential to become a top-flight cover duo in Motown, while Davis, Robertson and Moseley offer varying levels of experience starting for playoff contenders. This is an underrated group.
And don't sleep on Green Bay's kicking competition throughout camp, either, as the division rival has three on its roster – including a former Viking.
A 2023 sixth-round pick, [Anders] Carlson hit 81 [percent] of his field goals as a rookie, but also led the NFL in missed kicks (13). Enter [Greg] Joseph, who spent three solid seasons with the rival Vikings; and [James] Turner, the undrafted rookie who won a national title converting 18 of 21 field goals for the Michigan Wolverines in 2023.
Click here to read Benjamin's full list of training camp battles to watch.
