Minnesota Vikings Zeroing in on the NFL Draft They Want to Host

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NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Everything the NFL does turns into appointment television (except for maybe the Pro Bowl). But just about everything else, including the NFL Draft, which is the most-watched out of season sporting events on the planet.

Of course, Roger Goodell and the league knows this fact. It’s why they turned the made-for-television NFL Draft into a spectator event in the first place. But the NFL has also made the draft into something where some of the less-featured cities in the league can have their moment to shine.

NFL Draft would draw in Minnesota Vikings fans

This year, draft picks were welcomed to the league in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The event drew in more than 600,000 fans across the three days. Minnesota, and specifically the Vikings, are trying to get in on a piece of that pie in the near future too. Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters says they are targeting 2029 as the year.

“The Vikings are focusing on getting the NFL draft for 2029 in Minneapolis. Minnesota Sports Events, intent on acquiring the roving draft, had its group in Green Bay for last week’s event. The NFL will decide on the site of the 2029 draft in 2027.”

Charley Walters – Pioneer Press

According to a report earlier this week from Darren Wolfson (KSTP) on a recent episode of the Mackey and Judd Show on SKOR North, the Vikings are aiming to host the draft in Minneapolis, not Eagan, which had been previously rumored.

Related: 2025 Minnesota Vikings Draft Class is Complete

Adding the NFL Draft to the 2029 schedule for Minnesota could make for a fun couple of months. The Ryder Cup is scheduled to take place at Hazeltine National just a few months later. With a decision needing to be made by 2027, the Vikings will have a couple more years to solidify their plans prior to making an official pitch.

2029 a big year for MN Vikings

Last NFL Draft cycle the Minnesota Vikings grabbed their quarterback of the future in the form of J.J. McCarthy. He will be under center this season as the unquestioned starter. After burning a year of his rookie contract due to an injury, 2029 may be the first year in which he’s an unrestricted free agent.

Minnesota will decide on McCarthy’s fifth-year option prior to the 2028 season, but they hope to be in a place where it’s a no-brainer to accept. Kevin O’Connell has had a year to impart wisdom on his new signal caller from the sidelines. Now he’ll need to have that development translate to games.

The Vikings roster is primed to win right now, but they aren’t exactly young. The way in which Minnesota is positioned for the 2029 draft could bring plenty of intrigue to a franchise looking at hosting the event.

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