Minnesota Vikings Reveal Summer Practice Partner

It has become customary in recent seasons to have joint practices prior to a preseason contest. The Minnesota Vikings host a pair of preseason games this season after having just one at U.S. Bank Stadium last year.

J.J. McCarthy was under center for Minnesota’s lone home exhibition contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. This time around he’ll be the starting quarterback and look to show off how the offense can click with a new signal caller.

The Vikings open the preseason with both of their home games. Houston comes to town first on August 9th, and they are followed by the New England Patriots. Mike Vrabel will have his team in town for practice too.

New England Patriots in for MN Vikings joint practices

With just three preseason games on the yearly schedule now, it’s the second game that becomes somewhat of a dress rehearsal. J.J. McCarthy will get a week to prepare live against the New England Patriots as they take over TCO Performance Center prior to the game.

The #Vikings are all set for joint practices with the Patriots before their Week 2 preseason game at U.S. Bank Stadium. They’ll welcome New England to the TCO Performance Center for the practices.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) May 19, 2025

The Patriots are an especially intriguing opponent for the Minnesota Vikings to both play, and directly practice against. There was plenty of steam that it was Drake Maye who the Vikings coveted most during last year’s NFL Draft. Ultimately New England kept their selection and grabbed the North Carolina product.

Minnesota landed J.J. McCarthy in the first round but didn’t get to see his full development after a knee injury ended his season. This time around Sam Darnold is gone, and Sam Howell is onboard solely as a backup. This is McCarthy’s team to lead.

New England comes into 2025 after a 4-13 record that wound up getting Jerod Mayo fired. Vrabel takes over and has some exciting new rookie talent as well. Offensive tackle Will Campbell was the 4th overall pick, while Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson added offensive firepower in the second round.

Related: NFL Scheduler Reveals How Minnesota Vikings Got Back-to-Back International Games

The joint practices will give McCarthy an additional opportunity to develop rapport with his first unit in a more competitive setting. He was 11-for-17 with a pair of touchdowns and 188 yards against the Raiders last season.

Last season the Patriots were 22nd in the NFL in yards per game allowed. They also gave up the 11th-most points but weren’t awful against the pass. Mike Vrabel will look to establish a better identity in his return to the New England sidelines.