Entering the 2025 season, Justin Jefferson’s 96.5 receiving yards per game is the most in NFL history, among qualified wide receivers. In June, Jefferson will turn 26 years old, putting him on pace to be a cinch Hall of Famer by the age of 30, if he continues to play the way he has.

Jettas went to Louisiana State University (LSU). But that part of the country is more than just his college town. Justin was born and raised in St. Rose, Louisiana — just one hour to the southeast of the LSU campus. He’s been a Tiger since the day he was born.

Justin Jefferson making Minnesota home more than ever before

But now that Justin Jefferson has signed a 4-year, $140 million contract to remain in Minnesota for the long haul, it sounds like he is starting to migrate his full-time living situation north.

According to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) on a recent episode of the Mackey & Judd Show, JJ has been spending noticeably large amount of this offseason — way more than ever before — in Minnesota.

“One thing that jumped out to me, just discussing it with some people, is that Justin Jefferson — like he still has a presence in Louisiana, don’t get me wrong — but there’s been a shift. This is now home.

Like, he is spending a good chunk of the spring and summer here in the Twin Cities. That is a shift from years past. So make of that whatever you want to make of it, but Justin Jefferson’s presence here in the Twin Cities in the offseason has now ramped up considerably.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd (SKOR North)

There are some tidbits of news that make you smile. I’ve never been to the Baton Rouge area, so I am not here to run it down or tote the Twin Cities area as superior to New Orleans. But for those of us who grew up in Minnesota, on the lakes, enjoying the best two-three months of the year in lake-filled paradise, this is no surprise.

Where would you rather be in the late spring/summer? In the 100 degree heat and humidity of the swampy Louisiana wetlands or on one of the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota? That was a rhetorical question.

Related: Minnesota Vikings OTAs Were Notably Intense; *Most* Absences Due to Prior Injuries

This also explains why Justin Jefferson has been spotted at so many local events, including a celebrity softball game over the weekend, along with multiple Minnesota Timberwolves playoff games.

It’s probably much easier for him to attend voluntary workouts in eagan and carry out his captain duties for the Vikings, when he is staying in town that time of year. With his new massive contract in hand, it sounds like Jettas is here to stay. And not just during football season, either.

From everything insiders can gather, chatter surrounding JJ McCarthy — who’s thrown just 17 preseason passes during his NFL career — is unanimously positive. This, after the Vikings built a Super Bowl caliber roster around the redshirt rookie this offseason, totally revamping the interior of both lines through free agency and the draft, while also adding depth to the rest of the roster.

Because of those new additions, most healthy Minnesota Vikings players were expected to be in attendance this week, as the team looks to build rapport as quickly as possible. With that being said, if there is one player who would have been excused for missing VOLUNTARY Offseason Team Activities this year (outside of maybe Harrison Smith), it’s superstar wide receiver, Justin Jefferson.

Related: Kirk Cousins No-Shows Falcons

The 2x All-Pro and 4x Pro Bowler has earned the extra time off. Besides, at the end of the 2025 season, health permitting, we all know Jettas is going to finish near the top of the leaderboard in all receiving categories. But as we have come to find out, the longer Justin Jefferson is in Minnesota, that’s just not how the our superstar is wired.

Of course Justin Jefferson was at day one of Minnesota Vikings OTAs

With a new quarterback (and lockermate) to gain rapport with now healthy and wearing his red jersey this week, there was no chance Justin Jefferson was going to miss a chance at putting that horned helmet on (literally) alongside him.

And late-Tuesday afternoon, we got proof of Jettas dedication when the team posted a video to their social medias of Justin Jefferson running out of TCO indoor facilities, to the outdoor practice fields. Right before him, was a video of McCarthy running across the sideline in his helmet and red practice jersey.

Vikings OTA vibes have never been more immaculate pic.twitter.com/IvRmw1uNCK

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 27, 2025

One year after signing what was then the largest non-QB contract in league history, Jefferson — who’s going on his third season as team captain — turned around and helped Kevin O’Connell spin former top three pick-turned-bust Sam Darnold into a Pro Bowl quarterback.

In 2024, with Darnold under center, Justin Jefferson caught 103 passes for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns, bringing his career totals to 495 receptions, 7,432 receiving yards and 40 touchdowns caught, over 77 games.

Why Jefferson would show up for Voluntary OTAs? (Hint: JJ McCarthy)

Last week, Justin Jefferson spoke about his relationship building mission with JJ McCarthy. In that interview, the soon-to-be 26-year-old phenom made it very clear how acutely aware he is to the fact that McCarthy holds the key to Jefferson’s future HOF bust in Canton.

Related: MN Vikings Insider Unable to Dig Up Any Dirt on JJ McCarthy

For that reason alone, it’s no surprise that No. 18 is in attendance today… even beyond what Justin brings to the team as a captain and a leader. Despite all the new pieces on roster, arguably the biggest reason why most pundits still expect the MN Vikings offense to succeed, no matter who’s under center, is Justin Jefferson.

What makes Jets so special, though… is that, while he may be the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, through his first four professional seasons, Justin is an even better human and teammate, than he is a football player. And that, my friends, is something you rarely see from professional athletes, especially those with the talent and star power of this man.

It’s an exciting time for the Vikings, as coaches and teammates get their first look at redshirt rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy, after he impressed those around the organization last spring and summer, after being drafted No. 10 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft

Then, right as his training camp competition with Sam Darnold as starting to heat up, McCarthy went 11-of-17 for 188 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception (116.8 QB Rating) in his first preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders, before realizing the next day that something was wrong with his knee.

An MRI then revealed a tear his meniscus, which required surgery and a full season to heal. Now, all of that is behind JJ, as the Minnesota Vikings kick-start voluntary OTAs this week. So far, everything we’ve heard, both publicly and behind the scenes, regarding McCarthy, has been positive.

Nothing negative anywhere to be found on JJ McCarthy

In fact, according to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) on Tuesday’s episode of Mackey & Judd (SKOR North), he couldn’t dig up any negative dirt on JJ McCarthy, even if he was looking for it. Phil Mackey asked Wolfson if anyone, off the record, has tried to smear McCarthy’s name. The answer… is no.

Not one person out of the many Minnesota Vikings contacts in Darren’s rolodex has offered up one bit of negative information on the future face of the organization. Why? Probably because everyone loves the kid so damn much.

Mackey: “Outside of the injury, literally everything everyone has said about [JJ McCarthy] has been positive. So, I am wondering, is there anything [negative out there about him]? Like, what’s the worst thing we can say about JJ McCarthy right now, 13 months in.”

Wolfson: “I’m not sure there is anything, Phil. No, I mean to answer your question, the answer is no. I have not. And trust me, I correspond with a lot of people. Now, if I did hear something negative, I prefer if somebody attaches their name to the statement, as opposed to me passing it along on background.

But I’m just telling you, truthfully, no. I’ve not heard one bad thing about J.J McCarthy. You think about him leading IMG Academy to a national championship in high school, helping Michigan win a national championship in college. The two, like it’s not a coincidence, put it that way. There is something about JJ McCarthy, however you want to define ‘It Factor’, JJ has it.”

DMackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)

Remember, the Minnesota Vikings believe so much in McCarthy’s readiness to take over as QB1 immediately, that they were in no hurry to ink a requisite veteran to compete with the Michigan product during camp.

Related: Kirk Cousins No-Shows Falcons

McCarthy’s biggest challengers in Minnesota’s 2025 QB room, at least for now, are Brett Rypien and Sam Howell, young career backups, who are 28 and 24 years old, respectively. Howell and Rypien have combined to make 22 total starts through the course of their NFL careers.

New Minnesota Vikings QB has the “It Factor”…

Yet, head coach Kevin O’Connell and the rest of the MN Vikings organization appear unphased by the fact that this redshirt rookie QB, with zero starting experience in the NFL, is about to be tasked with leading an otherwise Super Bowl ready roster into the 2025 season.

But if you have to ask “why” KOC would be so willing to hand the keys over to JJ McCarthy, then you haven’t been paying attention. Wolfson goes on to talk more about JJ McCarthy’s “It Factor” and just how special those inside TCO Performance Center really believe he can be.

[McCarthy] puts in the hours, he puts in the time. There’s a genuineness about him, an authentic… he’s just the real deal…Now that doesn’t mean he’s going to have a Sam Darnold-esque year, this year. Be top 10 in MVP voting. I presume there’s going to be some hurdles. There inevitably typically is, with a rookie quarterback. That’s what he is. He’s still a rookie.

So, I get it. But the infrastructure around him, I’m telling you, I will be shocked if he doesn’t have a good amount of success. As we look at the big picture, as we look at this rookie contract, what I think will eventually be a second contract here, with the Vikings, I think he has success written all over him. I just haven’t heard any negative things about JJ McCarthy.

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)

Unfortunately, there weren’t a lot of borderline starting QBs out there on the market who seemed all that interested in a training camp competition with McCarthy, who head coach Kevin O’Connell has been raving about since the offseason began.

Unless, of course, your name is Aaron Rodgers. The worst kept secret in football the past few months has been Rodgers’ desire to play for the Minnesota Vikings and their stacked arsenal of elite offensive weapons, which now stretch from the skill positions, down into the trenches, following a successful offseason restructuring of their interior offensive line.

Of course, we now know that the Rodgers + Vikings connection never came together. In the end, Minnesota never made an offer to the 4x MVP, instead all but naming JJ McCarthy the 2025 starter, based on process of elimination in a QB room that only includes him, Brett Rypien, newly acquired Sam Howell and former Gopher, Max Brosmer.

Could Aaron Rodgers still be waiting for the Minnesota Vikings?

For Aaron Rodgers, his choices appear to be down to the Pittsburgh Steelers, or retire. So far, head coach Mike Tomlin and the rest of the Steelers organization continues to wait patiently for Aaron to make his final decision.

But according to Jeremy Fowler (ESPN) on the Dan Patrick Show recently, there is still a belief around league circles that Aaron Rodgers is still waiting out the Minnesota Vikings.

Some #NFL teams still think Aaron Rodgers is “waiting out the @Vikings”, says @JFowlerESPN:

"There’s some teams I’ve talked to, they are still kind of wondering, like, is [Aaron Rodgers] just waiting out the Vikings, you know? Because the Vikings would be an ideal scenario… I… pic.twitter.com/yRwcZoqZRe

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 24, 2025

“There are some teams that I talk to who are still kind of wondering like ‘is [Aaron Rodgers] just waiting out the Vikings,’ you know, because the Vikings would be an idea scenario, with one of the best play-callers in the league, with Kevin O’Connell. You’re guaranteed nine dome games per year…”

Jeremy Fowler – The Dan Patrick Show

Related: Harrison Smith Admits He’s a Big Aaron Rodgers Fan

Really, if you look back a couple months, the fact that Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned is not surprising. Nor would it be surprising if we find out that, indeed, he is waiting to see if Minnesota officially names JJ McCarthy as the starter, once OTAs (which start Wednesday) eventually lead into minicamp and training camp.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Rodgers is waiting for the Vikings…

We know Rodgers’ ideal landing spot is with the MN Vikings. We also know that, if he was sold on signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the deal would already be done. But, it isn’t. And as of May 24 at 7 PM CDT, Aaron remains an unrestricted free agent.

So, it wouldn’t be a shock me at all if Aaron Rodgers is indeed following through on his original plan, which most believed to be waiting out his best-case scenarios, until it no longer makes sense.

Unfortunately for A-Rodg, from everything Fowler is hearing out of his Vikings sources, O’Connell & Co. remain uninterested in his friend and fellow West Coast-raised quarterback.

“Checking with the Vikings, I still don’t expect [them to move on Rodgers]. They’re moving forward with JJ McCarthy. So, he really has no other option other than Pittsburgh or retire.”

Jeremy Fowler – The Dan Patrick Show

Aaron Rodgers best game as a Jet – Week 15 2024, Jets vs Jaguars. pic.twitter.com/eicaFRUtzB

— VintageAaronRodgers (@VentageArod) March 12, 2025

Even if the Minnesota Vikings remain out on Aaron Rodgers, I cannot blame him for the way he is approaching this offseason. In the end, we will eventually find out if his patience pays off, either for him, or the team he ends up waiting for.

Related: Justin Jefferson Putting in Work with His New Minnesota Vikings QB1

But at age 42, this is Aaron’s last ride and he knows it. Thus, I’d imagine that, what the former Packer doesn’t want to do, is sign with the Steelers too soon, just for an injury or benching to take place on a roster he views as a more viable Super Bowl threat… like the Minnesota Vikings.

Now that he’s in purple for the foreseeable future, not only does Jefferson know what professional uniform he is going to wear through his 20’s, but he also knows who his quarterback will be during the next four seasons of his HOF-trajectory career, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Long before the Minnesota Vikings selected Michigan QB JJ McCarthy — who will soon be a first-time father — with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, we all knew how determined head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah were to find Jefferson’s long-term quarterback partner.

Justin Jefferson working to build relationship with JJ McCarthy

And since making McCarthy their guy, the Vikings immediately began nursing the relationship between him and Justin Jefferson. The first day McCarthy walked into his new locker room, his direct neighbor has been his superstar wide receiver.

Why? Well, the reasoning is obvious. The Minnesota Vikings need Justin Jefferson to be great, if they are going to succeed as a team over the next handful of years. And in that same breath, Jefferson needs JJ McCarthy to be great, if he is going to reach his full potential.

Justin Jefferson on building a relationship with #Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy:

"He's been my locker-mate ever since he got here. So, [I've been] chopping it up with him and being with him outside of football. Taking him to the Wolves game and inviting him to [my] house [to try and]… pic.twitter.com/9uQ0MnrXzB

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 24, 2025

“He’s been my locker-mate ever since he got here. So, kind of chopping it up with him and being with him outside of football. Taking him to the Wolves game, just inviting him to the house, you know, just trying to build that connection and build that team chemistry.

Because, of course, he’s going to be my QB. In order to have that connection and have that personal 1-on-1 connection, we have to know each other besides football. So, it’s definitely great getting to know him outside of football, seeing what he likes, what he likes to do…just seeing the type of person that he is, he’s a real cool guy.”

Justin Jefferson talks about his connection with Minnesota Vikings QB JJ McCarthy

Related: MN Vikings QB JJ McCarthy is Going to be a Father

That’s right, even when JJ was behind Sam Darnold on the depth chart last offseason, the organization was determined to kindle that relationship. And after McCarthy went down with a season-ending knee injury during the preseason, his locker did not move.

Minnesota Vikings future vibes are…

So, with all that being said, how are the vibes surrounding the two most important players on the Minnesota Vikings roster, entering year two of McCarthy in the building and year one as the presumed starter (AKA: Jefferson’s the primary facilitator)?

Well, the two were front and center at the Minnesota Timberwolves’ last playoff game, literally sitting courtside, where the vibes between JJ McCarthy and Justin Jefferson were (as the kids say) immaculate.

Justin Jefferson and J.J. McCarthy were mic’d up as the TWolves clinched their second consecutive trip to the conference finals 🔥 pic.twitter.com/i6WKZN5quU

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 16, 2025

As we got closer to the 2025 NFL Draft, it became clear early on why the Minnesota Vikings were so set on finding their new franchise QB last year. The 2025 QB class was such a step down from 2024 that it’s very possible McCarthy would’ve gone No. 1 overall, had he returned to Michigan for his senior season and performed well.

In 2024 (at No. 10 overall), JJ was the fifth quarterback off the board. But none of that matters now. Because McCarthy is focused on 2025, where he enters 2025 OTAs (Wednesday) as the only legitimate starting QB option in Minnesota.

Related: MN Lynx PoBO Cheryl Reeve was 100% Right About Angel Reese

That means JJ McCarthy is the one Minnesota Vikings player tasked, week-in and week-out, with getting the football to Justin Jefferson, (AKA: the league’s most talented wide receiver). Thus, those two need to build up as much chemistry as possible.

If Justin and JJ can get to a point where they can read one another’s eyes, expressions… and sometimes even read each other’s minds, then Kevin O’Connell’s offense could be nearly unstoppable while they are leading it.

Last year, we got a completely new kick-off presentation, among other things. That change brought on a lot of controversy, much of which still exists. This offseason, a new controversial proposed rule change has been the talk of the league since the Green Bay Packers put it forth during the owners meetings a few weeks ago, a proposal that was revised prior to NFL owners gathering again this week in Eagan, MN.

To ban or not ban the “Tush Push”… that has been the question this offseason. The short-yardage play on the classic “QB sneak” the Eagles have become nearly unstoppable using the “Tush Push”, with multi-talented QB Jalen Hurts perfecting the operation.

Minnesota Vikings voted to ban the Tush Push

Well, the final vote in Minnesota took place Wednesday. Unfortunately for the Vikings’ historic rival, it was voted down. This time around, however, it wasn’t the Minnesota Vikings who stood in the way of the Packers proposal. They actually voted for it. Still, the vote came up just short… by two votes.

The @Vikings voted to ban the Tush Push. https://t.co/23Mb12Ky78 pic.twitter.com/cbG25lLR8f

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 21, 2025

It’s not often that the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers find common ground. Here they did, but it didn’t matter.Even after the addition of Ryan Kelly, Donovan Jackson, and Will Fries, the Vikings apparently want no part future rugby-style scrums. Too bad for them, however.

After the vote for a ban failed to pass, the Philadelphia Eagles pulled off a perfect troll post aimed right at the Green Bay Packers. Although the Minnesota Vikings opted to ban the play as well, there’s nothing better than seeing one of your rivals get drug through the mud.

Related: Justin Jefferson Wants the Olympics on His Resume

Last season the Eagles started the year with a win over Green Bay in Brazil, and they ended the Packers season with a Wild Card victory stateside. Minnesota didn’t want to use the play, but at least they aren’t the butt of the joke here.

pic.twitter.com/bQh1wDWhTN

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 21, 2025

At the start of the offseason, both the Vikings head coach and their general manager promised to fix the interior of both lines. Three months later, they delivered in a manner that probably went above and beyond what would have been deemed a success.

Minnesota Vikings ink Donovan Jackson to deal

But on Thursday evening, right after the Vikings 2025 schedule officially released, the Minnesota Vikings officially signed the final piece of the offensive side of their revamped trenches. Jackson was the final of Minnesota’s five draft picks to sign their rookie deals.

The #Vikings have agreed to terms with first-round pick Donovan Jackson.

Minnesota’s entire rookie class is now under contract. pic.twitter.com/vppYRa04nG

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 15, 2025

Although the exact terms of Jackson’s contract were not immediately made public, rookie contracts are mostly pre-set by the NFL. Spotrac has Donovan Jackson’s new deal worth $17.2 million, with the signing bonus checking in just above $9.1 million.

All first round rookie contracts are worth four years, with a fifth year team option. Starting as soon as training camp, Jackson is expected to take over as the starting left guard, next to Christian Darrisaw, and in place of last year’s LG starter, Blake Brandel. We’ll see if that’s how things wind up shaking out, in reality.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Sign Two More Rookies

The selection of Jackson completes an interior line overhaul for the Vikings. Jackson is joined by center Ryan Kelly, and right guard Will Fries. Darrisaw and right tackle Brian O’Neill are cemented bookends and the line as a whole would give J.J. McCarthy a great launching point.

Don’t overlook the other MN Vikings rookies

Beyond just Jackson, the Minnesota Vikings draft class should have legitimate contributors. Third round wide receiver Tai Felton is a legitimate option to overtake Jalen Nailor. The Maryland standout will get run early if there’s a suspension for Jordan Addison, and he may not give the reps back.

Impressed me Friday how long Tai Felton was. Not sure I expected that. But stands out as an athlete, certainly. pic.twitter.com/5Tw1UouOkf

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) May 11, 2025

Plenty of excitement has been shared about defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, and he could factor in at multiple positions in Brian Flores’ front. Kobe King brings linebacker depth alongside Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman. Tight end Gavin Bartholomew should have an inside track to replace Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse.

Related: Official 2025 Minnesota Vikings Schedule + Release Video

While the Minnesota Vikings rookie class wasn’t full of quantity, it appears that Adofo-Mensah has hit on the quality aspect. A highly-praised class of 20 undrafted free agents are also worthy of keeping an eye on. If Minnesota is going to compete in the year ahead, they’ll need contributions from all over their roster, young and old.

Speaking of Christmas Day, we found out via multiple reports on Wednesday morning that the Vikings will play a stream-only contest against the division-rival Detroit Lions on December 25, this season. That news, coming off an official announcement on Tuesday that the Vikings will travel overseas for two regular season games abroad.

Now into the afternoon, however, those aren’t the only only two 2025 regular season games that have been made official by accredited NFL reporters, as more rumored matchups continue to role in every hour.

2025 Minnesota Vikings schedule leaks and rumors

As of 1:45 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, we know about half of the schedule, and most of the games have been verified by beat writers and other media members who would know. If you would like to skip directly to the full rumored schedule (as we know it so far) scroll down.

The first reported game (per Maria Martin – ABC Atlanta) will be on Sunday Night Football vs the Atlanta Falcons. That game is supposedly scheduled for week 2 (per our friends @TPPSkol), right after the Vikings’ rumored opener on MNF vs the Bears — more on that shortly.

Hello #Falcons in prime time ⭐️
They are being given 5, yes FIVE primetime games this year, league sources tells me.
2 MNF – Bills/Rams at home
2 SNF – Vikings/49ers on the road
1 TNF – @ Bucs

— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) May 14, 2025

On Thursday Night Football week 8, the Minnesota Vikings will reportedly fly to the west coast to play the Los Angeles Chargers, per Alex Katson (WideLeft.com). Then in week 16, according to Art Stapleton (USA Today), they’ll travel to the Big Apple for a late-season contest vs the New York Giants.

Minnesota’s own Ben Goessling (Star Tribune) concludes, based on Vikings vs Lions in week 17, that the Green Bay Packers will be this year’s week 18 rivalry opponent. He also had week 11 at home vs the Bears. Our friends @TPPSkol first reported week 3 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals.

This would be the first Vikings-Packers regular season finale since 2015, when the Vikings beat Green Bay at Lambeau Field to win the NFC North title.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) May 14, 2025

Vikings vs Bears on MNF to open season

The most notable rumor — which has just recently became verified by Arif Hassan (WideLeft.com) is a week 1 Monday Night Football showdown against the Chicago Bears. This schedule leak was originally reported by @NerdingonNFL (who’s been correctly leaking a bunch of games this morning). The aforementioned Hassan has also confirmed the Vikings’ weeks 3 and 7 matchups against the Bengals and Eagles, respectively.

Accredited NFL reporters out of the Athletic have helped give this rumor some steam, however. Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis retweeted a MNF tease from his colleague out of Chicago, Kevin Fishbain, full with an eyeball emoji and everything. Might as well make it official now…

Week 1 Primetime Slate pic.twitter.com/47KmGTIJnQ

— NFL Nerd (@NerdingonNFL) May 14, 2025

👀 https://t.co/8B4zgqGOXd

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) May 14, 2025

What NFL fans are waiting for tonight — and what is being leaked today — is the “when” and “where” of these 2025 regular season games; as in what weeks/days they will be played and what platform they will air on. The Minnesota Vikings 2025 opponents have been revealed for months.

Updated 2025 Minnesota Vikings schedule (as we think we know it)

With that being said, here is what we know (or think we know) about the Minnesota Vikings 2025 schedule so far (see key at the bottom).

One month later, we get the fastest moving, most exciting free agency two weeks in all of professional sports. Then April rolls around and we get the draft. Now, here we are on May 12, what could the MN Vikings possibly have in the news in the middle of May?

Minnesota Vikings round out roster with two more rookie signings

Well, rookie minicamp was held over the weekend at TCO Performance Center in Eagan. There, the Vikings hosted all 25+ of their drafted rookies and signed undrafted free agents, along with 20+ other more desperate football players –including Randy Moss’ son Montigo Moss (Maine) — who were neither drafted or signed.

On Monday, the Minnesota Vikings signed two of those tryout players — (OLB) Matt Harmon out of Kent State and (DL) Elijah Williams out of Morgan State — putting their official offseason roster at its max capacity of 91 players (+1 international exemption – Oscar Chapman), per Ben Goessling (Star Tribune).

The #Vikings have signed OLB Matt Harmon and DL Elijah Williams. pic.twitter.com/v9fm1yiKWD

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 12, 2025

Get to know new Minnesota Vikings undrafted rookie, Matt Harmon

Hopefully Matt Harmon has a doctorate degree from Kent State because he was there long enough to get one. From 2018 to 2024 (7 seasons), Harmon played 49 games for the Golden Eagles, totalling 105 tackles, 13 TFLs, 4 sacks, 1 interception and 2 forced fumbles.

His most prolific season was his seventh and final year, where he posted 56 tackles, 7 TFLs and 2 sacks in 12 games. His second best season came in 2021, when he played 14 games, stacking 29 tackles, 3 TFLs and 1 sack. Outside of those two seasons, Harmon never played more than 7 games in a season due to injuries.

Related: How Many 2025 MN Vikings Draft Picks Will Make the Final 53-Man Roster?

After a full season back on the field, the now 25-year-old must be healthy and feeling good. Because out of the 20+ tryout players the Minnesota Vikings brought in over the weekend, only he and Elijah Williams landed spots on the 91-man roster.

Matt Harmon is a DE prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 8.48 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 307 out of 2012 DE from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/n8FrOYmfgD pic.twitter.com/STNhIunsQg

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) March 31, 2025

Get to know new undrafted rookie, Elijah Williams

Unlike Harmon, Elijah Williams was not at Morgan State long enough to get his doctorate degree. Nonetheless, he did play in 42 games for the Bears in four seasons from 2021-24. While there, the outside linebacker racked up 216 tackles, 52 TFLs, 31 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.

As a senior, Williams put up career highs in games (12) and sacks (11). His 15 tackles for loss were the second most in his career. The 6’3″, 270 lb pass rusher out of New Jersey was a regular in the Bears defense every season he was on campus, playing nine or more games in all four years.

Morgan State DL Elijah Williams is a fun addition to the Vikings' UDFA group. Undersized at 6'2", 285, but he dominated at the FCS level. 11 sacks, 15 TFL last year as the MEAC DPOY. Went on to crush the HBCU Legacy Bowl week in pre-draft process.pic.twitter.com/wIXbaBAtRG

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) May 12, 2025

He also posted seven or more sacks in each of his final three seasons. sacks in each of his final three seasons. Now, he’ll go through more rookie workouts over the next couple weeks, before Minnesota Vikings OTAs kickoff at the end of May.

Both guys signed today are obviously still longshots to make the final 53-man roster. But for now, their NFL dreams are still alive.

That was three full months ago. It’s now May. The NFL free agency pool is mostly dried up, the NFL Draft has come and gone and all 32 teams have a full roster of youngsters already competing for 2025 roster spots at rookie minicamp. The Vikings — who made just five picks in last month’s draft — opened their 2025 rookie minicamp on Friday.

While their 2025 draft class was lighter than normal, their crop of 20+ undrafted free agents — which includes former Minnesota Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer — has garnered attention from those plugged into the college scouting and NFL Draft process.

#Gophers Alum Max Brosmer rocking #12 with the Vikings

I'll be excited to tap in to some Vikes preseason this year! #skol
pic.twitter.com/0UJti8rY0x

— Kane Rob (@GophersKaneRob) May 9, 2025

The aforementioned Brosmer was one of the most expensive UDFAs signed by Minnesota last month, agreeing to a contract that included $250,000 in guaranteed money. So, why did the Vikings target the one-and-done Gopher quarterback and what have they learned about him so far?

Vikings rookie minicamp: Kevin O’Connell already noticing Max Brosmer

Head coach Kevin O’Connell gave media his first impressions of Brosmer on Friday, in a short press conference he held to open 2025 Minnesota Vikings rookie minicamp. In summary: He doesn’t know enough yet, but the former FCS superstar is impressing those at TCO performance Center already.

Max Brosmer burst onto the Dinkytown scene and into the U of M football record books last year, tossing for 2,828 yards (66.5%), 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. His one season at Minnesota put Max in the top-10 of most Gopher single-season statistical QB categories.

Related: Every Player at 2025 Minnesota Vikings Rookie Camp, Including Top Ranked UDFA Class

But it’s everything else Brosmer did that caught the attention of PJ Fleck, the Minnesota Gophers coaching staff and his teammates. Now — just a hop, skip and jump away — in Eagan with the Vikings, we’re already hearing more of the same.

Everything Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said today about former Gophers QB Max Brosmer and his respect/friendship with PJ Fleck… 👀

"I have a lot of respect for PJ and his staff and how they coach football over there. [Max's] high-football IQ, I think shows up when he can arrive… pic.twitter.com/MpFrA9Y3VG

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 9, 2025

“I think a lot of it was on display today. The starting point of him being a pretty efficient thrower of the football, from the standpoint of fundamentals and technique and his ability to get generate some pretty good revolutions and RPMs on the ball with pretty limited movement in the pocket

I have a lot of respect for PJ and his staff and how they coach football over there. [Max’s] high-football IQ, I think shows up when he can arrive here, spend a couple hours in meetings and he’s out there making corrections in the middle of a 7-on-7 walk through leading into a period, or whatever it is.

So, you’re already seeing a lot of the things that we identified in Max, to bring him into a quarterback room that we’re really excited about. I think he had a great first day.”

Kevin O’Connell – MN Vikings rookie camp on Friday

Minnesota Vikings head coach shouts out Minnesota Gophers head coach

O’Connell then went into how closely he followed the Minnesota Gophers program last season, while Max Brosmer was at the helm. Not only does he like to watch the local college team, in order to pick out possible NFL talent, but he and Gophers head coach PJ Fleck are good friends.

#Gophers PJ Fleck with Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell at Pro Day

Kwesi also in the building pic.twitter.com/bawb75tLJm

— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) March 15, 2023

That’s also part of the reason why KOC and the entire Minnesota Vikings coaching staff attends Gophers Pro Day every year, including the past two, both of which Brosmer performed at. Not only did Max show off his arm talent a couple of months ago, but he was able to throw for the 2024 U of M Pro Day, shortly after he transferred from New Hampshire.

“Not only has PJ had some really good rosters, but also to support what he’s doing over there, as a good friend of mine. [Brosmer] got a chance to throw last year, and he caught my eyes then. I didn’t get a chance to watch them in person, but obviously any time the Gophers were on TV, I could see it.

And we spent some time with the coaching staff a little bit, you know, sharing ideas, how we do things and some of the ways we teach things. So there’s some good carryover for things that he’s done in his time with the Gophers…I felt pretty good about Max as a thrower, when we were able to get him here.”

Kevin O’Connell – MN Vikings rookie camp on Friday

Related: Minnesota Vikings Expected to Play Multiple Games Overseas in 2025

Obviously, Max Brosmer has a long ways to go before he even makes the Minnesota Vikings practice squad, let alone ever throw a football that matters in the NFL. But it is no surprise that his football brain and talented arm are already catching the attention of coaches at TCO Performance Center.

I expect more of these comments and reports, as the Vikings’ offseason training program continues this summer. I am very interested to see where he stands and how he looks, once preseason reps are handed out this fall, too.

Great to hear that former #Gophers QB Max Brosmer received an invite to the Combine later this month. He’ll also have a chance to impress #NFL scouts at MN Pro Day on March 19th. pic.twitter.com/l4G3PFBSpH

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) February 10, 2025