Story perspectives

Vikings Sign Hekker, Draft Thorson, Launch Murray-McCarthy QB Battle

7/23/2026

Summary

Vikings Reinforce

The Minnesota Vikings signed veteran punter Johnny Hekker and drafted 2025 Ray Guy Award winner Thorson, boosting special teams.
They signed cornerback Pierre from the Steelers, where he worked with defensive coordinator Brian Flores and passing-game coordinator Gerald Alexander.
Safety Metellus offers vocal leadership to the Vikings’ secondary.
Kicker Daniel Reichard (87.7% on 65+ attempts) ranks seventh all-time and is the first Vikings First-Team All-Pro kicker since 2012.

Summary

Vikings Camp

Training camp runs Aug. 1-20 at the TCO Performance Center.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell opened a quarterback battle between quarterback Kyler Murray and quarterback J.J. McCarthy, with Murray favored.
The Vikings hired offensive line coach Keith Carter and former Dolphins coordinator Frank Smith as assistant head coach.
Safety Harrison Smith’s status leaves the safety spot open for the first time in 15 seasons, with Jay Ward and Theo Jackson competing.

History

Historical Context

The Vikings’ 1998 season under Dennis Green produced a 15-1 record and an NFL-record 556 points, yet a missed field goal denied a Super Bowl. That offensive-first approach returns in 2024 as Minnesota signs veteran punter Johnny Hekker, drafts Ray Guy Award winner Thorson, and reshapes its secondary, aiming to recapture the late-1990s playoff depth.

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Vikings Reinforce

The Minnesota Vikings signed veteran punter Johnny Hekker and drafted 2025 Ray Guy Award winner Thorson, boosting special teams.
They signed cornerback Pierre from the Steelers, where he worked with defensive coordinator Brian Flores and passing-game coordinator Gerald Alexander.
Safety Metellus offers vocal leadership to the Vikings’ secondary.
Kicker Daniel Reichard (87.7% on 65+ attempts) ranks seventh all-time and is the first Vikings First-Team All-Pro kicker since 2012.

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