The Vikings Have a Training Camp Mystery You Can’t Ignore

But regarding the CB room, Adofo-Mensah appeared to rely on players’ upside(s) — like he did in 2024 when signing Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. That experiment paid off.

Now, after signing veterans Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah, Vikings faithful merely hope that the CB room has the juice to contend for a Super Bowl. The rest of the depth chart is in good shape and doesn’t have loaded question marks.

One must ask herself, is this CB conglomeration the meal ticket?

• Byron Murphy Jr.
• Isaiah Rodgers
• Mekhi Blackmon
• Jeff Okudah
• Dwight McGlothern
• Ambry Thomas
• Tavierre Thomas
• Reddy Steward
• Kahlef Hailassie
• Keenan Garber
• Zemaiah Vaughn

The Probable Isaiah Rodgers Faith

By mid-August — hopefully, for the team’s sake — Isaiah Rodgers will be on a firm track to start in September, and few will care about the cornerback room’s alleged weaknesses.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has endorsed Rodgers throughout the offseason, a player he’s evidently followed closely since Rodgers’ days at the University of Massachusetts. But Rodgers has never been featured as a long-term starter with any team, and in fact, a 2023 gambling suspension pumped the brakes on his career trajectory.

to blitz quarterbacks — that’s what Flores does on Sundays. Samuel Jr., too, is a frequent inhabitant of Minnesota’s rumor mill, and his upside + youth could be just what the doctor ordered if Rodgers produces an underwhelming training camp.

The Trade Angle

Then — the trade angle. Adofo-Mensah has never been shy about firing off trades to improve his roster, and he has a mostly full allotment of draft picks to wheel and deal.

Kyle Joudry opined on the cornerback room this week: “There’s no such thing as a modern NFL team that wins without at least solid corner play. To that end, Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers Sr. are of the utmost importance. The Vikings cannot win without them. The team’s CB1 and CB2 inspire at least some level of optimism given last year’s success.”

“Murphy earned a Pro Bowl trip largely due to his 6 interceptions and 14 passes defended, both career-high numbers. Meanwhile, Rodgers was helping the Eagles win a Super Bowl. The bold truth, though, is that each needs to continue elevating their play in 2025.”

Joudry, too, makes the case, at least from a predictive standpoint, that Murphy Jr. and Rodgers will run the show as starters.

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