Vikings

Access Vikings podcast: Talking Adam Thielen, the 53-man roster and J.J. McCarthy at the State Fair

From the Star Tribune stage, Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss the latest Vikings news and preview the 2025 season.

By Emily Leiker,

Andrew Krammer and

Ben Goessling

The Minnesota Star Tribune
August 30, 2025 at 3:37PM
Farigoers ride the SkyGlider on the first day of the Minnesota State Fair on Aug. 21, 2025. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

From the Star Tribune stage at the Minnesota State Fair on Friday, Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer and Emily Leiker discuss Adam Thielen returning to the Vikings, the initial 53-man roster, the toughest spots in the team’s 2025 schedule, and how young quarterback J.J. McCarthy is set up to fare in the NFC North.

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about the writers

about the writers

Emily Leiker

Sports Reporter

Emily Leiker covers the Vikings for the Minnesota Star Tribune. She was previously the Syracuse football beat writer for Syracuse.com & The Post-Standard, covering everything from bowl games to coaching changes and even a player-filed lawsuit against SU. Emily graduated from Mizzou in 2022 is originally from Washington state.

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Andrew Krammer

Reporter

Andrew Krammer covers the Vikings for the Minnesota Star Tribune, entering his sixth NFL season. From the Metrodome to U.S. Bank Stadium, he's reported on everything from Case Keenum's Minneapolis Miracle, the offensive line's kangaroo court to Adrian Peterson's suspension.

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Ben Goessling

Sports reporter

Ben Goessling has covered the Vikings since 2012, first at the Pioneer Press and ESPN before becoming the Minnesota Star Tribune's lead Vikings reporter in 2017. He was named one of the top NFL beat writers by the Pro Football Writers of America in 2024, after honors in the AP Sports Editors and National Headliner Awards contests in 2023.

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