We answered your questions about Vikings training camp, J.J. McCarthy and more

Minnesota Star Tribune reporters who cover the Vikings addressed your questions and concerns about J.J. McCarthy, the rookie class, the offensive line and more today.

August 12, 2025 at 5:26PM
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy started Saturday's preseason game against Houston and played 12 snaps. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Vikings are roughly the midway point of training camp. They played their first preseason game Saturday, a 20-10 win over the Houston Texans, and have two joint practices this week against the New England Patriots at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, which are open to the public. It is a crucial six-day period for the development of quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Reporters Ben Goessling, Andrew Krammer, Mark Craig and Emily Leiker answered questions from readers about McCarthy, the offensive line, the additions to the defense and more. This Q&A is now over, but catch up on the responses below.

about the writers

about the writers

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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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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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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Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

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