Training camp has already put a few Vikings newcomers on the clock, and not all of them are in line for a long stay in Minnesota. The roster math is tight, the competition is real, and for three fresh faces, there’s a very real chance their Vikings story ends before it ever truly begins.
That’s the reality for defensive tackle Isaiahh Loudermilk, center Gavin Gerhardt, and punter Johnny Hekker. Each arrived with a different kind of appeal, but each also walks into a spot where one bad camp - or one better performance from someone else - could push him out the door.
Loudermilk’s arrival in May raised eyebrows for a reason. The Vikings had already spent two draft picks on the defensive tackle group a month earlier, then added free agent Eric Johnson on top of that.
So while the position suddenly looks crowded, the picture at the top is much clearer: Jalen Redmond, first-round pick Caleb Banks, and third-round pick Domonique Orange are the only real locks. After that, it’s a scramble.
Loudermilk is part of a crowded fight that also includes Johnson, Levi Drake-Rodriguez, Elijah Williams, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, and Taki Taimani. With Minnesota likely keeping only about six defensive linemen, every practice rep and preseason snap matters. Loudermilk can absolutely still make a run at it, but the more likely outcome is that his time in purple never gets past the runway.
Gerhardt faces a different kind of uphill battle. Seventh-round picks usually get a little patience, and he’s got the kind of resume that normally helps: captain, leader, 49 starts at center in 54 games for Cincinnati, no sacks allowed last season, and a spot on the Rimington Trophy watch list. The problem is that interior offensive line spots are often won by players who can do more than one thing.
Gerhardt has been a center and only a center. That could be a problem if the Vikings get deep into roster decisions and are weighing one final lineman against another.
If Minnesota keeps 10 offensive linemen, versatility may matter more than specialization. Gerhardt could try to expand his game in camp, but he’ll be competing against players who already have experience at guard and center, on both sides.
That leaves him in a tough spot to turn a draft pick into a game-day contributor.
Then there’s Hekker, the biggest name of the group and maybe the most intriguing one. He’s been one of the league’s top punters for years, but he’s also in the twilight of his career and no longer has the same juice he once did. The challenge comes from undrafted rookie Brett Thorson out of Georgia, and the Vikings have already shown they’re willing to trust a younger leg.
In Kevin O’Connell’s first season, Ryan Wright beat out Jordan Berry, so the staff has no problem letting a rookie win the job. If Thorson proves better on punts and as a holder, he can absolutely take the role. The fact that he’s an International Player Pathway player only helps Minnesota, since he doesn’t currently count against the roster.
That gives Thorson plenty of room to make his case to the special teams staff and to Nolan Teasley for the Vikings’ punting job in 2026. If that happens, Hekker could become another veteran whose time in Minnesota ends without ever getting into a meaningful game.
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JJ McCarthy Just Turned Up The Heat In Vikings QB Battle
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ESPNs Dan Graziano watched a recent camp session and came away feeling McCarthy had the edge that day, a reminder of how closely the Vikings staff will be tracking every rep between the two. It has not been a one-way race throughout camp, though, which is why this remains such a live situation for a team trying to sort out its most important position before the season arrives. [Read more 🡒]
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The jersey change was the other clue that this was more than a temporary look, with Adams now wearing a number associated with his old role. It also lands at a time when the Vikings still do not have a clear update on Harrison Smiths status, leaving the safety picture open enough that a familiar name could end up mattering in a bigger way than it seemed a few days ago. [Read more 🡒]