Minnesota Vikings training camp 2022: Schedule, tickets, location, and everything to know

By Andrew Buller-Russ

·Updated: August 9, 2022

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings training camp 2022 is here, with fans, coaches, and players all excited to attend TCO Performance Center for their latest look at the team. We’ve got everything you need to know about the Vikings training camp for the 2022 season.

Spectators are eager to see whether a new coaching staff can take a similar roster from 2021 and turn them into a playoff team in 2022. Kevin O’Connell’s unique approach could bring more of a pass-heavy approach which could keep fans on the edge of their seats thanks to Justin Jefferson’s excellence. Yet, Ed Donatell implementing a new defensive scheme based on a 3-4 front is arguably just as fascinating.

The 2022 season will be a big test, not only for Kirk Cousins as he attempts to further prove his worth but also for a defense that’s been underwhelming in recent seasons past. Then of course, the coaching staff needs to prove its mettle too. There’s a lot to watch out for, even in training camp.

Let’s dive into Sportsnaut’s Minnesota Vikings training camp preview, examining everything you need to know from location, schedule, position battles and storylines to follow.

Also Read:
Minnesota Vikings: Projecting the 53-man roster in 2022

Minnesota Vikings training camp schedule

The Minnesota Vikings training camp dates are as follows. Rookies reported to camp on July 24, with veterans showing up on July 26.

Camp will be open daily from 11:45 AM to 5:30 PM CST. Practices will take place from roughly 2:15 PM to 4:30 PM.

Here are the key dates of Vikings training camp in 2022.

Saturday, July 30 – Back Together Saturday at Land O’Lakes Practice Fields
Monday, Aug. 1 – First padded practice
Monday, Aug. 8 – Night practice at TCO Stadium – 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM CST
Wednesday, Aug. 17 – Joint practice with San Francisco 49ers
Thursday, Aug. 18 – Joint practice with 49ers

And here are the full dates of Vikings training camp

Saturday, July 30 – Back Together Saturday (Walk-through, non-padded practice)
Monday, August 1 – Walk-through, padded practice
Tuesday, August 2 – Walk-through, practice without pads
Wednesday August 3 – Walk-through, padded practice
Friday, August 5 – Walk-through, padded practice
Saturday, August 6 – Walk-through, padded practice
Sunday, August 7 – Walk-through, practice without pads
Monday, August 8 – Padded practice at TCO Stadium
Wednesday, August 10 – Walk-through, padded practice
Thursday, August 11 – Walk-through, padded practice
Friday, August 12 – Practice without pads
Tuesday, August 16 – Practice without pads
Wednesday, August 17 – Joint practice with San Francisco 49ers
Thursday, August 18 – Joint practice with San Francisco 49ers

The Vikings will hold joint training camp practices with the San Francisco 49ers this season, taking place on August 17 and August 18. Previously the Vikings practiced with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018 and the Denver Broncos last year.

Minnesota Vikings training camp location

Although the Vikings won’t be returning to Minnesota State University in Mankato this season, they once again are taking advantage of their relatively newly built Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center, located in Eagan.

Here is the history of Minnesota Vikings training camp locations in recent years, per Pro Football Reference. Practices will once again be held at the TCO Performance Center in 2022.

2018-2022 – Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center – Eagan, Minnesota
1966-2017 – Minnesota State University, Mankato – Mankato, Minnesota
1961-1965 – Bemidji State – Bemidji, Minnesota

Can you go to Vikings training camp?

Yes, there will be a total of 14 practices during the Vikings training camp that are open to the public. It all begins on Back Together Saturday on July 30. Fans will then be able to watch the Saturday walk-through plus the day’s afternoon practice. Giveaways and autograph opportunities will follow shortly after.

There will be nine padded practices and five unpadded sessions. Four of the unpadded sessions will be free for spectators, and eight padded practices will be free for kids ages 17 and under, costing $5 for adults.

Tickets to two premier practices will be accessible with the purchase of $10 for adults, $5 for children aged 17 and under, and free for children under 36″ tall.

Tickets are already available for purchase.

Vikings Night practice

On August 8, a Monday night, the Vikings will host a night practice, which is usually a big draw. This will be accessible for all spectators with the purchase of tickets. The practice will begin at approximately 5:00 PM CST and will run until 9:00 PM in what should be a lively atmosphere.

Storylines for Vikings training camp

Battle at right guard

One of the biggest question marks on offense in each of the past few seasons has been inconsistent line play along the offensive trenches. Specifically, pass protection has been lackluster, especially along the interior.

Unfortunately, the Vikings didn’t make one major move to address these concerns, but unlike in some seasons past, they didn’t ignore the position altogether.

The favorite to start at right guard is free-agent signee Jesse Davis, who’s started 72 games at various line positions since 2017. Yet after selecting Wyatt Davis in the third round in 2021, and Ed Ingram in the second round in 2022, both young players should receive plenty of reps competing for the starting role.

There’s also veteran, and local Minnesota State graduate Chris Reed, who’s started 20 games over the past two seasons for the Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts, who is expected to compete for the starting gig at RG.

As of now, the Vikings are expected to have a line that looks like this:

LT – Christian Darrisaw
LG – Ezra Cleveland
C – Garrett Bradbury
RG? – Jesse Davis/Chris Reed/Ed Ingram/Wyatt Davis
RT – Brian O’Neill

Needless to say, there’s a lot more potential for the trenches to take a major leap forward this season, with expected development coming from Darrisaw, Cleveland, Bradbury (fingers crossed), and whoever emerges as the starting right guard.

Learning and implementing Ed Donatell’s defensive scheme

Fans tuning in to watch the Vikings in training camp, or when they get on TV will see a defense that looks drastically different than what they’re used to. The Vikings have mostly operated with four defensive linemen in the trenches, with two or three linebackers behind them in some capacity.

This season with Ed Donatell joining the team, taking Vic Fangio’s 3-4 base defense with him, the Vikings are likely to operate with three defensive linemen with their hands in the dirt. Of course, it’s still football, meaning you’ll still see defensive formations change based on what the offense shows in addition to the down and distance, but the Vikings will show several unique defensive fronts.

It’s a big change, but this is why the front office placed a large focus on overhauling the front seven, bringing in new faces like nose tackle Harrison Phillips, edge rusher Za’Darius Smith, and inside linebacker Jordan Hicks.

The Vikings should be able to rotate more players in and out, utilizing a variety of different sub-packages that allows them to be better prepared to stop the run when necessary yet also able to focus on restricting their opponent’s passing offense.

Testing the cornerback depth

The biggest drawback to the end of the Mike Zimmer era was an inability to get consistent cornerback play. By retaining Patrick Peterson, the Vikings ensured they had at least one extremely experienced, yet talented player who’s shown All-Pro potential in the past. That’s great, but teams routinely run out three or four receivers at a time, which can demand the same amount of cornerbacks to cover their speed.

Behind Peterson, the Vikings return Cameron Dantzler, who’s had an up-and-down career, but showed promise as a rookie. A new scheme and coach could be the confidence boost the 23-year-old needs to thrive.

At nickelback, the Vikings signed a slot specialist, in Chandon Sullivan, that’s expected to be his starting job from day one.

Behind Peterson, and Sullivan in the slot, the Vikings don’t have an established No. 2 corner. It’s expected to be Dantzler, but to be honest, the job is up for grabs. This is where Andrew Booth Jr, the team’s second-round pick comes into play. The 21-year-old former Clemson star has the potential to be a shutdown corner, but how quickly can he contribute?

That’s what we’ll be watching during training camp, how fast can Booth get involved? And could Camryn Bynum’s role change from the starting safety to vying for more playing time at cornerback, as he did in college? Bynum showed his ability to cover and tackle, he figures to have a role somewhere within Donatell’s defense.

Can Kellen Mond beat out Sean Mannion as Captain Kirk’s backup?

Kellen Mond beating out Sean Mannion for the team’s backup quarterback role behind Kirk Cousins would be a great development. Not only for Mond but for the team’s potential future without Cousins. Mannion has the experience, being an NFL backup since 2015, and he may be able to help Cousins more throughout the week, helping him with the game-planning, but as far as actual playing ability? Mond has much more talent.

Mond just needs to catch up on the mental aspect of football, which now that he’s learning yet another new system in his second year in the league, it could take him a bit more time. Then again, he now has more of an offensive-minded coaching staff who should personally take more interest in the development of Mond, so he has a better chance of seeing the field this season, should anything happen to Cousins.

If Mond lights it up in training camp and preseason, keeping Mannion active on gameday (or even on the roster) will be extremely difficult.