Vikings training camp reopens after Khyree Jackson’s death and Jordan Addison’s arrest

The Vikings begin training camp for 2024 this week, with the first practice open to the media on Wednesday. Not only are they a completely different team than they were a year ago — they’re also a different team than they were five weeks ago, when the players disbanded after the offseason program ended in mid-June.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell like to talk about the culture they built in their two years together. That culture is being tested following the death of rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson in a car crash on July 6 and the arrest of second-year receiver Jordan Addison on suspicion of driving under the influence on July 12. The Vikings’ leadership will hold its first press conference since Jackson’s death and Addison’s arrest on Monday.

The team is currently working on two new quarterbacks and a number of front-line defenders and entering what will likely be the most competitive training camp for starting and roster spots in years. Now, two turbulent events within a week of each other could cause even more uncertainty and emotional turmoil for the team.

Jackson, a fourth-round draft pick, had a chance to play a prominent role in the secondary. “In our short time together, it was obvious that Khyree would develop into a great professional football player,” O’Connell said in a statement after Jackson’s death.

Addison, who was expected to be a backup after his standout rookie season while tight end TJ Hockenson recovers from a knee injury, will likely face disciplinary action after his second traffic violation in a year. Three days before arriving at training camp last year, Addison was pulled over for reckless driving after traveling 140 mph on I-94 in St. Paul in the middle of the night. O’Connell said of Addison’s incident at the training camp opening press conference last year, “It can’t happen again,” and Adofo-Mensah added, “Everyone in his life is focused on making sure this was a one-time incident.”

While Jackson and Addison will likely take center stage on Monday, rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy, the highest drafted QB in Vikings history, will surely be the main topic of conversation throughout training camp. The Vikings did some business with McCarthy on Friday, agreeing to terms on his rookie contract. McCarthy was the last of the six quarterbacks drafted in the first round to sign his rookie contract. The Vikings’ other first-round pick, edge rusher Dallas Turner, has not yet signed a contract, one of only two first-round picks without a contract. The Vikings’ rookies and quarterbacks report to training camp on Sunday; the veterans arrive on Tuesday.

The Vikings have nine public workouts this summer, beginning Saturday, July 27. The last one is on August 8 before the Vikings’ season opener against the Raiders on August 10 at U.S. Bank Stadium. The team then travels to Cleveland for joint workouts with the Browns before their game on August 17.

Important dates of the training camp

Sunday, July 21: Rookies report

Tuesday, July 23: Veterans Report

Wednesday, July 24: First training in the training camp

Saturday, July 27: First training open to fans

Monday, July 29: First training with protective equipment

Monday, August 5: Night training

Thursday, August 8: Last open training

Ticket information

General admission tickets must be reserved in advance online at vikings.com/camp; limited tickets will be available on-site. Tickets for the eight-day workouts at the team’s training facility in Eagan are $5 each for adults, but are free for season ticket holders and children under 17. Tickets for the evening workout on Monday, Aug. 5, are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 17; children under 3 feet are free. According to the Vikings’ website, the camp’s first two open workouts on July 27 and 29 are already sold out.

Preseason schedule

Saturday, August 10 against Las Vegas Raiders, 3 p.m., US Bank Stadium

Saturday, August 17, Cleveland Browns, 3:25 p.m., at Cleveland Browns Stadium

Saturday, August 24, Philadelphia Eagles, 12:00 p.m., Lincoln Financial Field