EAGAN, Minn. — Summer hasn't started but it felt a little like fall out on the grass at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center as the Vikings continued voluntary Organized Team Activity practices.
Cloud coverage, wind gusts, intermittent rain sprinkles and basic Minnesota humidity provided a pleasant backdrop for Thursday's 2-hour practice, the first of the offseason program attended by new General Manager Nolan Teasley.
Afterward, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell addressed local media members and paid his respects to Larry Fitzgerald, Sr., "a mainstay in the market for such a long time." The father of 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzgerald covered the organization for numerous decades as a beat reporter and died peacefully at the age of 71 on Monday.
O'Connell is pleased so far with the way players have gone about their business throughout the spring.
"Our guys have totally attacked [practices] with the intentionality of what we're trying to get done — schematical emphasis, fundamentals and technique emphasis, and then obviously the early stages of what's going to be a very competitive football team across the board," he said. "It was good to have Nolan out for his first practice today, first of many, and awesome to have seen him introduced in such a positive way yesterday. Really excited about having him aboard and everything that there is to come."
Here are three observations from OTA No. 6, the last practice before mandatory minicamp June 9-11:
1. Big Man finesse
It's tough for the trenches to really shine during this part of the offseason program since players are in shorts and helmets, but that makes it easier to notice them in other ways, like winning with athleticism.
Last season's breakout star, Jalen Redmond, secured a "thick six" after a pass by Kyler Murray was tipped. Joshua Metellus was in the area. Redmond tucked it into his No. 61 jersey like an oversized running back and headed for the clear. Even if someone interfered on his runback, Redmond looks like a tackle-slipper.