NFL: Combine
Michigan running back Max Bredeson catches a pass during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Feb. 28, 2026.
EAGAN, Minnesota — It’s never easy to follow in the footsteps of a legend.
That’s something rookie fullback Max Bredeson is learning as he takes over for longtime fullback C.J. Ham. Fortunately for Bredeson, he has the benefit of having Ham in his corner, which has helped him get off to a fast start with the Vikings.
“He’s a great mentor,” said Bredeson, who the Vikings selected in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. “I can’t say enough good about what he’s already done to help me so far. I talked to him as soon as I was picked. He’s been a great resource for me ever since.”
It helps that Bredeson has the mentality needed to succeed at the position. He played a very similar role in college at Michigan, and that prepared him for everything that was going to be asked of him at the next level.
“I’ve always taken pride in versatility and violence,” Bredeson said. “That’s the name of the game when it comes to playing fullback.”
The force with which Bredeson approaches the game has stood out early in training camp. He certainly isn’t afraid of contact. He actually seeks it out every chance he gets.
“He’s off to a really, really good start,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said earlier this week. “I felt his pads popping at the point of attack.”
The willingness to do the dirty work has allowed Bredeson to quickly find a role for the Vikings on offense. He’s already proving to be a major part of the revamped running game, for example, with room to take on even more responsibility as he gets even more comfortable.
“It’s going well,” Bredeson said. “I’ll do whatever I need to do to help the team win.”
There have also been some wrinkles of the playbook where Bredeson has been utilized in the passing game here and there.
“He’s got good hands,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “He’s not going to necessarily wow anybody with his route running and all that stuff. He’s where he needs to be, and he catches the ball when the opportunity presents itself. That’s all we can ask for out of him.”
As he continues to progress through training camp in the coming weeks, Bredeson vowed not to take anything for granted. He’s just grateful to get to land somewhere that values the position he plays.
“It’s a dream come true,” Bredeson said. “It’s been so much fun so far, and I’m excited to keep it going.”
Here are more takeaways from Day 9 of training camp:
There wasn’t much to write home about for quarterback Kyler Murray on Saturday at TCO Performance Center. He threw a handful of incompletions during 11-on-11 drills when he was under center, with the offense looking rather clunky as a whole. The only throw that was even notable was a nice touch pass to receiver Jauan Jennings, who wasn’t able to get his feet in bounds along the sideline.
The shakiness continued during 7-on-7 drills as Murray struggled to get into a rhythm. He did manage to throw touchdowns to tight end T.J. Hockenson and receiver Jeshaun Jones. It was more of the same during 11-on-11 drills to end practice as Murray couldn’t get much going.
It was a similar vibe from quarterback J.J. McCarthy as he put forth a rather inspired performance. He had a couple of incompletions during 11-on-11 drills, including an errant pass to Hockenson in the flat, as well as a tight-window throw intended for receiver Tai Felton that was broken up.
There were some highs and lows from McCarthy during 7-on-7 drills before producing a highlight during 11-on-11 drills to end practice. On a broken play, McCarthy rolled to his right, then fired a strike to Felton, who hauled in the reception after making a nice adjustment. It was a perfect example of McCarthy using his athleticism to his advantage.
The imposing presence of rookie defensive tackle Caleb Banks can’t be overstated. He has popped throughout training camp because of his size. That continued to be apparent on Saturday, despite the fact that the Vikings went a little lighter in practice. It’s pretty clear Banks is going to be put in a position to make an immediate impact.
There was also a particular snap from rookie running back Demond Claiborne that proved to be a highlight as he took a handoff in close quarters and proceeded to show off his blazing speed in the open field.
“He’s very, very vocal. He doesn’t shy away from confrontation. That’s a very positive thing. He just has to understand how to communicate to people because sometimes it can come off a little aggressive,” said special teams coordinator Matt Daniels on linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. being a leader for his unit.
The injury report
There was no sign of safety Jay Ward on Saturday at any point. It was the second straight practice that he has missed.
The fact that receiver Jordan Addison has been working in individual drills is a step in the right direction as he recovers from a jammed thumb.
The annual night practice is coming up on Sunday. There are expected to be roughly 6,000 fans in attendance. The players will then have off Monday.
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