Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, like Patriots signal-caller Drake Maye, was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, like Patriots signal-caller Drake Maye, was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.Matt Krohn/Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — The Patriots traveled here Tuesday, with plans to practice Wednesday and Thursday with the Vikings.
Here are some of the top story lines this week . . .
1. Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels will scheme against a familiar face in Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Flores has developed a reputation for his shape-shifting, unorthodox scheme that will present a challenge for McDaniels and quarterback Drake Maye.
“It’s aggressive,” said Patriots backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who spent a season facing a Flores-led defense in practice. “If you look at any stats, you know he’s aggressive, he likes to blitz. He likes to blitz, but also tries to keep the offense off-balance. Sometimes defenses can play defensive, he tries to attack the offense with his pressures, his looks, and the different things he can throw at you.”
The one-on-one drills between Minnesota’s defensive line and New England’s offensive line will be worth watching. The Patriots will have their hands full with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel on the edge, as well as Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen on the inside.
Last season, the Vikings led the NFL in interceptions (24) and tied for fourth in sacks (49). They also rarely broke down on big plays, surrendering the second-fewest number of plays gaining more than 40 yards (4).
McDaniels and Flores are plenty familiar with each other, having spent 15 years together on Bill Belichick’s staff in New England. Flores served as the Patriots’ de facto defensive coordinator for just one season (2018), before leaving for the head coaching job in Miami.
2. Drake Maye will see a fellow 2024 first-round quarterback.
A week after Jayden Daniels came to town, Maye will now see another quarterback from his draft class in J.J. McCarthy. Maye previously spoke about the inevitable comparisons between him, Daniels, and the rest of the 2024 first-rounders, given their proximity in draft status.
“That’s always in the back of your mind, the draft class you came in with,” Maye said. “Just trying to worry about myself, but at the end of the day keep up with those guys.”
McCarthy didn’t play a snap last season because he was sidelined with a torn meniscus. He played 12 snaps over one drive in the Vikings’ preseason opener, though it’s unclear if he will suit up on Saturday. The same goes for Maye, who played 14 snaps over two drives in the Patriots’ first preseason game.
3. Will there be any significant movement for the players on the bubble?
Undrafted rookie wide receiver Efton Chism is starting to stack productive days, even earning a few reps with Maye on Monday. These two practices, in addition to the preseason game, are an opportunity for Chism to continue to progress and build his case for a spot on the roster.
The clock also is ticking for 2024 fourth-round pick Javon Baker, who has flashed throughout camp but is still looking for more consistency on offense. Baker’s highlights from the preseason opener came on special teams.
Other players to watch include undrafted rookie edge rusher Elijah Ponder, who has missed the past two practices, and linebacker Anfernee Jennings, who played deep into the fourth quarter against the Commanders despite being an established veteran.
4. Several Patriots are returning to their former home.
Multiple Patriots — including Dobbs, center Garrett Bradbury, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and kicker Parker Romo — previously played for the Vikings.
Diggs, despite his unceremonious exit, co-authored the “Minneapolis Miracle,” one of the most iconic moments in franchise history. Bradbury, a first-round draft pick in 2019, had only played for the Vikings before getting released and then signing with the Patriots in March. Romo stepped in as the Vikings’ starting kicker for a month last season, scoring all the team’s points in Week 10. Dobbs electrified the fan base in 2023, when he helped lead the Vikings to back-to-back wins after a midseason trade.
“It was a great memory,” Dobbs said.
All will likely receive a warm welcome.
5. Will there be another fight?
Because of their intensity, joint practices often feature at least one scuffle. Sometimes the players stop at pushing and shoving; other times, things escalate into brawls that result in the second day of practice getting canceled.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel made headlines last week when he emerged bloodied after trying to break up a growing scrum.
“I just don’t want anything to happen to anybody,” he said. “My job is to try to break those up, and I don’t mind doing it.”
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell maintains a no-fighting policy in his practices, ejecting a player for throwing a punch last summer.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.