Vikings 1st & SKOL: A Minnesota Vikings podcast

Vikings Training Camp QB Battle: Processing, Context, and Why Kyler Murray Leads — Tyler Forness and producer Dave discuss Vikings training camp, focusing on the QB competition between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray amid mixed practice reports. Forness argues raw camp stats lack context and highlights charting of throw quality and location, emphasizing that quarterback processing—reading defenses, anticipating win...

Two Old Bloggers: Vikings QB Competition Underwhelms, Camp Standouts, and League-Wide QB Tiers

— Dave Stefano and Darren Campbell discuss an underwhelming Vikings training-camp quarterback competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy, noting Murray is getting far more first-team reps but neither has stacked consistently strong days, raising concerns about whether “so-so” play can match NF...

NFC North Training Camp Roundtable: Injuries, Extensions, and QB Battles — The hosts preview the start of football and break down NFC North training camp updates focused on injuries, roster battles, and contract drama. Detroit discusses injuries to Kerby Joseph (PUP), Brian Branch’s recovery timeline, and other setbacks, while highlighting strong camps from players like Jameson Williams, Alim McNeill, and Sam LaPorta; t...

Vikings Training Camp Day 7: Kyler Murray Separating in QB Battle, Tai Felton Surging, Chuck Demmings Impresses — Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano recap Minnesota Vikings training camp day seven (second day in pads) at TCO Performance Center, focusing on the Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy quarterback competition. Forness says McCarthy showed his best processing early and had some strong moments, but inconsistency remains,...

Vikings Training Camp Day 6: Rough QB Day, Filming Crackdown, and Young Standouts — Tyler Forness and Producer Dave recap Day 6 of Vikings training camp at TCO, describing a light, mostly walkthrough-style practice with limited pads and several veterans rotated out, including Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison not participating in team drills. They note a crackdown on fans filming team periods. Both quarterbacks had po...

Vikings First Padded Practice Takeaways: Defense Dominates, McCarthy vs. Murray, and Camp Standouts — Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano recap the Minnesota Vikings’ first padded training camp practice at TCO Performance Center. The defense clearly won the day while the offensive line showed encouraging confidence, improved run-blocking moments, and no snap issues. Dallas Turner drew chips and flashed disrupt...

Vikings Camp Update: Murray vs. McCarthy QB Battle, Harrison Smith Watch, Jamal Adams Signing, O’Neill Extension, and Coach Suspension — Darren and Dave discuss early Vikings training camp storylines, focusing on Kevin O’Connell’s plan for the Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy quarterback competition, including how reps will be handled and that a clear starter announcement is expected, possibly by joint p...

Vikings Training Camp Day 4: Kyler Murray Shines, J.J. McCarthy Struggles in QB Competition — Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano recap Minnesota Vikings training camp day four, focusing on a shifting quarterback competition and how Kevin O’Connell structured team periods by keeping each QB in for extended sequences while rotating units. Tyler reports Kyler Murray had an A+ practice—comfortable in the offense, pr...

Vikings Training Camp Day 2: QB Competition Themes, Jamal Adams Debut, and Key Roster Battles — Two days into Vikings training camp, Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano discuss early quarterback-competition themes and Kevin O’Connell’s approach to “50/50” reps as equal opportunities by period rather than identical snap counts, cautioning against overreacting to stats or interceptions. Reports...

NFC North Collision: Training Camp Updates, Extensions, Injuries, and QB Battles — Two hosts preview NFC North training camp storylines after GM and coach press conferences, covering continuity, roster turnover, injuries, and contract talks.

They discuss the Bears’ high expectations, Kyler Gordon on the PUP with a calf injury and a rotating nickel plan, T.J. Edwards on NFI with an illness expected to clear soon, and oth...

On a special Tuesday episode of The Real Forno Show, Tyler Forness and Producer Dave discuss the Vikings’ four-year, $96 million Brian O’Neill extension ($24M per year), praising the deal for securing bookend tackles with Christian Darrisaw, improving cap flexibility, and stabilizing an offensive line they argue was above average but heavily affected by injuries and backups. They speculate the extension opens futu...

Vikings Training Camp: Top 10 Mr. Mankato Candidates (2026) — Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano preview Vikings training camp by explaining the Mr. Mankato concept—an under-the-radar player (typically drafted in round three or later and under 100 offensive/defensive snaps) who shines in camp—and noting wide receivers and defensive backs tend to win because big plays stand out. Forness presents his top ...

Vegas has the Vikings at 8.5 wins. Two Old Bloggers isn’t buying the eulogy. With Darren away, Dave hosts Drew Bunting to preview Vikings training camp 2026, starting with Vegas setting the win total at 8.5 amid quarterback uncertainty and a mid-tier strength of schedule. They argue the defense should hold up under Brian Flores despite losses like Jonathan Greenard and possibly Harrison Smith, citing optimism about Dall...

Tyler Forness and producer Dave preview Minnesota Vikings training camp, focusing on when the Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy quarterback competition will end. They argue it should conclude well before the regular season and most likely around August 23 after joint practices and the Ravens preseason game, with earlier dates (Aug. 8, 10, 13, 16) discussed for optics and preparation.

They then run through position s...

Who Will Be King? NFC North Roundtable: Training Camp Headlines, Expectations, and Hot Seats — Hosts June and B. Foster (Bleachers to Speakers) join Dave Stefano (Vikings 1st & SKOL / Bleav) and Pay (Frustrated Chicago Sports Fan) for an NFC North “Who Will Be King?” roundtable, urging subscriptions and previewing training camp.

Headlines include Vikings LB Blake Cashman’s pinky injury and possible &ldqu...

One week before Vikings training camp, Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano discuss major team narratives while noting the show’s move to the Bleav Podcast Network and new graphics.

Forness argues J.J. McCarthy’s strong finish should be called four games, not five, since he didn’t play Detroit and the Green Bay game was poor. They push back on labeling Kyler Murray “injury-prone,”...

With Vikings training camp a week away, Dave and Darren announce that Two Old Bloggers / Vikings 1st & SKOL has moved from Fans First to the Bleav Network. They thank the staff for migrating the RSS feed and updating graphics, confirm the show’s approach won’t change, and express hopes for audience growth.

They preview key camp storylines beyond the Kyler Murray–J.J. McCarthy quarterback battle, focusing on ro...

On The Real Forno Show, Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano discuss what J.J. McCarthy must do in a high-stakes training camp competition with Kyler Murray to win the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback job. The conversation is framed as a “win-now” 2026-focused decision under head coach Kevin O’Connell.

Forness outlines that McCarthy must improve his efficiency and cut his high tu...

Two weeks before Vikings training camp, Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano host a fan-focused episode of The Real Forno Show. — Tyler and Dave discuss why Brian Flores has played few rookies, citing Kevin Seifert’s ESPN analysis. They argue it’s driven by roster context, limited top-100 defensive draft capital, and system complexity rather than a blanket refusal to play rookies.

Tyler projects 2026 snap/star...