STEELE SPORTS
Owatonna’s Todd Walkingstick is a die-hard Vikings fan, and for the past 31 years, he’s been making the 100-plus mile drive to TCO Stadium to watch his team prepare for the season.
However, 2024 is a year that Walkingstick said stands out amongst the rest.
“I can’t remember the last time we had a team this young and talented. Sure, there are a lot of question marks, but I think if this team believes in itself, they’re going to go far,” said Walkingstick.
According to him, all eyes have been on the quarterbacks, as fans try to gain a glimpse into the future of football’s most pivotal position.
“Both guys have had their moments – both good and bad – but McCarthy just looks like what we hoped for as fans. He’s forced some passes, but he’s also looked really good at handling pressure, and his touch he can put on the deep ball looks great,” said Walkingstick.
While naming a season starter still seems far away, the biggest tell-tale sign will be who participates in the team’s upcoming pre-season game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday.
“You’d think whoever doesn’t suit up is probably the starter, or at least in the lead for the job. You don’t want to risk your top guy in a pre-season game. But at the same time, I don’t know if there’s a better way to get our guys reps,” said Walkingstick.
While questions remain about the Vikings offense, the defense seems to be shaping up nicely.
According to Walkingstick, rookie Dallas Turner and veteran tackle Christian Darrisaw have been having good battles so far in training camp.
The insight from team officials is that competition levels are high, and even names like Justin Jefferson have been spotted getting chippy and showing off that competitive flair.
A major surprise so far has been returning guard Dalton Risner being sent down to the second team.
Walkingstick mentioned he wasn’t sure why Risner had been demoted but figured a strong draft class and the potential need for giving younger athletes reps contributed to the situation.
Minnesota’s first game of the season is scheduled for noon on Sunday, Sept. 8, on the road against the New York Giants.