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At Vikings Training Camp, it’s Case Closed on Key Roster Competition

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NFL: Minnesota Vikings Minicamp
Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) and guard Blake Brandel (64) practice during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The passers are still battling. The men responsible for snapping the ball aren’t.

Blake Brandel is looking like he’s got the C1 job locked up at Vikings training camp. All along, the likeliest scenario was that he was going to earn the starting spot, but there was some sliver of doubt. That doesn’t appear to be the case more than a week ahead of the debut preseason game. Like a news network confident enough to make the call on election night, VT is saying there’s a winner with some votes still being counted.

Vikings Training Camp: Blake Brandel Appears to be Clear C1

Long before he was the starting center, Mr. Brandel told Vikings Territory that he could play center.

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— READ MORE: Vikings Rookie Keeps Upping the Ante at Training Camp —
— READ MORE: Young Vikings Trenchman Breaks Through with Starters —

“You take all those scout team reps,” Brandel said when chatting about his past, “if you’re not a starter, you’re on the look team, and so just kind of continuing to progress. Like I was saying, I knew in order to stick around I was going to have to play multiple positions, so I started playing guard, started playing center. And just trying to show them that I was willing to kind of learn whatever it took in order for me to stick around and they were super helpful through that process, coaching me up and getting me better.”

NFL: NFC Wild Card Round-Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) blocks for quarterback Sam Darnold (14) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images – Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

What was once just a possibility — a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option — now looks like it’s starting to get written in the ink used to write down the starting lineup.

Go ahead and consider what some of his teammates have been saying.

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Right tackle Brian O’Neill chatted with the media. “Blake’s awesome,” O’Neill begins. “Young offensive lineman need to look at Blake” for inspiration, claims O’Neill, before indicating that he’s “really hopeful and confident that [Brandel] has a great year.”

Starting left guard Donovan Jackson expressed confidence, as well. Ironically, Jackson is the one who replaced Brandel, but that hasn’t slowed the sophomore from kicking over praised: “He’s quick and efficient with his calls, and that allows everyone else on the o-line to communicate effectively within the shot clock. So he’s done an amazing job and we’re just trying to go where he takes us.”

Finally, consider that the man himself is doing some media, chatting with KFAN for close to ten minutes. Brandel quipped that he “love[s] playing center” and that “it fits my personality a little bit in terms of yelling at people and telling them what to do.”

Blake Brandel warms up before Vikings game against Bengals in Cincinnati.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Blake Brandel (64) goes through warmups at Paul Brown Stadium on September 12, 2021, in Cincinnati, Ohio, prior to a matchup with the Bengals. The young lineman prepared for his role on special teams and depth duties, working through pregame drills as teammates joined him on the field in the early afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports.

Vikings training camp is still pretty young. In theory, much remains to be determined since there’s several weeks between now and the great descent to the 53-man roster. There’s then a couple weeks before the Week 1 game when the Packers arrive in the Twin Cities for a tilt inside of U.S. Bank Stadium.

Still, this one appears to be case closed. Brandel is running away with the competition. As a result, the focus is shifting toward who is going to secure the backup job(s). All of Michael Jurgens, Gavin Gerhardt, and Delby Lemieux (among others) need to start jostling for the backup job. Could Henry Byrd be an out-of-nowhere contender?

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Playing on the final year of his contract, Brandel looks like an extension candidate. Locking him up for another couple of seasons could mean arriving at some rare continuity along the offensive line.

Blake Brandel is 29.

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Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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Transfer news LIVE: Bruno Guimaraes nears Arsenal move, Liverpool target PSG duo, Vinicius Jr latest

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6 August 2026

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Arsenal believe Vinicius Jr will stay at Real Madrid

The Independent understands that Arsenal now feel it’s increasingly likely that Vinicus Jr stays at Real Madrid.

Real have significantly upped their new contract offer to the Brazilian star and it’s much closer to what the player wants.

The feeling on all sides is that he’s now far likelier to stay with Madrid than make the switch to the Premier League champions.

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Vinicius Jr is likely to remain at Real Madrid after the Spanish side increased their contract offer
Vinicius Jr is likely to remain at Real Madrid after the Spanish side increased their contract offer (Getty Images)

Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer6 August 2026 08:30

What next for Arsenal in the market?

Mikel Arteta called for Arsenal to be “ambitious” in the transfer window and agreeing a fee Bruno Guimaraes, the captain of a Newcastle side who had already sold first-team stars Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali and lost their manager Eddie Howe, certainly ticks that box.

The fee of £75m is big, but the Gunners have done well to come away from Newcastle having spent much less than Manchester City did in signing Elliot Anderson (£116m), or indeed Tottenham Hotspur for signing Tonali (£100m). Of course, Guimaraes is slightly older in profile.

After missing out on the signing of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, Arsenal still want to sign an attacker who can instantly improve the first team this summer and a defender to act as cover for the injured William Saliba.

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Arsenal’s blockbuster pursuit of Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Jr remains uncertain, and unlikely, even though the framework for personal terms has been agreed.

Mike Jones6 August 2026 08:21

Why Arsenal had to sign Bruno Guimaraes – and how he fits into Mikel Arteta’s midfield

Jamie Braidwood6 August 2026 08:14

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Arsenal close in on Guimaraes with £75m fee agreed

Arsenal’s move for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes is finally nearing completion.

The Gunners are confident of finally singing the 28-year-old midfielder, whose future has been the subject of frenzied speculation for weeks ever since it emerged that he had indicated that he wanted to leave Tyneside for the Emirates Stadium.

Guimaraes reported for duty at Newcastle’s pre-season training camp in La Manga in Spain on Monday, just hours after Newcastle rejected an opening bid from Arsenal.

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It now appears that significant progress has been made with the Premier League champions closing in on a cut-price £75m deal which would see them finally capture a man they have long coveted.

Bruno Guimaraes is heading to Arsenal after a fee was agreed with Newcastle
Bruno Guimaraes is heading to Arsenal after a fee was agreed with Newcastle (PA)

Mike Jones6 August 2026 08:07

Good morning!

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s latest transfer news and gossip.

Newcastle officially have a new manager who will be keen to stop the exodus of players this summer while Arsenal continue to make shrewd signings as they aim to defend their Premier League title.

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Liverpool are in the market for two PSG players and Man Utd are attempting to bring in defensive cover at left-back.

Let’s get stuck into it…

Mike Jones6 August 2026 08:03

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The real reason Chelsea signed Jordan Henderson

Mike Jones6 August 2026 06:00

Man United Women appoint Eva Olid as new head coach after Marc Skinner exit

Manchester United Women have announced the appointment of Eva Olid as their new head coach on an initial two-year deal with the option of a further year.

Mike Jones6 August 2026 05:00

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Vinicius Jr reveals what Jose Mourinho told him as he weighs up his future amid Arsenal links

Vinicius Jr has revealed that new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho encouraged him to maintain his “happy” and “joyful” approach to football as the Brazil international navigates ongoing speculation about his future at the Bernabéu.

Mike Jones6 August 2026 04:00

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Why is Mohamed Salah signing for Trabzonspor?

The Liverpool icon, who left Anfield as a free agent at the end of last season, has arrived in Turkey ahead of the move and has been pictured by the club wearing the team’s colours ahead of signing his contract on Thursday. He will wear the number 61 shirt at his new club.

Jamie Braidwood6 August 2026 03:00

Real Madrid legend implores ‘deceitful’ Gianni Infantino to resign as Fifa president

Luis Figo has implored Gianni Infantino to resign as pressure mounts on the much-criticised Fifa president following his foiled attempts to sell stakes in the World Cup.

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Infantino was forced to abandon his plans – namely to sell stakes in the World Cup and other Fifa tournaments to private investors – after public uproar last week, with Uefa confirming a boycott of Fifa events if the plan was voted through.

Kieran Jackson6 August 2026 02:00

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St Kilda Saints vs Carlton Blues Tips, Odds and Teams – AFL Round 22 2026

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22 minutes ago

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6 August 2026

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Marvel Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 22 AFL game between St Kilda Saints and
Carlton Blues. The game kicks off at 7:20 pm with Carlton Blues heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the St Kilda Saints vs.
Carlton Blues
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday August 9, 2026 at 7:20 pm

Where: Marvel Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

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St Kilda Saints vs Carlton Blues Odds

St Kilda Saints vs Carlton Blues Preview

St Kilda and Carlton will contest a pivotal battle for a top-10 position when they close Round 22 at Marvel Stadium on Sunday night. Carlton moved above the Saints after producing one of the season’s biggest upsets, defeating reigning premier Brisbane 154-78. The Blues had 16 individual goal-kickers, while Jagga Smith won the Robert Walls Medal after collecting 29 disposals and kicking two goals.

St Kilda also showed encouraging form despite falling 107-88 to second-placed Sydney. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and Max Hall each kicked three goals, but former Blue Jack Silvagni’s availability is uncertain after he suffered a shoulder injury. The Saints comfortably won the teams’ Round 8 meeting by 39 points. With both clubs still fighting to extend their seasons, the return encounter shapes as one of the most consequential matches of the weekend.

First Goal Scorer

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First Goal Scorer:

Brodie Kemp at $12.00.

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Justin Herbert reveals family-first retirement plans with fiancée Madison Beer less than 1 year after whirlwind romance

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32 minutes ago

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6 August 2026

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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert took a big step in his relationship with singer/songwriter Madison Beer. The couple announced their engagement on social media last month.

On Tuesday, Herbert appeared on “The Richer Lives” show. When asked about his dream retirement plan, the Chargers quarterback admitted to wanting a loving family and to create memories with them.

“My dream retirement would be to start a family,” Herbert said (Timestamp- 29:55). “To have a family a family that I get to take care of, look after and love and enjoy all my all of my hardwork with football and what it’s provided me.

“There’s gonna be a long life after football. And, I think I’m really looking forward to it. One day, being able to start a family.”

Looking to predict NFL playoff Scenarios? Try our NFL Playoff Predictor for real-time simulations and stay ahead of the game!

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Justin Herbert and Madison Beer were first spotted together when the quarterback was on her music set in August 2025. In October, the couple made headlines after the “Make You Mine” hitmaker kissed him ahead of their game against the Washington Commanders.

The couple made several public appearances over the past few months. Madison Beer announced her engagement to the Chargers quarterback with a post on Instagram. She shared several photos from the day of the proposal with the caption, “Meet my fiancé.”

ALSO READ: “4 INTs and dating Madison Beer gets you cred”: NFL fans react as “overrated” Justin Herbert ranks #39 on Top 100 Players of 2026

ALSO READ: Justin Herbert gets attacked by Dave Portnoy’s blog as fiancée Madison Beer packs on PDA with QB at Chargers training camp

Justin Herbert shares his thoughts on entering training camp with Madison Beer’s support

On Saturday, ex-NFL defensive end Isaac Rochell interviewed Justin Herbert. He asked the quarterback about the importance of Madison Beer’s presence in his life.

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Herbert did not hesitate in giving Beer her flowers. He also expressed gratitude for finding “his person.”

“It’s hard to explain,” Herbert said. “It’s been so incredible, and she’s changed my life. It’s something I never thought was possible. It’s so awesome to find your person and be able to spend your life with them. I’m excited and just can’t wait. She’s the best.”

On Tuesday, a video of Herbert and Madison Beer cuddling during the Chargers’ training camp went viral on social media. However, fans were not impressed with their romance and criticized them for engaging in PDA.

The Chargers will play the Arizona Cardinals at home in their season opener on Sept. 13. Kickoff is at 4:25 p.m. ET. and will be broadcast on CBS.