The Minnesota Vikings will play the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Week 12 and at U.S. Bank Stadium at home in Week 15. Mekhi Blackmon and Caleb Williams, who were formerly teammates in college, won’t play each other for a while.
Williams and Blackmon played together for USC in 2022.
With choice No. 102 in the third round of the 2023 draft, the Vikings selected the former. Williams was chosen first overall by the Bears in this year’s draft.
Williams had a mixed practice day, which resulted in a humorously false report about his difficulties. Williams was allegedly benched after throwing seven interceptions during the practice, according to the report.
“Oh no, damn seven? On May 24, Blackmon wrote, “OMG,” on X, which made Williams giggle. “#ImTrollingGuys”: Shane Waldron, the offensive coordinator that Chicago hired this offseason, is a member of the illustrious Shanahan coaching tree. He worked with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 under head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Vikings.
However, Blackmon has enjoyed Williams’ emergence as a division opponent.
Mekhi Blackmon of the Vikings Warns Caleb Williams of the Bears
On April 13, Blackmon said to Williams on X, “I want you to know we cool and all right now but once ya’ name get called and IF it’s not MN you will be unable to join my PlayStation party.”
Williams responded to that by warning his former teammate not to get in touch with him for any “Call of Duty” matches. Though it has always been in jest, when the two eventually get to face off against one another on the field this season, there will undoubtedly be more motivation.
But Blackmon will have to work for his playing time.
Head coach Matt Eberflus has declared Williams the starting quarterback for the Bears. According to Pro Football Reference, Blackmon only participated in 43% of the defensive snaps for the Vikings in the previous campaign.
In a call with General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on draft night, youngster Khyree Jackson made a bold prediction regarding his ceiling. He also faces two new opponents, veteran Shaquill Barrett.
Also present are two young incumbents, Andrew Booth (85% snap count) and Akayleb Evans.
The Vikings have hope because of the competition. However, Blackmon may have an uphill struggle coming season to demonstrate his skills against his former college teammate.
But not all of the team’s positions are strong, which results in an important development.
Vikings OC Highlights Unknown OL
Out of their five offensive line starters, four will be back for the Vikings. Dalton Risner, the team’s fifth starter, is still unsigned and in free agency, waiting for a suitable contract offer. It appears that the Vikings have a big hole up front as a result of that.
However, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips has praised Blake Brandel, a 2020 sixth-round selection.
Phillips expressed her excitement for Blake to reporters on May 21. Every time I see him, it seems like he grows larger. He’s just a huge dude within that place. But his health is excellent. He’s always responded well to coaching. You discuss footwork, hand placement, technique, basics, and other essentials for the o-line.
An o-lineman’s one mistake might spell disaster. He’s filling in at the left starting place, so far, and that’s extremely positive. And the more experience and repetitions he gains, in my opinion, the more it will grow from there. We haven’t forgotten that he has always been a guy who has supported us when thrown in a game, at multiple positions. Additionally, I believe he deserves this chance.
Walter Rouse was selected by the Vikings with the 177th overall choice in the sixth round of the 2024 draft. Even though Brandel seems to be winning the guard position, he might still have a future there.
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