As the NFL gears up for its 2025 schedule release on Wednesday, May 14, the Minnesota Vikings are at the forefront of fan and analyst discussions. On the latest episode of The Real Forno Show, hosts Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano dive into the speculation surrounding the Vikings’ upcoming season, blending schedule predictions with insights from the recent rookie minicamp held May 9-10, 2025. With rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy poised to lead the team after sitting out 2024 due to a meniscus injury, the stakes are high. The episode, part of the Vikings 1st & SKOL production and Fans First Sports Network, offers a compelling mix of analysis, player evaluations, and bold predictions that have Vikings fans buzzing with excitement.

Forness sets the tone early, emphasizing the significance of the schedule release: “The NFL schedule release is coming up in just 48 hours Wednesday night. So we’re gonna talk a little preview.” The hosts explore how the schedule could shape Minnesota’s path to the playoffs, particularly with McCarthy’s marketability likely earning the Vikings multiple primetime slots. Stefano adds, “There’s a lot of discussion about this team. They have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, and they won 14 games last year.” This episode is a treasure trove for fans eager to see how the Vikings’ 2025 season might unfold.

Rookie Minicamp: Unearthing Hidden Gems

The Vikings’ rookie minicamp provided a first look at the team’s 2025 draft class and undrafted free agents (UDFAs), with two players earning contracts to join the 90-man roster. Forness and Stefano break down the additions of edge rusher Matt Harmon from Kent State and defensive tackle Elijah Williams from Morgan State, offering detailed analysis of their potential.

Matt Harmon: The Long, Lean Edge Rusher

Matt Harmon, a 6’6”, 245-pound edge rusher, intrigued the Vikings with his length and agility. Forness notes, “Harman is six six, two hundred and forty-five pounds. Not very big for an edge rusher, but the length, arm length, 33 and three-quarter inches. You can do a lot of different things.” Despite a injury-plagued college career—playing seven or fewer games in five of his seven seasons—Harmon’s performance at minicamp earned him a roster spot. His 6.95-second three-cone drill, a 95th percentile mark, suggests he can bend the arc effectively, a trait the Vikings value in their pass rushers.

However, Forness tempers expectations: “He doesn’t have a lot of production. Like four sacks and 11 tackles for loss over the course of seven years. And you’re playing at Kent State, arguably the worst football program in Division I.” While Harmon’s size and athleticism offer an intriguing “idea,” as Forness calls it, his path to the 53-man roster remains steep. Still, the Vikings’ history of finding diamonds in the rough—like Adam Thielen and Danielle Hunter [taken in the 3rd round]—keeps hope alive.

Elijah Williams: A Productive Force from Morgan State

Elijah Williams, a 6’2”, 288-pound defensive tackle from Morgan State, brings a more promising profile. Forness is visibly excited, stating, “Elijah Williams, 82.7 percentile relative athletic score. He was incredibly productive. 33 sacks, 52 tackles for loss, pressure rate 10.38% as a defensive tackle.” Williams’ production at the FCS level, while tempered by the lower competition, stands out. His 97th percentile short shuttle and 89th percentile three-cone drill highlight his quickness, a critical trait for a penetrating defensive lineman.

Forness draws a comparison to a successful HBCU alum: “The idea of, hey, we think this guy can play like Javon Hargrave, if that’s the case, then you can have Hargrave mentor him.” While Williams faces a significant jump from FCS to the NFL, his hyper-productivity and athletic traits make him a compelling bet. Stefano adds, “You can never have enough defensive tackles that are good, especially that can do pressure, and the Williams kid sounds that way.” The Vikings’ decision to sign Williams reflects their strategy of taking calculated risks on high-upside players.

The Bigger Picture: Minicamp as a Teaching Moment

The Vikings’ approach to rookie minicamp, as Forness explains, prioritizes teaching over high-intensity drills: “They use it as a teaching moment. They use it to just see what you can do, how you move, and then use that to project forward.” Head coach Kevin O’Connell’s cautious strategy aims to avoid injuries, a lesson learned from other teams’ aggressive minicamps. Forness notes, “O’Connell talked about it. He’s like, people, I’ve seen people get hurt when they go full bore like that. It’s rookie minicamp.”

This approach allows the Vikings to evaluate players like Harmon and Williams in controlled settings, giving them a chance to make a strong first impression. Forness emphasizes the importance of this opportunity: “Once you get on an NFL field, it’s almost like you reset. You have to prove yourself again.” While neither player is guaranteed a roster spot, their minicamp performances have earned them a shot to compete in training camp.

Schedule Predictions: Primetime Dreams and International Adventures

The heart of the episode lies in the hosts’ speculation about the Vikings’ 2025 schedule, with Stefano offering a detailed game-by-game prediction. The NFL’s controlled leaks, including Week 16 Christmas Day games, add fuel to the discussion. Forness and Stefano debate primetime slots, divisional matchups, and the impact of international games.

Dave’s Bold Schedule Prediction

Stefano’s hypothetical schedule kicks off with a home opener against the Atlanta Falcons, a winnable game that could set the tone for the season. He predicts, “Week one, the Atlanta Falcons at US Bank Stadium. Starting with a home opener against a non-divisional opponent, Atlanta’s a winnable game to kick off the season.” The matchup carries extra intrigue with Kirk Cousins, now a backup in Atlanta, watching from the sidelines.

Week 2 sees the Vikings travel to Seattle for a Monday Night Football clash against Sam Darnold and the Seahawks, a nod to McCarthy’s 2024 absence. Stefano’s schedule includes two international games in Weeks 4 and 5 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin and the Cleveland Browns in London, followed by a Week 6 bye to recover from the overseas travel. Forness reflects on the logistics: “They calculated out the smartest time to fly out because they didn’t wanna fly out early in the week. They wanted to have a relatively normal week and then travel.”

Later highlights include a Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13 and a Week 17 showdown at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. Stefano’s optimism shines through: “Week 18, we finish at US Bank Stadium with the NFC North Championship already in hand, versus the Detroit Lions.”

Dave’s Imagined Schedule:

1. vs. Atlanta Falcons (Home)
2. at Seattle Seahawks (Away, MNF)
3. vs. Chicago Bears (Home)
4. vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Dublin, Neutral) [now confirmed]
5. vs. Cleveland Browns (London, Neutral) [now confirmed]
6. Bye
7. vs. Washington Commanders (Home)
8. at New York Giants (Away)
9. vs. Baltimore Ravens (Home)
10. at Detroit Lions (Away)
11. vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Home)
12. at Chicago Bears (Away)
13. at Dallas Cowboys (Away, Thanksgiving)
14. vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Home)
15. vs. Green Bay Packers (Home)
16. at Los Angeles Chargers (Away)
17. at Green Bay Packers (Away)
18. vs. Detroit Lions (Home)

Primetime Potential and J.J. McCarthy’s Draw

Forness predicts the Vikings could land four or five primetime games, driven by McCarthy’s appeal and the team’s 14-win 2024 season. He argues, “There’s a different vibe with J.J. McCarthy. I think there’s gonna be enough intrigue for the primetime slot to really put them over the top.” Stefano’s schedule includes only two primetime games, but Forness believes the NFL will capitalize on Minnesota’s deep roster and McCarthy’s debut.

The hosts also discuss the NFL’s scheduling quirks, such as the Vikings’ historical Week 17 matchups with the Packers. Forness notes, “The first two years were in Green Bay, 21 and 22. Last two years for 23 and 24 were in Minnesota, but it’s been a constant that they played in that slot.” However, recent leaks about the Packers’ Week 16 Saturday game and a potential Christmas Day slot complicate predictions.

The Schedule’s Dual Nature

Forness offers a nuanced take on schedule predictions: “This schedule, how it lays out, means everything, and it also means nothing.” He recalls the 2024 season, when an early gauntlet of games against the Giants, 49ers, Texans, Packers, and Jets was expected to derail the Vikings. Instead, they went 5-0. “That’s what I mean, why it means everything. It means nothing because yeah, we can predict, but it often means nothing,” Forness says. Injuries, like a potential Justin Jefferson hamstring issue, could upend even the best-laid plans.

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Looking Ahead: Why Vikings Fans Should Tune In

The Real Forno Show delivers a compelling blend of analysis and enthusiasm, making it essential listening for Vikings fans. Forness and Stefano’s chemistry shines as they balance detailed player evaluations with lighthearted banter about Stefano’s ongoing house move. The episode’s focus on McCarthy, rookie minicamp, and the schedule release taps into the optimism surrounding Minnesota’s 2025 season.

Fans are encouraged to join the live schedule release show on May 14 at 7 PM CT, where Forness and Stefano will break down the official schedule in real-time. Forness urges, “Please like, subscribe, ring the bell. It tells you when we go live.” The hosts also tease additional content, including a film deep dive on rookie Tai Felton and Stefano’s NFC North Show, “Who Will Be King,” airing Wednesday.

For Vikings fans, this episode is a rallying cry. Will McCarthy lead Minnesota to a Super Bowl run? Can Harmon or Williams become the next Adam Thielen? As Forness declares, “There’s a lot to be excited about.” Tune in, subscribe, and let’s chant “SKOL Vikings” together as the 2025 season approaches.

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Tyler Forness @TheRealForno of Vikings 1st & SKOL @Vikings1stSKOL and A to Z Sports @AtoZSportsNFL, with Dave Stefano @Luft_Krigare producing this Vikings 1st & SKOL production, the @RealFornoShow. Podcasts partnered with Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN and its NFL feed @FFSN_NFL.