In the latest episode of The Real Forno Show, hosted by Tyler Forness and producer Dave Stefano, the Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 OTA sessions take center stage. This Vikings 1st & SKOL production dives into key updates, including left guard Will Fries’ recovery, J.J. McCarthy’s development, and Justin Jefferson’s OTA attendance. The show also tackles the buzz around a potential Jalen Ramsey trade, weighing its feasibility and fit for the Vikings. Packed with analysis, this episode is a must-read for Vikings fans eager for insights into the team’s 2025 season preparations, McCarthy’s quarterback journey, and strategic roster moves.

OTA Updates: A Learning Phase for the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are in the thick of their 2025 Organized Team Activities (OTAs), a critical period for player development and team cohesion. As Tyler Forness explains, OTAs are less about immediate results and more about laying the groundwork for the season. “This is the learning, the teaching phase,” Forness quotes head coach Kevin O’Connell, emphasizing the focus on growth without the pressure of game outcomes. “There’s no plays that don’t go your way and have a real impact on the team. They’re all just learning moments right now.”

This philosophy is evident in the Vikings’ approach to their roster, with nearly all players participating in OTAs, a testament to the team’s unified offseason strategy. However, one notable absence has sparked discussion: left guard Will Fries.

Will Fries’ Recovery: Patience Over Panic

Left guard Will Fries, acquired from the Indianapolis Colts, remains sidelined as he recovers from a broken right tibia sustained in Week 5 of the 2024 season. While his non-participation might raise eyebrows, Forness downplays concerns, citing O’Connell’s cautious approach. “He’s been, it’s almost hard to believe with how strong he is,” O’Connell said of Fries’ weight room progress, per Forness. “We’re being really smart with the injury that it was… I don’t know if we’ll see him fully active this spring, but I have no hesitation to say that I’m really excited to see him when he is.”

Forness agrees, noting that Fries’ absence from OTAs is not a red flag. “Lower leg injury, lower leg break… they’re not gonna rush him because they don’t need to,” he says. With Fries already familiar with his center and benefiting from an upgraded right guard in Ed Ingram or Dalton Risner, the Vikings are prioritizing long-term health over short-term participation. Forness adds, “I really don’t think it’ll be an issue at all… It’s always going to linger until the question is fully answered, but it’s like 99.9% answered.”

This measured approach underscores the Vikings’ confidence in their offensive line depth and their commitment to ensuring Fries is fully ready for training camp, where the real trench work begins.

J.J. McCarthy: Building Chemistry and Managing Expectations

At the heart of the Vikings’ 2025 outlook is rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whose development is a focal point of OTAs. Forness, who initially graded McCarthy as a late second-round talent, has grown more optimistic. “I’m a lot more bullish on him now than I was a year ago,” he admits, citing McCarthy’s progress in addressing pre-draft concerns. “A lot of those things that I had questions about have started to really form into having answers.”

McCarthy’s OTA press conference offered glimpses of his growing connection with teammates, particularly veteran safety Harrison Smith and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Forness highlights the importance of chemistry, noting, “Chemistry is a huge factor in being a successful quarterback… when you get to know a person, it helps with those little things on the field.” Reports of Jefferson inviting McCarthy over for dinner suggest a burgeoning relationship that could translate to on-field success.

However, Forness cautions against lofty expectations. “I’ve seen a lot of really out there speculation like, ‘Oh, he’s gonna be a God,’” he says. “Let’s temper those expectations a little bit… Just let him go out and try to win football games as a first-year starter.” Comparing McCarthy’s situation to Patrick Mahomes in 2018 or Philip Rivers in 2006, Forness believes the Vikings’ elite infrastructure—featuring a strong offensive line, elite weapons like Jefferson, and a robust defense—sets McCarthy up for success, even if he’s merely “bang average.”

Justin Jefferson’s OTA Presence: A Game-Changer

A significant boost to McCarthy’s development is Justin Jefferson’s attendance at OTAs, a departure from the past two years when he skipped voluntary sessions. Forness and Stefano speculate on the reasons, with Forness pointing to a $250,000 workout bonus in Jefferson’s contract. “It’s probably just about money,” Forness says candidly. “And you know what? That’s okay.”

Beyond financial incentives, Jefferson’s presence signals his commitment to leadership. As Stefano notes, “He’s the face of the franchise right now… I think Justin Jefferson is taking a step in his maturity as well.” Forness agrees, emphasizing the impact on team chemistry: “Having that chemistry kind of built up is a good thing… I think McCarthy, as a first-year starter, is walking into as good, if not better, than any other quarterback situation ever for a first-year guy.”

Jefferson’s decision to attend OTAs, whether driven by money or maturity, could be a catalyst for the Vikings’ offensive cohesion, particularly for a young quarterback like McCarthy.

Jalen Ramsey Trade Rumors: A High-Risk, High-Reward Proposition

The episode’s hottest topic is the speculation surrounding a potential trade for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey. With the post-June 1st financial decision point approaching, trading Ramsey becomes more feasible for the Dolphins due to cap flexibility, but Forness is skeptical about the move for the Vikings.

Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, is undeniably talented but comes with a hefty price tag: a three-year, $72 million contract with a $24.235 million guaranteed salary in 2025. Forness outlines the challenges: “You’re probably gonna have to give up a fourth or fifth-round pick… and you’re inheriting a $21 million contract… You could cut him if he stinks, but then you just paid $21 million for a guy who stunk.”

Going to be 31 years old for the season, Ramsey is no longer the unanimous top cornerback he once was. Forness points to concerning 2024 stats, including a 70% completion percentage allowed against him, a career-worst. “I don’t think he’s at this All-Pro level anymore,” Forness asserts. “You’re not paying for 27-year-old elite best corner in the league Jalen Ramsey… He’s like a fringe top-five corner.”

The Case Against Trading for Ramsey

Forness argues that the Vikings’ cornerback room, led by Pro Bowl-caliber Byron Murphy Jr., is already talented. Emerging players like Mekhi Blackmon, Isaiah Rogers, and Ambry Thomas, combined with veterans like Jeff Okudah, provide depth and upside. “There is talent in that cornerback room,” Forness says. “Byron Murphy has proven he’s a Pro Bowler… You have some talented players that still need to step up and prove themselves.”

Trading for Ramsey would be an “all-in” move, but Forness questions its wisdom. “I just don’t think it would be the right one,” he says, citing the financial implications and the loss of draft capital. Stefano echoes this sentiment: “For all that money? No, I’m not. And for taking future picks out of the draft? No, I’m not.”

The Cut Scenario: A More Palatable Option?

The conversation shifts to the possibility of Ramsey being cut post-June 1st, which would allow the Vikings to sign him without surrendering assets. Forness is cautiously open to this scenario but emphasizes the need for a team-friendly deal. “There’s a price where I would feel comfortable with that,” he says, estimating a range of $10-15 million. “It’s gotta be on your terms and it’s gotta be for the right dollar amount that makes sense for your salary cap.”

However, Forness doubts the Dolphins will cut Ramsey, given his guaranteed salary and market value. “I highly, highly, highly doubt the Dolphins cut him,” he says. If they do, the Vikings would need to navigate Ramsey’s expectations for a new contract carefully, balancing his desire to maximize earnings with the team’s cap constraints.

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Looking Ahead: A Promising 2025 Season

As the Vikings wrap up OTAs, the team’s outlook is optimistic. Forness is frustrated by national analysts’ low expectations, with sportsbooks projecting an 8.5-win total. “This team is essentially quarterback-proof,” he argues. “If McCarthy’s average… the Vikings could still win 12 games because they have dudes in the trenches, great guys on the outside, a lot of talent, and great coaching.”

The Vikings’ 2024 season, which saw them win 14 games despite late-season struggles, sets a high bar. Forness credits their success to strategic moves like the Cam Robinson trade and resilience against top competition. “They shouldn’t have won 14, but they did,” he says. “Now this team is set up to be significantly better.”

With McCarthy’s growth, Jefferson’s leadership, and a cautious approach to roster additions like Ramsey, the Vikings are poised for a competitive 2025. As Forness and Stefano conclude, “I’m very excited for this season… We’re gonna have more and more coming about the Minnesota Vikings for the 2025 season.”

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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.