New Delhi, July 30 -- Before the competition had a single snap to it, Kevin O'Connell sat down with each of his quarterbacks separately. He explained his vision, told each man the job was genuinely open, and said he had a date in mind for making the call. Neither conversation was public. Neither quarterback was told when that date arrives.

a quarterback who lifts everyone in the building when things are clicking. As training camp opened Wednesday in Eagan, O'Connell has not decided which of his two candidates that is.

The stakes are not abstract. Minnesota opens the regular season September 13 against the Green Bay Packers, a divisional rival that handed the Vikings two losses last season. Justin Jefferson is in his prime. The offensive...