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For Vikings, it’s family first on Thanksgiving Day

Dane Mizutani, Pioneer Press

Talking to reporters this week, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell made his vision clear. As much as he expects the Vikings to be prepared to play the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, he also wants his players to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving with their families.

As a result, the Vikings will practice on Thursday morning, then everybody will be released from TCO Performance Center around noon.

“It’s very important that guys get to spend at least a good chunk of the day with their families,” O’Connell said. “We have a lot to be thankful for around here.”

Asked how a holiday in the middle of the week impacts things, O’Connell emphasized that the rhythm actually doesn’t change that much. The coaching staff has already installed the game plan, and the Vikings will work to make sure it comes to life before they play the Bears on Monday.

Plus, as defensive coordinator Brian Flores noted, everybody across the NFL is dealing with the same set of circumstances. He’s been around long enough to understand the balance of this week, and he expects the same from his players. There’s a way to enjoy family time while also being able to refocus when it’s time to return to work.

“Nobody loves Thanksgiving more than me,” Flores said. “It’s my favorite holiday. It really is. So I’ll be sitting there, eating turkey and hanging out with my family, as well. At the same, we’ve got to prepare the right way and make sure we’re ready to go.”

A number of teams are playing on Thanksgiving, with the Detroit Lions hosting the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Washington Commanders, and the Seattle Seahawks hosting the San Francisco 49ers.

After starting his career with the Lions, who always play on Thanksgiving, tight end T.J. Hockenson got traded to the Vikings last season before they hosted the New England Patriots on Thanksgiving. He’s looking forward to being able to spend the evening with his family for the first time since reaching the NFL.

“It’ll be a fun day,” Hockenson said. “We’re pretty excited about it. We’ll get out of here around noon (on Thursday). The family and I will go do some dinner.”

As for quarterback Josh Dobbs, he has bounced around so much throughout his career that he and his parents have established a foolproof tradition. They find the local Capital Grille, with locations in pretty much every major city in the United States, and enjoy a nice steak dinner together.

“I mean, Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, I’m thankful for a lot,” Dobbs said. “At the end of the day, as long as my family is with me, I’m usually pretty good.”

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