To say the bye came at a good time for the Vikings would be an understatement.

Not only did the Vikings get a chance to recharge their batteries last week after returning from an unprecedented international swing through Dublin and London, they also got a chance to get healthy ahead of arguably the most challenging part of their schedule.

The upcoming games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens will go a long way toward determining the team’s trajectory this season, and perhaps beyond.

Here are some questions the Vikings must answer following their bye:

Who is going to start at quarterback?

Will it be young quarterback J.J. McCarthy or veteran quarterback Carson Wentz under center? It’s still unclear if head coach Kevin O’Connell will make a public announcement before the Vikings play the Eagles. The fact that McCarthy is back at practice is a step in the right direction after he missed much of the past month with a high ankle sprain. That said, McCarthy is still in the process of getting reacclimated to the offense, so the Vikings could decide he needs more time before he gets thrown back out there. As for Wentz, he’s still dealing with a sore shoulder, which is worth keeping an eye on.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) drops back to pass in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons in a NFL game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Where is J.J. McCarthy in his development?

If the Vikings opt not to start McCarthy against the Eagles, it’s worth speculating about where they feel he’s at in his development. Though he hasn’t been able to practice while recovering from a high ankle sprain, and thus has lost valuable reps early in his career, McCarthy should be past the point of having to take a step back to learn how to play the position at the highest level. There was a clear turning of the page when McCarthy was handed the keys to the car during training camp. Any backtracking from the Vikings at this point would indicate that they don’t feel he’s ready. The only other explanation for McCarthy not playing would be that he still isn’t 100 percent. That part of the equation will be gleaned from the injury report.

Can the playmakers carry the offense?

After the Vikings suffered a frustrating loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, star receiver Justin Jefferson made sure they responded with a comeback win over the Cleveland Browns in London. He was spectacular while proving himself to be the straw that stirs the drink on offense. It was a nice reminder that Jefferson is capable of taking over a game. Whether it’s McCarthy or Wentz at quarterback, they must be able to get him the ball early and often. The same goes for fellow receiver Jordan Addison and star tight end T.J. Hockenson. There are playmakers in place that can carry the offense, so long as they’re given the opportunity.

When will the offensive line be at full strength?

Not once have the Vikings been able to play their projected starting offensive line together. They were without left tackle Christian Darrisaw in the early stages as he worked his way back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament, then they lost right tackle Brian O’Neill to a sprained medial collateral ligament. They also are navigating without center Ryan Kelly, on injured reserve after the latest in a long line of concussions. The good news is that left guard Donovan Jackson is back at practice after missing a couple of games, and right guard Will Fries has played virtually every snap so far. Will the Vikings ever get all of those players on the field at the same time?

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) looks on before an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)

What is Harrison Smith’s role?

Asked a simple question about veteran safety Harrison Smith, defensive coordinator Brian Flores gave an illuminating answer. After playing spot minutes since returning from a personal health issue, Smith isn’t necessarily guaranteed to see an uptick in snaps. It sounds as if Flores is trying to figure out what best suits Smith’s abilities in the twilight of his career. As much as this has to do with safety Josh Metellus proving to be reliable in all situations, and the continued improvement of safety Theo Jackson, it also appears Smith is transitioning into a role that no longer requires him playing every snap.

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NEW YORK (AP) — OpenAI is partnering with Walmart to let shoppers make purchases directly within ChatGPT, furthering the artificial intelligence company’s push to turn its chatbot into a virtual merchant as it seeks to boost revenue.

In an Tuesday announcement, Walmart said the new offering will give customers the option to “simply chat and buy.” That means the retailer’s products would be available through instant checkout in ChatGPT — allowing users to buy anything from meal ingredients or household items, to other goods they might be discussing with the chatbot.

“For many years now, eCommerce shopping experiences have consisted of a search bar and a long list of item responses,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in a prepared statement. “That is about to change.”

Sam Altman, cofounder and CEO of OpenAI, added that the partnership would “make everyday purchases a little simpler.”

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The companies didn’t immediately specify when ChatGPT users would be able to start purchasing Walmart products within the platform. Tuesday’s announcement from Walmart just noted that the offering would be available “soon.”

But the partnership marks OpenAI’s latest expansion into online commerce. The company has recently launched similar offerings for Shopify and Etsy sellers.

Teaming up with Walmart — the nation’s largest retailer — marks an even more sizeable leap for OpenAI in this space. And competing with the likes of Amazon and Google for purchase fees from digital shopping could be a new source of money for the company. OpenAI hasn’t made a profit and has relied on investors to back the costs of building and running its powerful AI systems.

When announcing its Etsy and Shopify partnerships last month, OpenAI said it worked with payments company Stripe on the technical standards to enable purchases through its “Instant Checkout” system.

Separately, Walmart has worked to boost its own integration of AI across operations and its consumer-facing offerings in recent years. On Tuesday, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based company pointed to its AI shopping assistant named Sparky — as well as other uses of AI technology in product catalogues and customer care for both Walmart and Sam’s Club. Members of Sam’s Club, which is owned by Walmart, will also be able to shop through the coming ChatGPT offering.

Shares of Walmart were up more than 5% by Tuesday afternoon trading.

Come January, visitors to the Mall of America will be able to hop off the roller coaster at Nickelodeon Universe or finish that meal at Rainforest Cafe and head to the second floor to check out a collection of Vatican treasures.

In celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Catholic Church in Minnesota, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced on Tuesday that it will host Vatican Unveiled, billing it as the largest collection of papal and other artifacts outside of Rome.

The exhibit, featuring approximately 300 items, will be open daily from Jan. 10 through Feb. 1.

It started with Jimmy Carter

Rev. Richard Kunst, a priest of the Diocese of Duluth, is the curator of Vatican Unveiled, a collection that he began years ago after first going through a presidential phase.

The Rev. Richard Kunst (Courtesy of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis)

“As a high school senior, I had an assignment in my government class to write to a politician,” Kunst noted in a biographical news release. “I chose President Jimmy Carter. He sent me an autographed photo of himself and his wife and that started my interest in autographs.”

Kunst says he eventually lost interest in presidential and celebrity autographs, selling off most of his collection to purchase papal autographs and other religious artifacts, many of which will be featured in this 19,000-square foot exhibit. Highlights include a papal ring, a cassock and a Swiss Guard uniform from the time of Pope Pius X (1903-1914), so rare that the Guard reportedly asked to borrow it for its own exhibit.

“I am often asked what I intend to do with this collection,” he said in the news release. “It has always been and remains my intent to donate it to the Church where it may be enjoyed forever. In the meantime, I am happy to share my collection with the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis …”

Popes were once kids with homework

The exhibit will feature a variety of items.

“It’s curated to have several points of interest,” says Molly Litecky, manager of the archdiocese’s Office of Project Leadership. “If you are a history buff, there’s interesting historical items that are related to different pieces of art, history and government, and how the Vatican and government intersect. If you have an artistic eye, there are interesting, beautiful items with old-world craftsmanship. And there’s several papal artifacts from different popes through the centuries and some are touching, they show their humanity like the homework on one of the popes when they were young and in grade school.”

An image of some of the artifacts from “Vatican Unveiled.” (Courtesy of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis)

Archbishop Bernard Hebda, who reportedly was inspired by the priest’s collection when some of it was previously on display in Duluth, announced the exhibit to the public via an announcement posted to YouTube.

“I’m inviting you to a very special celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis,” Hebda said in the short video. ” … it is a special exhibit of the largest collection of papal and other artifacts outside of Vatican City, the home of the Catholic church.”

Other press materials from the archdiocese note that the exhibit is also a celebration of the recent election of the first-ever pope from North America, Pope Leo XIV, who studied as a seminarian in the Twin Cities in 1980 as Bob Prevost of Chicago.

The archdiocese, which was first established on July 19,1850, noted in its announcement that it is still waiting and hoping for a local visit from Pope Leo.

Pre-sale waitlist

Starting Dec. 1 through Jan. 30, tickets and merchandise can be purchased at the Vatican Unveiled kiosk on the first floor of the Mall. However, a pre-sale waitlist is available now through early November; people on the list will be alerted when they can purchase pre-sale tickets. Sign up at archspm.org/vaticanunveiled/.

Ticket prices have not yet been set.

Situated near the Mall’s main entrance, by the JW Marriott and in close proximity to mobility scooter rentals, escalators and elevators, it is meant to be an exhibit that is accessible to individuals and groups.

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By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Dallin H. Oaks, a former Utah Supreme Court justice, was named Tuesday to lead The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its more than 17 million members worldwide.

Oaks’ selection as president of what is widely known as the Mormon church follows the recent death of his 101-year-old predecessor, Russell M. Nelson. His ascension is not a surprise; a longstanding church policy says the longest-tenured member of a top leadership body called the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles becomes the next president. The tradition is meant to ensure a seamless transition and prevent internal or public lobbying.

As president, Oaks is considered a prophet and seer who will guide the church through divine revelation from God alongside two top counselors and members of the Quorum. He’ll set policy and oversee the church’s many business interests.

FILE – Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during a news conference at the Conference Center, Jan. 27, 2015, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, file)

The church’s leadership transition comes as many of its members have been shaken by a deadly attack on a Michigan congregation, and are grappling with the high-profile assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah, where the denomination is based.

At 93, Oaks will be one of the church’s oldest presidents. He will serve in the role until he dies. Tenures for past presidents have varied, with the longest reaching nearly 30 years and the shortest being just nine months.

Experts are doubtful Oaks will pivot sharply from Nelson’s approach to leadership because he was one of Nelson’s closest advisers. But experts say Oaks might shift from Nelson’s focus on the faith’s global footprint to domestic issues.

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In the first major difference from Nelson’s presidency, Oaks announced during the faith’s recent general conference that the church will slow the announcement of new temples.

He also emphasized the importance of family while acknowledging that not all families look the same. In a departure from his typical sermons, which often appeal more to reason than emotion, Oaks shared a story about the day his grandfather told him at age 7 that his father had died. He went on to describe the value of being raised by a single mother and others who stepped into parental roles for him and his siblings.

Oaks is known for his jurist sensibilities and traditionalist beliefs on marriage and religious freedom. He has been a driving force in the church against same-sex marriage and in upholding a teaching that homosexuality is a sin — a position that causes uneasiness among LGBTQ+ members and their allies.

He said in 2022 that social and legal pressure would not influence the church to change its posture on same-sex marriage and matters of gender identity.

Yet in recent years, Oaks has been part of some key church moves that suggest he might not make the topic a centerpiece of his administration, experts say. Oaks was Nelson’s closest adviser in 2019 when Nelson rescinded a policy that banned baptisms for children of gay parents and labeled same-sex couples as sinners eligible for expulsion.

Oaks has also been a strong advocate for civil public discourse.

Early on as an apostle, he was involved in a crackdown on far-right extremism that resulted in some excommunications. In 2020, he gave a speech about having faith in elections without resorting to radicalism or violence.