UCF Knights quarterback Jacurri Brown scans the sector for a passing lane whereas working from the pocket throughout a house matchup towards Cincinnati. The motion occurred on October 12, 2024, at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, with Brown working by stress because the Knights battled the Bearcats in second-half play. Necessary Credit score: Mike Watters-Imagn Pictures
Some takes are greatest left in Drafts, and generally issues simply don’t work out as deliberate. For the Minnesota Vikings’ sake, we observe these gadgets weekly in an article of “Nopey Nopes” — Vikings-themed content material that’s absurd, false, or didn’t unfold as anticipated.
This week lassoed a bizarre concept about rookie linebacker Jake Golday, a tackle the Vikings’ quarterback room, and the state of Florida making an attempt to flex on Teddy Bridgewater.
Vikings Offseason Debates Stretch from LB to QB
Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday smiles throughout spring apply as this system continues preparations for the upcoming season. The exercise passed off on April 12, 2025, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, the place Golday labored with teammates and coaches throughout a collection of offseason drills and analysis periods. Necessary Credit score: Albert Cesare-The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Pictures
The Nopedy Nope: Drafting Jake Golday was dumb as a result of the Vikings have already got Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson.
The Ringer‘s Diante Lee retweeted a posting about Golday, captioning, “I still struggle to see how Golday is going to find an outsized role on a defense where Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel are both better versions of what he can bring to the table. Minnesota didn’t need another downhill thumper or tweener type in its LB room.”
He then famous that Minnesota’s current linebackers gained’t be round without end: “They’ll all be phased out soon, I know. Still don’t know if it justifies Golday being picked where he was.”
The tweet flummoxed Vikings followers.
The Vikings didn’t draft Golday simply because they had been bored. Waiting for 2026, Minnesota’s prime linebackers from final season would be the following ages: Blake Cashman can be 30, Andrew Van Ginkel can be 31, and Eric Wilson can be 32. Moreover, Cashman and Van Ginkel are each set to enter free company after this season.
This example is momentous. Three key linebackers are already on the fallacious aspect of 30, and two of them may very well be leaving subsequent March. From this attitude, it makes good sense why the Vikings would wish to draft a linebacker early in April.
Lee’s level that Golday may match into Brian Flores’ protection in 2026 is legitimate. Whereas Golday could not have a distinguished function instantly — rookies typically take time to develop — the Vikings are usually not simply centered on this season just for Golday. Golday’s profession gained’t be evaluated in January 2027. This choose is about making ready for 2027, 2028, and 2029, when Cashman and Van Ginkel could also be gone, declining, or in numerous roles.
Minnesota didn’t draft Golday regardless of having older linebackers; they drafted him as a result of the linebacker room is getting older.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on questioning why a group would draft a younger linebacker when the opposite linebackers are age 30 or older.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings’ quarterback room is likely one of the worst within the NFL.
Garrett Podell of CBS Sports activities referred to as the Vikings’ QB room the seventh-worst in soccer, explaining, “One would think the Minnesota Vikings’ signing of two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kyler Murray would keep them off this list, but that’s not the case. Murray earned his Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2021. That’s a lifetime ago in NFL years. From 2022 to 2025, Murray missed 30 of his possible 68 games.”
“In the five games Murray played for the Cardinals in 2025, he averaged a career low 227.0 total yards per game. Recent first-round pick J.J. McCarthy was the worst quarterback in the NFL in 2025, which sparked the signing of Murray. McCarthy’s performance was simply incredible considering the offensive ecosystem under 2024 Coach of the Year Kevin O’Connell.”
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray celebrates after a dramatic additional time victory towards the Las Vegas Raiders. The second occurred on September 18, 2022, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, the place Murray helped engineer a memorable comeback and guided Arizona to a 29-23 win in an exhilarating contest. Necessary Credit score: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports activities
Murray and McCarthy are on faucet to battle for the QB1 job this summer time.
“Despite an electrifying supporting cast, McCarthy ranked dead last in the league in completion percentage (57.6%), touchdown-to-interception ratio (11-12), and passer rating (72.6). Murray could rediscover his early career form with Minnesota,” Podell added.
“Murray is one of just four players in NFL history with 20,000-plus passing yards (20,460) and 30-plus rushing touchdowns (32) through his first seven seasons, joining Josh Allen, Cam Newton and Lamar Jackson. Week 1 starter: Kyler Murray.”
The world shouldn’t be excessive on the Vikings’ quarterback room.
The Verdict: “QB Room Power Rankings” don’t actually matter in Might, however to counsel the Vikings have the league’s seventh-worst group is just a little unusual. When did the world resolve that Murray is a horrible passer?
The Nopedy Nope: Teddy Bridgewater was the villain and perpetrator for serving to highschool soccer gamers.
Bridgewater gained. Related Press reported Saturday: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the ‘Teddy Bridgewater Act’ into law Friday, meaning high school coaches in the state will now be able to use their own money to help their players with expenses such as food, transportation, physical therapy and rehabilitation services.”
“The Bridgewater Act is named for the Florida native and longtime NFL quarterback who coached his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High, to a state championship in 2024. But he was suspended for the 2025 season after revealing that he personally paid for meals, ride-share services and treatments for some players.”
All of the Bridgewater fuss kicked up final summer time, because the Florida Excessive Faculty Athletic Affiliation (FHSAA) didn’t get pleasure from the truth that he accommodated his gamers to the utmost.
Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater leaves the sector following a convincing highway victory over the Dallas Cowboys. The scene unfolded on November 7, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, the place Bridgewater and the Broncos secured one of many season’s extra shocking outcomes towards a closely favored opponent. Necessary Credit score: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports activities
“There will be strict rules regarding how — and how much — coaches can spend. It would apply to a team’s head coach only, cannot be used in recruiting, must be reported in full to a state agency and is capped at $15,000 per team per year,” AP added.
Bridgewater, now a backup quarterback for the Detroit Lions, was vindicated, paving the way in which for his return to highschool teaching if he so wishes when his NFL profession ends.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on punishing Bridgewater for a righteous act.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
