Oct 20, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) watches the motion in opposition to the New Orleans Saints within the second half at State Farm Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
It’s time for VikingsTerritory’s weekly batch of Nopedy Nopes, that are Vikings-themed issues that didn’t work out, horrible takes, or gadgets which have emerged as whole falsehoods.
The sequence has spanned over two years — as a result of the web’s outrageousness by no means quits.
These are this week’s Nopedy Nopes.
The Kyler Murray Gaming Rumor Will get One other Actuality Verify
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) huddles with the offense throughout the first half in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium on Jan 7, 2024. Murray gathered teammates in Glendale whereas Arizona labored by one other NFC West sequence, setting the decision earlier than a snap within the regular-season finale that afternoon. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports activities.
The Nopedy Nope: Kyler Murray has a online game downside.
Cardinals tight finish Trey McBride performed with Murray for 4 years in Arizona. He is aware of the man.
Bussin’ with the Boys hosts requested McBride about Murray’s alleged ardor for Name of Responsibility, and he replied, “It was never really a thing. He never talked about playing video games, but every single week he was in the media…he never talked about gaming or anything. I think they were just finding any stat to get on him.”
McBride added about Murray’s on-the-field instruments, “Kyler’s not the tallest guy. He’s a baseball guy, so he throws from every different arm angle. He’s scrambling around so he’s a very different quarterback than I’ve played with. It was cool, we had a lot of success together.”
If McBride ran round with Murray for 4 years, and Murray by no means talked about video video games, Murray’s so-called obsession is probably going solely false.
The Verdict: Unsurprisingly, Murray’s profession will not be affected by extreme online game consumption.
The Nopedy Nope: Ed Ingram flunking out of the league after the Vikings traded him.
The Vikings traded Ingram to Houston in March 2025, and he’s simply all smiles as of late, now current on the Texans’ roster as one of many NFL’s greatest guards, in response to Professional Soccer Focus.
Ingram spoke to a brand new station in Houston this week, KPRC2, and talked about the Texans: “What better place for me to be than Houston? I came here, I excelled. Shout out to Cole Popovich. He never let me get complacent, and he always challenged me.”
“Personally, I’ve always thought I’m a great player. All I need is the right person to help me. Coming here was probably the best thing to ever happen to me in my career, coming here and having a coach.”
Minnesota Vikings guard Ed Ingram seems throughout official NFL participant headshots for the 2023 season as a part of league media day in 2023. The portrait captured the offensive lineman earlier than a later profession shift, with Ingram ultimately becoming a member of the Houston Texans in 2025 after a commerce from Minnesota that offseason. Obligatory Credit score: NFL Photographs-USA TODAY NETWORK.
Vikings followers have been truly comfortable when Minnesota traded Ingram. Tables have turned.
Ingram continued, “Pretty much take me under his wing and kind of hone in my skills, because the skills were there. It just needed to be honed in and just controlled a little bit. It has helped me out tremendously.”
“I love Houston, I love this team. It’s just like an energy you feel just walking into the building with this team. The Houston Texans, it’s a different feeling. Everybody’s close, tight-knit. We all are in this together.”
The Verdict: Ingram was unlocked in Houston, not like Minnesota, the place he was mediocre. He’s thrilled to be off the Vikings’ roster.
The Nopedy Nope: Buying and selling Jonathan Greenard was sensible.
ESPN’s Seth Walder sized up each workforce’s offseason this week, outlining strikes he loved and disliked. For the Vikings, he admonished the Greenard commerce.
Walder defined his mindset: “Move I disliked: Trading Edge Jonathan Greenard for two third-round picks. During the draft, the Vikings dealt Greenard, one of their best players, to the Eagles in exchange for two third-round picks.”
“I don’t think it was worth it, especially in the current trade environment for high-end players. Despite only three sacks in 12 games last season, Greenard’s 23.2% pass rush win rate at edge would have ranked fourth at the position had he qualified.”
Minnesota Vikings defenders Jonathan Greenard and Harrison Phillips react after bringing down C.J. Stroud at U.S. Financial institution Stadium on Sep 22, 2024. Kenyon Inexperienced and Harrison Smith framed the fourth-quarter second as Minnesota reset close to the road, capturing a clear snapshot of coordinated strain throughout a late defensive surge in opposition to Houston. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
It’s value noting that he championed the Kyler Murray signing: “The best thing about the Vikings’ offseason is them signing Murray to a veterans minimum deal, which was possible due to his offsets from his contract with the Cardinals. It was a boon for Minnesota.”
“Murray’s services would be worth many millions more on the free market, and he provides an answer at quarterback in the wake of J.J. McCarthy’s rough 2025 season.”
Greenard secured a profitable contract in Philadelphia, which isn’t sudden for a top-tier EDGE.
The first hurdle for the Vikings was the monetary dedication. A four-year, $100 million contract (or an identical determine) exceeded what the Vikings have been initially prepared to spend. Heading into the 2026 offseason, Minnesota prioritized even handed cap administration and value-driven acquisitions. They largely prevented important expenditures until the deal was exceptionally favorable, as was the case with Kyler Murray, however not with Greenard.
Whereas the Eagles might apparently accommodate such an expense, it was not possible for Minnesota. So, the Vikings pursued a distinct technique, buying James Pierre (CB), Ryan Van Demark (OT), and Jauan Jennings (WR) in free company for significantly much less. Jennings’s $8 million deal signifies that Minnesota wasn’t solely frugal, however they actually weren’t splurging.
Greenard’s 2025 statistics additionally sophisticated issues. Three sacks for a mean of $25 million per 12 months, even when market-driven, is head-scratching.
The Verdict: On buying and selling Greenard, ESPN stated “nopedy nope.”
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
