Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws a cross in the course of the fourth quarter in opposition to the Chicago Bears on Nov. 16, 2025, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. McCarthy continued his first season as Minnesota’s beginning quarterback whereas main the offense in an NFC North showdown in opposition to longtime division rival Chicago. Necessary Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Pictures
Each Sunday, we launch the Minnesota Vikings’ “nopedy nopes,” a column crammed with dangerous takes, wild guesses, and concepts that haven’t aged nicely.
Minnesota’s weekly Nopedy Nopes return with quarterback theories, roster rankings, and a departed huge receiver.
This Could 24 version arrives after most main offseason actions have concluded.
A Few Vikings Takes Already Deserve Pushback
We’ve the Nopedy Nopes for the week main as much as OTAs.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) loosens up throughout pregame warmups earlier than dealing with the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 10, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. McCarthy ready for considered one of his first preseason appearances as Minnesota evaluated the rookie quarterback’s progress and luxury degree inside Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings buying and selling J.J. McCarthy.
NFL Community‘s Tom Pelissero spoke at length this week about the Vikings’ quarterback room, notably saying concerning the notion of buying and selling McCarthy, “They’re not just gonna punt up on him. If this were just Kyler’s job, and J.J. is competing with Carson Wentz to be the two, you would’ve traded J.J.”
“You would’ve gotten what you could get for him already. The longer you wait to trade a guy like J.J. McCarthy, the less his value is. Other teams trade for untapped potential.”
So, per Pelissero, the clues counsel McCarthy has an actual likelihood to dethrone Murray as the highest canine. Many have assumed that as a result of Minnesota signed Murray in March, together with Carson Wentz, that McCarthy could possibly be expendable and on the commerce block.
That logic is fake.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on the Vikings buying and selling McCarthy in 2026. He’s solely 23 years outdated, and there’s no cause to decrease the quarterback depth when two of the Vikings’ final three seasons have been ruined by quarterback accidents.
The Nopedy Nope: Minnesota’s supporting solid on offense ranks close to the underside of the NFL.
This week, FOX Sports activities ranked each NFL staff’s supporting solid, inserting the Vikings at a surprisingly low No. 22. Whereas most Vikings followers doubtless think about the staff’s playmakers and offensive system among the many roster’s strengths, FOX Sports activities clearly held a distinct view.
Sitting simply forward of the New Orleans Saints’ supporting solid, Ralph Vacchiano defined Minnesota at No. 22: “They certainly have given whomever is their quarterback some good receivers to work with. Justin Jefferson is as good as any in football when everything is working right with the offense, and Jordan Addison is a strong No. 2. The Vikings also went out and added the underrated Jauan Jennings to give the QB another option. And TE T.J. Hockenson is a big weapon in the passing game, too — at least when he’s healthy.”
“Beyond that, though, they really have to lean into the mind of head coach Kevin O’Connell because there are some issues. The offensive line was not good nor healthy last season.”
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts alongside huge receiver Jordan Addison (3) after a sport on Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. O’Connell and Addison celebrated following one other productive offensive efficiency because the Vikings continued pushing by way of the NFC playoff race late within the common season. Necessary Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures
Due to Jefferson and Addison on the roster, most Vikings followers assumed Minnesota would test in inside this rating’s High 15. Nope.
“And they lean way too much on 32-year-old, oft-injured RB Aaron Jones. That lack of a dependable running game is big. It’s why defenses could tee off on Vikings QBs, who were sacked 60 times last season — tied for second-most in the league,” Vacchiano concluded.
The Vikings lack youth at operating again, and few dispute it. However any staff with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings as the principle three WR choices mustn’t rank within the NFL’s backside 11 weapon rankings.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on FOX Sports activities‘ absurdly low rating. What are we doing?
The Nopedy Nope: WR Shaleak Knotts would have endurance this summer time.
It was a brief profession for Knotts within the Twin Cities. NBC Sports activities‘ Josh Alper wrote Tuesday, “The Vikings opened up a spot on their 90-man roster on Tuesday. The team announced that they have waived wide receiver Shaleak Knotts and they did not make a corresponding addition to fill out their active roster.”
“Knotts signed with the Vikings after going undrafted last month. He appeared in 43 games for Maryland over the last four seasons and caught 67 passes for 963 yards and seven touchdowns while playing for the Terrapins.”
Had the rookie remained on the Vikings’ roster, he doubtless would’ve competed for a apply squad spot this summer time. As a substitute, that is Minnesota’s up to date huge receiver room:
WR1: Justin JeffersonWR2: Jordan AddisonWR3: Jauan JenningsWR4: Tai FeltonWR5: Myles PriceWR6: Jeshaun JonesWR7: Dontae FlemingWR8: Joaquin DavisWR9: Dillon BellWR10: Luke WysongWR11: Marcus SandersWR12: Terrill Davis
Terrill Davis appears to have taken Knotts’s 90-man roster spot, and like Knotts, he initiatives extra as a apply squad participant.
Maryland Terrapins huge receiver Shaleak Knotts (4) scores a landing on fourth down in opposition to the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sep. 5, 2025, at SECU Stadium in Faculty Park, Maryland. Knotts delivered a pivotal second-half scoring play whereas serving to Maryland generate momentum throughout a aggressive nonconference matchup at residence. Necessary Credit score: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Pictures
It’s additionally price noting that Minnesota’s roster could possibly be ripe for an upstart UDFA to emerge at huge receiver. The present WR5, Myles Value, is a kick and punt returner and was hardly used on offense as a rookie final 12 months. That would bode nicely for Davis or considered one of his undrafted friends.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Knotts. He lasted a couple of month with the Vikings.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
