Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy celebrates with extensive receiver Justin Jefferson in the course of the first half of a highway sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions on Nov. 2, 2025, at Ford Area in Detroit. McCarthy and Jefferson related for a landing because the Vikings offense continued constructing momentum in a key NFC North showdown. Obligatory Credit score: Junfu Han-Imagn Pictures
On Sundays, we publish the Minnesota Vikings’ “nopedy nopes” for the week — stuff that’s fallacious, weird, or didn’t work out as most deliberate. It’s mainly a journal of dangerous takes and Vikings-themed theories gone dangerous.
Minnesota’s rumor cleanup checklist will get one other spherical.
That is the Could seventeenth version, with a lot of the meaty elements of the offseason within the rearview.
Three Vikings Speaking Factors Want a Nearer Look
The Vikings’ Nopedy Nopes for Could seventeenth, 2026.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings may have traded — or nonetheless would possibly commerce — J.J. McCarthy to a brand new workforce.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano examined the NFL’s “10 lingering offseason questions” this week and mentioned why McCarthy had not been traded.
He famous, “It doesn’t make a lot of sense to trade him. The Vikings have already paid 70% of McCarthy’s rookie contract. There’s no way they could get anything in return that remotely approaches what they spent in terms of draft capital to acquire him in the first place. They’re less than a year removed from believing he could be their starter, not just now but for years to come.”
“And it’s not like Murray is some automatic fix, either. He has had one fully healthy season in the past five, and the Cardinals are paying him almost $36 million this year to play for another team. People I’ve talked to who are close to this situation insist that the Vikings haven’t given up on McCarthy — that part of their hope is bringing in Murray sends some sort of shock to McCarthy’s system and gets him refocused on whatever they think he got away from last year.”
McCarthy tallied 15 complete touchdowns and 12 interceptions final season in 10 begins.
Graziano continued, “It’s probably a long shot, but again, there doesn’t seem to be much they would gain from trading him at this point. Murray is signed for one year, and his deal prohibits the Vikings from franchise-tagging him next offseason.”
“There’s a world in which Minnesota gets to the end of this season believing that McCarthy has figured some things out and can still be what it thought he would be. If not, maybe then the Vikings cut bait. But there’s no reason to do it now.”
That’s the phrase from ESPN: a McCarthy commerce might be a no-go.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on the Vikings buying and selling McCarthy simply because they signed Kyler Murray.
The Nopedy Nope: UDFA LB Scooby Williams may latch on as a long-term contributor.
In-the-weeds Vikings followers on Twitter (X) requested late final week, “Where’s Scooby?” The person was not included on the Vikings’ rookie minicamp roster, although the membership signed him in undrafted free company three weeks in the past.
A couple of days later, there’s a proof. SI.com‘s Will Ragatz wrote, “Williams attended the combine but never did athletic testing in the pre-draft process for injury reasons, and it appears a medical issue has resulted in him not officially putting pen to paper with the Vikings. The Vikings’ official website’s story on the 19 UDFAs has a May 11 update that states ‘Williams did not sign with the Vikings.’”
“That explains why he wasn’t on the roster for last Friday’s rookie minicamp, which some astute diehard fans noticed. And on Tuesday, replying to one of those fans on X, The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis reported that an issue with Williams’ physical is the reason.”
Williams should regroup, bide his time, and check out for the Vikings or one other workforce later this summer season.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Scooby within the Vikings’ summer season plans.
The Nopedy Nope: Jaren Corridor would have endurance within the NFL.
Corridor was fairly simple on Instagram this week, writing on Wednesday, “There’s a lot I could say, but mostly I just feel grateful. Sports have been woven into nearly every part of my life- they’ve challenged me, humbled me, shaped my faith, introduced me to lifelong friendships, and given me experiences I never could have imagined.”
“From growing up in this community to representing my hometown, to having the opportunity to play in the NFL, it has all been a blessing. What I’ll carry most isn’t the milestones, but the people– teammates, coaches, family, and a community that supported me every step of the way.”
The Vikings drafted in Spherical 5 of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Corridor closed the message, “My heart is full as I close this chapter and finish my football career. I’m thankful to everyone who’s been part of the journey. The game has given me more than I could ever give back.”
Corridor flamed out of the UFL in January, and that was evidently his signal to name it quits.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Corridor latching on within the NFL with long-term endurance.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
