Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up on the sector earlier than kickoff, Dec. 14, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, because the Vikings put together for a highway matchup in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys late within the common season. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photographs.
Weekly, we observe Minnesota Vikings-themed objects which can be false, outrageous, or simply didn’t work out because the lots anticipated. We name them nopedy nopes.
Minnesota’s post-draft rumor cycle has produced a number of theories that want fast cleanup.
This week’s version covers leaguewide energy rankings, a seismic commerce, and the seek for a brand new common supervisor.
Three Offseason Claims Want a Nearer Look This Week
These are the post-draft nopedy nopes.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) celebrates with followers after the ultimate whistle, Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following a win over the Arizona Cardinals with Cashman acknowledging the gang after a powerful defensive efficiency late within the common season. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
The Nopedy Nope: Your Minnesota Vikings are the fifth-worst workforce within the enterprise, says NFL.com.
Eric Edholm ranked all groups after the draft, and he slapped the Vikings at No. 28 on his listing.
Edholm defined the rating:
After the shock of the Caleb Banks choose wore off, the Vikings settled into somewhat groove with a number of of their choices. Among the many worth picks I preferred: LB Jake Golday, OT Caleb Tiernan, S Jakobe Thomas and CB Charles Demmings. Even a fullback in Spherical 5 didn’t offend me; if something, it made me nostalgic.
I actually perceive Vikings followers might really feel in a different way about it, given their private funding within the workforce, but when Max Bredeson turns into the subsequent C.J. Ham, it’s choose. This was not a yr the place fifth-round picks wanted to be handled like navy codes. Many of the similar questions on Minnesota that existed final week nonetheless stay, though buying and selling Jonathan Greenard each provides a fear and clears up cap house.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Vikes make a veteran addition or two within the coming months. They may use a middle, a security and possibly one other receiver.
That’s brutal enterprise for a workforce that had the NFL’s third-best protection final yr, signed Kyler Murray in March, and has Justin Jefferson on the roster.
The Verdict: There’s simply no approach that Minnesota is the league’s fifth-worst workforce when it had the league’s third-best protection a season in the past. Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Jonathan Greenard wouldn’t be traded this offseason. Good groups don’t eliminate top-tier EDGE rushers.
Interim Vikings boss Rob Brzezinski pressed the button on the Greenard commerce per week in the past, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted, “Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell were somber tonight in talking about the Greenard trade.”
And Brzezinski personally mentioned in regards to the swap, “This is not something we’re jumping around excitedly about, but we do feel like we did the best thing for the organization moving forward. We have just spent so much money the last several years that it’s not sustainable for us to move forward. Our salary cap situation has been very, very challenging. The value ends up being what the market will pay, you know.”
“Obviously, JG is a great player, and I’m sure people have a lot of opinions as far as what the appropriate value should be for him. All I can say is, considering everything we thought it was in the best interest of all parties. Again, people can judge whether or not it was fair or reasonable for a player of that caliber, and we understand that. But it’s what the market would pay, and ultimately, we thought it was best for all parties, and that’s why we decided to do it.”
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a defensive cease with teammates throughout recreation motion, Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, because the Vikings confronted the Arizona Cardinals with Greenard bringing power to Brian Flores’ protection in a momentum-swinging second quarter sequence. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Photographs.
When the Greenard commerce fodder kicked up, most scratched their heads, as severe playoff-contending groups hoard EDGE rushers. They don’t commerce him. Finally, Greenard was too costly at $100 million over 4 seasons, and Minnesota selected a deal that provided two Third-Rounders to interchange him.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Greenard lasting longer than two seasons within the Twin Cities.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings will make public the names of their common supervisor candidates.
The Vikings mentioned they might start a common supervisor search after the draft, they usually weren’t kidding. It’s simply that the method will likely be hush-hush.
Minnesota Vikings homeowners Leonard Wilf and Mark Wilf react on the sideline earlier than kickoff, Oct. 2, 2022, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, because the Vikings ready to face the New Orleans Saints in an NFL Worldwide Collection recreation showcasing the league’s world enlargement efforts. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Minnesota’s primary homeowners, Mark and Zygi Wilf, launched the next assertion on Wednesday:
With the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, our seek for the subsequent common supervisor of the Minnesota Vikings is underway. This will likely be a radical and deliberate course of led by possession, with help from a small inside advisory committee of senior leaders.
We’ve additionally engaged revered agency TurnkeyZRG to help in conducting a wide-ranging search that features skilled soccer executives, rising candidates and people with various skilled backgrounds. Our focus is to determine a decisive chief with a transparent imaginative and prescient for workforce constructing, robust communication abilities and the flexibility to construct alignment throughout a company.
Out of respect for all concerned, we don’t intend to publicly announce candidates and can present additional remark when the search is full.
This can be a new phenomenon for the Vikings. GM and coach searches usually are not normally performed behind closed doorways.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on figuring out Minnesota’s candidate pool for the subsequent head boss.
