Purple Rumor Mill: Alternate J.J. McCarthy Theory, Hockenson Trade Destination, Sam Darnold as Geno Smith
VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the July 21st edition.
Purple Rumor Mill: Alternate J.J. McCarthy Theory, Hockenson Trade Destination, Sam Darnold as Geno Smith
Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the Vikings, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.
Here’s the second batch of the week. Yesterday’s can be read here.
Rumor: J.J. McCarthy shouldn’t be ruled out as the Week 1 starter.
Sam Darnold over J.J. McCarthy to start the 2024 regular season isn’t a done deal, according to Athlon Sports. Citing a rival Vikings scout, Athlon published in its annual magazine this week, “Maneuvering for Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy gives the Vikings their quarterback of the future after Kirk Cousins left in free agency to join the Falcons. McCarthy is a true winner with a live arm and plus mobility.”
That was the setup; this was the kicker. “Whether he’s ready to start the opener is up in the air, but Sam Darnold can hold down the fort until McCarthy is ready. From the impression he’s made at every stage of the draft process, I think McCarthy will be starting by September,” the scout declared.
Until this week, plus the Athlon revelation, most of the team’s onlookers have digested Darnold as the starter in 2024, at least to the start of the season.
Meanwhile, Randy Moss endorsed McCarthy as Minnesota’s Week 1 quarterback this week, too.
“My thing is, when we played, the first three guys that drafted — they’re playing. There’s no if, ands, or buts about it. Now, the 5th and 6th Round, we’ll see. May or may not see the field. Maybe a special teamer. First three rounds back then were played,” Moss replied when asked about Darnold or McCarthy in Week 1.
“Now, we’re drafting guys in the 1st Round, and they’re not even seeing the field. To answer your question — I don’t care if he’s not ready. He needs to be out there. Week 1,” Moss continued by endorsing McCarthy.
So, if you’re pro-McCarthy for Week 1, there’s a bit of new momentum.
Rumor: T.J. Hockenson almost joined the Miami Dolphins via trade before the Vikings swung a deal with the Detroit Lions in 2022.
The Dolphins nearly pulled it off.
That was the word from T.J. Hockenson this week, who revealed Miami as his oh-so-close trade destination in 2022. Minnesota landed Hockenson at the trade deadline that season, but evidently not before some wheeling and dealing between the Detroit Lions and Dolphins.
“Well, we heard Miami. That was the biggest thing. So kind of got excited about that, didn’t you? It was, I mean, it’s warm down there, and, you know, I mean, when it, when you talk about Minnesota and their name, kind of started getting, like, we heard, like, Neil heard their name, and I was like, that’d be nice, because it’s my, like, my family goes every game,” Hockenson said on the Bussin’ with the Boys podcast this week.
“My parents go to every game. They haven’t missed a game since I’ve been, you know, 13, and so, like, they were driving to Detroit all the time, and that’s eight hours there, not including Chicago traffic, you know, and then eight hours back,” Hockenson added about his gratitude of ending up in the Twin Cities. “And so it’s only four hours from my hometown, Minnesota is — and so it’s incredible for all of them, and for me to be able to be around family. My mom’s from Minnesota, so I have a bunch of extended family there.”
Therefore, it was almost Miami but wound up Minny.
Rumor: The Vikings expect a Geno Smith arc from Sam Darnold in 2024.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed this one on SportsCenter this week. “The Vikings are really excited about Sam Darnold. They believe there’s untapped potential here,” Fowler said. “He’s never quite had a supporting cast like this with Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson and Aaron Jones, so he’s underachieved so far. They’re hoping he can maybe have a Geno Smith-type impact like in Seattle, that second act, right, where you have a good next career arc.”
This one checks out as Darnold achieving a Smith-like outcome in 2024 would be a perfect segue to McCarthy in 2025.
Now, Darnold has to actually play like Smith in the regular season, a tall expectation.
Dustin Baker’s Hottest Takes for the 2024 Vikings Season
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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