Purple Rumor Mill: New J.J. McCarthy Theory, Different WR3 Idea, Vikings Fans’ Preference

Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft. Watch as QB J.J. McCarthy addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on Friday. The Vikings traded up one spot on the draftboard with the New York Jets for McCarthy.

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 June 23rd edition.

Purple Rumor Mill: New J.J. McCarthy Theory, Different WR Theory, Vikings Fans’ Preference

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 could take the reins of QB1 in Week 9.

Vikings
Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL Draft. Watch as QB J.J. McCarthy addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center on Friday. The Vikings traded up one spot on the draftboard with the New York Jets for McCarthy.

This theory came from former Vikings general manager Jeff Diamond, who writes for The 33rd Team (and VikingsTerritory).

Diamond explained this week, “Darnold will likely get that start, but can he hold the job when there are five 2023 playoff teams to face in the first seven weeks? The bye hits early in Week 6 before the Lions game, so a poor start could catapult McCarthy at that point. However, that would force him to debut against the defending division champs. The Rams are next on a short week with a Thursday night game in Week 8.”

Week 9 and a matchup versus the Indianapolis Colts then became Diamond’s tentative target.

McCarthy’s takeover date is a guessing game, but Diamond’s theory does make sense. Week 9 feels like a wise time to hand McCarthy the QB1 baton, at least when one speculates a few months in advance.

Rumor: Jalen Nailor is actually the frontrunner to win the WR3 job.

Purple Rumor Mill
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote this week about Nailor, “In limited playing time during his first two NFL seasons, and more importantly in practice, he has proven a slippery target that defenders have trouble tracking. In two seasons, he has taken a total of 160 snaps and run routes on 72 of them. Vikings quarterbacks have targeted him on 20 of those routes, and he has caught 12 for 208 yards and a touchdown.”

Seifert then quoted head coach Kevin O’Connell, “Jalen has always been a guy that when he’s healthy and on the field, he shows up on every single opportunity he’s gotten. That’s our challenge to him. Sometimes things are out of your control and we understand that, but for him to take that next step, we’re going to need to see him out there a lot as part of that group.”

That sounds like a WR3 endorsement — if Nailor can stay healthy.

Rumor: Vikings fans do not want J.J. McCarthy to start in Week 1.

Controversy
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports.

Vikings fans have really warmed up to the idea of Sam Darnold starting in September. It’s not just what they think will happen — it’s what they want.

Whoodathunkit?


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.