New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) looks for an open receiver in the first half against the Washington Football Team at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in East Rutherford. Nyg Vs Was. © Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com via Imagn Content Services, LLC.
A weekend publication from VikingsTerritory, we present to you: the Vikings Nopedy Nopes of the week.
The nopedy nopes are weekly Minnesota Vikings-themed items that we’re not buying. It’s a spin-off of our rumor mill, and we hope you enjoy. Here is the 37th batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Wednesday, just one day before Thanksgiving, “Former Giants QB Daniel Jones plans to sign with the Vikings practice squad, after having cleared waivers, per me, Tom Pelissero and Cameron Wolfe. A new beginning and opportunity for Jones with a chance to the backup.”
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis called Jones’ preference for the Vikings a “move that speaks volumes about respect QBs have around NFL for Kevin O’Connell and Minnesota infrastructure.” He added, “This is the type of move this Vikings front office makes, too. The Vikings only have one QB under contract for 2025. Adding Jones keeps all options on the table, and it adds to the potential options. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Co always looking for multiple good paths.”
When the Jones-related rumor mill kicked off for the Vikings, some fans grimaced because, well, Jones mostly stunk in New York.
Yet, if O’Connell could help rekindle Darnold’s career, who’s to say Jones couldn’t follow suit? He signed with the Vikings as an insurance policy for Darnold and could be in the mix for a backup quarterback job in Minnesota next year.
Folks shouldn’t assume he eternally sucks. Refer to Darnold as a Viking for proof.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Vikings haven’t drafted an effective cornerback since Trae Waynes — almost a decade ago.
Accordingly, the CB pipeline is barren for the future right now. But until this season, folks could hope Akayleb Evans would eventually morph into a starter.
But Minnesota cut Evans last week, and the Carolina Panthers scooped him for the rest of 2024. Evans did not pan out in Minnesota and will not be a long-term starting solution.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
Minnesota employs Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Patrick Jones II. All three are feasting on the opposition.
Turner is 21 years old. He isn’t a fully polished product. On top of that, he has three productive EDGE rushers in front of him.
For now, the Vikings are merely taking it easy with Turner. There’s no rush to toss him in the lineup. To give Turner more action, the team would have to bench someone who doesn’t deserve benching.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.