Jul 27, 2022; Detroit, MI, USA; Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han/ Detroit Free Press-USA TODAY NETWORK.
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 18th batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
This one came from NFL writer Mike Payton this week, suggesting the Minnesota Vikings would be better off trading T.J. Hockenson for draft assets like Hockenson’s former team did in 2022.
“The Vikings could then take their Sam LaPorta shot with Michigan’s Colston Loveland in the 2025 NFL Draft and pair him back up with J.J. McCarthy,” Payton described the fallout of a Hockenson trade in an A to Z Sports article.
“He would be on a rookie deal and would be a lot cheaper for the Vikings. Cheaper is good since Jordan Addison is probably going to get paid big in the near future.”
Minnesota received Hockenson, a 2023 fourth-round pick, and a 2024 fourth-round pick in a trade with the Lions in 2022 while giving up a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-rounder. Ironically, Hockenson’s old team ended his season with a dirty hit seven months ago.
Payton added, “Right now, we do know that Hockenson is recovering from a torn ACL and that could cause him to miss some time during the 2024 season. So things are already off to a rough start. But he could come back and immediately be the impact guy he was in 2023. If it does come true, the Vikings might be better off cutting bait early and continuing along with their rebuild.”
Hockenson’s contract extension hasn’t even kicked in yet. His big money hits the books this season, 2024. Minnesota won’t trade him after extending him less than a year ago.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
With the premiere of his Netflix series Receiver, Jefferson toured the NFL media circuit this week and weighed in about Cousins’ departure. In short, Cousins’ presence on the team in 2024 or beyond had absolutely no bearing on his decision to re-sign in Minnesota for four years and $140 million.
“I always knew that Kirk was going to do whatever he needs to do for his businesses-wise, and I just knew that everything just wasn’t the way he wanted it to be here, especially just with having to pay me and having to pay so many other different guys,” Jefferson said on The Rich Eisen Show. “I feel like he just wanted a new start, a new opportunity to start with Atlanta and a clean slate, and I’m not mad at him at all for that. I’m grateful for what he has brought to me and the things that we have accomplished together.”
Many fans and media members claimed Jefferson could skip town if Cousins left. The theory was wrong.
Jefferson added, “But at the end of the day, it’s a business and you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do for yourself and for your family, and I clearly understand that. But it’s on to the next. It doesn’t really matter what quarterback it is in my eyes. I’m always going to try to make the best of the opportunity. I’m always going to try to be the quarterback’s friend and make his job a lot easier. It doesn’t matter if it was Kirk or if it’s Sam or if it’s J.J. I’m going to make it as easy as possible for him.”
Jefferson’s comments indicate that he enjoyed playing alongside Cousins. However, some imagined that Cousins’ departure would cause disgruntlement, which was simply made up. Complete fantasyland.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
ESPN’s transactions page claims Akers has re-signed with the Vikings if a physical goes through.
But it is the only entity reporting it.
The NFL’s official transaction wire and the Vikings’ roster reflect no such move. While Akers will probably return to Minnesota as the RB3, more than one outlet must report the move before folks consider it official.
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. 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.