Sep 10, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his first career touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
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 33rd batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
Addison posted a photo of himself to Instagram last weekend with a “FREE 3” caption, his personal matnra since the collegiate days at the University of Pittsburgh.
The problem? Folks thought “FREE 3” meant he wanted freedom from the Vikings organization via trade. But that was false.
“People just try to make something out of anything. It ain’t nothing,” Addison said via ESPN this week.
Because Vikings fans are familiar with cryptic wide receiver slogans courtesy of the Stefon Diggs era, many pounced on the innocent Instagram post to announce Addison’s disgruntlement.
Addison added, “I think I came up with that in 2020 fall camp at Pittsburgh. So that’s where that started. People got to do their homework before they start saying stuff.”
Addison won’t be traded, nor was the ‘FREE 3 caption” a sign of discontent. It’s his personal motto.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
When Joe Flacco got the nod as QB1 this week, some fans rolled their eyes and feared he might terrorize an ailing Vikings defense. But there’s one reason not to fear Flacco over benched quarterback Anthony Richardson: if Vikings fans are at a point in the 2024 regular season when they’re scared of 39-year-old Flacco, the season is toast anyway.
Shivering in one boots about a non-mobile, almost-40 Flacco is what a garbage team would do. Conversely, folks should be worried that Richardson would “figure it out” in real-time against Minnesota. He won’t get that chance, as Flacco took the QB1 baton from Colts head coach Shane Steichen this week.
Indeed, Flacco can fling the rock and might even post sweet numbers at Minnesota. However, if folks are anxiety-riddled about Flacco coming to the Twin Cities, the 2024 season is already kaput. Stick a fork in it. Flacco might be the worst — definitely the oldest — quarterback left on the Vikings’ agenda.
Don’t get scared about Joe Flacco. Like, really?
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
If you see a notification about the Vikings releasing Myles Gaskin, don’t believe it.
The Vikings can’t quit him.
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.