Fan Favorite Former Viking Tries Out for Cardinals
Ex-Minnesota Vikings special teams ace NaJee Thompson could soon have a new employer.
A former Vikings fan favorite is trying to earn another NFL opportunity, this time with the Arizona Cardinals. Here’s what to know about the audition.
The charismatic NFLer recovered from an injury last year and did not rejoin the Vikings — for some reason — but could try on the Arizona Cardinals for size. Thompson received an audition this week in NFC West.
Cardinals Have a Peek at NaJee Thompson
The short-timer Viking could land on his feet after all.
NaJee Thompson Auditions for Cardinals Roster
NFL roster moves are rampant with all 32 training camps opening in the last week, and the Cardinals weren’t excluded.
KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson tweeted Wednesday, “The Cardinals worked out Keni-H Lovely, Kaylin Moore, NaJee Thompson.”
If Arizona needs a special teams savant and is willing to take a shot on a relative unknown, at least per broad NFL standards, Thompson may be their man.
Thompson Looking for His Next Chapter
Thompson chose to “manually” rehab a 2023 injury last offseason, but that turned out to be an unwise decision. He later elected for surgery, canceling his second season in the pros and ultimately leading to his exit from Minnesota’s roster.
He’s actually tweeted goodbyes to Vikings fans a few times over the last year, and in June, that goodbye was for good. Minnesota has since added special teams gurus like Tavierre Thomas and Tim Jones, who could take over the NaJee Thompson role in 2025.
Still, Thompson is young and based on his 2023 performance with the purple team, some club will likely sign him and hope he can rekindle his rookie flair.
The Cardinals’ Cornerbacks
Without Thompson, who mainly plays special teams, these are Arizona’s cornerbacks near the end of July:
- Garrett Williams
- Max Melton
- Will Johnson
- Starling Thomas V
- Kei’Trel Clark
- Denzel Burke
- Jaylon Jones
- Elijah Jones
- Darren Hall
- Ekow Boye-Doe
- Jaden Davis
If the tryout materializes for Thompson, he’d likely steal a roster spot from one of those men.
Thompson with the Vikings in 2023
Leading up to the 2023 regular season, Thompson captivated onlookers at training camp with his relentlessness, special teams talent, and amiable personality.
He made the 53-man roster that season — quite unexpectedly — and played 15 games in purple. He logged 195 special teams snaps and just one on defense.
Thompson also christened himself the team’s “celebration coordinator” for touchdowns and turnovers, which drew praise from fans.
PurplePTSD.com‘s Janik Eckardt noted on Thompson in June, “In his rookie season, the player participated in only one defensive play and contributed 195 snaps on special teams across 15 games. His defensive position is largely a formality. Nevertheless, his capacity to influence the game on special teams is exceptional and almost unmatched.”
“He can light up a punt returner like few others, and that starts with a mindset to treat special teams as his main mission rather than a side job. Most other players want to use special teams to qualify for bigger roles on defense or offense. Thompson is different.”
More NaJee Thompson Context
Athlon Sports‘ Trevor Squire wrote about Thompson last month, “He popped with several meaningful plays as a gunner several times throughout his rookie year, including a forced fumble and recovery that gave the Vikings life in an otherwise demoralizing late-season loss to the Green Bay Packers.”
“Thompson claimed the role as special teams ace with his effort no matter the score. However, injuries ultimately ended Thompson’s time in Minnesota. After missing the entire 2024 season with a knee injury, Thompson failed a team physical in April and was waived from the team.”
There’s still confusion about why Thompson didn’t rehab with the Vikings and simply return to the team.
Squire added, “While Thompson has reacted to the tough news before, he seemed to be holding onto some hope of a return before ultimately issuing an official farewell on June 6. Without Thompson for the 2024 season, the Vikings deployed wide receiver Trent Sherfield for the gunner role.”
“Sherfield signed with the Denver Broncos in the offseason, prompting the Vikings to sign former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Tavierre Thomas, who is assumed to fill a prominent role on special teams this season.”
Thompson turned 25 a couple of weeks ago.
The Cardinals also employ former Vikings players Dalvin Tomlinson (DT) and Benton Whitley (OLB), in addition to several coaches from the Mike Zimmer era, including offensive coordinator Drew Petzing and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.
Arizona ranked 18th in special teams DVOA one season ago.
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