Vikings Misses and Myths: The Justin Jefferson Trade, Dwight McGlothern, OL Health
Each week delivers a fresh batch of outlandish or flat-out wrong talking points aimed at the Minnesota Vikings.
This week’s Vikings talk shifts to misses and myths tied to the Justin Jefferson trade noise, Dwight McGlothern questions, and the state of the offensive line.
Some ideas fade fast, and some simply never align with reality. That’s why the “Nopedy Nope” series shows up every seven days, cutting through the noise and tracking the odd narratives circling the team.
Here’s this week’s edition.
Vikings Nopey Nopes | November 30th
See what’s wrong, unfortunate, and awkward for the Vikings this week.
The Nopedy Nope: Justin Jefferson should ask for a trade this offseason.
Stephen A. Smith said on First Take this week, “I wouldn’t blame Justin Jefferson if he asked to be traded. I’m disgusted with the Minnesota Vikings. I’ve been very, very reluctant to say that.”
“Now, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the general manager for the Minnesota Vikings, and listen, I’m unapologetic, brothers in executive positions, I root for them because we don’t see that too often. I’m very, very happy, and I’m rooting for the brother. But him, and Kevin O’Connell made a joint decision, and they miscalculated. I understand why. Sam Darnold was a free agent.”
It’s worth noting that Smith led the charge shredding Darnold last year, even when the setup around him functioned at a high level. He even labeled Darnold a “virus.” Now he’s shifted to praising him.
“You’re looking to move on because this brother played so well last year that he was in a position to triple his salary. Here’s my problem: this is Justin Jefferson, y’all. This is an all-world receiver. The first five years of his NFL career, we weren’t talking about him being great, we were talking legacy,” Smith continued while discussing Jefferson.
“We were talking about whether or not he was going to be in that conversation with the Jerry Rices and and Randy Moss’ of the world. What you don’t do to somebody like that is take away their damn quarterback for a rookie that is unproven. You don’t do that.”
If the Vikings ever chose to tear the roster down and rebuild from scratch, including a Jefferson trade, the math becomes a major obstacle. Moving Jefferson in the offseason would crush Minnesota with a $46 million dead cap charge if the deal landed before June 1st. That’s not a viable plan.
Trading your best player while eating $46 million for the privilege is the type of decision that gets executives fired, similar to the Dallas Mavericks moving Luka Doncic for minimal return.
If Adofo-Mensah ever wanted to explore a Jefferson trade, it would become a 2026 in-season possibility or a 2027 offseason discussion — not a 2026 offseason move.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on trading Jefferson in the offseason. It doesn’t make sense.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings made an egregious error by releasing cornerback Dwight McGlothern.
Before Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings’ social media team posted, “The Vikings have activated C Ryan Kelly from IR and he will enter MIN vs. GB without an injury designation. CB Dwight McGlothern Jr. has signed to the practice squad and elevated to the active roster for tomorrow’s game. RB Cam Akers has been released from the practice squad.”
McGlothern rejoined the roster two days later.
The reaction wasn’t needed. In many cases — including McGlothern’s — teams waive a player with the intention of re-signing him to the practice squad. Minnesota executed that exact approach, and it’s standard league practice.
But with the Vikings slogging through a rough season tied to quarterback injuries and shaky quarterback play, every move gets blasted. Instead of waiting to see whether McGlothern would be back, some fans unloaded on the coaching staff and front office, claiming the group had no clue what it was doing.
The frustration wasn’t worth the effort. McGlothern returned as planned.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on freaking out over a fourth-string cornerback’s roster waiver. He returned two days later.
The Nopedy Nope: Minnesota’s offensive line might get healthy — and stay healthy.
Left guard Donovan Jackson will miss Sunday’s game at Seattle, and left tackle Christian Darrisaw is Questionable.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Thursday, ‘Both those guys — they will not participate today. Donovan obviously dealing with his ankle, and it’s sore, but we’ve had conversations about seeing what the rest of his week looks like as possibly being available for this week.”
“At the same time, he’ll have to kind of improve from where he’s at right now to have a chance to play, which is very possible. Christian is working through just some soreness, but hopefully we’ll have a chance to get him some work here as the week goes on and determine his status for the game.”
And this is one week removed from Minnesota showcasing a fully healthy offensive line last weekend at Lambeau Field for the first time this year.
The starting offensive line, as intended back in the summemr, lasted a single game.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on the Vikings’ offensive line lasting.
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