Vikings Nopedy Nopes: Dallas Turner as a Bust, The Mangler Ain’t Comin’, QB2 Anxiety
In any given week, too many zany Minnesota Vikings-themed takes circulate on the internet, and we are here to document them and sometimes debunk a few.
Vikings Nopedy Nopes: Dallas Turner as a Bust, The Mangler Ain’t Comin’, QB2 Anxiety
They’re called “nopedy nopes,” items from the Vikings digital orbit that are too wild or too wrong to stomach.
So, nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Dallas Turner is a failure because Minnesota extended Andrew Van Ginkel’s contract.
A website named Dairyland Express, a Green Bay Packers-themed outfit, broadcast a take this week that claimed Dallas Turner was a bust because Minnesota re-upped with Andrew Van Ginkel.
Chris Schad wrote, “One NFC North rival is finding that out the hard way and may have just admitted their mistake with an announcement on Tuesday. The Minnesota Vikings announced that they signed Andrew Van Ginkel to a one-year, $23 million contract extension on Tuesday afternoon. The deal keeps Van Ginkel in Minnesota through the 2026 season and keeps a key part of Brian Flores’s defense in place.”
“The Vikings have played damage control throughout the offseason citing the emergence of Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard as reasons Turner didn’t see the field. Head coach Kevin O’Connell also pumped Turner’s tires ahead of his second season, telling NFL Network he expects a ‘huge jump’ from Turner this season.”
Minnesota has not done “damage control” on Turner, and in fact, the coaching staff is excited about his career trajectory.
Schad continued: “This all sounds great but giving $23 million to a pass rusher who will turn 30 in July sends a different message. Maybe Turner is on ‘The Jordan Love Plan’ and the 22-year-old will find his way entering his second season. But the signs aren’t pointing to a sudden breakout, which leaves the Vikings whiffing on a massive gamble.”
The Vikings would’ve had to bench Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel last year, two Pro Bowlers, to appease Dairyland Express‘ insinuation that Turner stinks.
Turner should receive increased playing time in 2025 without Patrick Jones II and Jihad Ward on the roster.
Verdict: Nope Nope.
The Nopedy Nope: A man called “The Mangler” said nopedy nope to the Vikings.
Steelers Now’s Jobe Morrison wrote this week, “The Pittsburgh Steelers snagged away massive defensive tackle Blake Mangelson of BYU from an NFC team’s rookie camp invite. The Pittsburgh Steelers were not done with the 2025 NFL Draft pool on Saturday. Shortly after the draft, the Steelers began to sign undrafted free agents. Among their signings, they are bringing in BYU’s Blake Mangelson.”
“Mangelson originally was invited to the Minnesota Vikings’ rookie minicamp as an opportunity to find a roster spot. Instead, the Steelers offered a spot and he agreed to go there on Monday.”
The Mangler is an undrafted free agent defensive tackle who evidently prefers the Steelers to the Vikings.
His BYU teammate, outside linebacker Tyler Batty, is currently on Minnesota’s 90-man roster.
But nope for The Mangler.
Verdict: Nope Nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Minnesota had forgotten about the QB2 position until it traded for Sam Howell.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted last Saturday, “The Vikings are trading for QB Sam Howell, as the Seahawks and MIN swaps picks 142 and 172.”
Before Minnesota made the deal for Howell, many fans wondered what took the team so long, insinuating that the Vikings “forgot” about the backup quarterback spot or that they just didn’t care.
Of course, bartering for Howell ended most reasonable fans’ fears, but one might think with a man like Kevin O’Connell in charge — the dude known as a “quarterback whisperer” — the QB2 job should be in good hands no matter what, right?
Nope.
Many freaked out each time a new backup quarterback signed with a different team, especially down the stretch of pre-draft free agency, when players like Joe Flacco and Drew Lock signed with the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks, respectively.
Perhaps next time or next offseason, folks will trust Minnesota to figure out the backup quarterback spot. It didn’t forget. It just wanted Howell and exercised patience.
Verdict: Nope Nope.
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