Vikings Nopedy Nopes: J.J. McCarthy Controversy, Sam Darnold’s Return to Minnesota, Byron Murphy
A weekend publication from VikingsTerritory, we present to you: the Vikings Nopedy Nopes of the week.
Vikings Nopedy Nopes: J.J. McCarthy Controversy, Sam Darnold’s Return to Minnesota, Byron Murphy
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 46th batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
The Nopedy Nope: J.J. McCarthy has lost weight during his recovery from a torn meniscus, and that’s a problem.
Like most athletes recovering from a season-ending injury, McCarthy is down about 20 pounds from his playing weight, outlined by ESPN last weekend.
Kevin Seifert explained, “Listed at 219 pounds at the start of training camp, McCarthy dropped more than 20 pounds this fall, following a pattern familiar for many football players who put strength workouts on hold during the rehabilitation process. McCarthy has plenty of time to regain the weight before OTA practices this spring.”
The phenomenon is not uncommon whatsoever.
McCarthy can rather easily return to his playing weight. This is actually normal. Fans shouldn’t fear McCarthy’s current weight one bit.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Most Vikings fans believe Sam Darnold will depart the franchise, but NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says, “Not so fast,” or … nopedy nope.
Just as fans, for the most part, have accepted Darnold’s possible exit from the franchise, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero dialed back that theory this week. He spoke with Sportskeeda and sang a different tune about Darnold’s offseason.
“I would say on paper the most logical outcome of this is Sam Darnold still in Minnesota. JJ McCarthy missed his entire rookie season coming off knee surgery,” Pelissero opined. “They believe in him. They’re not trading J.J. McCarthy. But there’s no precedent for a guy missing an entire year of reps as a rookie and coming back and playing again like it hasn’t happened.”
Pelissero added, “All I know is Sam Darnold played the best football of his career under Kevin O’Connell. The last two games notwithstanding it makes sense for Sam Darnold. All things equal to come back, it makes sense for the Vikings to bring him back. They won 14 games with him. They also have the franchise tag at their disposal if they choose to use it.”
Pelissero said nopedy nope to the consensus idea that Darnold is a goner.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Byron Murphy will become a Green Bay Packer via free agency.
CBS Sports Jordan Dajani named one free agent each team should prioritize this offseason, and for the Packers, that was Murphy. Dajani explained, “Switching sides in the NFC North? Byron Murphy is one of the top cornerbacks hitting the open market this offseason, and he was named to his first Pro Bowl after recording 81 combined tackles, 14 passes defensed and a whopping six interceptions.”
The Vikings will re-sign Murphy before letting him join the foremost rival. They almost have to, with so little cornerback oomph on the roster for 2025.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
One Team Keeps Popping Up as Sam Darnold’s Next Employer
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.
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