Vikings Nopedy Nopes: J.J. McCarthy’s Problem, Byron Murphy Jr., 1st-Rounder for Stafford
A weekend publication from VikingsTerritory, we present to you: the Vikings Nopedy Nopes of the week.
Vikings Nopedy Nopes: J.J. McCarthy’s Problem, Byron Murphy Jr., 1st-Rounder for Stafford
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 49th batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
The Nopedy Nope: J.J. McCarthy has lost too much weight during his meniscus recovery.
In addition to zany trade theories, there’s another faux McCarthy controversy: he’s lost so much weight while rehabbing the meniscus that he isn’t NFL-ready.
Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora wrote last week, “Sam Darnold’s brutal play in Week 18 and the playoffs had many writing him off in Minnesota. Not so fast. Several executives from QB-needy teams, who would have at least some interest in Darnold, suggested he’s not going anywhere. I hear that J.J. McCarthy, who lost his entire rookie year to injury, still has significant work to do to rebuild his body, let alone adjust to the NFL.”
It’s not unusual for an NFL player’s weight to fluctuate — up or down — during an injury recovery, and it’s not like the regular season kicks off this weekend. McCarthy has plenty of time — like six months — to return to form.
Naturally, folks used social media to express befuddlement about McCarthy’s weight, deeming it a possible concern.
This is a nothingburger, though. Weight fluctuates during one’s injury recovery. It’s how it goes. McCarthy will not have a problem returning to his 220-pound mark.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings were on the cusp of franchise-tagging cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notified the world that cornerback Murphy Jr. — not Sam Darnold — could be Minnesota’s prime target for the franchise tag, as only one is allowed per team each year.
He wrote: “Using the tag on quarterback Sam Darnold would be an expensive way of ensuring his return while avoiding a longer-term commitment that would hinder J.J. McCarthy’s eventual ascension. It could also be a way to elicit additional value by way of a trade, but that would require a knowledge that multiple teams would be willing to bid.”
“In the end, the Vikings seem more likely to let Darnold sign elsewhere and preserve their tag for a player such as cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who had a career-high six interceptions in 2024 and is hitting his prime at age 27. If nothing else, it would give the Vikings time to sign Murphy to a longer-term deal while keeping him off the market.”
Soon after Seifert’s proclamation, Minnesota delayed the void money extension for Murphy Jr.’s contract, meaning he cannot be franchise-tagged.
The theory was wrong.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Minnesota might trade its 24th overall pick for Matthew Stafford.
Thanks to CBS Sports, in an article outlining Stafford trade packages, Minnesota could hand the Rams its 24th overall pick in exchange for Stafford.
“This is a much more straightforward deal for Stafford, which would land him with the Minnesota Vikings. First off, this truly centers around the Vikings’ desire to retain Sam Darnold (who faltered down the stretch) and confidence in J.J. McCarthy. If they want to improve their quarterback play from Darnold and still believe McCarthy needs more time to develop, Stafford gives the Vikings a high ceiling for at least the next two seasons,” Tyler Sullivan wrote last week.
“If they think McCarthy is ready to ascend to QB1, however, or decide to stick with Darnold either via the franchise tag or an extension, that blocks this landing spot for Stafford.”
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will not spend his 1st-Rounder on a 37-year-old quarterback after drafting J.J. McCarthy, a 21-year-old at the time, 10 months ago.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
A Vikings “Dream Trade” Has Been Identified
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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