Vikings Nopedy Nopes: Daniel Jones’ Offer, Jevon Holland, Jonathan Allen as a Whiff
A weekend publication from VikingsTerritory, we present to you: the Vikings Nopedy Nopes of the week.
Vikings Nopedy Nopes: Daniel Jones’ Offer, Jevon Holland, Jonathan Allen as a Whiff
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 52nd batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
The Nopedy Nope: Daniel Jones picked the Colts over the Vikings because they offered more money.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Tuesday, “Vikings QB Daniel Jones is expected to sign with the #Colts, sources tell me and Tom Pelissero. It’s a one-year deal and the parties are finalizing it. While Minnesota was a strong option, Jones opts to compete with Anthony Richardson in Indy.”
“QB Daniel Jones is signing with the Colts on a 1-year, $14M contract worth up to $17.7M, per me and Tom Pelissero, and includes $13.15M fully guaranteed. Really strong deal.”
Most assumed the Colts outbid the Vikings for Jones’ services. But two sources tell VikingsTerritory that Minnesota did not offer Jones a contract. The parties met, and Jones left the meeting knowing he wouldn’t get a chance to start in 2025, so he picked the Colts afterward.
It wasn’t a money thing; the Colts had a better opportunity.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Minnesota pursued Jevon Holland in free agency.
Internet chatter suggested the Vikings had pursued Holland, the market’s top free-agent safety. But that was false. The source? Holland personally.
Holland joined the Breakin House Rules podcast this week, debunking and killing the rumor in its tracks.
“I seen that. I was like, ‘What that f-ck?’ They didn’t even offer. That wasn’t on the table. So, that’s another thing. Fake accounts be posting sh-t. And people were in the comments like ‘This guy is f-cking arrogant.’ I’m like, ‘Yo. Just chill. It’s not even a real thing,'” Holland told the show’s hosts.
Holland ultimately signed a four-year, $54 million deal with the New York Giants.
Minnesota did not chase Holland in free agency.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Jonathan Allen was a terrible free-agent signing.
Not everybody enjoyed Allen joining the Vikings’ roster. ESPN’s Seth Walder didn’t like it — not one bit.
“I don’t love giving Allen $20 million per year, anyhow (although, again, we haven’t seen the guarantees yet). Allen, 30, missed nine games last season with a torn pectoral muscle, returning in late December,” he wrote.
“His play has also dropped off. After recording 16.5 sacks and reaching the Pro Bowl twice over 2021 and 2022, Allen has just 8.5 regular season sacks over the past two years (albeit in only 24 games). It’s not just the sacks, though. In 2021 and 2022, Allen was a top-10 pass rush win rate defensive tackle; last season, he had an 8% pass rush win rate at defensive tackle, below average for the position.”
Allen represented Minnesota’s splashiest DT signing in years.
Walder continued, “His playing time dipped, too, from 79% of defensive snaps in games played in 2023 to 60% in 2024, in part due to the addition of rookie Jer’Zhan Newton.”
“I’ve underestimated the defensive tackle market this year — it’s somewhat surprising given the strong defensive tackle draft class — but given the signs of decline, Allen does not fit the profile of a player I’d want to be spending on.”
Walder ultimately gave the Allen transaction a “D+” grade
That is way too low.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
Vikings to Host Speedy WR for Free Agent Visit
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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