Vikings Nopedy Nopes: Aaron Rodgers Still an Option, J.J. McCarthy Nonsense, Kwesi’s Extension
A weekend publication from VikingsTerritory, we present to you: the Vikings Nopedy Nopes of the week.
Vikings Nopedy Nopes: Aaron Rodgers Still an Option, J.J. McCarthy Nonsense, Kwesi’s Extension
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 54th batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
The Nopedy Nope: Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah all but committed to J.J. McCarthy this week while ruling out Aaron Rodgers, and fans simply didn’t believe it.
Adofo-Mensah outlined his stance on J.J. McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers rather clearly. He did the due diligence on Rodgers this offseason and decided to stay the course with McCarthy.
“We didn’t think it was the right move at this time,” Adofo-Mensah said about Rodgers possibly becoming a Viking.
Then, some prominent purple fans and media members turned around to claim Rodgers may be on the way.
A popular X account, called Vikeologist tweeted: “The Kwesi presser didn’t rule out a damn thing. The Vikings had interest in Rodgers and still may have interest in him. This just means they won’t do anything until after the draft as to not mess with the comp pick formula. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Rodgers in purple by Training Camp.”
Rodgers has absolutely nothing to do with Minnesota’s compensatory draft pick formula.’
Vikeologist wasn’t alone. SKOR North’s Judd Zulgad tweeted, “Sixteen years ago, Brett Favre became a Viking. Could the same thing happen with Aaron Rodgers. We can no longer dismiss the possibility.”
Rodgers could be available to the Vikings if he remains unemployed and another summer injury strikes McCarthy. Adofo-Mensah merely stated that the door on Rodgers isn’t closed eternally because you never know if chaos could rock his roster.
Gleaning from Adofo-Mensah’s press conference that Rodgers is probably on the way is just mind-boggling. The guy in charge said the opposite.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: J.J. McCarthy knows he has to earn the QB1 job this summer, but ESPN thinks he wants a gender reveal-like ceremony for the job title.
Kay Adams asked McCarthy on Tuesday about winning the QB1 title following the essential end to Aaron Rodgers rumors last week.
McCarthy claimed there was no formal announcement. “They haven’t told me, and I’m happy they didn’t because I try to earn it every single day. I never want that to be given to me. It’s such a privilege and an opportunity to give me that chance. I’m just gonna make the most of it every single day,” he told Adams.
In short, McCarthy responded exactly how one might expect. “I never want that given to me,” isn’t an egotistical or arrogant response.
ESPN pundits then found a snippet of McCarthy’s segment with Adams — and ran with it in the most bizarre manner imaginable.
“First of all, they don’t have to tell him a damn thing. They already did. Did you re-sign Sam Darnold? No. Did you bring Aaron Rodgers there? No. I mean, damn. It’s your spot. We all know you. You just gotta go and play. I don’t get it. Here’s the deal. He was a rookie last year and got injured,” Smith said on First Take.
Sharpe piled on, “Stephen A… what does he want? Does he want a quarterback reveal? You know how we see all these TikTok trends and gender reveals. So, what’s he want, a quarterback reveal? QB1 is JJ McCarthy and it’s blue. Man, get outta here. Go play football, man.”
McCarthy did the opposite of what Smith and Sharpe implied — he accepted Adams’ question with grace. Smith and Sharpe then twisted the situation into a bizarre rebuke. Unreal.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings ownership is waiting to “see what the draft looks like” before extending Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s contract.
Some fans have stated that Mark and Zygi Wilf “want to see one more draft” from Adofo-Mensah before extending his contract.
This take is silly because the Wilfs won’t make a long-term decision on Adofo-Mensah based on a draft class that’s a few weeks or months old.
Adofo-Mensah said this week that his extension talks are ongoing and that a deal hasn’t been finalized because he’s been so focused on free agency and the draft.
Extensions take time, and the 2025 draft isn’t a smoking-gun moment for Adofo-Mensah’s employment.
The Wilfs telling Adofo-Mensah, “You drafted Derrick Harmon, so we’re going to let you walk,” just doesn’t add up whatsoever.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Newest Viking … with the Most Upside
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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