Purple Rumor Mill: Joshua Dobbs Interest, Ryan Tannehill, Kellen Mond’s Return
VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s Vikings rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the Mar 29th edition.
Vikings Rumors: Joshua Dobbs Interest, Ryan Tannehill, Kellen Mond’s Return
Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the purple team, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.
Here’s the first batch of the week. All past rumors can be read here.
Rumor: The Vikings explored Joshua Dobbs of 2023 fame as a QB2 option.
According to Star Tribune, the Vikings reportedly explored Joshua Dobbs’ free agency before he ultimately landed with the New England Patriots.
Ben Goessling said last eight days ago on the Access Vikings Podcast, “I actually heard this week that Josh Dobbs was a guy they looked at bringing back for a second tour of duty in Minnesota,” Goessling said. “They’re looking in that market from what I understand at this point.”
No deal materialized, and Dobbs chose to reinforce Patriots QB1 Drake Maye next season.
Re-upping with Dobbs would receive mixed reviews from the Vikings’ fan base, as at the peak of his powers, Dobbs played tremendously, but when the bottom fell out, well, it was lousy.
Rumor: Ryan Tannehill is firmly in the mix to become Minnesota’s QB2.
FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweeted one week ago, “Sources: The Vikings have had discussions with former Titans QB Ryan Tannehill about a potential deal. Talks are ongoing and nothing is imminent as of right now, sources tell NFL of FOX.”
Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show two days later, “Pelissero’s right, that it is J.J. McCarthy’s team going forward. He’s going to be the guy in OTAs. He’s going to get the reps.”
“The Tannehill conversations — if there was any conversation, it was more like, ‘Alright, might you theoretically be available if we need you?’ Because Ryan Tannehill sat all last year. I think he would probably come back for an opportunity to start for an awesome team and maybe make some decent bridge quarterback money … maybe 10 or 15 (million), something like that.”
If Minnesota makes no more moves, Brett Rypien will back up McCarthy in September.
“I don’t get the sense that anything’s imminent, and I think the Vikings hope that they don’t need him. Because the hope is, your future is now, roll with J.J. McCarthy, who’s really talented, and just move forward from there,” Rapoport added.
Tannehill is a QB2 option. Others included Joe Flacco, Case Keenum, and Drew Lock. The Vikings will probably lock one in after the draft.
Rumor: Kellen Mond has returned to football, leading the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas.
The UFL main X account tweeted Friday, “BREAKING: The San Antonio Brahmas have named Kellen Mond as their starting QB for the 2025 season.”
Pro Football Newsroom’s James Larsen added context, “Mond, the former Viking, was one of the biggest acquisitions of any UFL team this offseason. Big news for the San Antonio Brahmas fans as they approach Mar 29.”
The UFL’s 2025 campaign kicked off this weekend, and Mond boxed fellow Brahmas passers Jarrett Guarantano and Kevin Hogan for the QB1 spot.
He’s back in the news and will hope the UFL is a springboard back to the NFL.
The Brahmas’ roster also features these former Vikings:
- Kalon Barnes (CB)
- Zach McCloud (OLB)
- Kellen Mond (QB)
San Antonio’s head coach is Wade Phillips, a legendary defensive coach from his NFL tenure, and he’s actually the father of current Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips.
Mond will turn 26 this summer.
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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