Vikings Misses and Myths: QB Trades, The Supporting Cast, Shaleak Knotts
· Yahoo Sports
Every Sunday, we release the Minnesota Vikings’ “nopedy nopes,” a column filled with bad takes, wild guesses, and ideas that haven’t aged well.
Minnesota’s weekly Nopedy Nopes return with quarterback theories, roster rankings, and a departed wide receiver.
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This May 24 edition arrives after most major offseason activities have concluded.
A Few Vikings Takes Already Deserve Pushback
We have the Nopedy Nopes for the week leading up to OTAs.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) loosens up during pregame warmups before facing the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 10, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. McCarthy prepared for one of his first preseason appearances as Minnesota evaluated the rookie quarterback’s progress and comfort level within Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY SportsThe Nopedy Nope: The Vikings trading J.J. McCarthy.
NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero spoke at length this week about the Vikings’ quarterback room, notably saying about the notion of trading McCarthy, “They’re not just gonna punt up on him. If this were just Kyler’s job, and J.J. is competing with Carson Wentz to be the two, you would’ve traded J.J.”
“You would’ve gotten what you could get for him already. The longer you wait to trade a guy like J.J. McCarthy, the less his value is. Other teams trade for untapped potential.”
So, per Pelissero, the clues suggest McCarthy has a real chance to dethrone Murray as the top dog. Many have assumed that because Minnesota signed Murray in March, along with Carson Wentz, that McCarthy could be expendable and on the trade block.
That logic is false.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on the Vikings trading McCarthy in 2026. He’s only 23 years old, and there’s no reason to diminish the quarterback depth when two of the Vikings’ last three seasons have been ruined by quarterback injuries.
The Nopedy Nope: Minnesota’s supporting cast on offense ranks near the bottom of the NFL.
This week, FOX Sports ranked every NFL team’s supporting cast, placing the Vikings at a surprisingly low No. 22. While most Vikings fans likely consider the team’s playmakers and offensive system among the roster’s strengths, FOX Sports clearly held a different view.
Sitting just ahead of the New Orleans Saints’ supporting cast, Ralph Vacchiano explained Minnesota at No. 22: “They certainly have given whomever is their quarterback some good receivers to work with. Justin Jefferson is as good as any in football when everything is working right with the offense, and Jordan Addison is a strong No. 2. The Vikings also went out and added the underrated Jauan Jennings to give the QB another option. And TE T.J. Hockenson is a big weapon in the passing game, too — at least when he’s healthy.”
“Beyond that, though, they really have to lean into the mind of head coach Kevin O’Connell because there are some issues. The offensive line was not good nor healthy last season.”
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts alongside wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) after a game on Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. O’Connell and Addison celebrated following another productive offensive performance as the Vikings continued pushing through the NFC playoff race late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesBecause of Jefferson and Addison on the roster, most Vikings fans assumed Minnesota would check in within this ranking’s Top 15. Nope.
“And they lean way too much on 32-year-old, oft-injured RB Aaron Jones. That lack of a dependable running game is big. It’s why defenses could tee off on Vikings QBs, who were sacked 60 times last season — tied for second-most in the league,” Vacchiano concluded.
The Vikings lack youth at running back, and few dispute it. But any team with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings as the main three WR options should not rank in the NFL’s bottom 11 weapon rankings.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on FOX Sports‘ absurdly low ranking. What are we doing?
The Nopedy Nope: WR Shaleak Knotts would have staying power this summer.
It was a short career for Knotts in the Twin Cities. NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Tuesday, “The Vikings opened up a spot on their 90-man roster on Tuesday. The team announced that they have waived wide receiver Shaleak Knotts and they did not make a corresponding addition to fill out their active roster.”
“Knotts signed with the Vikings after going undrafted last month. He appeared in 43 games for Maryland over the last four seasons and caught 67 passes for 963 yards and seven touchdowns while playing for the Terrapins.”
Had the rookie remained on the Vikings’ roster, he likely would’ve competed for a practice squad spot this summer. Instead, this is Minnesota’s updated wide receiver room:
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Jordan Addison
WR3: Jauan Jennings
WR4: Tai Felton
WR5: Myles Price
WR6: Jeshaun Jones
WR7: Dontae Fleming
WR8: Joaquin Davis
WR9: Dillon Bell
WR10: Luke Wysong
WR11: Marcus Sanders
WR12: Terrill Davis
Terrill Davis seems to have taken Knotts’s 90-man roster spot, and like Knotts, he projects more as a practice squad player.
Maryland Terrapins wide receiver Shaleak Knotts (4) scores a touchdown on fourth down against the Northern Illinois Huskies on Sep. 5, 2025, at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland. Knotts delivered a pivotal second-half scoring play while helping Maryland generate momentum during a competitive nonconference matchup at home. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn ImagesIt’s also worth noting that Minnesota’s roster could be ripe for an upstart UDFA to emerge at wide receiver. The current WR5, Myles Price, is a kick and punt returner and was hardly used on offense as a rookie last year. That could bode well for Davis or one of his undrafted pals.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Knotts. He lasted about a month with the Vikings.