Each Sunday at VikingsTerritory, we diligently track Minnesota Vikings-themed developments that don’t pan out, takes from folks that are just absurd, and blatant falsehoods that circulate on the internet.
We call them “Nopedy Nopes,” and here’s the edition for July 28th.
Vikings’ Offseason Chatter Reaches Familiar Veterans
The Nopedy Nope: Joey Bosa as an OLB option for the Vikings in free agency.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter told the Bosa story on Tuesday, with NFL training camps about a month away. He said, “It is more likely than not that Joey Bosa has played his last NFL down. Now, again, could a situation like the 49ers come along that entices him enough to come out and play again? Yeah, absolutely. We saw it happen last year with Philip Rivers, so you never know when a player is fully done and when he’s not done.”
“But the fact of the matter is, I think if the Niners wanted to pair those two together, it probably would have happened already. I think if Joey Bosa wanted to play football, it probably would have happened already.”
Bosa has twisted in the Vikings rumor stratosphere from the moment Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles in April.
If Minnesota wants a free-agnet EDGE, the list is down to this:
- Derek Barnett
- Jadeveon Clowney
- Marcus Davenport
- Leonard Floyd
- Von Miller
- Yannick Ngakoue
- Haason Reddick
- Kyle Van Noy
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Bosa turning purple.
The Nopedy Nope: Someone said Aaron Jones is washed. He vehemently disagrees.
An Instagram account named “VikesVision” that specializes in graphics of players with huge adjectives in the background teed off on Jones this week, using the “washed” label.
Jones commented on the post, “When the lights come on, it’s Showtyme 😈. Silence the doubters and haters! When I first got in the league, he was not good enough. He’s too small. Next they say, he’s injury prone — played in just as many games as your favorite backs.”
“Numbers Don’t lie. Line them up with the worlds best! The thing is, no one ever expected me to be here but ME! 10 in and I ain’t stopping now 😤💛🙏🏾.”
In short, VikesVision pissed him off.
The Verdict: Nopedy Nope on Jones’s “washed” assessment. He’s having none of that.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings have just one player in the NFL Top 100, a list sponsored by CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco.
Just in front of Puka Nacua (Los Angeles Rams, WR) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens, QB), Jefferson landed at No. 8, with Pete Prisco explaining, “He was hurt by poor quarterback play last year, but he remains the most talented receiver in the game.”
“He had 84 catches and only two touchdowns last season. Kyler Murray should help his numbers this year. (Last season: No. 5)”
Prisco also said about his criteria for the list, “Quarterbacks are by far the most valuable players in football, especially in the NFL. If you picked a list of team MVPs, it would almost certainly be filled with starting quarterbacks. But that doesn’t mean they are always the best players, although many are that and more.”
“So when putting together my list of the top 100 players in the league, it would be easy to put a quarterback at the top. But that’s not the case this year, although several are in the top 10 and scattered throughout the list.”
Several other Vikings players deserved consideration for Prisco’s list, even if their inclusion wasn’t guaranteed.
On offense, Brian O’Neill stands out. If any Minnesota offensive player was overlooked, it’s likely O’Neill. He delivers strong performance all the time and remains one of the NFL’s most reliable right tackles. If players and coaches were to vote on a Top 100, O’Neill would have a strong chance of making the cut.
Christian Darrisaw also warrants a mention. His situation is more complex due to his recovery from an ACL injury sustained in October 2024, which sidelined him for the 2025 season. Therefore, his omission from this specific list is understandable. However, when healthy, Darrisaw is undoubtedly a Top 100-caliber player.
Jordan Addison is the third offensive player worth highlighting. He has yet to achieve a 1,000-yard receiving season, and like Justin Jefferson, he contended with Minnesota’s unstable quarterback situation in 2025. This could change rapidly, though. If Kyler Murray effectively utilizes Addison’s talent, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Addison generating Top 100 buzz by this time next year.
The defensive side presents a similar scenario. Andrew Van Ginkel is the most apparent snub. He has established name recognition and offers versatile deployment across the defense. Most of the league is now aware of his contributions, making his absence particularly noticeable.
Jalen Redmond also presents a compelling case. He has delivered two excellent seasons, and his transition from the UFL likely keeps him somewhat under the national radar. Following the Vikings’ trade of Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles in April, Redmond might arguably be Minnesota’s most impactful defensive player.
Finally, Blake Cashman completes this group. His case is more challenging due to a lack of significant national attention and a tendency to miss a few games each season. Nevertheless, when healthy, he is a crucial component of Brian Flores’ defense.
The Verdict: Brian O’Neill, at the very least, should’ve made the cut. But nopedy nope.
