Vikings Nopedy Nopes: J.J. McCarthy Trade to CLE, the Raiders Deal, False Sam Darnold Reporting
our rumor mill, and we hope you enjoy. Here is the 47th batch of Vikings nopedy nopes in the series’ history.
The Nopedy Nope: J.J. McCarthy could be traded to the Cleveland Browns in a deal involving Myles Garrett.
 takes the field before an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24306097.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=699,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24306097.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/USATSI_24306097-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption>Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) takes the field before an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio. © Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>ESPN Radio host Paul Hembekides floated an idea Monday, suggesting the Vikings should onboard quarterback Deshaun Watson from the Cleveland Browns. Watson, in theory, would become a Viking while also nabbing pass rusher Myles Garrett from Cleveland, who requested a trade this week.</p>
<p>“What if the Minnesota Vikings are able or willing to take on the Deshaun Watson contract as well? So, you get out from under Deshaun, you trade away a franchise quarterback, and you make it a two-for-one instead. How, how much, how badly do you wanna get rid of the Deshaun Watson anchor?” <a href=)
Hembekides asked his show co-hosts.
Yes, his idea was swapping J.J. McCarthy for Myles Garrett and Deshaun Watson.
Such trade theories — Garrett and Watson for McCarthy — are now evidently fair game after the Dallas Mavericks (NBA) shipped Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for a bizarre haul that included Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 1st-Rounder.
The Vikings won’t trade McCarthy for an EDGE rusher and injured, defamed quarterback.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: McCarthy could also be traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.
scouting department explained. “Teams around the league should be keeping a close eye on what they decide to do with Darnold’s free agency, because there will either be a promising quarterback prospect who could be on the market or a veteran whose stock is on the rise.”
“The Vikings have the lowest investment in this year’s draft with just four total picks and two in the top 100. They could change that quickly if they were willing to trade McCarthy. The Michigan quarterback might have been the top quarterback prospect in this class, and he was only 21 when he was drafted,” BR added.
These McCarthy ideas are akin to Justin Jefferson trade talk last year that was media-driven, out of left field, and never realistic.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
The Nopedy Nope: Kevin O’Connell said Sam Darnold will be a big part of his team winning a Super Bowl.
 warms up before the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/samdchi.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=628,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/samdchi.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/samdchi-788×444.jpg” alt><figcaption> Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<p>Speaking after the NFL Awards ceremony, Kevin O’Connell <a href=)
told reporters, “Our goal is to win a championship, and he’s going to be a huge part of it when we do it.”
He was talking about Justin Jefferson, but one Detroit Lions reporter decided O’Connell was talking about Darnold.
Kevin O’Connell in his Coach of the Year news conference: Our goal is to win a championship and Sam Darnold is going to be a huge part of it when we do it.
Sure sounds like Vikings want to ride with Darnold next year.
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) February 7, 2025
The quote felt like a DJ record scratch, as most Vikings fans are ready to start the J.J. McCarthy era.
But crisis averted because O’Connell did not say that about Darnold, and Birkett got it wrong.
Verdict: Nopedy nope.
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.
