Vikings quarterback option throws pick on first pass with new team
One of the quarterbacks they had debated between was Aaron Rodgers, who could have completed the Brett Favre Batman villain arc had he signed with the team. That being said, nothing ever materialized, and he ended up with the Pittsburgh Steelers for what he believes to be his final season in the NFL.
He started his final traning camp in a special way though: throwing a pick-6
Even if they had stuck with Rodgers, the rest of the Vikings' options at quarterback have all made the same mistake so far. Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr intercepted Sam Howell on his first pass of the training camp. That was followed up by a patented Gink 6 when Andrew Van Ginkel picked off a screen pass from Brett Rypien and returned it for a touchdown.
Tough sledding in July for the quarterbacks, except J.J. McCarthy so far.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings QB option throws pick on first pass with new team
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
Rams 2nd-year DB is shining in camp ahead of what could be a breakout season
Sean McVay had some seriously high praise for McCollough this week This time last year, Jaylen McCollough was doing his best to show the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff that he was deserving of a roster spot. With a strong performance in camp, he not only made the team, but he also earned playing time on defense as an undrafted rookie. Now entering his second season in the NFL, McCollough's stock is on the rise. The former Tennessee safety drew rave reviews from Rams coach Sean McVay after practice Monday thanks to his consistent impact on defense as a versatile chess piece. 'It's really the same thing that you saw him do a great job with last year. He's so valuable. He's so versatile,' McVay said. 'He can play safety or the dime linebacker. When we played Seattle last year, the first game, he was playing linebacker on early and normal down and distances and taking on guards when they're easily climbing to him uncovered.' McCollough, who's 6-foot and 202 pounds, can play a variety of roles for the Rams. And his impact is felt no matter where he lines up, whether it's in the slot, deep as a free safety or in the box as a linebacker. Last season, he played 10 snaps on the line of scrimmage, 156 in the box, 123 in the slot and 92 as a deep safety, according to Pro Football Focus. And that was as an undrafted rookie still trying to find his footing. Heading into Year 2, he's poised for an even bigger role as he continues to improve. 'What's cool is when I think about you guys ask me about different players, these are people you don't bet against,' McVay continued. 'They just show their value. They are grown men and they're mature beyond their years. That's exactly how 'Tank' McCullough came in last year. I think there are certain guys that just have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. He was doing that at Tennessee. It's not by mistake that he had the ball production that he did last year. He's made of the right stuff. I love what he's about. He's just continuing to get better and to really show his value to this football team.' McCollough played 30% of the snaps last season and still managed to tie for the team lead with four interceptions, one of which he returned 4 yards for a touchdown against the Packers. It's reasonable to think his playing time will increase this year, especially considering he didn't play more than 18 snaps in a game until Week 9 last season. With Kamren Curl, Kamren Kinchens and McCollough all in the mix, the Rams have one of the most intriguing safety groups in the league. It may not be the best in the NFL just yet, but they have the potential to make big strides this season, particularly with McCollough's versatility and playmaking ability. Given how frequently Chris Shula deploys three-safety packages and moves around his defensive backs, McCollough could be in for a breakout year. Hybrid safeties like him with position flexibility provide a ton of value in today's pass-heavy league and McCollough is the latest to fit that mold.


USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
40 days until Saints season opener: Every player to wear No. 40
From Dalton Hilliard and Mike Bell to Delvin Breaux We are down to a 40-day wait until the New Orleans Saints take the field for their 2025 regular season opener at home against the Arizona Cardinals. Rookie seventh round choice Fadil Diggs is currently in possession of the No. 40 for the Saints. Diggs is trying to become the 19th player in New Orleans franchise history to wear that number during the regular season. Here is the complete list of who preceded him. Saints' History of No. 40 Earl Gros was the first to put on a No. 40 jersey for New Orleans, but did so for only one game. Hoyle Granger was the first to wear it for an entire season but was only a Saint through the 1971 campaign. Of the 18 players who have worn No. 40 with the Saints, 17 of them did so for two years or less, with 13 of those wearing it for just one year. Terry Schmidt was the first player to keep 40 for more than a season, the first one to be drafted by the Saints to wear No. 40, and also the first defensive player to wear it. Schmidt was with the Saints for two seasons and led the 1974 squad with 4 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Dalton Hilliard was a Round 2 choice, 31st overall, from the LSU Tigers in the 1986 NFL draft, the highest drafted player by New Orleans to wear No. 40. Hilliard had a fantastic eight-year career as a Saint. However, he only wore 40 during his 1986 rookie season before switching to his more-familiar No. 21. As a rookie, Hilliard had 138 offensive touches for 532 yards and 5 scores. Robert Massey was also a Round 2 pick, selected with the 46th overall choice by the Saints in the 1989 NFL draft out of North Carolina Central. Massey had a promising start to his career, intercepting 5 passes for an outstanding 1989 New Orleans defense. He was only with the Saints for two years, however, before going on to standout years with the Phoenix Cardinals and three other teams through 1997. Brian Milne arrived as a free-agent addition in 2000, which would turn out to be his only year with the team and last of a five-year NFL career. Milne split time at fullback during the 2000 season, rushing for one score, and was also a strong special teams performer. It was there that he was part of one of the most iconic plays in franchise history. The Saints were holding onto a thin 31-28 lead over the St. Louis Rams in a 2000 wild-card playoff game. Milne would recover a fumbled punt late in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory, the first postseason win in New Orleans history. Mel Mitchell was a fifth-round choice by the Saints in the 2002 NFL draft. More notably, Mitchell is the only player to wear No. 40 with the Saints for more than two years, suiting up for three years and 44 games as primarily a special teams contributor. Of the nine offensive players to wear No. 40 for New Orleans, none wore it for longer than one season. Running back Mike Bell had a strong 2009 in the backfield rotation during the team's Super Bowl XLIV title run, finishing second in rushing yardage. He wore No. 21 that season, only wearing 40 for four games after being signed late in 2008. The story of Delvin Breaux is one of courage and resilience. A star at McDonogh 35, Breaux broke his neck during a game and was unable to play collegiately at LSU. Instead, he'd rehabilitate his injury and starred for the Louisiana Bayou Vipers before going on to be one of the best players in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. From there, Breaux's unlikely journey to the NFL continued when signed by the Saints in 2015. Breaux instantly earned a starting job and started all 16 contests that year. He was a standout corner on an otherwise bad defense, shutting down some of the league's finest receivers and leading the Saints with 3 interceptions and 19 passes broken up. A broken leg that was misdiagnosed by team doctors in 2016 limited Breaux to only six games and hastened the end of his NFL career the following year. He'd return to the CFL as an all-star but would have undoubtedly had a longer stint as a standout with his hometown Saints if not for the blunders of the medical staff. Since Delvin Breaux, only two players have worn No. 40 for New Orleans in the last eight seasons, doing so for a combined 11 contests. Fadil Diggs now gets his shot at an edge rusher spot where the Saints are desperate for talent and production.


USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
Fox Sports analyst offers a direct but confusing opinion about Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
Fox Sports analyst Danny Parkins says Jalen Hurts has been 'propped up by the system' .@DannyParkins tells Eagles fans the TRUTH about Jalen Hurts At this point, it has become obvious that the promise can't be kept. No longer will you be told that further energy won't be given to a Jalen Hurts discussion about where and how he should rank. He is simply too fascinating. The Philadelphia Eagles are much too big a brand. The theories about his brilliance are all over the place. So, every time, just when one thinks he or she is out, they are pulled back into conversations about his impact and, of course, where he ranks among his peers. Recently, FS1's Colin Cowherd took a day off. Breakfast Ball's Danny Parkins hosted the Herd. What did he do? Well, of course, he talked about Jalen Hurts. "Jalen Hurts having nine different play callers over nine years, spanning back to college, speaks incredibly highly to his football character and his football intelligence. Jalen Hurts playing, not one but two, not good but great, Super Bowls obviously is incredibly valuable. No one would deny any of it". Having said all of that, here's where things become hard to follow. If that's the theory he believes in, how on Planet Earth is he, as Parkins states, the NFL's tenth-best quarterback? Where does that idea come from? For answers, we dig a little deeper. Parkins' argument isn't much different from a tired angle that has been expressed far too often. "It's totally reasonable to say that the guy who was 22nd in the NFL in pass attempts last year is propped up by the system in which he plays in and the guys around him." Much is overlooked in that theory. First, Jalen Hurts isn't the only Philadelphia Eagle whose passing game production has declined. A.J. Brown was targeted 97 times, catching 67 of those for 1,079 yards and one touchdown—his lowest numbers since joining the team. DeVonta Smith was targeted 89 times, securing 68 receptions for 833 yards, which also marks a career low for him. What caused this decline? Philadelphia committed to Saquon Barkley to lead its rushing attack, resulting in a remarkable 2,000-yard season for him, which stands as the best in franchise history. DeVonta Smith was targeted 89 times and hauled in 68 grabs for 833 yards. Again, all were career lows. What happened? Philly committed to Saquon Barkley leading its rushing attack. The result was a 2,000-yard season for him, which doubles as the best in franchise history. Here's another way of stating that. Everyone sacrificed something for the good of the Eagles' offense this past season. The goal was winning, and Philadelphia achieved it frequently. They notched a franchise-record 14 regular-season wins. They won their second Vince Lombardi Trophy. Hurts was often asked to throw less because that was the game plan, not because he wasn't skilled enough to do so. Parkins listed his top ten quarterbacks. They are as follows: If you're confused, don't worry. It's completely understandable. The criteria for building these rankings often change while the ranking is being constructed. Look at the ranking. Think about everything you have heard Danny Parkins say. Jalen Hurts outplayed Patrick Mahomes during two Super Bowls, and he won one of them. Seven guys on this list haven't won their first yet. Hurts is clutch in big moments. Justin Herbert and Baker Mayfield aren't. Hurts has never lost to Jayden Daniels in a game where both started and finished. Plus, Daniels hasn't won a Super Bowl, nor has he been to one. Let's not look at this through rose-colored lenses. If you want to place Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, and Jackson ahead of Hurts, even if someone were to disagree with the ranking, they could understand the argument, but don't you dare place him behind Herbert, Stafford, Daniels, Goff, and Mayfield. That's just disrespectful. It's especially disrespectful if you are using terms like clutch, winning, and Super Bowl. When has Mayfield won without great talent? Where is Goff and Herbert's signature win during the postseason? Wait! Isn't Herbert winless in two postseason attempts? Didn't he have a big lead in one of those games? Seriously everyone... What are we doing with these rankings?