David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Vikings Cutting QB J.J. McCarthy Today? Fuhgeddaboudit

Posted on August 30, 2026August 30, 2026 by David Shama

Enjoy a Sunday notes column.

NFL rosters must be reduced to 53 men tonight (Sunday) by 5 p.m. Minneapolis time. Any speculation the Vikings will cut disappointing third year quarterback J.J. McCarthy from their roster is ludicrous.

McCarthy, who has won six regular-season games as the team’s starter and lost the No. 1 job to Kyler Murray in training camp this summer, could be traded over the weekend or later. Dismiss any speculation, though, the Vikings will give him up for a late round future draft choice, or cut him for the roster with nothing in return.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings QB, image by David Shama — J.J. McCarthy

The likely scenario is the Vikings won’t receive trade offers that entice them, and it makes sense that decision makers Kevin O’Connell (head coach) and Nolan Teasley (general manager) aren’t giving up so soon on Minnesota’s 2024 first round draft choice. Even if the 23-year-old is going to be replaced for now by Carson Wentz as backup quarterback, it doesn’t mean McCarthy can’t follow a path where he emerges as at least a serviceable NFL starter.

Other predictions about today’s cutdown include a nod here to rookie Brett Thorson winning the punting job from veteran Johnny Hekker, and linebacker Ivan Pace and offensive tackle Walter Rouse, both veterans, being cut. Bubble RB Zavier Scott makes the team but second-year former Golden Gopher QB Max Brosmer does not.

It wouldn’t be surprising at all to see the Vikings add a player or two from the Seahawks roster after they make their cuts, partly because Teasley, as a former Seattle executive, worked for the organization for 13 seasons.

Promising Vikings rookie defensive lineman Domonique Orange has potential to have one of the better nicknames in franchise history. Known as “Big Citrus,” he is listed by the team at 6-2 and 322 pounds. If he becomes a mainstay his handle can be up there with “Harry the Hitman” (Harrison Smith), “All Day” Adrian Peterson, Randy “The Freak” Moss, and “Benchwarmer” Bob Lurtsema.

BTW, a source said word inside the Vikings organization is that it’s “highly doubtful” the 37-year-old Smith decides to play another season.

Former Twins general manager Thad Levine talks weekly with prominent sports newsmakers on his podcast Rosters to Rings. It’s the kind of in-depth content you’d expect from the cerebral Levine.

The presumptive sale of the Los Angeles Lakers for $12.5 billion this summer is a startling contrast to the historical purchase prices of the NBA franchise, per A.I. The Detroit Gems were purchased for $15,000 and moved to Minneapolis in 1947. Bob Short bought the club for $150,000 in 1957, moved the team to L.A. in 1960 and sold it for about $5 million in 1965.

With the addition of 23-year-old power forward Jonathan Kuminga, the Timberwolves now have a starting lineup that averages a youthful 26.4 years. Point guard LaMelo Ball, shooting guard Anthony Edwards and small forward Jaden McDaniels are all 25, and center Rudy Gobert is 34. Remove Gobert, and the Wolves have a foursome averaging 24.5 years.

With that youth, the Wolves may be positioned for a long time to compete against two other dominant and youthful teams in the Spurs and Thunder. Those franchises are wagering favorites to win the 2027 NBA title with the Wolves a top 10 bet.

Possibility that the NHL will add an expansion team in Texas (Houston or Austin) could prompt speculation the new team will play in the Western Conference’s Central Division and allow the Wild to join a less competitive division. Minnesota might jump at the chance to escape the Avalanche and Stars.

A big storyline to follow when the Wild heads into training camp and preseason next month will be who establishes himself as the team’s No. 1 goalie. Filip Gustavsson, 28, has the edge in experience but the NHL Network recently gave Jesper Wallstedt, 23, the No. 9 spot on its list of top 10 league goalies.

The Avalanche’s Cale Makar’s new contract extension is expected to prompt a new deal for the Wild’s Quinn Hughes. It’s believed the Hughes camp has been waiting for the Makar signing to set the market for defensemen as they are two of the best in the world.

Makar’s new compensation is reportedly at $20. 4 million in annual average value. Hughes may become the Wild’s highest compensated player, exceeding the $17 million annual average value reported deal of teammate Kirill Kaprizov.

Fordy Leipold, son of Craig Leipold, is director of marketing of his dad’s new Minnesota Forge pro volleyball team based in St. Paul.

New gameday food items will be available at Huntington Bank Stadium for Golden Gophers football and include Papa Pete’s Mini Donuts (Section 121), Cold Stone Creamery (Sections 131, 121), Sushi Flip Pops (Section 143), Salads & Sides (Section 127) and Original Fried Chicken Tenders in the West Plaza. Mini Sloppy Joe’s will be featured at the Game Day Cart (Section 143).

New Spam-inspired offerings include Spam Corn Dogs at Curds & Cakes (Section 123), the Spam Stadium Dog at the Sizzle Stand (Section 135) and Spam Fries in Club Cambria. Dominos Pizza, BBQ Cabin, Maui Wowi, Minnesota’s Original Brat Dog, The Lotus Vietnamese and Parlour Burger locations return this season. Proceeds from Parlour Burger benefit Dinkytown Athletes.

Gophers starting center Ashton Beers attended a media gathering for food sampling at the stadium. Asked what’s the best food option in small town Slinger, Wisconsin, he replied: “Culver’s.”

Linemate Tony Nelson, the right guard who was raised on a family farm near Tracy, got married recently to Amber Findlay.

University of Minnesota athletics lost two extraordinary boosters with the deaths this summer of Kay McReavy and Lee Sundet, both of whom passed away in their 90s. Condolences to friends and family.

Probably safe to say there will be more than a little grumbling among Gopher football fans that want to watch the opener in their homes Thursday night against Eastern Illinois; they need the Peacock platform.

The Gophers are the only Big Ten football program returning their head coach, offensive and defensive coordinators, and starting quarterback.

Pickle ball sources say former Gopher basketball player Andre Hollins, 2011-2015, is outstanding at the game.

No details announced yet, but big names are expected for signings at the Minnesota Card Show September 17-20 at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Over 600 vendor tables will feature sports cards and other memorabilia.

Quarterback Anthony Policare, the first- year starter who threw the winning touchdown pass in the last minute of the St. Thomas 15-9 season opening win against Winona State last week, is a transfer from Buffalo University where he spent three years.

A certain online sports columnist celebrates 20 years this month!

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Plenty of Room on U Football Bandwagon Right Now

Posted on August 25, 2026August 25, 2026 by David Shama

In regard to wins and losses in 2026, the Golden Gophers football team isn’t generating much buzz from the media. A middle of the pack finish in the 18-team Big Ten and middling bowl game is a common prognostication.

Athlon Sports magazine projects an 11^th place finish. Lindy’s Sports publications and Cleveland.com project 10^th in the standings.

Those are authoritative sources and so too is RJ Young from Foxsports.com who detailed all 138 FBS football teams last week and ranked Minnesota, 8-5 last season, at No. 59 in the nation. Mississippi State, who the Gophers play at home in their second game of the year, was 5-8 in 2025 but is ranked No. 52. Wisconsin, who Minnesota meets in the season finale, is No. 49 after finishing 4-8 last season.

Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach, writing for ESPN.com recently, projected the college football playoff and bowl teams. Schlabach forecasts Minnesota playing Arizona State in the First Responder Bowl in Dallas. Bonagura didn’t include the Gophers among teams destined for postseason play.

Most authorities researched by this writer aren’t so pessimistic as Mr. Bonagura and project a bowl game for Minnesota. There are college football media that have the Gophers among the top 50 teams in the nation, and The Athletic’s Chris Vannini ranks Minnesota No. 39.

But it’s a ho-hum outlook across the board from media gurus. Why?

Well, the Gophers play in the Big Ten Conference that arguably is the best in college football. Minnesota figures to be an underdog in its games against Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Penn State and Washington. Toss ups in the 12-game regular season schedule look like Mississippi State, Northwestern, UCLA and Wisconsin. The most certain wins appear to be FCS Eastern Illinois and Akron in nonconference games, and Purdue in the Big Ten. And remember the Gophers play five of their conference games on the road.

Then, too, there is history. Coach P.J. Fleck, entering his 10^th season in Minneapolis, has a track record of winning about half his Big Ten games. The overall records for the last five seasons are: 9-4 twice, 8-5 twice and 6-7 once—or an average of 8 wins per year.

The sports books set Minnesota’s win total for 2026 at 6.5. Fleck said neither he nor his team pay attention to the sports books. …”Our kids are focused on being 1-0 every single day. Finding a way to get better. Today (Monday) was a great practice. This team’s been really fun to coach because whatever you put in front of them, they knock down. …”

When pressed for a Gopher season prediction last week by friends, this writer forecasted 7-6. Give me an asterisk on that. The view here is the Gophers could finish anywhere from 5-7 to 9-4 including a bowl win.

Injuries will be significant in determining the final record. If the Gophers are fortunate enough to have their starters (particularly a half dozen or so of the key players) stay out of the medical tent this team could roll to success. Then, too, key injuries to opponents could give the Gophers an edge against quality teams not foreseen right now.

Here’s something that doesn’t get valued enough and was sourced by ESPN. The Gophers retain about 68% of their overall returning production from the 2025 season, or the 7th-highest percentage in the FBS. Fleck brings back about 71% of his production on offense and 65% on defense.

A valued college football source told Sports Headliners this is Fleck’s most talented team, partially because of returning quarterback Drake Lindsey. He could take a big step in year two as the starter, ranking with the better passers in college football.

Gopher running back Darius Taylor — Darius Taylor photo courtesy of University of Minnesota

Darius Taylor, injury plagued in the past, is a big play threat running from scrimmage and catching a pass in space. The running back room looks intriguing with newcomers including Ryan Estrada who Fleck praised yesterday in front of reporters.

New receivers coach Isaac Fruechte is likely to get more production out of that group than in the past to help Lindsey. Targets of watch include Jalen Smith, who was the offensive MVP of the Rate Bowl last December, and Cincinnati transfer Noah Jennings who wears jersey No. 13 like 2019 All-American WR Rashod Bateman. Fleck has compared the two.

The Gophers probably have two future NFL players in left tackle Nathan Roy and left guard Greg Johnson. Veteran center Ashton Beers is a tough player and will be productive, too. Right guard and tackle are concerns but there’s probably more talent and depth than last year.

It will be a surprise if Anthony Smith, who led the Big Ten in sacks last season, isn’t an All-American. Fellow edge defenders Karter Menz, TJ Bush Jr. and Jaxon Howard figure to make things difficult for opposing quarterbacks when they try to pass.

Some combos of those players may at times play in the middle of the line. A big physical presence is needed in the middle to stop runners. Theorin Randle, Riley Sunram and Naquan Crowder are names to watch develop as regulars on the interior. Don’t be surprised if Forest Lake freshman Howie Johnson gets in the rotation.

More star power is at linebacker with Maverick Baranowski. Matt Kingsbury is the likely starter at the other linebacker spot, with Joey Gerlach and Emmanuel Karmo adding depth and talent to the LB roster.

Cornerback John Nestor is among the more highly regarded cornerbacks in the Big Ten. He makes timely plays and his six interceptions last season tied for best in the conference. The Gophers have another star in the secondary in strong safety Kerry Brown who probably contributed more at times last season than crowd favorite Koi Perich.

Aydan West, a hyped transfer from Michigan State, should give the Gophers a pair of exceptional cornerbacks. Mekhai Smith or Zack Harden show promise at the free safety position.

Special teams look pretty much like a blank slate. Other than returnee Tom Weston, a quality punter, the identity of kickoff and punt returnees, and field goals and extra points specialists is in limbo. The upside is new special team coach Daniel Da Prato has a glowing resume from other stops and could be the best of the Fleck era. Fleck said his new coach has “done a tremendous job.”

And then there is this for those who like to finish on a high note. Before the 2019 season sports books had Minnesota at 6.5 or 7 wins for the team that went 11-2 and finished No. 10 in the final Associated Press poll.

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Rookie Class Looks Like a Winner for Minnesota Vikings

Posted on August 23, 2026August 23, 2026 by David Shama

NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players next Sunday, August 30. It looks like the Vikings may announce a roster that includes nine rookies.

Training camp and the preseason indicate the Vikings could have one of their highest value group of first season players in the last 10 years. Typically, NFL teams see 6 to 10 rookies make their final rosters of 53 players, so Minnesota likely ends in the high range in 2025.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson — Justin Jefferson image courtesy of Minnesota Vikings

Certainly, this class looks like a sharp contrast to the 2022 group that produced no high impact players and saw most of the rookies experience a brief stay in Minneapolis. The 2020 class is the best in recent years and contributed two starters still with the club, Justin Jefferson and Josh Mettellus. Cam Dantzler, D.J. Wonnum and K.J. Osborn were also solid rookie additions.

The way it looks here, eight drafted rookies make the roster next Sunday, plus one free agent first-year player. That surprise rookie is safety Jacob Thomas from James Madison who started his college career there as a walk-on quarterback.

The drafted rookies who project in making the roster are:

Defensive lineman Caleb Banks, first round.

Linebacker Jake Golday, second round.

Defensive lineman Domonique Orange, offensive lineman Caleb Tiernan and safety Jakobe Thomas; all third round.

Fullback Max Bredeson and cornerback Charles Demmings, fourth round.

Running back Desmond Claiborne, sixth round.

During the season Minnesota will have starters or frequent rotational players among the rookie class. Bredeson is the only fullback on the roster and has been impressive in training camp. The interior defense was an offseason priority and Orange could be a starter at nose tackle in September, while Banks, with a recent history of foot injuries, may be eased in at defensive tackle with his workload likely to increase during the fall.

Other rookies referenced here figure to contribute as rotation players and on special teams. Claiborne, with his elite speed and acceleration, could be among the most fun players to watch, possibly as a “home run” return man and situational runner out of the backfield.

If this group of rookies holds up in value, it warrants props to Rob Brzezinski who as interim general manager led the 2026 draft. He remains with the team as executive vice president of operations and works with GM Nolan Teasley who was hired in late spring.

BTW, in a glass half full view 11 rookies might make the 53-man roster for the regular season. Impressive Georgia alums and free agent signed wide receiver Dillon Bell and punter Brett Thorson are worthy of inclusion but face challenging competition from veterans to be included.

Props for Golden Gophers General Manager

An anonymous Big Ten Conference assistant football coach gave the Gophers and key leader Gerrit Chernoff props in the Athlon Sports College Football Preview. “They evaluate really well,” he said. “…Their GM (Gerrit Chernoff) is awesome. They have a really, really good personnel staff. They know exactly what their wheelhouse is, and they strike really well in it.”

Chernoff was named general manager of the Minnesota football staff in January 2017, the same month Fleck was hired. He was promoted to assistant athletic director/general manager in January 2021. Chernoff oversees all off-field aspects of the Minnesota football program including player personnel, where the Gophers have excelled in retention of their starters despite the lure of the transfer portal.

“I mean, Gerrit is the glue to our entire organization,” Fleck said. “He’s probably the most important person in the entire building, (and even) more important to me. He really is.

“One, he is very selfless. And I think as a head football coach—I was told this a long time ago—it might be your program…but don’t think every single person cares as much as you do about your program. And Gerrit does.

“And I think that’s what makes him incredibly valuable. He’s a tremendous friend, but he’s a very selfless worker, and there’s so much that he’s … (involved with), you can’t even put a job description together for him because he just does so much.

“We’ve known each other now 12 years and that’s a long time to work with somebody. We work cohesively at making a lot of decisions, not only just personnel, just day-to-day situations and decisions. But I don’t want to ever make a decision without running it by him because I think he knows me better than anybody inside the organization.

“Heather (Fleck’s wife) even says at times…like he knows me better than Heather knows me… spending every single waking hour together, especially in football. This program wouldn’t be where it is without Gerrit Chernoff for sure.”

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