Joe Nelson

Joined: Jun 1, 2024

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

J.J. McCarthy during a June 2026 OTA practice in Eagan, Minnesota.

News

Despite Wes Phillips' efforts to avoid fueling a QB fire, his comments about J.J. McCarthy's development only added intrigue to the alleged competition with Kyler Murray.

Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) throws a pass against the Green Bay Packers during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

News

Nobody has pushed the narrative that Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy are involved in a fair quarterback competition harder than NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, but the esteemed insider appears to be loosening his grip on that opinion.

Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

News

Jordan Addison has outperformed Christian Watson in every metric, so the price to extend Addison just got a lot more expensive.

Nov 1, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) pauses while warming up before a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

News

Arch Manning and the Minnesota Vikings? That's just crazy, right? Not necessarily.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

News

An anonymous NFL GM claims J.J. McCarthy wants out of Minnesota and questions the young quarterback's maturity in a new report that raises eyebrows around the Vikings.

NFL Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr.

News

Cam Dantzler, the former Minnesota Vikings cornerback, was kicked out of a United Football League game on Sunday for throwing a haymaker during a wild scuffle between the Louisville Kings and the Columbus Aviators.

Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) leaves the field after a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

News

McCarthy has been on the receiving end of harsh criticism, although some hot takes have reached a level of stupidity that doesn't match reality.

Kyler Murray speaking at his introductory press conference.

News

Frank Smith, in his first season as the assistant head coach under Kevin O'Connell with the Vikings, was in top form with coach speak as he dodged a question about a potential quarterback competition between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.

Jan 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

News

Tom Pelissero's dedication to publicly expressing his belief that Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will battle for the QB1 job in Minnesota isn't slowing down; it's speeding up.