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.

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.

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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

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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.

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) passes the ball against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 34-13

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Kyler Murray has put up solid numbers against almost every team the Vikings will face in 2026.

Vikings fans wait for their team picks during the final day of the NFL Draft Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn.

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The NFL could reveal the 2028 NFL Draft plans during the annual spring meetings, which are happening Tuesday-Wednesday in Orlando.

Nov 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) greets Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) following a game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

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Every other season has produced double-digit wins under Kevin O'Connell, and that trend suggests a big 2026 for the Minnesota Vikings.

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts as San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner (54) looks on during the second quarter U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

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The NFL schedule will be unveiled this week, but leaks are providing some context for what Minnesota's 2026 schedule could look like.

Vikings Patrick Peterson celebrates as Bills quarterback Josh Allen walks off the field. Minnesota scored when Allen didn t handle the snap at the goal line and the Vikings recovered the ball in the end zone.

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With the NFL schedule coming out this week, we'll finally understand where and when the Minnesota Vikings will be playing during the 2026 season. One of the big questions is how many national TV games, including those in primetime, they'll have.

Oct 25, 2025; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones defensive lineman Domonique Orange (95) celibates in their game with the BYU Cougars at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images

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From the high picks to the late-round selections, the Vikings' 2026 draft class could all find paths to meaningful roles as rookies.

Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray.

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It's hard to put Gray's fingerprints on any one individual pick from 2006 to 2016, but he was a college scout during an era that featured some big-time hits and misses.

Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam (center) and Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf (right) talk before an NFL International Series game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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Reducing roster spending significantly from one year to the next doesn't mean the Wilfs are doing what the Pohlads did before putting the Twins up for sale.

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The Vikings' search for a new general manager is in full force, and Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer dropped the names of six external candidates who could be in the running for the job.

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks is selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number 18 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

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While the players in the stacked class of the 2027 NFL Draft will have their names called in Washington, D.C., the best college football players in the country in 2028 could be walking onto a stage to greet NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in Minneapolis.

Joe Nelson

Joined: Jun 1, 2024

Could the Vikings Become Arch Manning's Preferred NFL Destination?

New Report Suggests J.J. McCarthy Wants Out of Minnesota, Questions His Maturity

Yes, That Was a Former Vikings Player Ejected From a UFL Game for Throwing a Punch

The J.J. McCarthy Reaction Is Getting Out of Control

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Vikings Coach Offers Non-Answer on Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy Debate

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Why the Vikings Keeping J.J. McCarthy Doesn't Prove He's Competing for QB1

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Kyler Murray's History Against Each Team on the Vikings' 2026 Schedule

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Twin Cities, Vikings Expected to Officially Land 2028 NFL Draft This Week

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Predicting Every Vikings Game Score and Final Record in 2026

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Vikings Officially Set for Mexico City Game Against 49ers

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Predicting the Vikings' Primetime Games for the 2026 NFL Season

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Why Every Vikings Draft Pick Has a Path to Playing Time in 2026

Vikings Target Terrance Gray for GM; Revisiting Minnesota’s Draft Hits and Misses During His Tenure

Speculation Swirls Around Vikings Sale, but Evidence Falls Short

Eight Candidates for Vikings GM Job Emerge, Including Former Minnesota Scout

Minnesota Emerges as Favorite to Host 2028 NFL Draft, Report Says