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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Ray Ratto

Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the sidelines during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Sam Darnold?! Uh, Yeah. Sam Darnold.

David Roth

Wide receiver Plaxico Burress #17 of the New York Giants warms up for the game with the Arizona Cardinals on November 23, 2008. It looks like he's looking at the Distraction logo at upper right of the frame.

Podcasts

The Plaxico Continuum

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Red Sox at Comerica Park.

Mild Card Season, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings dives with the ball for a first down during the pre-season game against Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. J.J. McCarthy’s season was cut short due to a knee injury in the preseason game.

Funbag

Bad Timing Can Make Any Injury Devastating

EAGAN, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 02: Aaron Jones #33 interacts with Sam Darnold #14 of the Minnesota Vikings during training camp on August 02, 2024 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Why Your Team Sucks

Why Your Team Sucks 2024: Minnesota Vikings

Drake Maye wears "Draft Me" sunglasses during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Data, Romance, And The NFL Draft, With Alec Lewis

Kirk Cousins speaks on SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVIII on February 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

KirkWatch: I AM FREE

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 09: Kirk Cousins throws a mini football at Radio Row at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center ahead of Super Bowl LVIII on February 09, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)

KirkWatch: America Holds Its Breath

Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings looks to throw a pass against the Green Bay Packers in the second half at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Kirk Cousins Has To Go

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Nick Mullens throws the ball directly into the face of the player who is sacking him.

Nick Mullens Tossed The Interception Of A Lifetime

Lauren Theisen

Quarterback Joshua Dobbs #15 of the Minnesota Vikings fumbles the football after being hit by safety Kareem Jackson #22 of the Denver Broncos during the first quarter of the NFL game at Empower Field At Mile High on November 19, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.

The Vikings Caught The Turnover Bug Again

Joshua Dobbs leaps into the end zone at the end of a run

Joshua “Playmaker” Dobbs Is Helping The Vikings Save Their Season

Joshua Dobbs Has Renewed My Faith In Mediocre Quarterbacks

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 29: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings runs onto the field before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Jamboroo

The End Of Kirk Cousins

Patrick Redford

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 23: Jordan Addison #3 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a first half touchdown against Charvarius Ward #7 of the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 23, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Sometimes You Just Have To Grab The Football

The Vikings Forgot How To Be Clutch

A Minnesota Vikings fan with a painted face and a goofy horned helmet looks contemplative/despondent during the team's loss to the New York Giants in the 2023 NFC Wild Card game.

What Kind Of Vikings Fan Should A Person Be?

Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts while being hit during a passing attempt against the Washington Commanders during the second half of the game at FedExField on November 6, 2022 in Landover, Maryland.

Why Your Team Sucks 2023: Minnesota Vikings

LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 06: Fans clap for the Minnesota Vikings during the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on November 6, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

How Lonely Losing Can Be

Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.

Dan McQuade

Greg Joseph #1 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates with teammates after hitting the game winning field goal in overtime against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Vikings Came Back

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Patrick Peterson #7 of the Minnesota Vikings and Camryn Bynum #24 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrate after Peterson's game winning interception in overtime against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)

The Vikings Are A Party

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Justin Jefferson #18 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass in front of Cam Lewis #39 of the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Orchard Park, New York.

Vikings Miraculously Beat Bills In Game Of The Year

Justin Ellis

Cameron Dantzler Sr. #3 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after making an interception to end the game against the Chicago Bears