Massive shock in Minnesota! On Thursday (November 20, 2025), the Vikings officially announced they have waived CB Dwight McGlothern Jr. – the young talent once hailed as the “raw gem full of magic” from the 2024 UDFA class. This decision has left many Purple fans absolutely stunned because “Nudie” is only 23 years old, made the 53-man roster in each of his first two seasons, and has consistently been a “training camp darling” with highlight-reel plays that even had head coach Brian Flores singing his praises.
McGlothern – nicknamed “Magic” for his outstanding ball skills and route anticipation during his college days at LSU and Arkansas – was one of the biggest names in the Vikings’ 2024 undrafted free agent haul. As a rookie, he quickly turned heads at OTAs, training camp, and preseason, then surprisingly earned a spot on the initial 53-man roster despite fierce competition. This 2025 offseason, he did it again – making plays throughout camp and securing one of the four coveted cornerback spots alongside Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Jeff Okudah.
Yet the harsh reality of the NFL hit hard: McGlothern has logged just 51 total defensive snaps across two seasons (20 in 2024 + 31 in 2025), spending most weeks as a healthy scratch or deep reserve. He doesn’t have a single official tackle to his name and has been passed on the depth chart by 31-year-old veteran Fabian Moreau for the CB3 role after Jeff Okudah landed on IR with a concussion.
The reason for the waiver? Almost certainly to open a roster spot for superstar center Ryan Kelly’s return from IR.
Kelly – a four-time Pro Bowler, former All-Pro, and the big-money free agent signing meant to anchor the Vikings’ offensive line – has missed nearly two months due to injury (lingering concussion issues). He returned to full practice on Wednesday and is widely expected to be activated on Saturday. With no other corresponding move announced, cutting McGlothern is essentially a sacrifice to bring Kelly back.
Right now, the Vikings’ cornerback room on the 53-man roster is down to just three players: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and Fabian Moreau. That’s paper-thin at the most injury-prone position in today’s NFL. The practice squad currently holds Zemaiah Vaughn, Tyrek Funderburk, and Shemar Bartholomew – at least one will almost certainly be elevated (possibly McGlothern himself if he clears waivers) for this weekend’s game against the Packers.
If McGlothern clears waivers on Friday, the Vikings can bring him straight back to the practice squad to continue his development. Most insiders believe the odds are high he goes unclaimed given his extremely limited regular-season tape, even though the raw talent is still very much there.
Either way, this remains a huge shock for Vikings fans. A young, “magical” talent who wowed everyone in back-to-back offseasons is now (at least temporarily) out the door – all to make room for a veteran offensive lineman. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Brian Flores have once again sparked heated debate: Was it worth sacrificing a promising young gem for need elsewhere?
McGlothern deserves a real shot somewhere if Minnesota no longer has room for him. As for the Vikings? They’re about to get their offensive line back to full strength for the first time in 2025 – but the secondary… let’s just pray no one else gets hurt!
What do you think about this move? Will McGlothern get claimed or come back to the PS? Drop your thoughts below! 💜🏈