By Sunday 
The Minnesota Vikings are pulling out all the stops as they gear up to face the Detroit Lions this Sunday. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is finally returning from his five-game absence, but the Vikings aren’t taking any chances. Enter John Wolford — a Super Bowl-winning QB with experience, familiarity, and a little bit of Minnesota history.
Wolford, who played alongside head coach Kevin O’Connell in Los Angeles and even won a Super Bowl together in 2021, has officially joined the Vikings’ practice squad. It’s a move that screams “backup plan with championship pedigree.” Wolford’s journey hasn’t been easy: undrafted in 2018, bouncing around the Jets, Jaguars, Buccaneers, and Rams. But now, he’s back — ready to step in if McCarthy or rookie Max Brosmer can’t take the field.
Meanwhile, the Lions are flexing their own muscles. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson just signed a jaw-dropping four-year, $180 million extension, including $141 million guaranteed — the most ever for a non-QB. Hutchinson has been a force since 2022, leading the NFL in pressures and making life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.
So, what does this mean for Week 9? The Vikings have a seasoned safety net in Wolford, McCarthy’s back in the saddle, and the Lions have Hutchinson ready to wreak havoc. It’s shaping up to be a high-stakes NFC North showdown, and fans on both sides are counting the hours until kickoff.