The Minnesota Vikings are making some late-season moves at quarterback, officially signing John Wolford to the active roster ahead of Sunday’s game. Along with Wolford, the team elevated rookie cornerback Dwight McGlothern Jr. and defensive lineman Taki Taimani from the practice squad.
Wolford, 29, brings a unique NFL journey to Minnesota’s QB room-one marked by perseverance, adaptability, and flashes of promise in high-pressure moments. After going undrafted out of Wake Forest, Wolford initially signed with the New York Jets. He was on a modest three-year deal but didn’t make it out of the preseason, landing briefly on the Jets’ practice squad before heading to the upstart AAF, where he played for the Arizona Hotshots.
When the AAF folded in 2019, Wolford found a new opportunity with the Los Angeles Rams. Though he didn’t make the 53-man roster out of camp, the Rams kept him around on the practice squad and later signed him to a futures deal.
That move paid off when Wolford was called into action late in the 2020 season. He started a regular-season game and even got the nod in a playoff matchup against the Seahawks-though an injury forced him out of that one early.
Still, those appearances showed he could manage an NFL offense under pressure.
The Rams brought him back in 2022 as an exclusive rights free agent, but after the season, they opted not to tender him. That opened the door for Wolford to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent in 2023. His time in Tampa was a bit of a rollercoaster-moving between the practice squad and active roster before ultimately being released during final cuts this past summer.
Wolford then landed on Jacksonville’s practice squad in December before eventually joining Minnesota’s taxi squad, where he’s been waiting for another shot. Now, with the Vikings dealing with depth concerns at quarterback, he’s getting that opportunity.
In his most recent NFL action back in 2022, Wolford played in three games for the Rams. He completed 61.3 percent of his passes (38-of-62) for 390 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions. He also showed a bit of mobility, adding 32 yards on eight carries.
While he’s not being brought in to take over the offense, Wolford gives the Vikings a veteran presence who knows how to step in on short notice. He’s been in big spots before, and that kind of experience is valuable-especially late in the season when injuries and attrition start reshaping depth charts across the league.
As for McGlothern Jr. and Taimani, their elevations suggest Minnesota is looking to bolster both the secondary and defensive front for Sunday. McGlothern, a rookie corner, brings length and ball skills, while Taimani adds depth to a defensive line that’s been grinding through a physical stretch of the schedule.
The Vikings are still in the thick of the playoff hunt, and every roster move at this point carries weight. Wolford’s signing may not make headlines, but it’s the kind of under-the-radar addition that could prove important if the team needs a steady hand behind center in the weeks ahead.