In a move that has left fans, analysts, and insiders scratching their heads, the Minnesota Vikings made the shocking decision to waive rookie linebacker Kobe King, a sixth-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, just six months into his professional career. The Penn State product, who showed promise during his college tenure, was unceremoniously cut before Week 8, only to be swiftly claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. The decision has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning the logic behind letting go of a drafted player so soon, especially when the Vikings’ apparent plan to sneak him back onto their practice squad went up in flames.
NFL World Reels as Vikings Make Unthinkable Roster Cut That Defies All Logic
In a move that has left fans, analysts, and insiders scratching their heads, the Minnesota Vikings made the shocking decision to waive rookie linebacker Kobe King, a sixth-round pick from the 2025 NFL Draft, just six months into his professional career. The Penn State product, who showed promise during his college tenure, was unceremoniously cut before Week 8, only to be swiftly claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. The decision has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning the logic behind letting go of a drafted player so soon, especially when the Vikings’ apparent plan to sneak him back onto their practice squad went up in flames.
A Promising Prospect Gone Too Soon
Kobe King, standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 236 pounds, was selected by the Vikings with the 202nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. During his time at Penn State, King was a standout, amassing 200 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks over 46 games. His 2024 season alone saw him rack up 97 tackles, three sacks, and nine tackles for loss, showcasing his ability to be a disruptive force at the line of scrimmage. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah praised King post-draft, highlighting his knack for being “always around the ball” and his potential to contribute to Minnesota’s defense.
However, King’s time in Minnesota was short-lived. In five games with the Vikings, he logged 77 snaps on special teams and just three on defense, indicating he was still finding his footing in the NFL. Despite his limited role, waiving a player with draft pedigree after only 27 weeks raised eyebrows across the league. The move was particularly baffling given the expectation that King could clear waivers and return to the Vikings’ practice squad—a common tactic for teams looking to retain young talent while freeing up active roster spots. But the New York Jets, sitting at the top of the waiver wire, had other plans.
Jets Swoop In, Crushing Vikings’ Hopes
The day after King was waived, the Jets claimed him, ensuring he would not return to Minnesota. According to NewYorkJets.com’s Susanna Weird, “The Jets have claimed LB Kobe King. King was selected by the Vikings in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Penn State product appeared in 5 games for Minnesota this season, playing 77 snaps on special teams and 3 snaps on defense.” At just 22 years old, King now has a fresh start with a Jets team that clearly sees potential in the young linebacker.
The Vikings’ apparent strategy to finesse King through waivers and re-sign him to the practice squad was a miscalculation. Fans and analysts alike speculated that Minnesota hoped to retain King in a developmental role, giving him time to refine his skills, particularly in coverage, where he reportedly needs improvement. However, the Jets’ quick claim put an end to those plans, leaving the Vikings without a player they invested a draft pick in just months ago.
Why Austin Keys Over Kobe King?
The decision to waive King becomes even more perplexing when juxtaposed with the Vikings’ apparent preference for undrafted rookie linebacker Austin Keys. Keys, an Auburn alumnus, made the Vikings’ 53-man roster in August and has seemingly won over the coaching staff. In six games, Keys has played 112 snaps on special teams and eight on defense, recording four tackles and one sack. His aggressive style and standout moments in preseason, including a tackle for loss against the Tennessee Titans, have earned him praise and a spot on the active roster.
The contrast is stark: while Keys has been given opportunities to shine, King was deemed expendable. As one analyst put it, “Not a single person would have cared if the Vikings waived Keys instead of King.” The decision to prioritize an undrafted rookie over a drafted one has fueled speculation that the Vikings’ coaching staff sees significantly more upside in Keys. But at what cost? Waiving a sixth-round pick so soon after the draft is a rare move, and it’s one that has left many questioning Adofo-Mensah’s roster management.
A Wasted Draft Pick?
While sixth-round picks are not guaranteed to become stars, the Vikings’ decision to cut King feels like a squandered opportunity. Other players selected after King in the 2025 draft, such as Brashard Smith, Kyle Monangai, Tez Johnson, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt, have shown flashes of potential with their respective teams. In hindsight, Minnesota could have used that draft capital on a player who might have stuck around longer or made a more immediate impact.
As Vikings Territory’s Janik Eckardt noted, “It’s quite possible that the decision-makers hoped they could sneak [King] through waivers and stash him on the practice squad, but the Jets said ‘no’ to that idea.” Eckardt also highlighted the team’s apparent preference for Keys, who has been a “force in kickoff coverage” and shown promise in limited defensive snaps. Still, the optics of cutting a drafted player while keeping an undrafted one are tough to justify, especially when King’s college production suggested he could develop into a contributor with time.
Fan Reaction and the Road Ahead
The NFL world has been vocal about the Vikings’ decision, with fans taking to social media to express their disbelief. “Why cut a guy you just drafted? Makes no sense,” one X user posted. Another wrote, “Kwesi thought he could game the system and lost a promising player for nothing.” The sentiment is clear: the Vikings’ gamble backfired, and the loss of King feels like a self-inflicted wound.
For King, the move to the Jets offers a fresh start. Now on their active roster, he has a chance to prove himself in a new system and potentially carve out a larger role. At 22, his youth and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect, and the Jets’ decision to claim him suggests they see untapped potential.
For the Vikings, the focus shifts to the rest of their 2025 draft class, which includes standout players like J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner. The hope is that these selections will pan out, overshadowing the loss of King. However, the decision to waive him will linger as a reminder of the risks of roster management and the fine line between strategy and miscalculation.
As the NFL season progresses, all eyes will be on King to see if he can make the Vikings regret their decision. For now, Minnesota must move forward, hoping that Austin Keys and the rest of their linebacker corps can fill the void left by a draft pick that slipped through their fingers.