That news was made worse when J.J. McCarthy was announced to have a high-ankle sprain on Monday. Kevin O’Connell revealed it would be the Carson Wentz show against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Former Bengals superstar wideout Chad “Ochocino” Johnson decided that was the perfect recipe to write a check. Unfortunately for him, it was one he couldn’t cash.

Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson responds to MN Vikings paddling of Bengals

The Minnesota Vikings came in as slight favorites by 2.5 points. That wasn’t enough to deter Chad “Ochocino” Johnson from suggesting the Bengals were a lock to win.

Vikings https://t.co/hsbCUoyNII

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) September 21, 2025

Before the clock had even hit zero, Ochocinco was begging for mercy.

Vikings this is totally unnecessary & unsportsmanlike conduct in a sense❕

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) September 21, 2025

Of course the Vikings came out ready to establish their presence, and they never let up. Carson Wentz diced up the defense and found Josh Oliver for a touchdown strike on the first possession of the game. Then after a pair of punts, Isaiah Rodgers announced his presence with an 87-yard interception return.

From that point, it was over.

The Minnesota Vikings defense absolutely demolished the Bengals up front. Joe Burrow backup Jake Browning was constantly under pressure, and he would later throw a late interception to Josh Metellus. Rodgers punched out a pair of fumbles, and took one of those to the house as well.

While Ochocino didn’t actually mean the Vikings had committed unnecessary and unsportsmanlike conduct, he was describing the public humiliation that was on display at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The man once known for his demonstrative and over-the-top antics certainly watched his team get served a helping of humble pie.

Related: Key Takeaways From the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 3 Annihilation of the Bengals

Johnson played ten seasons with the Bengals and tallied 10,783 yards with 66 touchdowns. He has Ja’Marr Chase looking to overtake his career records. Though Chase continues to talk at fellow LSU wideout Justin Jefferson, it was the Vikings wideout who bested him on Sunday. Minnesota’s wide receiver bested the Bengals wideout by 25 yards.

Minnesota will look to serve up another helping of unnecessary and unsportsmanlike victory on Sunday from Dublin, Ireland against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There are no more questions about who “The Guy” is in Minnesota, or whether or not the offense can function with Rudy Gobert in the middle. All that has been figured out.

Now, the only question surrounding the Timberwolves is whether or not Ant can rise to the occasion and push them past the Western Conference finals. Can he give us a chance at the Larry O’Brien Trophy?

Anthony Edwards challenged by Chad Ochocinco to game of 1v1?

But on Sunday night, Anthony Edwards received another challenge. No, not from an NBA rival, or another alleged baby mama. This time, it was Chad Johnson (formerly Chad Ochocinco) trying to play some 1v1, after Ant posted photos of a recent workout.

Let me know if you want some real work on the court‼️ https://t.co/6tobhktR8g

— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) September 1, 2024

Unlike his in-person interviews, Anthony Edwards is a man of very few words on social media. He had a two one-word response to the former NFL wide receiver’s challenge: “Sayless”. I don’t think that’s Ant accepting Chad’s challenge. I don’t think he’s creating a spinoff of the once-popular shoe store, either.

Sayless 😂 https://t.co/GjETrPEuum

— Anthony Edwards (@theantedwards_) September 1, 2024

Edwards just turned 23, last month. Think about it, Chad Johnson was walking into his first NFL training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals, around the same day Ant was born, on August 5, 2001. Feel old, yet?

For the kids: Who is Chad (Johnson) Ochocinco?

Ochocinco played wide receiver in the NFL from 2001 to 2011. In his prime he was one of the better receivers in the league, and someone who can single-handedly take credit for Roger Goodell loosening the rules on touchdown celebrations.

Johnson compiled 766 receptions, over 11,000 receiving yards and 67 touchdowns in his NFL career. Unfortunately, for his ego, I don’t think the now 46-year-old would stand much of a chance on the hardwood against Anthony Edwards, arguably the best basketball player in the world.

Related: Timberwolves Remain Very Interested in Rudy Gobert Extension

Let’s give Ochocinco his credit, though. He is a renaissance man. Since leaving football, he’s tried his hand in professional boxing and he can be seen quite often playing soccer. And outside of maybe Kevin Garnett, there is no better trash talker in the history of sports than Chad Ochocinco.

Happy Birthday to one of the best trash-talkers we've ever seen in the NFL, Chad "OchoCinco" Johnson!

"You can't cover me; you too pretty!" pic.twitter.com/7imareiyF5

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 9, 2024

Related: There are Timberwolves All Over These NBA Award Predictions

Chad Ochocinco Johnson throwing hands! 🥊 pic.twitter.com/GkwsOvAUtx

— Bench Bros Sports (@benchbrossports) June 7, 2021