On the surface, the Minnesota Vikings spent a chunk of the second day of free agency introducing defensive tackle Harrison Phillips and linebacker Jordan Hicks to the assembled media. The team’s two most significant free agent additions, so far, impressed everyone that listened. If both do as well on the field as they did during yesterday’s meet-and-greet, the Vikings defense will be much improved. Granted, it wouldn’t take much to register improvement over the injury-riddled 2020 and 2021 seasons. Thinking about Phillips on the Vikings interior defensive line and Hicks paired with Eric Kendricks is becoming more comforting with each day.
While Phillips and Hicks were in the spotlight, the Vikings decision-makers hosted Buffalo Bills restricted free agent guard Ryan Bates. Remember the days when teams wined and dined free agents? There was a wait-and-see approach with every potential free agent. “Is he still in the building?” “He can’t leave town without a signed contract!” Media and maniacs would stake out Manny’s. Those feel like distant days. Perhaps it’s the impact of the tampering period, most free agent deals are now done long distance through texts or phone calls. It now feels like an oddity when a player actually visits a team before agreeing on the terms of a deal. Bates was at TCO Performance Center yesterday. He left without a deal for a visit with the New England Patriots. Apparently, his plan was to visit with interested teams and then make a decision. As a restricted free agent, with a low-level tender, Bates is free to visit and field offers from teams but the Bills have the “right of first refusal” to match any other contract offer. With the free agency signing of Rodger Saffold III, the Bills might not be inclined to match an offer. Bates would be an intriguing addition for the Vikings. He was originally signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2019 as an undrafted free agent out of Penn State. He was traded to the Bills prior to the 2019 season. He’s mostly been a versatile backup until he got a starting shot late last season. With Bates as part of the interior offensive line for the final four regular season games and both playoff games, the Bills running game improved dramatically. The Vikings have a wide-open opening at right guard. If signed, it would surprise no one if Bates entered offseason workouts at the top of the right guard depth chart. He’s even taken some snaps at center. So, there might be that possibility as well.
Those pesky Danielle Hunter rumors.
Hunter was severely underpaid soon after he took his first snap for the Vikings. Despite collecting 18.5 sacks over his first two seasons, he didn’t become a full-time starter until his third season. He signed a big, team-friendly deal before his fourth season. By his fifth season, he was severely underpaid again. He spent nearly all of his first five seasons severely underpaid. Despite missing all but seven games over the past two seasons, it should really be no surprise that Hunter is hesitant to make more contract concessions. Perhaps playing only seven games the last two seasons opened his eyes even wider to his NFL mortality. He must maximize his compensation while he still can. I understand his stance. I also understand that the Vikings have to do something about his nearly $26 million cap hit. There must be some middle ground. I sure hope that Hunter and the Vikings can find it. He’s been one of my favorite players since his rookie season. I can’t imagine, don’t want to imagine him in another uniform. Find that middle ground!
That being said. If the Vikings could get a couple high draft picks for Hunter and maybe sign Za’Darius Smith, I might be able to manage the pain of losing one of my favorites. Keeping Hunter is the priority. The alternative would be manageable.
It’s on to Day 3.
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