One could say that the Vikings offseason started with the hirings of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell. For the first time since the team’s inaugural season, the Vikings have a new general manager and a new head coach. It’s a new era of Minnesota Vikings football. The first task in front of the new decision-makers was the contract of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Dealing with a $45 million cap hit was going to be a tough task. Instead of the trade that was honked about by local and national media the Vikings re-worked/extended the contract of Cousins. He’s the team’s quarterback for at least the next two seasons.
The new deal for Cousins took the Vikings from the wrong side of the salary cap to about even. Additional contract tweaks provided the salary cap space to do some stuff. The artful contract-whittling of Rob Brzezinski allowed the Vikings to do much more this offseason than many expected.
It’s fun to start with the players signed from other teams.
Additions:
Harrison Phillips, DT
Jordan Hicks, LB
Johnny Mundt, TE
Austin Schlottman, OG
Za’Darius Smith, Edge
Chandon Sullivan, CB
Jessie Bates, OL
Nate Hairston, CB
Chris Reed, OG
Jullian Taylor, DT
There was a clear focus to improve the defense and interior offensive line. Tight end Johnny Mundt was the only player added that doesn’t play on defense or the interior of the offensive line. Harrison Phillips, Jordan Hicks, and Za’Darius Smith were brought in to start. Chandon Sullivan is likely at the top of the nickel depth chart. That essentially makes him the fourth defensive starter added in free agency. Right guard is currently the one vacancy on the offensive line. Jesse Bates, Austin Schlottman, Chris Reed will compete with Wyatt Davis and possibly draft pick(s) for that position. With nothing more than a feeling, I currently have Reed as the favorite for the job.
The Vikings new decision-makers decided to keep a handful of their own free agents.
Re-signed:
Patrick Peterson, CB
Greg Joseph, K
Jordan Berry, P
Tye Smith, CB
Sean Mannion, QB
The offseason’s signings and re-signings brought/returns eight probable starters to the Vikings.
Harrison Phillips, DT
Za’Darius Smith, Edge
Jordan Hicks, LB
Patrick Peterson, CB
Chandon Sullivan, CB
Chris Reed, OG
Greg Joseph, K
Jordan Berry, P
I’m guessing that Johnny Mundt will see plenty of snaps as the team’s second tight end.
This wasn’t an eye-popping offseason. The Vikings didn’t have the salary cap space to do something like that. This was an efficient offseason. The defense was the focus. It needed to be the focus. Other than right guard, the offense is set. Garrett Bradbury must improve at center. If the Vikings interior offensive line is improved, the offense should be among the best in the league. Heading into the draft, cornerback is probably the team’s biggest need. Adding Chandon Sullivan, Nate Hairston, and re-signing Patrick Peterson helped but none are really long-term answers at the position. The Vikings did enough this offseason so that they aren’t locked into any one position at any point in the draft. Isn’t that where all teams want to be?
A few of the Vikings unrestricted free agents have found jobs elsewhere.
Losses:
Tyler Conklin, TE-New York Jets
Xavier Woods, S-Carolina Panthers
Mason Cole, G/C-Pittsburgh Steelers
Michael Pierce, DT-Baltimore Ravens
Nick Vigil, LB-Arizona Cardinals
Dakota Dozier, G-Chicago Bears
Tashawn Bower, Edge-Las Vegas Raiders
Several others have yet to find jobs.
Unrestricted Free Agents
Anthony Barr, LB
Sheldon Richardson, DL
Mackensie Alexander, CB
Rashod Hill, OT
Everson Griffen, Edge
DeDe Westbrook, WR
Wayne Galman, RB
Luke Stocker, TE
Chad Beebe, WR
Chris Herndon, TE
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