With last week’s release of kicker Gabe Brkic, the Minnesota Vikings had an open spot on their 90-man offseason roster. That open spot was filled yesterday with the signing of linebacker Andre Mintze (pronounced MINTS). After a solid college career at Vanderbilt, Mintze wasn’t selected in the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed with the Denver Broncos and made the 53-man roster. The season didn’t go as well as the preseason as Mintze had to deal with a hamstring injury and a stay on the COVID list. For the season, he totaled two tackles and contributed on special teams. He also played for current Vikings defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. That familiarity and an excellent 10-yard split appear to be big reasons for Mintze now being on the Vikings roster. As has been pointed out by Sports Illustrated’s Will Ragatz and perhaps a few others, new general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and new head coach Kevin O’Connell appear to favor players with strong 10-yard splits. That preference showed in the 2022 draft class. It also showed in the earlier signing of linebacker William Kwenkeu. The new Vikings shot-callers like players with a strong “get-off.”
Some Andre Mintze bona fides:
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 250
Age: 23 (24 in September)
Hometown: Philadelphia
Mintze joins the following outside linebacker group:
Danielle Hunter
Za”Darius Smith
D.J. Wonnum
Patrick Jones II
Janarius Robinson
Luiji Vilain
Zach McCloud
William Kwenkeu
Adrian Mintze
The starters are set. Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith should be dynamite off the edges. The competition for backup roles will be some of the most interesting of training camp.
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