The Vikings Add A Tight End

The Minnesota Vikings released quarterback Nate Stanley last week. That move left the team’s roster at 89 players. That open roster spot resulted in several days of fans pining for their favorite free agent. Instead of adding one of those fan favorites, the Vikings added a tight end. The Vikings added a tight end that was Stanley’s teammate at Iowa. On Monday, the Vikings filled their roster vacancy with tight end Shaun Beyer. 

Beyer entered Iowa as a receiver. At 6’5” and 250 lbs, he probably outgrew the position. Soon he was a tight end at a school that’s become something of a tight end factory. It’s tough to play in the shadow of George Kittle, Noah Fant, and T.J. Hockenson. Beyer did enough to catch the eye of the Denver Broncos. He was a priority free agent signing after going undrafted in the 2021 NFL Draft. He spent the 2021 season on the Broncos practice squad and was released in May. Now, he’s in Minnesota. Perhaps he’s in Minnesota as insurance with Irv Smith Jr. and Johnny Mundt easing back from knee injuries that wiped out their 2021 seasons. Smith and Mundt are expected to top the Vikings tight end depth chart. A depth chart that now looks like this.

Irv Smith Jr.

Johnny Mundt

Ben Ellefson

Nick Muse

Zach Davidson

Shaun Beyer

If healthy, Smith and Mundt are the clear favorites to top the tight end depth chart. Smith has the talent to be a game-changer. He must stay on the field. The Vikings need him and and he needs the Vikings. This is a contract year. After five years with the Los Angeles Rams, Mundt is well known to the Vikings new offensive coaches. They brought him from Los Angeles with them for a reason. The competition for TE3 is wide open. Beyer is now part of that competition. 

In other Vikings news:

After reporting for training camp, linebacker Ryan Connelly and receiver Blake Proehl were placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Cornerback Nate Hairston was placed on the Non-Football Injury list.