Vikings Futures Revisited

Four teams continue their football fun this weekend. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Vikings aren’t one of them. They are firmly in the offseason. Instead of preparing for a big football game they are doing procedural things like signing their head coach to a contract extension. Among those procedural things is the signing of players to reserve/futures contracts. Days after the season ended, the Vikings signed 12 players to such contracts.

Brett Rypien, QB

Zavier Scott, RB

Lucky Jackson, WR

Thayer Thomas, WR

Henry Byrd, G

Marcellus Johnson, OT

Leroy Watson, OT

Jonathan Harris, DL

Max Tooley, LB

Gabriel Murphy, OLB

Kahlef Hailassie, CB

Reddy Steward, CB

All but corners Kahlef Hailassie and Reddy Steward were on the Vikings practice squad during the season. Hailassie was on the Cleveland Browns roster the last two seasons. Steward spent the 2024 season on the Chicago Bears practice squad. 

Reserve/futures contracts are contracts that secure players in the moment but are more for the future. In the case of the players signed by the Vikings, the contracts are for the 2025 season. For now, they are secure on a Vikings reserve list and can’t negotiate with other teams. The only limit to the number of players signed to reserve/futures contracts is the 90-man roster limit of the following season. For the players, it takes away the potential uncertainty of free agency. For the teams, it’s a mechanism to fill out the bottom of the roster. While the players involved usually have a long road to NFL stardom, gems can be found. Gabriel Murphy might be one of those for the Vikings. As an undrafted rookie, he was flashing often in training camp. An injury derailed his pursuit of a roster spot. He was on injured reserve for most of the season but did get some late, important opportunities. 

Since the early signing flurry, the Vikings signed four more players to reserve/futures contracts. 

Jeshaun Jones, WR

Trevor Reid, OL

Ambry Thomas, CB

Nahshon Wright, CB

Seeing as the Vikings have four corners currently scheduled to be free agents in March, it should be no surprise that four of the reserve/futures signees are corners.

Receiver Trishton Jackson and tight end Nick Muse have been on the Vikings roster in some fashion for a few years. Jackson opted to sign a reserve/futures contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Nick Muse was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Last week, his 2024 season was over. This week, his 2024 season continues in the NFC Championship game.