Tight End Tweaks

What a difference a missing Mundt makes. For most of the three years that Kevin O’Connell has guided the team, the Minnesota Vikings have rostered the following tight ends.

T.J. Hockenson 

Josh Oliver

Johnny Mundt

This offseason, “the best #3 tight end in the league” left the room. Johnny Mundt bolted the Vikings for an opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The departure left the Vikings searching for the next best #3 tight end in the league. That search was focused on players in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Gavin Bartholomew- sixth round pick

Ben Yurosek - undrafted free agent

Bryson Nesbit - undrafted free agent

Due to an injured back, Gavin Bartholomew has yet to take the field for a training camp practice. That lack of availability has been an opportunity for Ben Yurosek in particular. It also forced the Vikings to add a couple able-bodied tight ends. Moderately experienced Giovanni Ricci was signed early in training camp. Yesterday, a much more experienced tight end was added to the roster. “Baby Gronk,” also known as Nick Vannett, was originally a third-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s had a modestly productive nine-year career with the Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and Tennessee Titans. He’s been around. Now, he’s with the Vikings and approaching his tenth season. 

With the recent tight end tweaks, the Vikings Mundt-less tight end room now looks like this. 

T.J. Hockenson

Josh Oliver

Ben Yurosek

Nick Vannett

Giovanni Ricci

Bryson Nesbit

Gavin Bartholomew is still working his way back to the field. 

The competition for the next “best #3 tight end in the league” is wide open.