Vikings Free Agency Tracker

The NFL's 2016 edition of Free Agency kicked off one week ago today. Here's a look at what the Minnesota Vikings have done. So far.

Re-signed
Andrew Sendejo, S: 4 years, $16 million
Kenrick Ellis, NT: one year, $810,00
Adam Thielen, WR: one year, $600,000
Carter Bykowski, OT: one year, $525,000
Audie Cole, LB: one year, $840,000
Mike Harris, OL: one year, $2 million
Marcus Sherels, CB: 2 years, $4 million
Justin Trattou, DE: one year, terms undisclosed
Rhett Ellison, TE: one year, $2.25 million
Terence Newman, CB: one year, $3 million

Tendered restricted free agent
Zach Line, FB: original-round tender

It sure does seem like teams and players are agreeing to one-year deals far more often these days.

Andrew Sendejo's 4-year, $16 million contract was the biggest of the bunch. It also caused the Vikings fan base to lose their collective minds. Most saw it as starter money and an indication that the team wasn't going to pursue an external upgrade at the safety position. On the surface, Sendejo's contract was much closer to starter money than backup safety/solid special teams player money. In reality, the contract is only starter money if Sendejo is the starter. Which seems fair.  If he isn't the starting safety the contract is closer to that of a backup safety and solid special teams player. It was a good contract for Sendejo and the team. And it didn't restrict the Vikings from pursuing upgrades at the safety position.

Unsigned free agents
Chad Greenway, LB
Matt Asiata, RB
Robert Blanton, S
Casey Matthews, LB
Jason Trusnik, LB

The Vikings are in negotiations to bring back Chad Greenway and that should get done. Greenway has to finish his career in Minnesota. He just has to. It sounds like the Vikings want to bring back Matt Asiata but he's looking for a better deal and probably more playing time elsewhere.

Free agency losses
Josh Robinson, CB: signed with Buccaneers

The Vikings entered the offseason with 17 free agents. They have re-signed 10 and tendered Zach Line. Greenway will probably be back (perhaps as early as today) and Asiata could be back. The Vikings have done a nice job of keeping their own free agents. That's always good for consistency and team-building.

Released
Mike Wallace, WR
Austin Wentworth, G

The release of Mike Wallace saved the Vikings $11.5 million. It also kept the Vikings from being contractually obligated to a turd. Wallace signed with the Baltimore Ravens yesterday and wasted no time in bashing his former team. A completely different tune from the one that he was whistling just weeks ago. If he did anything well in his single season in Minnesota it was posing as something that he really wasn't. A decent teammate and a game-changing receiver. Austin Wentworth's release was more of a technicality than anything else. He suffered career-ending health issues last offseason and the Vikings kept him on the roster as he dealt with those issues.

Free agent additions
Alex Boone, G: four year, $26.8 million
Michael Griffin, S: one year, $2.5 million
Emmanuel Lamur, LB: two years, $5.5 million
Travis Lewis, LB: one year, $810,000

This is the highlight of free agency for many teams. The Vikings try to run things in such a way that free agency is more of a supplement to building the team through the draft. That's the goal. Fans hate it. They love seeing new players flying in and money flying out. That route rarely ends well but fans sure do love it in March. Improving the offensive line was the Vikings top priority this offseason. That was seen in their most significant move so far. The signing of Alex Boone. The talent and attitude boost that Boone should provide to the line should be much greater than the modest contract that he signed. The Vikings are also in the mix to sign former Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andre Smith. There will be competition across the offensive line this summer. Competition that should improve the line and the offense. A viable safety option next to Harrison Smith was the next biggest need. Michael Griffin was signed to fill that need. At 31, his impact will be more short-term than long-term. That will give youngsters Anthony Harris, Antone Exum, and perhaps a draft pick a little more time before they step into a bigger role. Emmanuel Lamur and Travis Lewis will provide linebacker depth and boost the special teams.

All four new Vikings players were signed on the first day of free agency. A whirlwind of activity. Other than the wining and dining of Andre Smith it appears that the Vikings have been most interested in keeping their own free agents in the days since that wild first day.