All Things Vikings News: March 22
The following is free-agency news applicable to the Minnesota Vikings on March 22, 2021 — via tweet.
Vikings Spin claims Kirk Cousins was a major drawing factor for Patrick Peterson to Minnesota.
Cousins is a major reason Peterson signed here. Peterson had said that he was looking for a team with a QB who "can spin the rock". Kirk finished 8th in passer rating last season.
— Vikings Spin (@vikingsspin) March 22, 2021
Minnesota needs a left tackle if it does not wish to start Ezra Cleveland at the spot. Here’s an embattled one.
OT Isaiah Wilson cleared waivers today and is now a free agent.
We’ll see if and when his football career resumes as he works through much more important personal matters at this time.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 21, 2021
The “big-name” players to watch for during the Second Wave of free agency, which starts today.
Still a lot of good players available: Alejandro Villanueva, Richard Sherman, Carlos Dunlap, Sammy Watkins, Casey Heyward, Justin Houston, Malvin Ingram, KJ Wright, Xavier Woods, Adoree Jackson, Aldon Smith, Geno Atkins, Ndamukong Suh, TY Hilton, Jadeveon Clowney, Antonio Brown. pic.twitter.com/FILtCjEzbj
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 22, 2021
The NFL Draft will be quasi-normal after all.
The NFL Draft will officially take place in Cleveland. The draft will be returning to it's "pre-pandemic form" with fans in attendance, prospects invited to attend, and Roger Goodell announcing picks in person. Mask wearing, social distancing and capacity limits will be enforced.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 22, 2021
More Monday Night doubleheaders upcoming.
As part of the new TV deals, ESPN/ABC will get three Monday night doubleheaders each season, including the traditional pair in Week 1, per @AlbertBreer. ABC will also get two games on the Saturday of Week 18 and those games will be flexed to ensure fans get meaningful matchups.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 22, 2021
It’s a purple suit for Patrick Peterson.
Welcome to Minnesota, @P2! pic.twitter.com/haOYrB7Jgm
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 22, 2021
Rick Spielman sees many years of prosperity ahead for Peterson.
#Vikings GM Rick Spielman on Patrick Peterson: "I also know that he has a lot of football left. … I know he has a lot to prove to a lot of people. He didn't have anything to prove to us.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 22, 2021
Quite a statement.
"We're loaded." — Patrick Peterson on the #Vikings roster.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) March 22, 2021
Connections aplenty.
Patrick Peterson on Justin Jefferson: "I've known Justin since he was 10 or 11 years old. … What Justin was able to achieve in the league, that's no surprise."
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) March 22, 2021
Perhaps the anti-Zimmer fodder is overblown.
https://twitter.com/b_heintzzz/status/1374036318502666243?s=20
Peterson potentially “playing safety” is a dead issue.
#Vikings CB Patrick Peterson: "My position will be cornerback for sure." Says he believes he has a lot left.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 22, 2021
The Mike Zimmer locker room is often rumored to be tense and/or rigid. That hypothesis takes a hit, if only for a day.
#Vikings CB Patrick Peterson: "I just thought the culture around here was everything for me.''
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 22, 2021
Linebacker Nick Vigil isn’t official-official yet — but he’s official.
A source said official #Vikings signing of free-agent LB Nick Vigil has been pushed back due to "team business." Could be pushed back to later this week or could be as much as a few weeks. Regardless, source said of Vigil, "He's a Viking."
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 22, 2021
Luke Braun is either being goofy — or the Vikings are adding more secondary members.
the moon is whispering to me again. Think they're adding to the secondary soon #Vikings
— Luke Braun (@LukeBraunNFL) March 22, 2021
Kyle Pitts stock trending northward.
#Florida Kyle Pitts is thought to be a top 10 prospect after running the 40. Shades of Vernon Davis per one scout. #NFL #nflrumors #NFLDraft
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) March 22, 2021
Hardy Nickerson Jr. — from the 2020 Vikings — heads yonder.
Texans pick up former #Vikings LB Hardy Nickerson, who wasn't a candidate to re-sign after Vikings agreed to terms with LB Nick Vigil. https://t.co/xl3ZZJuj0W
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 22, 2021
Well, well, well. Minnesota has more cap space than once believed.
The full terms on Anthony Barr’s restructure are in, and they’re different than what had been previously reported. Barr’s cap number for 2021 is only $6.107M, and his base salary drops to just $1 million (thread)
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) March 22, 2021
FranchiseTagged.com‘s Jared Barsness wants Clowney, damnit.
If this defensive line doesn’t excite you, I don’t know what will:
Hunter – Pierce – Tomlinson – Clowney
Make it happen, Rick.
— Jared Barsness (@JaredBarsNFL) March 23, 2021
Matt Anderson thickens the Clowney plot.
#Vikings clearly gearing up for some moves
A name that intrigues me is Jadeveon Clowney
I could see the #Vikings giving him a 1 year deal to play opposite Hunter and really fortify the DL
Also gives Clowney an opportunity to shine + get paid next offseason when the cap goes up https://t.co/B7wQm4Guxe
— Matt Anderson (@MattAnderson_8) March 23, 2021
High praise by Pro Football Focus for Eric Kendricks.
Eric Kendricks since 2019 | among LBs:
🔸90.6 PFF Grade (1st)
🔸91.7 Coverage Grade (1st)
🔸16 forced incompletions (1st) pic.twitter.com/TDGUTD60Lf— PFF (@PFF) March 22, 2021
Wolfson’s got safety and offensive line.
Big? Define it, although I won’t be checking notifications again for a while. Talking about a safety and guard more immediately.
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 22, 2021
A revised target list, by Sean Borman — but per Darren Wolfson.
#Vikings going after a safety and a guard, per Doogie. Some names to remember:
• G Forrest Lamp
• S Xavier Woods
• S Will ParksThere’s also interest in an unnamed offensive tackle (APPEARS to be Eric Fisher) if the team can make the $ work https://t.co/kW7QZLalc8
— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) March 23, 2021