Is This It for Vikings Free Agency?
The Minnesota Vikings were not major players in the first week of NFL free agency, leaving onlookers of the franchise to ask, is this it for Vikings free agency?
No, probably not.
During the first free-agent wave, Minnesota wasn’t too active for a few reasons. Foremost, Adofo-Mensah told the media and fans he’s cautious about overspending, derived from his background in economics and “the winner’s curse.” Adofo-Mensah is about value, and evidently no big-name, first-week free agents stood out. Plus, the Vikings didn’t have much cap space — and still don’t — using the funds on the new acquisitions of defensive tackle Harrison Phillips and linebacker Jordan Hicks.
Evidenced by the aforementioned reasons — and the relative inactivity — the Vikings are sold on the roster, for the most, as-is. Otherwise, the front office would’ve traded a bunch of veterans like Eric Kendricks, Kirk Cousins, Harrison Smith, etc. for a new beginning. Alas, they did not, and the mantra mentioned amid the last two months — the team believes it can contend in 2022 — holds up.
But that doesn’t mean Adofo-Mensah will sit on his hands in the coming days and weeks.
[brid autoplay=”true” video=”965622″ player=”26279″ title=”WATCH%204%20top%20landing%20spots%20for%20Jadeveon%20Clowney%20in%20NFL%20free%20agency” duration=”107″ description=”While some fans might still view Clowney as a bust, considering the pre-draft hype, he’s a phenomenal player. In the right scheme, he can be one of the most impactful defensive linemen in football.With that in mind, let’s examine the best landing spots for Jadeveon Clowney.” uploaddate=”2022-03-02″ thumbnailurl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/snapshot/965539_s_1646247776517.png” contentUrl=”https://cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/streaming/965539/965539.m3u8″ width=”16″ height=”9″]
At any time, the Vikings can reasonably convert Danielle Hunter’s 2022 money to a bonus, freeing up more cap space. Or — they can restructure other veteran contracts.
The organization will likely do that and then target areas of roster need, chiefly cornerback and EDGE rusher. In fact, a meeting with Jadeveon Clowney could be nearing.
And either Clowney or Za’Darius Smith, who was recently released by Green Bay, would pair marvelously with Danielle Hunter in 2022.
After that, Minnesota needs cornerbacks — from somewhere — as limping into the regular season with Cameron Dantzler and his reservist underlings would be a cataclysmic disaster. But the Vikings know this. Free-agent CBs like Kyle Fuller, Bryce Callahan, Patrick Peterson, Steven Nelson, and Joe Haden are still available.
Moreover, Minnesota could splurge on some interior offensive line help — once and for all — possibly signing center JC Tretter from the Cleveland Browns, who was cut last week and has past ties to Adofo-Mensah. If Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell want to immediately win over the fanbase, the twosome should start by assembling a pass-protecting offensive line or ensuring the current group actually plays with competence in September. Sound pass protection has eluded the Vikings for about a decade.
The lesson? Minnesota isn’t done — it just didn’t make exuberant splashes in free agency like the Jacksonville Jaguars. That’s hard to do when a team employs a value-minded “economics guy” who has no cap space but also enjoys the current roster.
Be patient. The roster will fill out.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
Vikings Territory: Vikings Named a Landing Spot for Multiple Free Agents
You must be logged in to post a comment.