Former Viking Dropped by Bears
Coming and goings of late-summer free agency are in full swing, as the Minnesota Vikings have signed and waived about 10 players in the last week.
NFL teams have until August 29th to shave rosters from 90 men to 53.
Former Viking Dropped by Bears
And the Bears conducted a few roster moves recently, one involving former Vikings defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes. The 27-year-old was released on Friday.
Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs tweeted on the X app Friday, “Bears have released DL Jalyn Holmes to create a spot for Yannick Ngakoue. Will need to make a move for TE Marcedes Lewis when his signing is official.”
And yes — that’s the same Yannick Ngakoue who played a handful of games for the 2020 Vikings.
A member of the Vikings from 2018 to 2020, Holmes has encountered a wild ride after departing Minnesota. In some capacity, he’s been added to the rosters of the New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and the Bears since the start of 2021. During the 2021 season in New Orleans, Holmes played eight games, started one, and participated in 35% of all defensive snaps.
Here’s his full resume to date:
- Minnesota Vikings (2018–2020)
- New Orleans Saints (2021)
- New York Giants (2022)
- Chicago Bears (2022)
In Minnesota, Holmes played in 25 games (nine as a starter), compiling 43 combined tackles, five quarterback hits, four tackles for loss, and a sack. His playing time in Minnesota heightened during the 2020 season when Danielle Hunter missed the whole year, and Everson Griffen departed for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Holmes was on the field for two-thirds of Vikings defensive snaps inside the pandemic season.
But in 2021, Minnesota welcomed back the aforementioned Griffen, signed Stephen Weatherly for a few games, drafted Patrick Jones II and Janarius Robinson, and opted to showcase D.J. Wonnum more in his sophomore campaign. Holmes, along with Ifeadi Odenigbo and Jordan Brailford, was the odd man out.
These are the Bears current defensive tackles without Holmes:
- Justin Jones
- Andrew Billings
- Gervon Dexter Sr.
- Zacch Pickens
- Andrew Brown
- Bravvion Roy
- Travis Bell
Chicago signed former Vikings offensive lineman Aviante Collins about two weeks ago. Another former Viking, fullback Khari Blasingame, also lives on the Bears roster.
Holmes now hits free agency and can sign with any NFL team.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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