Former All-Pro OG Is Available if Vikings Want to Get Richer

Dustin Baker |

Jul 25, 2023

Oct 9, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders guard Andrew Norwell (68) leaves the field after the Commanders' game against the Tennessee Titans at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.

Minnesota Vikings reservist guard Chris Reed hit the team’s non-football-injury (NFI) list on Monday, a spot he’ll remain for an undetermined period.

He could be at Vikings training camp next week — or not play at all in 2023. It’s mysterious.

Former All-Pro OG Is Available if Vikings Want to Get Richer

And the club signed offensive guard Jack Snyder on Monday, perhaps to hedge the bet against Reed’s less-than-detailed malady. But if the club wants to get richer at the roster spot, another veteran lineman became available this week — Andrew Norwell.

The Washington Commanders Twitter account straightforwardly confirmed the transaction, “We have released G Andrew Norwell.”

The 31-year-old now hits open free agency and can sign anywhere in the league. Here’s his destination resume to date:

Carolina Panthers (2014–2017)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2018–2021)
Washington Commanders (2022)

Nov 14, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders guard Trai Turner (53), center Tyler Larsen (69), guard Andrew Norwell (68), and offensive tackle Charles Leno Jr. (72) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.

Found via undrafted free agency by Carolina nine years ago, Norwell clawed his way to prominence, culminating in a 1st-Team All-Pro nod in 2017. He’s played in 128 career games, starting 127.

As of July 24th, these are the Vikings current guards:

Ezra Cleveland
Ed Ingram
Chris Reed (NFI)
Oli Udoh
Jack Snyder
Alan Ali

Udoh played offensive tackle in 2022, head coach Kevin O’Connell’s first year in Minnesota, but the team’s depth chart appeared to flip the veteran back to guard for the start of training camp in 2023. Udoh played guard for Mike Zimmer’s Vikings in 2021.

Anderson offensive lineman Andrew Norwell committed to Ohio State during the National Signing Day of his junior year. Enquirer file OHANDERSONFB04: Tuesday, September 1, 2009: SPORTS. Offensive lineman, Andrew Norwell, a senior at Anderson High School, stands in front of the goal posts during practice on Tuesday, September. © The Enquirer/Amanda Rossman.

On Norwell, here’s his Pro Football Focus resume from 2014 to present:

2014: 74.9
2015: 80.1
2016: 77.3
2017: 76.2
2018: 70.5
2019: 65.5
2020: 67.9
2021: 66.7
2022: 59.8

Norwell’s pass protection consistently outranks his run-blocking, and that tendency is typically the opposite for any Vikings guard from the last decade or so. Norwell would adeptly protect quarterback Kirk Cousins if signed by the Vikings — and yes, that’s the same Cousins who was victimized by the most QB hits leaguewide in 2022.

Sep 16, 2018; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive guard Andrew Norwell (68) blocks on the line during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports.

If Minnesota’s general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is interested, Norwell should be gettable for $3 million or $4 million per season. Minnesota has around $18 million available via the salary cap as of July 25th.

Free-agent guard Dalton Riser also remains signable on the open market.

Norwell will turn 32 in October.

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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.