Just 1 Vikings Free Agent Remains Unsigned
Dustin Baker
|
The 2023 Minnesota Vikings began free agency with roughly 20 free agents to re-sign or decline. After two months, the list is down to one.
He’s Bisi Johnson, a wide receiver who hasn’t played since 2020.
Just 1 Vikings Free Agent Remains Unsigned
Here’s the list of free agents retained:
- Khyiris Tonga, DT
- Blake Brandel, OT
- Nick Mullens, QB
- Garrett Bradbury, C
- Greg Joseph, K
- Andrew DePaolo, LS
- Ben Ellefson, TE
- Alexander Mattison, RB
- Kenny Willekes, DL
- Austin Schlottmann, C
- Oli Udoh, OT
- Jonathan Bullard, DT
- C.J. Ham, FB
And the departees:
- Eric Kendricks, ILB
- Adam Thielen, WR
- Cameron Dantzler, CB
- Patrick Peterson, CB
- Dalvin Tomlinson, DT
- Duke Shelley, CB
- Irv Smith, TE
- Kris Boyd, CB
- Chandon Sullivan, CB
The Vikings scooped Johnson from the 7th Round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and the Colorado State alumnus actually seemed promising, especially for a 7th-Rounder, in two seasons.
Johnson missed back-to-back seasons due to injury in 2021 and 2022 but was a contributor during his first two seasons. He nibbled at WR3 roles with the Vikings in 2019 and 2020 — and then again in the summers of 2021 and 2022 before succumbing to the injuries. His potential role on the 2023 Vikings roster would’ve been unclear, mainly because Jordan Addison was added in April’s draft.
The Colorado State alumnus has caught 45 passes for 483 yards and three touchdowns in his career. During the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the Vikings never really preached the utility of a big-name WR3, so Johnson adopted the role as his, to a degree. And after the 2021 torn ACL, the 2022 campaign was supposed to be revival. But that was ruined by an ACL tear in the other knee — truly rotten luck.
Johnson met with the New England Patriots about a 2023 gig during free agency’s opening week, but no contract materialized. He remains a true-blue free agent on the open market.
Before the 2022 injury, Johnson was tentatively trending to make the roster, possibly as a WR4 or WR5 behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn, and Jalen Nailor. However, Johnson fell injured, the Vikings traded with the Philadelphia Eagles for Jalen Reagor, Ihmir Smith-Marsette was waived, and the rest is history.
After Johnson’s season-ending injury last August, head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters, “I have my fingers crossed that it’s going to be some positive news in some capacity because he’s earned a right, in my opinion, to be on our football team.”
Johnson turned 26 in March.
The Vikings Alleged Biggest Weakness
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,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.