Ex-Viking Dropped by Seahawks

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

N’Keal Harry is having trouble finding consistent staying power in the NFL.

Ex-Viking Dropped by Seahawks

The former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver turned tight end was released this week by the Seattle Seahawks, and unless Seattle re-ups with Harry for the practice squad as a matter of roster maintenance, he’ll hit the free-agent wire, a spot he’s rather accustomed to as of late.

3 WRs Highlight
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver N’Keal Harry addressed the media from the TCO Performance Center during 2023 Training Camp. Harry joined the Vikings in August of 2023 and previously played for the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears. Harry joined the NFL in Round 1 of the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Athletic‘s Michael-Shawn Dugar tweeted Tuesday, “The Seahawks signed DT Quinton Bohanna and C Mike Novitsky to the practice squad. TE N’Keal Harry was released.”

Without Harry, barring a quick reunion contract on the practice squad, the Seahawks will roll with these tight ends in the season’s final five games:

  • Noah Fant
  • A.J. Barner
  • Pharaoh Brown
  • Brady Russell
  • Tyler Mabry (Practice Squad)
vikings
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports.

Harry originally joined the Seahawks on November 11th. He lasted 3.5 weeks.

The Vikings dropped Harry in October when T.J. Hockenson and Dalton Risner joined the active roster following injury recoveries. Minnesota also signed linebacker Calvin Munson to the practice squad and chopped Harry.

Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Harry converted to tight end from wide receiver last offseason. Because Hockenson’s ACL recovery would bleed into the regular season, many envisioned Harry as a sleeper contributor, but that theory never caught on. The former 1st-Rounder received no targets in the Vikings’ passing game last year and hasn’t seen a regular season field in 2024.

Any move involving Harry will always be noteworthy because of his draft stock. Five years ago, the Patriots spent a 1st-Round pick on the Arizona State alumnus, and hefty expectations always follow such picks. Harry is no different.

Harry has tabulated 64 receptions for 714 yards and 5 scores in his five-year career, so he has some gameday experience. He hasn’t taken the NFL by storm since 2019, especially as a former 1st-Rounder, but he was more of a ‘big name’ to land with the Vikings than most folks expected in the summer of 2023.

Without Harry, Minnesota employs these tight ends:

  • T.J. Hockenson
  • Josh Oliver
  • Johnny Mundt
  • Nick Muse (Practice Squad)
  • Sammis Reyes (Practice Squad)
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports.

The Vikings play the Seahawks in Week 16 at Lumen Field. Seattle currently leads the NFC West with a 7-5 record and has a 57.2% probability of reaching the postseason, according to DVOA. In fact, when Minnesota plays Seattle in 2.5 weeks, it could be a playoff preview if the Seahawks hang onto the division lead.

Harry will turn 27 later this month.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.