Who’s Still Available from Last Year’s Vikings? 5 Players.

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The Minnesota Vikings added about 40 new players this offseason while saying goodbye to about 20 men from the 2023 roster.

Who’s Still Available from Last Year’s Vikings? 5 Players.

The offseason is over, and folks have turned attention to training camp, which begins in 20 days,

Meanwhile, these five players from the 2023 Vikings still need new NFL homes. They’re listed alphabetically.

1. Cam Akers (RB)

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Akers implied on Instagram earlier in the offseason that he’d either return with the Vikings or wanted to be back. But then Minnesota signed Aaron Jones, and an Akers reunion hit the backburner.

The veteran tailback is recuperating from his second torn Achilles and will likely sign somewhere before too long. The Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts could make sense. Meanwhile, in May, Akers posted a video on himself to social media that appeared to show the runner rehabbing at Vikings facilities.

It’s worth noting, too, that Minnesota has no clear-cut RB3 on the depth chart. Akers would be perfect for the assignment.

Furthermore, Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters wrote Sunday, “If running back Cam Akers, recovering from Achilles surgery last November, passes an upcoming physical, look for the free agent to re-sign with the Vikings.”

2. Anthony Barr (LB)

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Barr returned to the Vikings out of nowhere last November and saw a little bit of playing time. Then, free agency came and went this offseason, and he received no attention.

The beloved former Viking is nearing the end of the road, but perhaps he’ll sign on for one more hurrah somewhere.

3. Sheldon Day (NT)

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Brian Flores’ defense needs nose tackle depth, so of all defensive players on the list, Day might be the most probable for a reunion.

Day played six games in 2023, a respectable amount for a reservist player. The Vikings have one other nose tackle type on the roster after Harrison Phillips, an undrafted rookie named Taki Taimani.

4. Chris Reed (OG)

Indianapolis Colts guard Chris Reed (62) (right) warms up before the team’s game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Indianapolis Colts At Arizona Cardinals. © Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK.

General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might have explored Reed for a third season in purple if Risner hadn’t re-signed in May. The move would’ve checked some boxes for depth purposes. That outcome is now improbable.

Reed only appeared in two Vikings games last season. He joined the franchise in 2022.

5. Nick Vigil (LB)

Arizona Cardinals inside linebacker Nick Vigil (57) stretches during Arizona Cardinals practice at State Farm Stadium on Friday, July 29, 2022, in Glendale. © Antranik Tavitian/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK.

Vigil returned to Minnesota as a depth option in 2023. It was his second stint in the Twin Cities and reunion from the Mike Zimmer era. Once a respectable starter for the Bengals about five years ago, Vigil’s career is nearing a conclusion, and he’ll turn 31 later this summer.


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 MIN 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.