Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) stands on the field during warmup prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings kick off the 2024 regular season in 57 days, looking to improve on a 7-10 record under third-year head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Training camp begins in eight days, and the preseason kicks off in August.
Several players departed for new teams and free agency throughout the offseason, so as a guide, here’s where players from the Vikings’ 2023 roster landed. Players are listed alphabetically.
New Team: Cleveland Browns
His Projected Role in 2024: Reservist OT or Practice Squad
Adeniji was a one-year experiment in Minnesota and will now serve as a depth piece in Cleveland.
New Team: Atlanta Falcons
His Projected Role in 2024: QB1
After six seasons in the Twin Cities, Cousins opted to take his talents to The Big Peach, where Michael Penix Jr. will nip at his heels.
New Team: Detroit Lions
His Projected Role in 2024: Starting EDGE Rusher
Davenport only lasted with the Vikings for about 3.1 games, hitting the shelf with a bad ankle. Some Vikings fans cynically believe he’ll bust out in Detroit and remain totally healthy.
New Team: San Francisco 49ers
His Projected Role in 2024: QB2
Dobbs set the world on fire in Minneapolis — for about two weeks. Now, he’ll probably head to the postseason with the 49ers in 2024 and be the next man up if something happens to Brock Purdy.
New Team: Los Angeles Chargers
His Projected Role in 2024: Reservist Linebacker or Practice Squad
Dye played out his entire rookie contract in Minnesota and even accrued decent playing time last year when Jordan Hicks was injured. But he takes the show on the road to Hollywood in 2024.
New Team: Cleveland Browns
His Projected Role in 2024: Starting Linebacker
If all goes according to plan for Hicks, 32, he’ll work alongside Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah this season.
New Team: Houston Texans
His Projected Role in 2024: Starting EDGE
Probably the most disappointing or seismic loss for the Vikings this offseason, Hunter chose his hometown Texans for employment, and Houston won’t be let down. The guy is a machine.
New Team: Green Bay Packers
His Projected Role in 2024: To Be Determined
Joseph defected from the Vikings to the Packers — it’s usually the other way around — and will join a summer kicking competition with Anders Carlson and James Turner.
New Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
His Projected Role in 2024: DT2
Lowry will back up Cameron Hayward in Pittsburgh and should be part of a winning team. The Steelers never have losing seasons. Like ever.
New Team: Alexander Mattison
His Projected Role in 2024: RB2
Mattison will return to his RB2 roots — he’s actually quite good in that role — behind Raiders RB1 Zamir White. Former Viking Ameer Abdullah is on tap as Las Vegas’ RB3.
New Team: New England Patriots
His Projected Role in 2024: WR3
This clutch performer was evidently not a priority for Minnesota to re-sign — because it has no clear-cut WR3 of its own heading into training camp. Osborn now works for the Patriots, though, and should easily earn a roster spot.
New Team: New York Giants
His Projected Role in 2024: Backup Center
Schlottmann is scheduled to act as reservist center to former Golden Gopher John Michael Schmitz.
New Team: Carolina Panthers
His Projected Role in 2024: Reservist DT or Practice Squad
Smith joined a litany of former Vikings, including Adam Thielen, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Xavier Woods, and D.J. Wonnum, in Carolina this offseason.
New Team: Arizona Cardinals
His Projected Role in 2024: Backup Nose Tackle
Tonga played a smaller role for the 2024 Vikings than most surmised at this time last year, and then he joined the Cardinals via free agency in March. He might receive more snaps on Jonathan Gannon’s team.
New Team: New Orleans Saints
His Projected Role in 2024: Backup Offensive Lineman
Udoh has roster versatility — he can play tackle and guard — and should have no problem making the Saints’ gameday roster at the end of August.
New Team: Carolina Panthers
His Projected Role in 2024: Presumptive Starting EDGE
Wonnum played wonderfully in 2023 before his unfortunate injury and appears in line to start for the 2024 Panthers, a sweet promotion for the 26-year-old.
A bit over half of the remaining free agents from the Vikings’ 2023 squad will likely find roster spots before the season ends. In fact, Minnesota could use nose tackle depth with a player like Day.
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.