3 Former Vikings Who Could Fit on Current Team from Free Agency
The Minnesota Vikings have around $26 million available as of June 23rd to spend on new free agents, contract extensions, or a rainy day.
3 Former Vikings Who Could Fit on Current Team from Free Agency
The franchise will likely add a player or two this summer from free agency or via trade, as that tends to be general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s schtick.
And if Minnesota is interested in any former Vikings players, these three names stand out. They’re listed in alphabetical order.
1. Cam Akers (RB)
Akers is recovering from a second Achilles tear and should be signed by some team before too long. He won’t be trusted with RB1 duties anymore, but the Vikings don’t need an RB1. That’s what Aaron Jones is for.
However, after Jones and Ty Chandler, Minnesota’s running back depth is a little dicey, and signing Akers as RB3 insurance checks some boxes. He was also a notable locker room guy in 2023 before the Achilles tear at the Atlanta Falcons.
Most fans would rather have Akers as RB3 than Kene Nwangwu, for example.
2. Linval Joseph (NT)
Minnesota does not employ any honest-to-goodness nose tackles. Harrison Phillips technically mans the job in Brian Flores’ defense, but nobody classifies him as a textbook nose tackle.
Joseph, though, is a textbook nose tackle and might have a season or two left in the tank. He spent six years in Minnesota during the Mike Zimmer era and could be used for NT depth if the Vikings are interested.
He loved Minnesota, as well. A reunion could be fun.
3. Jerick McKinnon (RB)
McKinnon won a couple of Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs and, at age 32, might have one or two more seasons left in the NFL. He spent his rookie contract in Minnesota and was beloved by fans.
Like Akers above, the Vikings need an RB3, and McKinnon could perform the task at a moment’s notice. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, his modus operandi going back to his first stint in Minnesota. This recommendation does not declare McKinnon an ideal fit for RB1 or anything of the sort, but McKinnon can reasonably be considered a sound insurance policy.
Additionally, he’d be affordable. His career is winding down, and the generous money is gone at this juncture of free agency. The Vikings could sign McKinnon somewhere in the arena of a veteran minimum contract.
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.
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