8 Vikings Remain in Limbo
Dustin Baker
|
Free agency kicked off about three weeks ago, and the Minnesota Vikings were more active in 2024 than most years in recent memory.
8 Vikings Remain in Limbo
Notably, the franchise watched as quarterback Kirk Cousins and outside linebacker Danielle Hunter joined new teams — Cousins to Atlanta and Hunter to Houston — while Minnesota prioritized defense with the signings of Jonathan Greenard (OLB), Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB), Blake Cashman (ILB), and Shaquill Griffin (CB)
Now, with the NFL draft less than four weeks away, eight Vikings players from the 2024 roster remain in limbo, unsigned by the Vikings and living on the free-agent market. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Cam Akers (RB)
Akers hinted on Instagram earlier in the offseason that he’d either be back with the Vikings or wanted to return. But then Minnesota signed Aaron Jones, pumping the brakes on that theory.
The veteran tailback is recovering from his second torn Achilles.
2. Anthony Barr (LB)
Barr returned for a purple sequel midseason last year, and the timing was awful. Minnesota began losing the moment he signed, though it had nothing to do with him.
The end is nigh for Barr after a decade of NFL service.
3. Sheldon Day (NT)
Brian Flores’ defense needs nose tackle depth, so of all the men on the list, Day might be the most likely to return.
Day saw action in six games for the purple team last year.
4. James Lynch (DT)
A career hampered by injury, Lynch might be one of those men who fizzles out of the league after some fans once had lofty expectations.
He quietly played his whole, four-year rookie contract in Minnesota but is only 25.
5. Chris Reed (OG)
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might sign Reed back before too long if the next guy on the list doesn’t return because he’s a decent and familiar depth piece.
Reed, though, only appeared in two Vikings games last season.
6. Dalton Risner (LG)
Risner recently hired powerhouse agent Drew Rosenhaus, so his free agency might soon cook with gas.
KFAN’s Paul Allen asked Adofo-Mensah last week about the chances of Risner returning in purple, and the young executive replied, “Where we’ve wanted to be is best available. That’s where we’ve tried to set ourselves up both in a draft and acquisition standpoint. So every option is on the table. That’s all I can say about that.”
A reunion doesn’t sound too promising.
7. T.J. Smith (DT)
Like Sheldon Day, Smith could eventually be back in Minnesota because it needs DT depth. But it’s a coinflip. Smith has appeared in four games since 2021.
8. Nick Vigil (LB)
Similar to Anthony Barr, Vigil re-signed in Minnesota as a depth option last year. It was his second stint in the Twin Cities. Once a steady starter for the Bengals about five years ago, Vigil’s career is winding down, and he’ll turn 31 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 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.