Once-Promising Former Viking Grabs Extension from Titans
If you were a Minnesota Vikings fan from 2020 to 2023, you might remember the name of defensive tackle James Lynch.
Once-Promising Former Viking Grabs Extension from Titans
A 4th-Round pick by former general manager Rick Spielman in 2022, Lynch stayed attached to Minnesota’s roster orbit for 3.5 years before joining the Tennessee Titans last year.
And that audition evidently went well because Lynch is back in the saddle with Tennessee for the 2025 campaign.
James Lynch Re-Ups with Titans
On a busy NFL morning, which included a Dallas Cowboys trade for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens and a reworked contract for Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert, Lynch earned a mention in the news cycle.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted Wednesday, “The Titans are re-signing veteran DT James Lynch, source said, giving the former Vikings fourth-rounder a 1-year deal.”
Lynch played all 17 Titans games last year, serving as a reserve interior defensive lineman and tabulating 245 snaps. He was in action for about 23% of all Titans defensive plays. Lynch banked 20 total tackles, one sack, and a 60.1 Pro Football Focus grade.
The Titans’ Defensive Tackles
With the news of Lynch’s extension, here’s the Titans’ DT room and where Lynch fits:
- Jeffery Simmons
- T’Vondre Sweat
- Sebastian Joseph-Day
- James Lynch
- Cam Horsley
- Keondre Coburn
- Abdullah Anderson
- Devonte O’Malley
- Isaiah Raikes
- Philip Blidi
Barring an unforeseen emergence from a new contender, Lynch should hold down DT4 responsibilities in Tennessee this season.
Titans-Themed Media on Lynch Last Year
Upon Lynch’s signing with Tennessee last year, SI.com’s Jeremy Brener wrote about the move: “Lynch, 25, was elevated from the practice squad for the team’s Week 1 game, where he played seven snaps on defense. Lynch takes over the roster spot that was vacated by the release of linebacker Luke Gifford last week.”
“Lynch was signed to the practice squad in late August after he was cut by the Minnesota Vikings at the end of training camp. He spent four seasons with the Vikings after being a fourth-round pick from them back in the 2020 NFL Draft.”
The Titans also employ former Vikings Oli Udoh (offensive tackle) and Xavier Woods (safety).
Brender added, “In August 2023, Lynch tore his ACL, causing him to miss the entire season. In his last full season in 2022, Lynch played in 15 games for the Vikings, recording 20 tackles. Given the fact that the Titans only had Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat as the only true defensive tackles on the roster meant that Tennessee had a need. Now, that need is filled by Lynch.”
“Lynch’s move to the 53-man roster meant that a spot opened up on the practice squad, and the Titans chose to fill it immediately by signing linebacker Kyron Johnson.”
Lynch made the best of his practice squad assignment.
Lynch with the Vikings
The Baylor alumnus played 37 games in Minnesota, starting 3 and logging 53 total tackles, plus 2 sacks from 2020 to 2023.
He was “one of those players” who always played well when on the field, but injuries often sullied his career in Minnesota. The Vikings actually signed Lynch at this time last year, but he didn’t quite have the juice to make the 53-man roster cut.
So, he turned to Tennessee for a career reclamation. The plan worked.
The New-Look Titans
Tennessee drafted Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick two weeks ago, selected EDGE rusher Oluwafemi Oladejo in Round 2, followed by safety Kevin Winston Jr. in Round 3. From free agency, the club notably added wide receiver Tyler Lockett, guard Kevin Zeitler, linebackers Dre’Mont Jones and Cody Barton, along with the aforementioned Woods, the former Vikings safety.
Oddsmakers expect the renovated Titans to win five or six games this season. Minnesota is forecasted for eight or nine.
Lynch turned 26 in January.
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