Long-Time Viking in Line for “Big Money” Elsewhere
The Minnesota Vikings have the outside linebacker spot all set up for the future with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner.
Long-Time Viking in Line for “Big Money” Elsewhere
That makes the free-agent return of pass rusher Patrick Jones II unlikely in Minnesota, but when he hits free agency next week, the long-time Viking is evidently in line for a sweet new deal — more than most might think.
NFL Network‘s Mike Garafolo tweeted Wednesday, just five days before free agency gets underway: “Another guy who could surprise with a big-money deal next week: Vikings LB Patrick Jones II. Seven sacks last year. Now heads to a market with pass rushers that are deeper into their career or with some other question marks. The 2021 third-rounder could cash in nicely.”
Most Vikings fans don’t foresee Jones II in Minnesota’s 2025 plans, but because of the fancy sack total from 2024, another franchise might be tempted to spend handsomely on the 26-year-old.
Former general manager Rick Spielman scooped Jones II out of the 2021 NFL Draft, Spielman’s final in charge, and the defender served as a depth pass rusher on Vikings teams led by Mike Zimmer for a year and Kevin O’Connell since 2022.
Jones II logged 24 quarterback pressures in 2024 and those 7 sacks last season, representing one of Minnesota’s somewhat unforeseen contributors last year. In fact, Jones II and his counterparts, Van Ginkel and Greenard, played “too well” that the rookie, Turner, experienced less defensive action.
Now, with free agency less than a week away, Jones II could be the odd man out because of that very reason — next season should be Turner’s theoretical breakout timeline. The Vikings traded a sizable draft capital sum for the draft pick that fetched Turner, and it would be quite bizarre to re-up with Jones II only to plop Turner on the bench.
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling wrote about Jones II last month: “With Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel back for 2025, and Dallas Turner likely to play a bigger role in his second season, Jones wouldn’t seem to be at the top of the Vikings’ priority list.”
These are Minnesota’s outside linebackers under contract for 2025:
OLB1: Jonathan Greenard
OLB2: Andrew Van Ginkel
OLB3: Dallas Turner
OLB4: Bo Richter
OLB5: Gabriel Murphy
It’s one of Minnesota’s deepest roster spots.
Jones II’s teammate, Jihad Ward, is also scheduled to hit free agency, though he only played for the Vikings in one season.
Jones II participated in 459 defensive snaps last season, or about 46%. Turner played 300 (28%).
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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