Vikings Castoffs Still Looking for Work
The NFL’s free agency period from 2025 has over three months in the books, with topper-offer signings still occurring here and there for teams.
Several 2024 Vikings remain jobless as the 2025 season approaches. Here’s a look at former players still looking for NFL homes.
The Minnesota Vikings have added about 15 veteran free agents since March, while eight from the 2024 squad still need new jobs.
So, with no further ado, listed alphabetically, these 2024 Vikings remain on the free-agent wire and may sign with a club sometime this summer.
1. Jonathan Bullard (DT)
Bullard played for the Vikings for three seasons, coming aboard when Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell rode into town in 2022. The run-stuffing defensive tackle is 31, and no team has signed him through three months of free agency.
He did, however, meet with the New Orleans Saints earlier this month.
2. Dan Feeney (OL)
Feeney played 40 special teams snaps (none on offense) for the 2024 Vikings and has lived on five NFL rosters throughout his eight-year career. Minnesota bolstered its interior offensive line this offseason, leaving Feeney as an odd man out.
He hasn’t received any notable nibbles in free agency.
Unsigned Vikings from the 2024 Team
Like every offseason, the Vikings made changes to their roster, leaving some veterans behind.
3. Stephon Gilmore (CB)
Probably the most popular name on this list, Gilmore contemplated retirement when the offseason arrived, but seemed to delay that for another year. He’s a popular target for fan bases of teams that need one extra competent cornerback.
In April, Gilmore drew some attention when he showed up at the Dallas Cowboys’ facilities. No contract came to fruition.
Heavy.com‘s Jordan Wilson believes Gilmore could land with the Green Bay Packers — of all teams — before too long.
He wrote this week, “The Packers are confident in the capabilities of their cornerback trio of Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs and Carrington Valentine heading into the 2025 season, but their depth is much shakier behind the three of them. To remedy that, the Packers could sign Gilmore — who turns 35 in September — and trust in a reliable former Pro Bowler who has made 48 starts for three teams over the past three seasons and missed only three games.”
“Gilmore is no longer the player he was when he made four consecutive Pro Bowls from 2018 to 2021, but he is still an effective coverage piece who helped the Vikings excel in the NFC North last season. According to Pro Football Focus, he also earned the 28th-best grade as a run defender among 222 eligible cornerbacks during the 2024 season. Projected contract offer: One year, $5.5 million.”
4. Kamu Grugier-Hill (LB)
Grugier-Hill filled in admirably last season when Blake Cashman missed a few games, so much so that many fans thought the Vikings would re-sign him for another year. But Minnesota preferred Eric Wilson, whom the team drafted in 2017. Wilson is the primary backup linebacker this season, while Adofo-Mensah also drafted Penn State’s Kobe King in April.
5. Fabian Moreau (CB)
A 31-year-old depth defensive back, Moreau played just over defensive snaps for the 2024 Vikings when injuries sidelined Stephon Gilmore.
He’s been attached to six NFL rosters since turning pro in 2017, hoping to make it seven sometime this summer.
6. Brandon Powell (WR)
Powell is unemployed, leaving behind a punt return void on the Vikings’ roster. Contenders like Rondale Moore, Jalen Nailor, or Silas Bolden will likely emerge for the job.
The former Los Angeles Ram turned Viking will turn 30 in September.
7. Dalton Risner (G)
Risner spoke with Jon Gruden this week, and Gruden hopped on social media to pound the table for Risner’s free agency. The two are buddies.
The Vikings don’t need Risner this go-round, signing Will Fries from free agency and drafting Donovan Jackson from Ohio State. But some team will sign Risner, a good pass-protecting guard with some struggles via run blocking.
8. Jihad Ward (DL)
It’s a bit surprising that absolutely no franchise has signed Ward, as he demonstrated versatility by playing outside linebacker and defensive tackle in 2024. His absence from the 2025 Vikings roster paves the way for Dallas Turner to emerge fully, so he’s a bit of a forgotten man this offseason.
Ward logged a 51.5 grade from Pro Football Focus last season.
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