One Free Agent Is All the Rage for Vikings Fans

The Minnesota Vikings currently showcase around $60 million in cap space to spend on existing in-house free agents and open-market players.
Vikings Free Agency: One Player Is the People’s Almighty Target
It’s the club’s best salary cap situation in years as dead money from the contracts of Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter falls off the books this offseason.

And because the franchise will have more cash to spend than usual, folks are dreaming big about possible free-agent options. Per the team’s fan base, one man is the almighty target — Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith.
Smith is still playing football at the moment. His team will represent the AFC West in the AFC Championship game this Sunday and is the favorite to win. But when March hits, Smith can sign anywhere in the NFL, assuming the Chiefs don’t extend his services.
Why Smith? Why now? Well, the answer is quite simple: the Vikings surrendered 9 sacks to the Los Angeles Rams in the postseason’s Wildcard Round, setting a dubious NFL record and lifting up the team’s offseason need in plain national view. Of course, it didn’t help that quarterback Sam Darnold held the football dreadfully too long in the pocket, but the interior offensive line also did Darnold no favors.

Here’s Smith Pro Football Focus tale of the tape:
- 2024: 78.8
- 2023: 72.2
- 2022: 71.5
- 2021: 72.3
Smith specializes primarily in run-blocking — that’s his keynote strength. He does not, however, struggle via pass protection. The guy does it all but is merely a bit more skilled at plowing lanes for running backs. He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion and reached his first Pro Bowl this season. As a comparison, he’s as steady as Brian O’Neill per week-to-week performance.
Last week, Steve Berglund, a lifelong Vikings fan, told VikingsTerritory when asked about the purple team’s top offseason priority: “The Vikes have to make Trey Smith the No. 1 priority. It’s the perfect fit. One of the best RGs in the NFL, only 25, and fills the biggest hole on the team.”

Only two possible snags prevent Smith from joining the Vikings in March: 1) Several other teams will pursue his free agency. He’s the best guard on the market beyond the shadow of a doubt. 2) His price tag will likely check in the neighborhood of $20 million per season, which could be a bit expensive.
The Vikings could also stand to upgrade at cornerback, defensive tackle, and running back, but Smith is the overwhelming free-agent darling, according to fans’ current sentiment. Check any outlet of social media, and the request for Smith will be clear.

Smith will turn 26 in June. He’d replace either Dalton Risner or Blake Brandel on Minnesota’s line.
Minnesota’s offensive line ranked 18th in the NFL this season, per PFF.
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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