Vikings Sign New Player in Reunion Deal
If you get deep enough into the Minnesota Vikings operations that you study the 90-man roster in the summer, you might remember a once-promising tight end named Ben Sims.
One Vikings tight end was cut loose a few summers ago, later joining the Green Bay Packers, but as of October 27th, the man is back in the Twin Cities.
Sims joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2023, didn’t last long, joined the Green Bay Packers for a few seasons — and is now back.
Vikings Claim TE Ben Sims
Minnesota may have a TE opening on the roster because of injuries.
Ben Sims Comes Home
It’s Carson Wentz out, and Ben Sims in.
Vikings.com‘s Craig Peters wrote, “It will never be said that Carson Wentz didn’t give everything he had for the 2025 Minnesota Vikings. After starting five consecutive games and enduring considerable pain in his left, non-throwing shoulder for more than half of the contests, Wentz has been placed on Injured Reserve. The Vikings announced the move Monday, the same day the team announced it had claimed tight end Ben Sims via waivers.”
“The Vikings were awarded Sims after he was placed on waivers by the Packers. Sims first joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in May 2023. After a solid preseason, he was waived during roster cuts as the Vikings narrowed from 90 players to 53.”
Sims could actually be an immediate contributor for the Vikings after TE2 Josh Oliver left last week’s game due to injury. It depends on how much time Oliver misses, if any.
Room on the Roster after Carson Wentz’s IR News
The mini-bombshell preceding the Sims roster addition? Wentz has been playing through a torn labrum and fractured socket for a few games, and Thursday Night Football did him in.
Like a boxer in the ring, he went down swinging; like a wrestler in his final match, he took the pinfall to put the young guy over.
The IR trip for Wentz opened a roster spot for the Vikings, and with the aforementioned Oliver battling a foot injury, Sims was the logical choice to call, as this coaching staff and front office are familiar with his skill set.
Sims’ Career to Date
Sims has played in 37 games with the Packers in three seasons, while starting six, mostly last season. Green Bay quarterbacks, mainly Jordan Love, have targeted Sims 11 times in the passing game. He’s pulled down 8 catches for 63 yards since 2022, with a touchdown and 4 first downs.
All told, Sims has played 414 offensive snaps in his three years, along with 187 special teams appearances.
NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein noted on Sims before the 2023 NFL Draft: “Tight end with average size and talent as a run blocker but the tools to get a little better in that area. Baylor frequently used Sims as a wingback who was asked to base block, lead block and get into space on outside zone.”
“As a pass-catcher, he lacks separation talent and is going to get what is given to him by the defense. Sims’ average traits mean he will likely need to be in a favorable situation to make a roster.”
The Revised Vikings TE Room
Here’s a peek at Minnesota’s TE unit with Sims added to the mix:
- T.J. Hockenson
- Josh Oliver
- Ben Yurosek
- Ben Sims
- Bryson Nesbit (Practice Squad)
- Nick Vannett (Practice Squad)
- Gavin Bartholomew (Physically Unable to Perform)
Packers-Themed Media on Sims
Acme Packing Co.’s Justis Mosqueda on Sims: “With the open roster spot that Wentz made available, the Vikings picked up former Green Bay Packers tight end Ben Sims off of waivers today.”
“This is the second player plucked from Green Bay on Monday, following the Tennessee Titans taking rookie draft pick Micah Robinson off the Packers’ practice squad. Sims had only played offensive snaps for the Packers this year on kneels, with his contributions to the team in 2025 coming as a kickoff return blocker. Sims actually signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2023, but when the team released him at the 2023 roster cutdown deadline, Green Bay — who had brought in Sims in on a pre-draft visit — picked him up immediately. Up until Saturday, Sims has been a Packer.”
Sims will turn 26 next offseason.
“Sims was waived, instead of offensive lineman Donovan Jennings or kicker Lucas Havrisik, two healthy scratches on Sunday, to make room for the activation of receiver Christian Watson from the physically unable to perform list. Without Sims, Green Bay still has Tucker Kraft, John FitzPatrick and Luke Musgrave on its 53-man roster,” Mosqueda continued.
“The team’s practice squad tight end is Josh Whyle, a 2023 fifth-round pick who was waived at the cutdown deadline by the Tennessee Titans this summer.”
It wouldn’t be strange one bit to see Sims in action this Sunday against the Lions. He’s game-ready.
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