Vikings First Day Free Agent Fizzle Turns Frenzied on Day 2
Vikings Territory Breakdown Podcast
The Vikings (along with the 31 other NFL teams) launched headlong into the legal tampering portion of free agency and boy did they tamper. When it looked like the Vikings were going to sit out Day 1 on the sidelines, suddenly things started cracking the morning of Day 2. Their biggest Day 1 headlines were the loss of quarterback Sam Darnold to Seattle and the resigning of running back Aaron Jones—but Day 2 in the morning resulted in the signings of DT Jonathan Allen, Colts guard Will Fries and Niners DT Javon Hargrave.
These Day 2 signings were enough to make Vikings fans almost forget about the Day 1 signings, which included: former Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (no, not QB A. Rodgers) and Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly. The Vikings have made a concerted effort to bolster the trenches by acquiring two defensive tackles and then a center and guard on offense.
So, let’s not forget the big late-night news from Day 1, which was the Vikings coming to terms with their star cornerback Byron Murphy, Jr. before he could dip his toe into the free agency waters. It has not remained the headline as a result of Day 2, but it should be.
On the loss side of the ledger with Slinging Sammy Darnold was safety Cam Bynum going to the Colts (man, our interception cellies are going to stink), backup QB Nick Mullins and TE Johnny Mundt to Jacksonville and defender Patrick Jones II to the Panthers. Clearly the Vikings were clearing some cap room for Murphy and the rest of the Day 2 moves.
There is more (re-signing punter Ryan Wright and safety Theo Jackson) and plenty of player movement around the league to dissect. And that’s just what the fellas at Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—are here to do. Tune in and check it out. Skol!
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