One Vikings Rumor Was Totally False
The Minnesota Vikings were not in the mix for safety Jevon Holland’s services during free agency.
One Vikings Rumor Was Totally False
The NFL’s “legal tampering” portion of free agency kicked off Monday, and as that day proceeded with momentous movement, some internet fodder suggested the Vikings had pursued Holland, the market’s top free-agent safety.
But that was false. The source? Holland personally.
Holland joined the Breakin House Rules podcast this week, debunking and killing the rumor in its tracks.
“I seen that. I was like, ‘What that f-ck?’ They didn’t even offer. That wasn’t on the table. So, that’s another thing. Fake accounts be posting sh-t. And people were in the comments like ‘This guy is f-cking arrogant.’ I’m like, ‘Yo. Just chill. It’s not even a real thing,'” Holland told the show’s hosts.
Holland ultimately signed a four-year, $54 million deal with the New York Giants.
The veteran safety had mentioned his positive relationship with Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in the past. He tweeted two years ago when Flores landed Minnesota’s defensive coordinator job: “Flo was apart of the reason I got drafted making my lifelong dream come true. I got nothing but love for him!”
That seemed like a sweet starting point for Vikings free agency if general manager Adofo-Mensah was interested in Holland. But after his remarks this week, potentially adding Holland was just an offseason theory, not reality.
Instead, the Vikings will showcase safeties Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward in 2025. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Wednesday evening, “Six-time Pro Bowl safety Harrison Smith will return for a 14th NFL season, agreeing to terms today on a new contract with the Vikings, per sources. At age 36, Smith is still playing at a high level and can now add to his hall of fame resume.”
Smith’s return canceled the short-term need for a safety in 2025, even if Camryn Bynum left this week for the Indianapolis Colts.
Instead, Minnesota has focused on the offensive and defensive trenches in free agency, signing Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), and Isaiah Rodgers (CB).
Pursuing Holland might’ve been wise, especially if Smith called it quits, but the Vikings simply didn’t do it. Holland swatted away the rumors.
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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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