The 6 Big Moves from Vikings Free Agency | Day 1
The Minnesota Vikings ventured into free agency on Monday, ready and willing to begin spending its $63 million in cap space.
The 6 Big Moves from Vikings Free Agency | Day 1
The team didn’t disappoint, and most importantly, didn’t overpay newcomers who didn’t deserve fat contracts. Several teams spent big on such players (Aaron Banks to Packers, Javon Kinlaw to Commanders).
Overall, these were the six big moves from Vikings Free Agency Day No. 1, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most important).
6. Nick Mullens (QB) to Jaguars
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweeted Monday, “The Jaguars have agreed to terms with QB Nick Mullens on a two-year, $6.5 million deal with $3 million guaranteed, source says. The new backup to Trevor Lawrence, Mullens goes from Minnesota to Jacksonville along with new Jags assistant Grant Udinski.”
Mullens will now support Trevor Lawrence in 2025, one snap away from QB1. Mullens’ time in Minnesota lasted three seasons.
Implication for Minnesota:
Kevin O’Connell will need a QB2 — a man like Daniel Jones or a newcomer like Jameis Winston or Gardner Minshew.
5. Patrick Jones II (OLB) to Panthers
The aforementioned Garafolo tweeted: “The Panthers have agreed to terms with former Vikings edge rusher Patrick Jones II on a two-year deal worth up to $20 million, source says. Seven sacks last year for Minnesota. Now on his way to Carolina.”
Carolina will now employ two former Vikings EDGE rushers: Patrick Jones II and D.J. Wonnum.
Implication for Minnesota:
The Vikings will need a fourth pass rusher, perhaps re-upping with veteran Jihad Ward from the 2024 squad.
4. Vikings Sign Isaiah Rodgers (CB)
The first free-agent signing of the day, Minnesota padded its CB room.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Former Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers reached agreement on a 2-year $15 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal includes $8M fully guaranteed. The deal was negotiated by Bryan Gavin and Ed Wasielewski of EMG Sports.”
Rodgers hasn’t started many games in his career, but he’s played well when called upon. Here’s Rodgers’ Pro Football Focus resume to date:
2024: 73.2
2023: n/a
2022: 82.1
2021: 70.7
2020: 85.6
He was notably suspended for all of 2023 due to a gambling infraction.
Implication for Minnesota:
With Rodgers in the mix, plus No. 1 at the bottom of this list, cornerback is no longer an emergency need. Fans can rest easy.
3. Sam Darnold (QB) to Seahawks
We nailed this one in early February.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweeted, “Sam Darnold has agreed to terms with the Seahawks, per source. The top free agent quarterback available, Darnold gets the three-year deal he sought and heads to Seattle after a career year in Minnesota.”
Darnold snagged $100.5 million over three years.
Implication for Minnesota:
It’s J.J. McCarthy time in Minneapolis.
2. Vikings Sign Ryan Kelly (C)
Remember when head coach Kevin O’Connell vowed to improve the interior offensive line after his team allowed a playoff record 9 sacks in the postseason loss to the Los Angeles Rams?
This is O’Connell making good on the vow.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted, “The Vikings are expected to sign four-time Pro Bowl Colts standout C Ryan Kelly, per me and Tom Pelissero. A key veteran addition. He gets a 2-year, $18M deal.”
Implication for Minnesota:
The Garrett Bradbury era will end in the coming days or weeks, with Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler, taking over. The iOL fix is here, at least the first part of it.
1. Byron Murphy Jr. (CB) Stays Put; Camryn Bynum Departs
The late-night deal, Murphy Jr. is staying put.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted, “The Vikings and Pro Bowl CB Byron Murphy agreed to terms on a monster three-year, $66 million contract — a $22M average per year, sources tell me and Ian Rapoport. Agent Zeke Sandhu of Klutch Sports negotiated the deal, which keeps Murphy in Minnesota after his breakout season.”
After some anxiety from fans at the CB spot, Murphy Jr. signed on the dotted line, causing folks to exhale.
On the other hand, safety Camryn Bynum found a fat bag of cash from the Indianapolis Colts — $60 million over four years.
Implication for Minnesota:
This is the CB room after Day No. 1 of free agency.
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Dwight McGlothern
- NaJee Thompson
- Reddy Steward
- Kahlef Hailassie
- Nahshon Wright
- Ambry Thomas
At safety, Minnesota must wait for Harrison Smith’s decision in the wake of Bynum’s exodus. If Smith retires, the purple team will go safety shopping.
In more minor news, TE3 Johnny Mundt signed with the Jaguars, and Minnesota signed a little-known safety named Bubba Bolden.
Ex-Vikings Defender Is Now a Patriot
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 MIN 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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