Vikings Pass Rusher Joins Panthers
Patrick Jones II’s time with the Minnesota Vikings formally ended after four seasons.
Vikings Pass Rusher Joins Panthers
He’s now a Carolina Panther.
NFL Network‘s Mike Garafolo tweeted Monday, the first day of NFL free agency: “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.”
It’s a wonderful pay bump for Jones II, who was always featured as a backup EDGE rusher in Minnesota. He’ll have a chance to start in Carolina, alongside another former Viking, D.J. Wonnum.
These are the Panthers’ outside linebackers with the Jones II addition:
- Jadeveon Clowney
- D.J. Wonnum
- Patrick Jones II
- DJ Johnson
- Amare Barno
- Carlos Basham
- Thomas Incoom
- Kenny Dyson
And the Vikings’ without Jones II:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Dallas Turner
- Bo Richter
- Gabriel Murphy
Jones logged 24 quarterback pressures in 2024 and 7 sacks, representing one of Minnesota’s somewhat unforeseen contributors last year. In fact, Jones II and his counterparts, Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, played “too well” that rookie EDGE Dallas Turner experienced less defensive action.
Now, with free agency underway, Jones II is the odd man out because of that very reason — next season should be Turner’s theoretical breakout timeline. The Vikings traded a sizable draft capital sum for the draft pick that fetched Turner, and it would’ve been quite bizarre to re-up with Jones II only to plop Turner on the bench.
Most consider the aforementioned Greenard and Van Ginkel unbenchable, so for Turner to earn meaningful playing time, men like Jones II are on the way out.
Jones II’s former teammate, Jihad Ward, is also a free agent, though he only played for the Vikings in one season. Ward could re-sign in Minnesota this week or next.
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling predicted Jones II’s free-agent exit last month. “Jones, 26, had five sacks in the Vikings’ first four games, but had only two the rest of the year. In his final 11 games, he registered multiple pressures in a game only twice. He missed three games late in the season because of knee injuries. He appeared to be on track for a breakout year, but he didn’t show the consistent pressure that might have landed him a big contract,” he wrote.
“With Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel back for 2025, and Dallas Turner likely to play a bigger role in his second season, Jones wouldn’t seem to be at the top of the Vikings’ priority list.”
Goessling nailed it.
The Panthers’ defense ranked 32nd per EPA/Play in 2024. Dead last.
Jones will turn 27 in September and reunite with former Viking Adam Thielen in Carolina.
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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 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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