An Old Friend Could Make His Way Back to Vikings
For three seasons, the Minnesota Vikings employed Johnny Mundt as their trusty TE3, and after a year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mundt is once again there for the taking. The veteran pass-catcher is beloved by Vikings skipper head coach Kevin O’Connell, making Mundt a rather plausible reunion candidate.
Minnesota knows exactly what Mundt would bring.
Mundt can sign anywhere in the league as early as now.
A Familiar Tight End Option Just Reentered the Vikings’ Radar
Minnesota has a crowded TE room, but why not another old friend?
Jaguars Release Mundt
Jacksonville used Mundt as a one-hit wonder.
SI.com‘s John Shipley wrote Monday, “As the Jacksonville Jaguars have turned the page toward free agency, they aren’t done in their endeavor to clear cap space. The latest move to clear the Jaguars’ cap came from Jaguars general manager James Gladstone and his staff on Monday night, with the Jaguars reportedly releasing tight end Johnny Mundt — a reflection of just how much is set to change at the tight end position.”
“The Jaguars signed Mundt to a two-year, $5.5 million deal last offseason but are now opting to pull the plug on his tenure with the franchise after just one season. Mundt opened the season as the Jaguars’ top backup tight end behind Brenton Strange, but both him and fellow offseason addition Hunter Long eventually began to lose snaps to new tight end Quintin Morris.”
Mundt is 31 and should have no problem finding employment for a few more years as a dependable TE3.
Black and Teal‘s Carlos Sanchez also warned of another cut or two by Jacksonville: “The truth is that the Jaguars don’t have many cap casualty candidates after letting Johnny Mundt go. They could restructure Arik Armstead’s deal or trade Walker Little to create as much as $14 million. However, the front office could also release Chuma Edoga and free up $2.8 million in cap space with $1 million in dead money. A third-round pick in 2019, Edoga signed a two-year deal worth $7 million with the Jags.”
“Before landing in Jacksonville, he played for the New York Jets, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Dallas Cowboys. Another option would be 2023 sixth-round pick Cooper Hodges. While the former Appalachian State product has flashed, he’s had trouble staying healthy the past three seasons. However, he’s still around, so he may get one last chance to show what he’s got.”
The Production
Mundt was used in Jacksonville at a pretty standard TE3 clip, tabulating 389 offensive snaps in 16 games, along with 70 appearances on special teams plays. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence targeted him 19 times in the passing game, while Mundt secured 9 of those for receptions, complete with 111 yards, 6 first downs, and no scores.
One of Mundt’s tight end teammates, Strange, blossomed for the first time in 2025, and Mundt filled in the gaps between Strange and Long. Strange hauled in 46 passes for 540 yards and 3 touchdowns — pretty solid TE work for a relative unknown.
And, apparently, it’s The Strange Show in Jacksonville, as Mundt is the odd man out.
Time in MIN
In March 2022, Johnny Mundt joined the Vikings as a free agent and assumed a TE2/TE3 role. He began his NFL career in 2017 with the Los Angeles Rams, who signed him as an undrafted free agent. Mundt spent five seasons with the Rams, including 2020 and 2021, working alongside O’Connell, which culminated in a Super Bowl victory in 2021. Shortly after, O’Connell became the head coach in Minnesota, and Mundt followed him to the Twin Cities.
In 2024 with the Vikings, Mundt appeared in all 17 games and recorded 19 receptions for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns. He played 434 offensive snaps, representing approximately 39% of Minnesota’s offensive plays, and contributed on 133 special teams snaps as well.
Across his 114-game career, Mundt has accumulated 74 receptions for 658 yards and 4 touchdowns on 103 targets.
The Quote to Remember
Before the 2023 campaign, O’Connell said to reporters, “I believe Johnny Mundt is the best 3rd TE in the NFL. If there was a category for that, Johnny would certainly get that, in my opinion.”
“So reliable. So trusted. By not only myself but everybody in that huddle with him. The variety of jobs he can do on all three downs. He doesn’t get enough credit for how well he runs — or blocks for that matter — and the physicality.”
O’Connell loves the guy. Those words are pretty much all the evidence you need to know a reunion is on the table. How could O’Connell not pursue the best TE3 in the league?
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