Vikings Lose a Rookie for Good
The Minnesota Vikings made the strange decision to part ways with rookie linebacker Austin Keys earlier this week. He didn’t survive the waivers unclaimed, meaning the Vikings can’t sign him to the practice squad. Instead, the special-teams ace heads to Arizona.
Keys was part of the highly anticipated undrafted rookie class that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah annually assembles. In fact, he earned a lucrative guaranteed paycheck of $249,000, trailing only defender Tyler Batty and tight end Ben Yurosek, who are both still on the team.
The rookie out of Auburn joined a linebacker room that included starters Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace, as well as backup Eric Wilson (who has since become a starter). But the group also included fourth-year defender and special-teamer Brian Asamoah and rookie sixth-rounder Kobe King.
In a crowded room, Keys was an underdog to secure a 53-man roster spot. However, strong preseason performances and the ability to contribute on special teams secured him one of the coveted spots.
Asamoah was cut during the preseason and has since become a journeyman. In October, the Vikings waived Kobe King, who was claimed off waivers by the New York Jets. Keys remained and he played a significant role on special teams.
Appearing in 11 games, Keys logged 191 snaps in the third phase and another eight on defense. He registered seven tackles throughout the season and sacked quarterback Jake Browning in Week 3. Even more valuable has been his work on special teams, where his efforts have earned him an elite PFF grade of 87.4.
The release was strange because the Vikings didn’t need the roster spot. They are currently one player short and could’ve easily brought Keys with them into the offseason, especially after he has played well on special teams and shown some defensive promise in the preseason. He was under contract for two more years, but that deal travels with him to the Cardinals.
Austin Keys to Arizona
The rookie is headed to Arizona, instead. Keys was claimed off waivers by the Cardinals, the team announced on Thursday.
“The Cardinals also added another new piece to the roster with a thought to the offseason, claiming inside linebacker Austin Keys off waivers after he was released by the Minnesota Vikings,” the NFC West franchise wrote.
The move is a reaction to Arizona’s shorthanded linebacker crew.
The Cardinals added, “Starting inside linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. has been out since midseason with a ribs injury. Rookie Cody Simon and Akeem Davis Gaither have been in the lineup, while Owen Pappoe is the depth.”
Keys could play a role in Sunday’s season finale against the Los Angeles Rams. For the Cardinals, the game is mostly meaningless. While they are playing for draft position, the Rams still compete for playoff seeding.
The Vikings Need Linebackers
After parting ways with Keys, the club only has veteran Blake Cashman under contract for next season. Wilson (UFA in ’26) and Pace (RFA in ’26) are set to become free agents, barring contract extensions.
Both guys are Brian Flores specials. After making a long career out of backup-worthy linebacker play and special teams contributions, Wilson has exploded onto the scene in his first year with the defensive coordinator, leading all middle linebackers in tackles for loss, sacks, and QB pressures. If Flores remains for a fourth season, re-signing him should be a priority.
Pace signed as an undrafted rookie in 2023 and quickly earned a starting spot. His blitzes created some buzz early in his career, but flaws in coverage and frequent missed tackles demoted him to the bench this season. As a restricted free agent, the Vikings could keep him relatively cheap. Practice-squad players Josh Ross and Sione Takitaki will be free agents, too.
Either way, the franchise needs about a handful of new (or re-signed) linebackers. Keys, 23, will continue his career in Arizona.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
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