It’s been a week since the “legal tampering period” opened and we’re 5 days into the league year. So this obviously means we need to react to what happened in the last 7 days. There are still outstanding questions at QB2 (or QB1 depending on the route) and a few other open spots before we start to turn our focus on the draft.
The additions Minnesota Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has made to the roster are expected to make a large impact. KAM decided to focus on the line play after watching the Eagles march their way through the playoffs. The Vikings added a new starting C and OG to the offensive line that was struggling on the interior. He also added two big men on defense with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. He also brought back Aaron Jones to help take some pressure off JJ McCarthy. More importantly the defensive backfield brought back two key players in Byron Murphy Jr and Harrison Smith.
The departures list shouldn’t be too surprising to anyone paying attention to the team. The biggest headline will obviously be the entire QB room leaving outside of last year’s 1st round pick and a player on a reserve contract. The Vikings will have to replace Cam Bynum in the secondary and the player 3rd in sacks last year, Pat Jones II. I am still shocked Kwesi was able to get anything for Ed Ingram.
The additions, on paper, seem to outweigh the departures, when you discount Sam Darnold leaving for JJ McCarthy returning from injury. That being said, the Vikings have signed a lot of players that have a long injury history. There is a lot of talent there, but it will be their responsibility to keep them healthy. If they can successfully manage the health of the team, the Vikings are lined up for big things in 2025. The offseason is young and there is a long ways to go before the season. Free Agency was always going to be more important this year with the lack of draft capital. I like what I’ve seen so far and look forward to more big moves coming.
Signings
DL Jonathan Allen, OG Will Fries, C Ryan Kelly, DL Javon Hargrave, S Bubba Bolden, CB Isaiah Rodgers, OT Justin Skule and LB Eric Wilson
Re-Signed/Extended
RB Aaron Jones, CB Byron Murphy, S Harrison Smith, S Theo Jackson and P Ryan Wright
Departures
QB Sam Darnold, QB Daniel Jones, QB Nick Mullens, S Camyrn Bynum, OLB Pat Jones II, TE Johnny Mundt and WR Trent Sherfield
Trade
OG Ed Ingram was traded to the Texans.
RB Jordan Mason has been acquired from the San Francisco 49ers.
