The Minnesota Vikings were active in the first few days of NFL Free Agency.
The team was rather quiet at the very start, which raised concerns for some fans especially after the news of 2024 starting quarterback Sam Darnold announcing he was signing with the Seattle Seahawks on a 3 year deal.
But rest assured, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was busy, getting the Vikings on the right path to start the 2025 season.
Before the free agent signings, the Vikings took care of some in-house signings, including keeping starting Running Back Aaron Jones on a 2 year deal, as well as Safety Theo Jackson on a 2 year deal, Cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. on a 3 year deal, and Punter Ryan Wright on a 1 year deal.
Then the Vikings would expand into the market and make some BIG signings.
The Vikings started their free agency signings with former Indianapolis Colts Center Ryan Kelly on a 2 year deal. Kelly played 9 season with the Colts, and started 121 games. Kelly will replace former Center Garret Bradbury, who had consistent issues sizing up and containing elite defensive lineman in the league. Kelly will add both size, and experience to a Minnesota Offensive Line who surrendered 9 sacks in the playoff loss to the Rams.
The Vikings were not done beefing up their offensive line, the team would again reach into the Colts’ pool of free agents, and sign another offensive lineman, Guard Will Fries on a 5-year deal. Fries played 4 season with the Colts, and was used all over the line at Tackle, and Guard. Injuries could be a concern on this signing, Fries has started just 31 games in 4 years. Fries will be a part of a offensive line that on paper will start, Christian Darrisaw, Will Fries, Ryan Kelly, Dalton Risner, and Brian O’Neill. A nice upgrade from the year before.
The team was not done building the lines up front yet, the Vikings would then address their defensive line on Day 2 of Free Agency signing former Washington Commanders Defensive Lineman Jonathan Allen, Allen was an All-American Selection out of Alabama, and had a frustrating history with Washington. Allen was around during all the ‘dull years’ of Washingtons last couple of seasons wanting to win, and being sick of losing, and once the team started to turn itself around in 2024, Allen suffered a torn pectoral muscle that would limit him in the season, but would return when Washington made it to the playoffs. Allen will join this Minnesota team hungry for more, and will join a defensive front that includes, Jonathan Greenard, Harrison Phillips, Jonathan Bullard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, and Ivan Pace Jr as well as the rookie they took in the Top 20 of last years draft who made splashes in his first season Dallas Turner.
Another signing worth noting, that hasn’t been made official yet, is the Vikings possibly bringing in ANOTHER defensive lineman from the San Francisco 49ers Javon Hargrave, Hargrave was a staple of both the San Francisco and Philadelphia defenses during his career, and will add a veteran presence and big shoes to move for opposing offensive lines as Hargrave is 6’2″ 305 pounds. The deal is still pending due to SF needing to release him, as of the posting of this article.
The Vikings also addressed some other defensive back depth, signing former Philadelphia Eagles DB Isaiah Rodgers to a 2 year deal. Rodgers played in 15 games and started 3 for the Eagles in 2024 during their Super Bowl run, and will add depth to a cornerback room that has Stephon Gilmore, the re-signed Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin.
The signings were great moves for this Minnesota team especially with how the NFC North has become a smash mouth, run first, pass second division offensively as well as high powered, pass rush focused on defense.
But now one question remains for this Minnesota team as they have addressed needs, and already have a rather stacked roster to begin with including the best receiver in the NFL Justin Jefferson, his running mate Jordan Addison, the reliable TJ Hockenson, and a defense that was playing top tier throughout most of the 2024 season.
Who will be the quarterback?
A great question to ask considering the circumstances. With the departure of Sam Darnold, and Daniel Jones finding greener pastures in Indianapolis, all signs point to the keys to the Vikings kingdom being given to last years first round draft pick, J.J. McCarthy. However, Minnesota must have a contingency plan in place incase the injury bug to McCarthy keeps biting, or if McCarthy is not ready to handle the starting quarterback duties yet.
Some names have been mentioned, but the one worth noting is a familiar face to the Minnesota Vikings and their fans, not one that has graced the same sideline before, but someone who was on the opposite side of the field twice a year for nearly two decades. Aaron Rodgers has been named as a favorite to sign with the Vikings after he was released from the New York Jets earlier this offseason. Rodgers has a decision to make, not only could the Vikings be in play, but the New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers are also teams named in the sweepstakes for Rodgers.
Will we see a repeat in history just as former Packers and Jets quarterback Brett Favre did in the early 2000’s?
Some other available quarterbacks at the posting of this article are Trey Lance, Marcus Mariota, Carson Wentz, Jameis Winston, and Mac Jones.
The Vikings made some great moves on both sides of the ball, the only question remaining will be, who will walk out to the center of the huddle when the Vikings take the field in September.
Photo Credit: the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings
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