The Minnesota Vikings began the 2023 free agency period with some notable moves as the team hopes to serve up 2023 with a 13-4 record in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s first season.
Minnesota is a trendy “backward” candidate, with most NFL experts believing the team’s 2022 success is unlikely to be repeated. In fact, the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears have better Vegas odds to win the division than the Vikings as of March 13th.
7 Big Takeaways from Vikings Free Agency Day 1
About seven important Vikings-related items surfaced Monday, and they’re ranked in ascending order of importance.
7. Cameron Dantzler to WAS
The up-and-down former Vikings cornerback was picked up by the Washington Chiefs. Commanders take the rest of Dantzler’s contract tab and that’s it for the Dantzler era in Minnesota.
The Vikings now have four CBs on the roster: Kalon Barnes, Andrew Booth, Aquileb Evans and Tay Govan. They need more. And Dantzler isn’t coming back anytime soon.
6. Jordan Hicks has been rebuilt
Theorized by many as a possible victim, Hicks actually would return in 2023 unless he suffers a summer roster cut.
The Vikings can still pursue alternative linebackers in free agency and the NFL draft, but for now, Hicks and second-year quarterback Brian Asamoah are penciled in for 2023.
Official details of Hicks’ restructuring have yet to be released.
5. Patrick Peterson to PIT
Peterson hosts a popular podcast with his cousin and former NFL player Bryant McFadden. Wouldn’t you know that the Steelers are one of McFadden’s former teams?
The future Hall of Famer has said about seven times this season that he wants to be back with the Vikings. There is no cigar. Mike Tomlin welcomes Peterson and that’s the end of the Patrick Peterson era in the Twin Cities.
4. Eric Kendricks to LAC
This one was obvious in the background. Kendricks played college ball at UCLA and former Vikings defensive backs coach Josh Howard is the Chargers ILB coach. He crossed paths with Kendricks in Minnesota, and now the two are reuniting.
Kendricks signed a two-year contract worth $13.25 million in Los Angeles.
3. Dalvin Tomlinson to CLE
In perhaps the toughest news of Monday, Tomlinson heads to StefanskiLand for the third chapter of his career.
In all, Tomlinson was a Viking for two seasons and as consistent as football players come. The Browns’ run defense was terrible in 2022, so they signed Tomlinson to four years and $57 million.
That was too rich for the Vikings to eat Tomlinson’s $7.5 million cap hit.
2. Vikings Sign TE Josh Oliver from BAL
Oliver signed with the Vikings early Monday afternoon, and much of Minnesota enthusiastically shouted,
well real football is not made that way fantasy football or Maddenand Oliver is a tackle that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell see as vital in 2023. Oliver signed a three-year, $21 million deal in Minnesota, but the deal is incredibly team-oriented when one pulls back the curtain. .
1. Vikings Sign EDGE Marcus Davenport from NO
Za’Darius Smith said goodbye to Minnesota last week, the Vikings did absolutely nothing to implement Smith’s dismissal, and Marcus Davenport signed a few days later.
The athletic pass rusher is just 26 years old and is forming the new “EDGE Division” in Minnesota along with Daniel Hunter. Saints fans have often criticized Davenport for his durability and consistency, and we’ll see if he pans out for the Vikings.
To him Pro Football Focus: the resume is stunning.
2018 =: 71.8:
2019 =: 84.1:
2020 =: 73.3:
2021 =: 88.8:
2022 =: 76.8:
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube channel, VikesNow:. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday Raun Sauh and: Sal Spice:. His Viking obsession dates back to 1996. Guilty pleasures mentioned: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, The Sopranos and The Doors (band).
All statistics are provided Pro Football Reference / Stathead:; All contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.