Former Vikings Tight End Signs with Commanders
Josh Frey
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Over the past few years, the Vikings have looked to a number of players to step up and fill in needs at the tight end position. This started largely in 2021 after the team parted ways with longtime starter Kyle Rudolph, and now, after trading to acquire T.J. Hockenson last fall, the hope is that he will fill that position for years to come.
One of these former Vikings tight ends that helped Minnesota over the past few years has found a new team this week. That player is Brandon Dillon, who signed with the Washington Commanders.
Dillon signed with the Vikings back in 2019 after going undrafted that spring. He spent his collegiate years with Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana, becoming just the second person from that NAIA school to play at the NFL level.
In his four years at the college, Dillon had a very lucrative football career, including an NAIA national championship during his freshman season in 2015. In all, he recorded 105 receptions for 1661 yards and 14 TDs during his collegiate career.
Dillon actually made the initial 53-man roster for Minnesota in 2019 after a strong training camp and preseason, but after appearing in seven offensive snaps during Week 1, he was released and put on the Vikings practice squad. That Week 1 action was the only playing time he’d see all year.
2020 would result in the most playing time Dillon would see with the Vikings despite failing to make the initial 53-man roster this time around. However, he was elevated from the squad three times, and in a wild Week 12 win against the Carolina Panthers (Vikings fans will probably remember it as the Chad Beebe game), Dillon recorded his first career reception which resulted in a six-yard gain.
In all, Dillon played 18 snaps over those three games in 2020, and then in 2021, his impact was limited strictly to the special teams. He played one game in 2021, once again coming off the practice squad, totaling 22 snaps on the special teams.
Following that 2021 season, Dillon’s time in Minnesota would come to an end, and despite stints with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints during the summer of 2022, he was unable to make an appearance with a team during that 2022 season.
Now, Dillon joins a Washington Commanders team where his competition at tight end consists of starter Logan Thomas as well as depth pieces Cole Turner, Curtis Hodges, and John Bates. Considering the competition, there is a decent chance that Dillon can make the roster.
Prior to this signing, the Commanders had also brought aboard former Vikings CB Cameron Dantzler after he was surprisingly waived back in March. However, earlier this week, Washington also made the decision to move on from the CB prior to training camp even beginning.
Dillon turned 26 years of age on April 30th.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.