Vikings Begin 2023 Roster Cuts by Releasing LB Tanner Vallejo

Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Tanner Vallejo (51) against the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings preseason schedule officially concluded on Saturday afternoon.

Their next order of business is to begin the 2023 roster cuts by trimming the team down from 90 players to 53 players. This is a process that is usually done over the course of a few weeks, but this season, teams are going through the process in just a couple days before Tuesday, August 29th.

Aug 19, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings began this process on Sunday evening by releasing LB Tanner Vallejo. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the move, tweeting, “The #Vikings have begun their cuts, releasing LB Tanner Vallejo, per source.”

Vallejo, a Boise State product, is entering his seventh NFL season after being selected in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Over the course of his four seasons at BSU, he racked up 275 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 1 interception that he returned for a 63-yard touchdown.

2023 roster cuts
Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Tanner Vallejo (51) against the New England Patriots at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Since entering the NFL, Vallejo had spent time with the Bills, Browns, Commanders, and Cardinals before signing with the Vikings a couple weeks ago. In all, he has appeared in 82 games, including 8 starts. He has recorded 114 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 2 passes defended.

During the 2022 season, he made five starts on defense for the Cardinals and recorded 37 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss.

Nov 27, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) is pushed out of bounds by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Tanner Vallejo (51) in the first half at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Vallejo played in the Vikings final preseason game versus the Cardinals, appearing in 31 defensive snaps and recording 2 tackles. Now, he will look to land on a new team heading into the regular season.

The Vikings still have a long way to go before reaching that final roster total of 53 players, but this move marks the start of their process.

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.