Former Vikings WR Signs with Steelers

Josh Frey |

Jan 24, 2023

Oct 30, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings lost seven players off their practice squad this week as contracts expired without Minnesota offering them ‘futures’ deals. With that, one of these former Vikings has already found a new team. On Monday evening, news broke that former Vikings WR Dan Chisena had signed a futures deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Steelers have signed former Penn State wide receiver Dan Chisena to a reserve/futures contract. Chisena spent the past three seasons with the Vikings organization and was on the team's practice squad in 2022.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) January 23, 2023

Chisena spent the last three years with the Vikings after going undrafted in the 2020 Draft. The Vikings signed him as an undrafted free agent that spring after spending his college years with the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Penn State alumnus played in all 12 of the Nittany Lions games as a senior and caught three passes for 66 yards. With the Vikings, Chisena was renowned for special teams.

Oct 19, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Dan Chisena (88) reacts following a tackle during the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Michigan 28-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Chisena participated in 27 Vikings games from 2020 to 2022, with 496 snaps on special teams and 11 on offense. He was showcased much more frequently with the Mike Zimmer brand of Vikings on special teams but was retained on the practice squad last August when the team shaved the roster to 53 players.

Nov 28, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Dan Chisena (85) after the loss against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports.

The role for Chisena was greatly diminished under Kevin O’Connell in 2022. He appeared in just 24 snaps this season in games against the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders early in the season. After that Week 9 game in Washington, Chisena would not see action for the remainder of the season.

With the Steelers, Chisena joins a WR room with Calvin Austin III, Ja’Marcus Bradley, Miles Boykin, Dez Fitzpatrick, Diontae Johnson, Anthony Miller, Gunner Olszewski, George Pickens, Steven Sims, and Cody White.

Meanwhile, the Vikings wide receiver portion of the depth chart, sans Chisena, now includes Thomas Hennigan, Trishton Jackson, Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor, K.J. Osborn, Blake Proehl, Jalen Reagor, and Adam Thielen.

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5 WR Targets for the Vikings in Free Agency

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.