Purple Headlines of the Week: Vikings First-Rounder Signs Contract, Smith Trade Details, Dalvin to Dallas?
Josh Frey
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The Vikings offseason keeps on trucking along, and we will reach yet another milestone in the next week with Vikings OTAs getting started on May 22nd. As we keep approaching the summer months, here are all the purple headlines you need to know from the past week.
Vikings First-Rounder Signs Contract
The Minnesota Vikings made it official on Wednesday by signing their first-round pick Jordan Addison to a four-year contract that will officially allow him to begin his NFL career in a purple jersey.
Addison was drafted with the 23rd overall pick by the Vikings after a number of rumors suggested that they may be looking for a cornerback with that selection or to even trade up for one of the top quarterbacks.
Ultimately, with the loss of Adam Thielen this offseason and remaining uncertainty with the future of K.J. Osborn following the 2023 season, Minnesota opted to find some long-term security at the wide receiver position. Now, the only remaining unsigned draft pick is RB DeWayne McBride.
Za’Darius Smith Trade Details Get Released
After Za’Darius Smith was traded to the Cleveland Browns by the Vikings last week, there were reports emerging that Minnesota was going to have to take on a portion of his contract for 2023. It was unknown at the time exactly how much of that contract would be on Minnesota’s books, though.
Well, those details emerged early this past week, and as it turns out, the Vikings will only be on the hook for a relatively small amount of money. The amount that Minnesota will pay is $1.177 million in the form of a signing bonus. As a result, the Vikings still open up a big chunk of cash that they can either play with this season or roll over into the 2024 offseason.
In the trade, Minnesota received a pair of fifth-round picks (one in 2024 and one in 2025) while sending the Browns Smith along with a sixth-rounder and seventh-rounder, both of which come into play in 2025.
Dalvin Cook to Dallas?
Earlier this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys cut ties with veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott, opening the door for a running mate alongside Tony Pollard. Considering the Vikings seem set to move on from Dalvin Cook in a similar fashion, it seemed that Dallas may have been a team that was interested in a deal.
However, according to reports this week, the Cowboys would be a team that says ‘no deal’ to any move involving Cook. Perhaps Minnesota’s asking price is a bit too high for the four-time Pro Bowler, or maybe Dallas simply wants to get the majority of their running back money off the books before next offseason.
For now, though, it seems we may be able to cross off one of the potential Cook landing spots off the list.
In Case You Missed It…
Per usual, we also have another list of reading material for the extra studious Vikings fans this week. Enjoy the additional reading!
- The Complete Kwesi Trade Tracker
- The Vikings Turned Down a Trade in the Draft
- Former Minnesota Gophers WR Is Available
- Jordan Addison Hung Up on Vikings
- ESPN Analyst Predicts Move for Vikings
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.