5 Former Vikings Who Remain on the Free Agency Market

Josh Frey |

Mar 28, 2024

It's Another Positive Update for RB Dalvin Cook Post-Shoulder Surgery

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. © JAMIE GERMANO / USA TODAY NETWORK.

The first major wave of NFL free agency has come and gone.

While many of the most prominent free agents across the league have found new homes at this point, there are still plenty of players looking for new contracts for the 2024 season. Here is a look at five former Vikings who remain on the free agency market.

RB Dalvin Cook

Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) during warmups before a wild card game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Dalvin Cook was selected by the Vikings in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft and spent each of his first six seasons in Minnesota. After struggling with injuries throughout his first couple years, he went on to record four consecutive Pro Bowl seasons from 2019-2022. Following the 2022 campaign, Cook was released by Minnesota and proceeded to hop aboard the New York Jets.

In total, Cook recorded 1282 carries, 5593 rushing yards, and 47 touchdowns over the course of 73 games in a Vikings uniform. Among the Vikings all-time ranks, he places fifth in carries, third in rushing yards, and fourth in rushing touchdowns. He trails only Peterson and Robert Smith in rushing yards while just Peterson, Chuck Foreman, and Bill Brown have recorded more rushing touchdowns in Vikings franchise history.

CB Patrick Peterson

A Look at the Jets in Week 13 — Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

After spending his first 10 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Patrick Peterson joined the Vikings in 2021. Peterson struggled at times during the 2021 season, but he managed to turn back the clock in 2022 with the team. He was often the manufacturer of highlight plays (the game-sealing OT interception against the Buffalo Bills comes to mind) during a fairy tale regular season for the Vikings.

During that 2022 campaign, Peterson put together 15 passes defended and five interceptions, and each total was the most he had recorded during a single season since 2012. Then, Peterson opted to join the Steelers for the 2023 season, but he was released this spring.

EDGE Yannick Ngakoue

Oct 18, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith (25) and Minnesota Vikings defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) in action during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Yannick Ngakoue’s stint with the Vikings was short-lived, playing just six games with the team during the 2020 season before being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. Even still, he led the team in sacks at the end of the year with five.

Since the 2020 season, Ngakoue has spent the past three years with the Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bears. He has recorded 8+ sacks in seven of his first eight NFL seasons.

C Mason Cole

Aug 27, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Minnesota Vikings center Mason Cole (52) stretches before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Cole spent the 2021 season with the Minnesota Vikings after beginning his career with the Arizona Cardinals, spending the 2018-2020 seasons in the desert after being selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Michigan.

During his sole season in Minnesota, Cole largely was expected to serve as a depth piece for the Vikings given his experience across the offensive line. He would emerge as a starter down the stretch of the 2021 season at center after Garrett Bradbury was benched following his struggles. In all, Cole would appear in 14 games for the Vikings, making seven starts between the center and right guard positions.

Since his time in Minnesota, Cole has spent the past two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers but was released earlier this spring.

WR Laquon Treadwell

Former Vikings — Aug 24, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (11) during team introductions prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports

Laquon Treadwell is one of the more infamous draft picks in recent Vikings history. In 2016, he was selected by Minnesota with the 23rd overall pick to help fill out their wide receiver room for QB Teddy Bridgewater.

Unfortunately, the Ole Miss product never panned out in Minnesota. He played a grand total of 53 games over his four seasons with the Vikings, starting just 16 times. He recorded 65 receptions for 701 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Since his time with the Vikings, he has spent the past four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, and Baltimore Ravens.

Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.

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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.