Could 2024 Call for Reunions with These Former Vikings?
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings head into the 2024 offseason after a 7-10 finish to the season.
They have a number of holes to fill on their roster with 28 players heading to free agency, so could those holes be filled by former Vikings via reunion? Here is a look at four former Vikings players who are entering free agency and could be on Minnesota’s radar.
RB Cordarrelle Patterson
Cordarrelle Patterson has spent over a decade in the NFL because of his ability to impact a team in multiple ways. Patterson began his career with the Vikings back in 2013 and was named a first-team All-Pro as a kick returner. He has carved out a special role for himself in NFL offenses because of his blend of rushing and receiving abilities as well.
The Vikings saw some major struggles in the rushing department this past season, and while Patterson is past the point of his career where he can carry an offense in that area, his versatility is still something that should be desired in Minnesota.
TE Irv Smith
Irv Smith once was pegged as the man that was “next up” at the tight end position for the Minnesota Vikings. He began his NFL career in Minnesota back in 2019, playing behind Kyle Rudolph. He put together a couple strong seasons as a backup pass catcher at the position, but when Rudolph left following the 2020 campaign, injuries plagued the tight end in 2021 and 2022.
This caused the Vikings to swing their big trade for T.J. Hockenson about 14 months ago, and Smith left the team in free agency last offseason, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. Smith never really grabbed a substantial role in Cincinnati during the 2023 season, and with Hockenson likely missing a portion of the 2024 season with his torn ACL and MCL, perhaps the Vikings should look to bring Smith home to fill that void until Hockenson is fully healthy.
RB Jerick McKinnon
Another versatile running back who began his career with the Vikings, Jerick McKinnon helped buoy Minnesota’s running game while Dalvin Cook dealt with injuries during the 2017 season.
McKinnon has dealt with injuries throughout his career, and he didn’t play a single game in either of the 2018 or 2019 seasons. However, he has rejuvenated his career in recent years with the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Super Bowl with the Chiefs last season and playing for another in a couple weeks. McKinnon would be a cheap veteran option for the Vikings to bring in and help stabilize their rushing attack.
EDGE Yannick Ngakoue
Yannick Ngakoue’s first 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. However, a reunion with Ngakoue four years later would follow a similar blueprint to the one that Minnesota initially had when they brought him in during 2020.
The Vikings are still looking for a pass-rushing threat opposite Danielle Hunter (assuming Minnesota re-signs their star), but the first time around, Hunter suffered a neck injury that ended his 2020 season before it could begin.
While Ngakoue doesn’t offer a ton in terms of run defense, he certainly has a knack for getting after opposing QBs. Ngakoue recorded 8+ sacks in each of his first seven NFL seasons before taking a step back with the Chicago Bears in 2023. Pairing Ngakoue with Hunter could create a one-two punch for the Vikings off the edge.
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.