These 7 Vikings Free Agents Are Yet to Find New Homes

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings began this offseason with a large chunk of their roster headed towards free agency.

Of course, some of those Vikings free agents have either re-signed with the team or found new homes. For example, Greg Joseph recently signed with the Green Bay Packers while Dean Lowry found a new landing spot with the Pittsburgh Steelers. For now, these seven Vikings from the 2023 team remain without a contract for the 2024 season.

RB Cam Akers

Vikings Free Agents
Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers (31) runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Cam Akers was brought in by the Vikings via trade prior to Week 3 of the regular season. The deal with the Rams to acquire Akers came as an attempt to bolster Minnesota’s rushing attack. The 24-year-old did just that by totaling 38 carries for 138 yards and a touchdown over six games. Unfortunately, his season also came to an end after his own Achilles tear in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons.

OL Chris Reed

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Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Chris Reed (62) performs a drill during training camp at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Reed has been a depth player on the Vikings offensive line over the past two years, making his only start at center in Week 18 of the 2022 season against the Chicago Bears. The Vikings could use more depth on the o-line, so perhaps they could opt to bring him back for a third year.

OL Dalton Risner

Aug 29, 2019; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos offensive tackle Dalton Risner (66) in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

After going unsigned into the 2023 season, Dalton Risner finally caught on with the Vikings during the regular season. When Ezra Cleveland went down with a foot injury and was promptly traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Risner finished the year as Minnesota’s starting left guard. Once again, though, Risner has struggled to find a new contract that suits his liking early on in free agency, so much so that he actually took to social media to express his dissatisfaction.

DL Sheldon Day

Syndication: The Tennessean
Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis (7) recovers his fumble next to Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Sheldon Day (52) during the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023.

Sheldon Day has been a journeyman depth piece on NFL defenses since he entered the league in 2016. He signed with the Vikings last offseason and went on to appear in six games recording eight tackles and a tackle for loss.

DL James Lynch

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Oct 16, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle James Lynch. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports.

James Lynch was a 2020 fourth-round pick by the Vikings and has played 37 games for the Vikings, including three starts since then. However, his 2023 season was ended before it could begin after he suffered a torn ACL during training camp.

LB Anthony Barr

Sep 8, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) reacts during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Barr returned to Minnesota in 2023 after spending the 2022 season with the Dallas Cowboys. For nearly a decade, Barr was a focal point of some strong Vikings defenses during his early career. Last year, he appeared in four games recording a single tackle.

LB Nick Vigil

Sep 12, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Nick Vigil (59) reacts after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (np) in the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Like Barr, Nick Vigil was brought in during 2023 in a reunion with his former team. Vigil spent the 2021 season as a starter in the defense alongside Barr and Eric Kendricks before departing for Arizona in 2022.


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

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.