Latest Vikings Free Agent Signing Is a Reunion for Brian Flores
Josh Frey
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The early hours of NFL free agency have been very busy for the Minnesota Vikings.
The first Vikings free agent signing involved bringing in edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, and now, the Vikings have followed that up by reuniting Brian Flores with one of his former players from his time with the Miami Dolphins. That player is edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel.
Vikings Sign Andrew Van Ginkel
The news was reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN, who tweeted, “Former Dolphins LB Andrew Van Ginkel agreed to terms on a 2-year deal with the Vikings for $20 million, including $14 million guaranteed. The deal was confirmed by agents Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha.”
Van Ginkel was a fifth-round pick by the Miami Dolphins back in 2019, which just so happened to be Brian Flores’ first season as head coach of the team. The pass rusher appeared in six games during his rookie season, including one start, and recorded 15 tackles, including four tackles for loss and a sack.
Over the next four seasons in Miami, Van Ginkel would blossom into a very productive player for the Dolphins defense. He appeared in 67 games over the next four years, including 41 starts, and he piled up 235 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 16 sacks, 21 passes defended, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles.
By bringing in another edge rusher with plenty of starting experience, it seems to indicate more and more that the Vikings are set to part ways with Danielle Hunter after he spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota.
However, Van Ginkel is a very versatile player who not only can contribute as a pass rusher, but he is also a solid run defender and can step back into coverage when needed. Among all edge rushers with at least 500 snaps in 2023, per PFF, the newest Viking ranked seventh in the entire NFL by grading out at 91.1.
Van Ginkel also put together a coverage grade of 87.3 on his 147 coverage snaps, which was the second-most such snaps for an edge rusher in the entire league.
This versatility likely is what intrigued Flores to reunite with Van Ginkel in Minnesota, and considering he will turn 29 years old in July, it would seem like he has multiple years of strong football ahead of him.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and 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.