These 8 Vikings Free Agents Remain without New Contracts
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 eight Vikings free agents from the 2023 team remain without a contract for the 2024 season.
RB Cam Akers
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.
IOL Chris Reed
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.
IOL Dalton Risner
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
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
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
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
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.
DT T.J. Smith
T.J. Smith is trying out for the Detroit Lions next week, but for now, he remains without a contract. Smith has played four total games for the Vikings over the past three seasons.
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.