The 4 Biggest Vikings Changes of the Past 4 Weeks
Josh Frey
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Four weeks ago, the tampering period of NFL free agency officially began.
Since that time, the Minnesota Vikings have been one of the more active teams in the NFL in terms of signings and trades. The team has seen some major changes to their roster as well as their slate of draft picks. Here is a look at the four biggest Vikings changes that have occurred over the past few weeks.
Kirk Cousins Leaves
For the first time in six years, the Minnesota Vikings are looking for their next starting quarterback. Just hours into the legal tampering period, Kirk Cousins agreed to a massive four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons worth $180 million, including $100 million in guaranteed money.
The Vikings did sign Sam Darnold to a one-year contract worth $10 million, so he very well could serve as the bridge starter for a season. However, Minnesota is widely expected to target a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft to take on the starting role in the future. Change is coming in Minnesota, and it starts at the quarterback position.
A Complete Revamp of the Edge Rushing Group
Since Danielle Hunter was drafted by the Vikings back in 2015, he has been one of the main leaders of their edge rushing group. However, this offseason has brought major changes to the position as a whole, including Hunter’s departure for the Houston Texans. Along with the veteran, both Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum are set to play elsewhere in 2024.
However, the Vikings were quick to plan for these departures. Their very first move of the legal tampering period was to bring in Jonathan Greenard from the Houston Texans, and shortly afterwards, they also agreed to a deal with Andrew Van Ginkel. They also signed Jihad Ward later on to further solidify some of their depth at the position alongside 2021 third-round pick Patrick Jones.
Another First-Round Pick Added
One key change to the Vikings came by acquiring something that isn’t a player, at least not yet. The Vikings kept their Texans connection rolling by trading to bring in the No. 23 overall pick, and they did so while also keeping No. 11 overall.
If the Vikings are going to eventually make a move up the draft board to acquire a quarterback for the post-Cousins era, this new draft pick could play a crucial role in that package. Rather than needing to dip too far into their future selections, Minnesota has something to offer that nobody trying to trade up for a QB can: two first-round picks that can be utilized immediately this spring.
A New Kicker
Finally, we get to the position that has become infamous in Minnesota: the kicker spot. Greg Joseph spent the past three seasons as the kicker for the Vikings, but now, he is headed off to Green Bay. As a result, the Vikings will need to put a new kicker on the field this season.
Minnesota has begun that process by signing John Parker Romo, who has spent time in the XFL and on NFL practice squads over the past few years. However, he is yet to kick in an NFL game. Could he be the future of the position for the Vikings?
Apparently, the Texans/Vikings Trade Idea Was Introduced by Houston
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.