Two Ex-Vikings Renew Contracts with Los Angeles Chargers
Skol Nation is generally happy with the additions Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has made in free agency. Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, and Isaiah Rodgers strengthen the defense, while Will Fries and Ryan Kelly bolster the poor interior pass protection on offense. Not only do the newcomers satisfy folks, but the re-signed players are also decent.
Two Ex-Vikings Renew Contracts with Los Angeles Chargers
Prior to free agency, the Vikings renewed the deals of running back Aaron Jones and safety Theo Jackson, and the biggest per-year salary Adofo-Mensah has given out this year belongs to Byron Murphy Jr., who slightly edged out Fries.
Other teams have also reshaped their roster in addition to re-signing players. The Los Angeles Chargers appeared in the news twice for keeping former Vikings around.
Troy Dye
Last offseason, the Vikings said goodbye to Troy Dye after four seasons. The 2020 fourth-round pick was a backup and special teamer in Minnesota. The linebacker then signed with Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers and played in all 17 games, even starting five contests and playing a career-high 318 defensive snaps while continuing to excel on special teams.
Dye now returns to the Chargers for two more seasons. He received a pretty solid contract.
Ian Rapoport broke the news, “The Chargers are re-signing LB Troy Dye, sources say, as he gets a 2-year, $5.5M deal with a chance to get to $8.5M. Several teams were in it until the end, but he stays in LA. He had a career-high 57 tackles last year.”
Dye, 28, suited up in purple 60 times and logged eight starts. Depth players surviving regime changes is not too common, but Dye made that step.
Jalen Reagor
In his first offseason, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquired a punt returner via trade and brought Jalen Reagor to the Twin Cities. That move was a full-circle moment for those who (rightfully) laughed at the Eagles for selecting the TCU product over Justin Jefferson. Suddenly, the Vikings employed both.
His two seasons with the Eagles were a nightmare, as he couldn’t live up to his draft status. The lovely Philly crowd and the fact that Jefferson dominated didn’t help.
The Vikings parted ways with Reagor after only one season, and the trade can be classified as a failure.
Reagor produced 104 receiving yards, but he didn’t look comfortable returning punts. He hasn’t returned a punt since. His next stint was with the Patriots in 2023, and the Chargers hired him last year. He surpassed the 100-yard mark in each season.
The numbers of his deal haven’t been announced (Aaron Wilson offers a brief word about Reagor heading back to LA), but it is likely at or close to the veteran minimum.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt