There Are 4 New Vikings After 2 Weeks of Free Agency
When free agency opened two weeks ago, the Minnesota Vikings were bound to have a quiet period due to a lack of salary cap space. That feeling was even elevated when the club re-signed in-house free agent Eric Wilson, as well as keeping Aaron Jones under contract. There are still some new employers. Here are all four.
QB Kyler Murray
At the very top of the offseason to-do list, the Vikings had penciled in a new quarterback. That task was completed when former Cardinals top pick Kyler Murray joined the squad.
After a season of uneven quarterback play, a new passer had to arrive to give Kevin O’Connell more talent to work with and Murray was available for just $1.3 million thanks to Arizona paying most of his salary. For that money, it almost would’ve been foolish to ignore his free agency availability.
Injuries have derailed a once-promising start to his career, but he brings all the talent to the Twin Cities to be the next QB reclamation project in the NFL, following in the footsteps of players such as Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones.
Murray was responsible for 26 touchdowns in 2024.
OT Ryan Van Demark
Ryan Van Demark comes over from the Buffalo Bills to be Minnesota’s new backup swing tackle. Last season, Justin Skule held that role, leading to limited success, especially early in the season.
The Vikings wanted to find an upgrade. Only time will tell if they found one, but they were sold by Van Demark, enough to give the restricted free agent a deal of about $700,000 more than the restricted contract offer he had from the Bills. The franchise decided against matching his Vikings deal and allowed him to walk.
The blocker has played both left and right tackle in Buffalo and should be expected to be the top reserve on both sides.
CB James Pierre
The old problem resurfaced. As the Vikings are unable to develop any of the several cornerbacks drafted this decade, the roster was running out of depth and once again needed another body. Starters Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy return for another season, but backups Jeff Okudah and Fabian Moreau haven’t been re-signed.
Instead, veteran James Pierre will take their place. Pierre spent his entire career with the Steelers and now reunites with new DB coach Gerald Alexander.
The corner is coming off a solid season, but the sample size is limited.
P Johnny Hekker
Punter Ryan Wright, who held the job for four years, left in free agency to sign a huge contract with the New Orleans Saints. A replacement was required and the Vikings found a four-time All-Pro.
Johnny Hekker is in the final years of his career at 36, but his resume is impressive. Not so impressive were his numbers with the Titans last year, but the Vikings hope the leg is still live.
The long-time Rams punter is known as a great holder, which should help the kicking game keep the momentum going into another season.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.