A Meticulous Approach To Free Agency Is Improving The Vikings

Oct 28, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is pressured by Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (97) and middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) at State Farm Stadium. Nfl Green Bay Packers At Arizona Cardinals

The first week of the 2022 NFL league year wasn’t finished and it appeared that new Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s honeymoon was over. The Vikings had signed defensive tackle Harrison Phillips from Buffalo and linebacker Jordan Hicks from Arizona. But these solid-yet-unspectacular additions weren’t the splashy moves that fans wanted.

Free agents around the league were signing massive contracts. Many of these players had reportedly received interest from Minnesota. However, their price tags exceeded what Minnesota’s front office wanted to send out, leaving the Vikings in the dust.

One of these players was former Green Bay Packers linebacker Za’Darius Smith. The 30-year-old veteran was set to return to Baltimore on a four-year, $35 million deal. But Smith changed his mind at the last moment, and he was once again on the free agent market.

Smith then made a visit to Minnesota to talk to the Vikings’ brass. Minnesota was familiar with Smith, who had caused them numerous problems in 2019 and 2020. New assistant head coach Mike Pettine was particularly familiar with Smith, having been Green Bay’s defensive coordinator from 2018-2020.

Another familiar face was Mike Smith, who is the Vikings’ new outside linebackers/pass rush specialist coach. Smith was on the Packers’ staff from 2019-2021, serving as their outside linebackers coach. In Za’Darius’ introductory press conference, he referenced Mike Smith numerous times and the impact he has had on his playing career.

Together, Pettine and Mike Smith were able to take Smith’s game to the next level. In his first four seasons, Smith notched 18.5 sacks in 16 starts in Baltimore. In 2019 and 2020, Smith totaled 26 sacks before missing nearly all of the 2021 season with a back injury.

So while the signing of Za’Darius Smith is flashy, he has familiar resources on the team already that will help his transition. He also signed for three-years, $42 million, much cheaper than the four-year, $66 million deal he signed prior to 2019. The Vikings got solid value for a player who can make a noticeable impact without breaking the bank.

Altogether, Kwesi and Co. have added three starters to a defense that ranked 24th in points allowed in 2021 and 30th in yards. The Smith signing is probably going to be the biggest free agent move the team makes this off-season, but each signing so far has been intentional. All three defensive signings have familiarity and productivity in the new 3-4 defensive scheme the team will use in 2022.

The Vikings haven’t had as many impact signings on offense. So far, they have only signed guard Austin Schlottmann and tight end Johnny Mundt. While they are likely vying for backup jobs, each has familiarity with someone on the coaching staff. Injuries are a way of life in the NFL, and experienced veterans are a better contingency plan than inexperienced rookies.

Ultimately, the Vikings have been very intentional with who they’re pursuing. When the price tag has gotten too high, Kwesi has leaned on his economics background to temper the temptation of chasing players. Patience led to them landing Smith, and it will help as the second and third waves of free agency come and go.

So put away the pitchforks, folks, and let’s allow our new front office to build their team. As money gets thrown around the league, remember that the best teams use free agency to supplement their roster. It’s fun to see your favorite team making headlines in the off-season. But, ultimately, we judge them based off of what they do during the fall.



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