More Talented Players Will Enter The Free Agency Group

K. Joudry |

Mar 16, 2022

Jan 9, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A general view of U.S. Bank Stadium as Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) leads the offense during the game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears during the fourth quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve already seen several talented players become late entries in the NFL free agency group.

Za’Darius Smith was cut by the Packers, as many expected. It didn’t take long for Vikings fans all over Twitter to point out that he has a history with Minnesota’s current OLB coach, Mike Smith. Perhaps Smith will work alongside Danielle Hunter, forming a truly intimidating pair at EDGE.

J.C. Tretter was a surprise cut. He has graded out as one of the best centers on PFF for several years. Every Vikings fan will be able to tell you about how badly the team needs an infusion of talent along the iOL. Tretter would immediately fill one of the team’s most pressing needs, one that would help Kirk Cousins to find some more success. Garrett Bradbury simply can’t be the starter in Week 1.

One also thinks about the rumors floating around about James Bradberry. Take a look at the tweet from Brad Spielberger:

Before free agency began, I thought Giants CB James Bradberry's $13.5M in cash owed for 2022 was extremely palatable to potential teams interested in trading for a quality No. 1 cornerback

With a slow market at CB, seems like a cut is trending towards the more likely outcome
— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 15, 2022

One wonders if the Vikings are having internal conversations about Bradberry.

Will teams like the Saints, Packers, Seahawks, and others need to keep shuffling things around? I still maintain that making a move for Shelby Harris – provided it doesn’t cost an exceptional amount of draft capital – would be a smart move for Minnesota. They ought to have been interested during last season’s free agency, but he returned to play for Donatell’s Broncos.

The point I’m trying to make is that the Vikings should have more options available to them as the 4 p.m. deadline lingers over Wednesday. Certainly, Minnesota will need to make their own adjustments. What’s encouraging, though, is that they’re far from alone.

The NFL free agency period is one of the most captivating parts of the football season. It’s all about hope and despair, optimism and cynicism. It can be painful to see fan favorites choose different teams, and yet we also get to see the team bring in players who could make the difference in the end.

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