MINNEAPOLIS — There are enough comings and goings on the Minnesota Vikings roster through free agency that the club may need to make nametags mandatory when Organized Team Activities (OTAs) begin in May.
To ease the confusion, KARE 11 is compiling a list of departures and arrivals as the Vikings remake their roster in big and small ways.
Departures
Kirk Cousins - QB: This is the big dog. Cousins leaves Minnesota after six seasons heavy on downfield passing, signing a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta. His replacement will likely lack the system knowledge and veteran judgement to justify that many pass attempts, meaning Coach Kevin O'Connell may need to build up the Vikings' running game a bit. See below.
Danielle Hunter - DE: The four-time Pro Bowler has reportedly signed a two-year, $49 million with the Houston Texans. Hunter was a third-round selection for the Vikings in 2015 and developed into one of the best pass-rushers in franchise history. Hunter is leaving Minnesota with the sixth-most sacks in team history.
K.J. Osborn - WR: The 26-year-old wideout served as the Vikings' third wide receiver for the last three years. Osborn produced some memorable moments for the team over the 50 games he played. Multiple reports say Osborn has agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots, a team that, like the Vikings, is headed into 2024-25 without an established quarterback.
Alexander Mattison - RB: Mattison signed a new deal to replace cap casualty Dalvin Cook before the 2023-24 season, but disappointed with his meager rushing totals and inability to hang on to the ball. The Vikings cut him before the onset of free agency.
Jordan Hicks - LB: Hicks reportedly signed with the Cleveland Browns after two seasons with the Vikings. Hicks provided veteran leadership for an otherwise young linebacking core that included rookie starter Ivan Pace Jr.
Marcus Davenport - DE: Davenport's time with Minnesota was very short, spanning just one season — four games because of injury — but the veteran edge rusher is joining division rival Detroit. According to reports, Davenport and the Lions agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million deal.
D.J. Wonnum - DE: The 26-year-old reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers after four seasons in Minnesota. Wonnum, a fourth-round pick in 2020, played in 62 games — starting in half of them — compiling 171 tackles and 23 sacks. Eight of those sacks came last season.
Dean Lowry - DT: Released March 12 after just one season in Minnesota. Lowry joined the Vikings last offseason after seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Lowry's impact with the Vikings was minimal, appearing in just nine games and compiling 14 total tackles.
Greg Joseph - K: Greg Joseph had plenty of highs during his time in Minnesota, including a 61-yard game-winning field goal on Christmas Eve in 2022, and a 47-yard clincher on Dec. 17, 2022 to complete the biggest comeback in NFL history. However, the 29-year-old struggled to consistently deliver, missing on 20% of his field goal attempts last season. He has reportedly signed with NFC North rival Green Bay.
Joshua Dobbs - QB: Dobbs signed with the 49ers after taking the league by storm in his short time in Minnesota. Dobbs' stock was out of this world after he led the Vikings to a comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons just five days after joining the team. Nicknamed the "passtronaut" because of his aerospace engineering degree, Dobbs made five starts with the Vikings before being benched in favor of Nick Mullens.
Troy Dye - LB: Dye is switching it up for the first time in his NFL career after he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. The linebacker spent four years with the Purple and Gold, mostly filling in on special teams. He made eight starts on defense during that time.
Arrivals
Sam Darnold - QB (reported): Darnold is coming in as a so-called "Bridge Quarterback" after agreeing to a one-year deal. The Vikings have not confirmed it, but NFL Network's Tom Pelissero says Darnold inked a contract that includes a $6.25 million signing bonus and $2.5 million in base salary. While the Vikings will mark his fourth team in a young career, team brass likes that he is coming from San Francisco and an offensive system similar to theirs, and has a previous relationship with new quarterbacks coach Josh McGown.
Aaron Jones - RB: Jones was released by the Packers during the first day of free agency after refusing to take a second pay cut in as many years. He is a beast both running the football and receiving... when healthy. Jones agreed Tuesday to a one-year, $7 million deal with The Purple. When he takes the field in September, Jones will be the 63rd player all time to see action for both the Packers and the Vikings, according to Sportradar. Others include Brett Favre, Ryan Longwell, Darren Sharper, Greg Jennings and Za'Darius Smith.
Jonathan Greenard - Edge Rusher: Greenard is both younger and cheaper than Danielle Hunter, coming off a 12.5 sack season with Houston. The Vikings signed the 26-year-old free agent for a reported four-year, $76 million deal.
Blake Cashman - LB: Cashman played his high school football at Eden Prairie and then starred at the U of M. Last year was a breakout season for Cashman, who piled up 106 total tackles for the Texans. His agent says Cashman will ink a three-year deal that could be worth $25.5 million.
Shaquill Griffin - CB: The Vikings are adding some experience to their young secondary. Shaquill Griffin has started 79 games and was a 2019 Pro Bowl selection. The Vikings had success with the addition last year of cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. in free agency, but there isn't much settled at the position beyond him.
Andrew Van Ginkel - LB/Edge Rusher: Known as much for his flowing blonde locks as his stats, the man known as "Thor" signed a two-year free agent deal with the purple worth a reported $20 million. He graded out as the eighth-best edge rusher in the NFL in 2023-24 and bonus... Van Ginkel played for Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores in Miami.
Jerry Tillery - DT: Tillery spent the past two seasons with the Raiders after the Chargers selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Last season, he finished with 31 total tackles and two sacks.
Jonah Williams - DL: The Vikings continue to add to their defense, bringing in 28-year-old Jonah Williams to help bolster the line. Williams started 16 of 17 games last season for the Rams, recording a career-high 49 tackles, four tackles for loss and a pair of sacks.
Jihad Ward - LB: Defense continues to be a major focus for the Vikings this offseason as the team announced the addition of linebacker Jihad Ward. The 29-year-old is coming off a 5-sack season with the Giants. In 2022, he set career highs in tackles (43), quarterback hits (13) and forced fumbles (2).
Dan Feeney - OL: The Vikings have reportedly agreed to terms with Dan Feeney, providing the team with some depth on the offensive line. Feeney has appeared in 112 games throughout his career, including 65 starts. He most recently spent time with the Bears in 2023 where he made one start.
Kamu Grugier-Hill - LB: Defensive coordinator Brian Flores was a linebackers coach with the Patriots when they selected Kamu Grugier-Hill in the sixth round. He was eventually waived by New England but joined the Eagles in time to help them during their Super Bowl run. Grugier-Hill spent last season with the Panthers, recording 47 tackles, one sack and one interception.
John Parker Romo - K: The Vikings signed the former XFL kicker after spending time on the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears last season. He was cut by the Lions in late August and spent time on the Bears' practice squad before getting released in October.
Trent Sherfield - WR: The speedy receiver joins Minnesota after stints with Arizona, San Francisco, Miami and Buffalo. With the Bills last season, Sherfield had 86 yards on 11 catches and one touchdown.
2024 1st round pick - Minnesota struck a deal with Houston to send this year's 42nd and 188th overall selections to the Texans, along with a second-round selection in 2025 in exchange for the 23rd and 232nd overall picks in 2024. That leaves the Vikings with the 11th and 23rd picks, leading to speculation the club will package the two first-round selections to move up and select a top-rated QB in April.
Sticking Around
Harrison Smith - S: The six-time Pro Bowler has agreed to a restructured deal with the Vikings, reportedly for $9 million. Smith, who turned 35 in February, has spent his entire career with the Vikings, who selected him in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The former All-Pro provides some stability — and leadership — as the team goes through changes.
Brandon Powell - WR: The team re-signed the speedy 5' 8" wide receiver and punt returner. Last year, he appeared in 17 games, making two starts while recording career highs in receptions (29) and receiving yards (324). Despite his diminutive size, Powell is showing signs of being a potential game-breaker.
Blake Brandel - OT: Minnesota re-signed Brandel, who has started five games in three seasons after a year on the practice squad. Brandel could be in line to start with Dalton Risner, who was signed midseason last year, still a free agent.
David Quessenberry - OT: Quessenberry was re-signed as a restricted free agent. He joined the team at the end of training camp last year and made four starts.
Jonathan Bullard - DT: The Vikings are bringing Bullard back for a third season after he appeared in all 17 games last season, including 14 starts. He finished 2023 with a career-high 44 tackles, including a pair of sacks.
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