The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of needs heading into the 2024 season and one of the ways they can address those is by re-signing their own free agents.
Heading into the offseason, the Vikings have 28 players set to hit the free-agent market and there are a lot of decisions that need to be made for the present and the future.
What should they do? Would it be worth it to bring back each individual player? There is an argument for or against all of them and we will break it all down.
QB Kirk Cousins
We’ve broken this one down in nearly every way possible. There are merits for and against bringing back Cousins but in the end, I don’t see him returning.
Prediction: GO
OLB Danielle Hunter
Hunter has said he wants to come back and the Vikings desperately need to sign multiple edge rushers. It would be a massive mistake to let Hunter leave.
Prediction: STAY
OLB Marcus Davenport
The idea of Davenport could have been a game changer. Unfortunately, he missed nearly the entirety of the season with his two ankle injuries. With nearly $7 million in dead cap, signing him to a cheap deal could lessen his cap hit for 2024 and that could be a smart play. However, the vibe is that both sides will part ways.
Prediction: GO
ILB Jordan Hicks
Hicks played fantastic football last season and was an important leader on the defense. However, he is well into his 30’s now and his athleticism is waning. At the right price, Hicks is someone the Vikings should bring back.
Prediction: STAY
LG Dalton Risner
Risner has a relationship with offensive line coach Chris Kuper and played well when he was promoted to starter after the Vikings traded Ezra Cleveland. Will the Vikings be willing to give Risner around $8 million to stay? That’s the big question but I think it’s likely.
Prediction: STAY
OT Oli Udoh
Udoh was on a unique contract that paid him $2.55 million but only counted as the veteran minimum toward the salary cap. Coming off of a torn quadriceps injury, the Vikings are likely to bring him back to be the swing tackle like they did with Rashod Hill for years.
Prediction: STAY
QB Josh Dobbs
Dobbs mania was a fun time that will forever live in our memories. However, it didn’t last and Dobbs was benched. With both Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall on the roster, Dobbs isn’t likely to re-sign unless there was the potential to start next season. Which, if the Vikings don’t re-sign Cousins, there could be.
Prediction: STAY
K Greg Joseph
Joseph is a below-average kicker and the Vikings don’t seem to have a problem with that. Unless they decide to change course, expect Joseph back.
Prediction: STAY
RB Cam Akers
Akers was finally getting settled in before he suffered another torn Achilles tendon. With him coming off of that injury, he likely won’t have a market in free agency which could allow the Vikings to bring him back on a vet minimum deal.
Prediction: STAY
DE Jonathan Bullard
Bullard has played the last two seasons for the Vikings on the vet minimum and has been a serviceable player. That is likely to continue, as he is a solid player to have around for the price.
Prediction: STAY
G Chris Reed
Reed wanted a chance to start in Minnesota but that never happened mainly due to injury. Expect him to leave to try and find that opportunity.
Prediction: GO
WR Brandon Powell
Powell played well in his opportunities but isn’t likely to be a consistent WR3 with any form of consistency. He might have a market with his return and YAC ability but the Vikings will try to bring him back to continue providing depth.
Prediction: STAY
TE Johnny Mundt
The Vikings will likely need another tight end with T.J. Hockenson’s injury and Mundt is comfortable in the system. It will likely be for the vet minimum, but he should be back next season.
Prediction: STAY
ILB Nick Vigil
Vigil was brought in to provide depth with the injuries suffered at the position. He’s a good hand, especially on special teams, but likely won’t be back.
Prediction: GO
ILB Anthony Barr
Barr has been a nice feel good story returning to the team that drafted him and played relatively well all things considered. However, he likely isn’t in any long-term plans and there are concerns about his health moving forward.
Prediction: GO
C Austin Schlottmann
Schlottmann is a quality backup level center and will likely be in the Vikings plans as just that at the vet minimum.
Prediction: STAY
RT David Quessenberry
Quessenberry only signed with the Vikings due to injuries on the line but he played relatively well when called upon. While the Vikings could end up bringing him back, having Udoh and a rookie as the fourth tackle makes the most sense.
Prediction: GO
NT Sheldon Day
Day is a good rotational player and will likely be given a chance to win a job in training camp.
Prediction: STAY
OLB D.J. Wonnum
This is going to be an interesting one. Wonnum took a massive step forward in his development but he tore his quadriceps tendon making his path forward that much more murky. With what he will likely command after his breakout year, that likey causes Wonnum to leave.
Prediction: GO
OT Hakeem Adeniji
Solid backup and could have a chance to earn a roster spot but likely will end up somewhere else.
Prediction: GO
DE James Lynch
After a torn ACL ended his season in August, Lynch enters free agency with a lot of uncertainty. Lynch likely ends up with a prove-it deal and I don’t see that being with the Vikings.
Prediction: GO
ILB Troy Dye
Good special teams player and the Vikings have a lack of depth at ILB. He will likely be brought back due to his versatility.
Prediction: STAY
WR K.J. Osborn
Osborn is a great success story but doesn’t offer enough to warrant a larger contract. He will get one from someone else and that’s good for him, but it doesn’t make business sense for the Vikings.
Prediction: GO
RG Blake Brandel-RFA
Brandel has both versatility and has shown substantial growth over the last few years. He likely gets a solid tender and is brought back.
Prediction: STAY
NT Khyiris Tonga-RFA
Tonga is in a similar position to Brandel. He has flashed real potential but didn’t play a lot last year. At the price he will come back at, Tonga will return.
Prediction: STAY
TE Nick Muse-ERFA
Muse showed some growth in his second season and with T.J. Hockenson likely to miss half or more of the 2024 season, Muse is almost guaranteed to return.
Prediction: STAY
S Theo Jackson-ERFA
Jackson earned the fourth safety spot on the Vikings and earned serious playing time. He will almost certainly be returning.
Prediction: STAY
NT T.J. Smith
Smith is in a similar spot to Day but I doubt the Vikings bring them both back to compete for a roster spot.
Prediction: GO
