Ifeadi Odenigbo had several chances to join an NFL team’s active roster, but the defensive end decided to stick with the Vikings organization. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (via Twitter) that multiple teams tried to poach Odenigbo off the Vikings’ roster squad.
The second-year player apparently rejected those offers, but the Vikings also incentivized his practice squad deal. Odenigbo’s weekly salary was bumped to $28,235, with Pelissero noting that the Vikings were focused on “protecting their depth.”
The 2017 seventh-round pick out of Northwestern started his career with the Vikings, but the team waived the defensive lineman at the end of the 2017 preseason. He subsequently caught on with the Browns and Cardinals, and he ended up landing on Minnesota’s practice squad towards the end of this past October. The 24-year-old appeared in a single game for Arizona, compiling one tackle.
Barring injury, it will be difficult for Odenigbo to earn a promotion to the active roster. Despite rookie Ade Aruna landing on the injured reserve at the beginning of the season, the Vikings are still rostering five capable defensive ends in Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen, Stephen Weatherly, Tashawn Bower, and Jalyn Holmes.