Four teams have reached out to free agent guard Nick Easton. The Vikings — Easton’s first NFL team — are not among them, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). 
[RELATED: Four Teams Interested In Easton]
The Saints released Easton in mid-February in a cost-cutting move. And, although Easton has never been a world-beater, he appeared to be a logical fit for Minnesota. Vikings guard Dakota Dozier struggled and Pat Elflein couldn’t stay healthy. Even with solid performances from Ezra Cleveland, the interior line left much to be desired.
Now, Dozier is set for free agency, and they may or may not want back for another year. Meanwhile, Riley Reiff‘s contract could leave them searching for a new tackle. The veteran has a $5MM roster bonus due on March 19th. If they release him before that date, they can save a total of $11.75MM with just $2.2MM in dead money.
All in all, the Vikings’ O-Line is in flux. But, as of this writing, they’re not interested in solidifying that group with Easton. Other teams have reached out to Easton, however, including the incumbent Saints.
They better not have any discussions with Dozier about bringing him back.
The Vikings are convinced that having multiple 7th round picks every year will solve all their problems.
I wouldn’t be opposed to bringing him back as what he should have been last year, a swing back-up G/T, but any talk of him being a starter would be madness. Gods, I wish Klint Kubiak would ask for Mike Zimmer to ask for Rick Dennison’s resignation!
Who is RickDennison ? Just askin
The Vikes’ OL Coach. A long-time associate/crony of Gary Kubiak. Rumor has it that the Broncos wanted Kubiak back but without Dennison, who’s also been an OC, and Kubes’ wouldn’t do it. The Vikings’ OL has been a long-time weakness, but the level of pass blocking, in particular, has been just terrible the last two years under Dennison. Some retired O linemen and OL coaches, both named and anonymous, have specifically questioned the level of coaching that the entire OL is getting, from the relatively good tackles through the disappointing 1st round center to the disastrous guards.
Also, Dakota Dozier has been a career back-up, and while it made sense for him to join the team to help install Dennison’s blocking scheme in 2019 as they had worked together for the Jets in 2018, they not only retained Dozier in 2020 but actually had him compete with a former UDFA and practice squader to start at LG (no new FA, no high- or mid-round draft pick). Dozier started all 16 games and was atrocious, as widely expected. Whether the OL coach showed favoritism for the player, or just assured his superiors that he could coach up this career back-up into a starter, the experiment failed, and Dennison bears some of the blame.
Sorry for the tl/dr explanation.
Rumor is the Vikings have spoken with Jack WESTON !!