Vikings Rumors

Vikings To Sign DL Jonah Williams

After spending a single day with the Vikings in 2021, Jonah Williams will be eyeing a longer stay in Minnesota this time around. The defensive lineman will be signing with the Vikings, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Williams will be inking a one-year deal worth up to $1.5MM, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota. Fowler adds that the deal contains $350K in guaranteed money. Williams visited with the organization earlier today.

The former UDFA spent a year-plus with the Rams to begin his career before getting waived during the 2021 campaign. He caught on with the Vikings, but Minny cut bait following a failed physical. Williams landed back on the Rams practice squad and proceeded to win a Super Bowl ring that season.

He saw a bigger role over the past two years, culminating in a 2023 campaign where he started 16 of his 17 appearances. Williams finished the season having compiled 49 tackles and a pair of sacks, but Pro Football Focus only graded him 88th among 130 qualifying interior defenders.

In Minnesota, Williams will reunite with defensive line coach Marcus Dixon, who previously served as an assistant on the Rams staff. Williams also crossed paths with Vikings head coach (and former Rams OC) Kevin O’Connell in Los Angeles. The Vikings have been busy this season adding veteran reinforcement to the defensive line. In addition to re-signing Jonathan Bullard, the Vikings have also signed Jerry Tillery.

DL Jonah Williams To Visit Vikings, Cardinals

Jonah Williams has only played for the Rams during his NFL career, but he has been connected to other teams as well. The former undrafted defensive lineman is a free agent, and he is again drawing interest from a number of potential suitors.

Williams saw action in eight games with Los Angeles in 2021 before the arrival of Von Miller. The former was waived and ultimately claimed by the Vikings. A failed physical nixed his Minnesota deal, however, and the 28-year-old wound up back with the Rams for the past two seasons. Williams is again on the Vikings’ radar, however.

The Weber State product is visiting with Minnesota today, per a team announcement. As Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports, the Cardinals will host Williams tomorrow. He adds that multiple teams have interest at this point, and it comes as little surprise the Vikings and Cardinals are among them. Minnesota won out in the team’s Williams acquisition effort back in 2021, but Arizona also put in a waiver claim on him.

The Vikings’ defensive front has seen edge rushers Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum depart in free agency. While additions aimed at replacing them have arrived (Jonathan GreenardAndrew Van Ginkel), the only move along the interior so far has been a deal with Jerry Tillery. Williams has played as a 4-3 defensive end at times, but for the most part he has been used on the inside.

Of course, the Cardinals’ offseason has included a deal with the other Jonah Williams (that is, the former Bengals first-rounder who will man the right tackle spot in Arizona). The defender of the same name would add depth at the DL spot alongside new arrivals Justin Jones, Bilal Nichols and Khyiris Tonga. Both the Cardinals and Vikings have the cap space to make more free agent moves if they so desire.

Williams served in a rotational role upon his return to Los Angeles in 2022. Last season, however, he started 16 games while logging a 53% snap share. That uptick in playing time resulted in 49 tackles and a pair of sacks, and Williams could price himself away from the Rams if a strong market emerges. His departure would further compound the Rams’ need to re-invest along the D-line, something which is already a priority given Aaron Donald‘s retirement.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Kevin O’Connell Address Kirk Cousins Negotiations; Latest On Vikings’ Offer

Both Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed interest in a Kirk Cousins re-signing leading into free agency. The four-time Pro Bowler joined the Falcons on a four-year, $180MM deal, however, leaving Minnesota to add Sam Darnold and (potentially) a rookie signal-caller in next month’s draft.

[RELATED: NFL Investigating Falcons For Cousins Tampering]

Efforts were made on Minnesota’s part to work out a new Cousins deal once talks resumed during the offseason. Guaranteed money, to little surprise, became a sticking point during negotiations with the 35-year-old who is rehabbing an Achilles tear. On that note, Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis of The Athletic report the Vikings offered Cousins a multi-year deal including guaranteed compensation in Year 2. The team’s best submission, however, fell short of Atlanta’s.

Prior to free agency opening, questions were raised about the organizational consensus regarding another investment in Cousins. When speaking publicly on the matter, O’Connell said (via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert) there was “complete alignment” between the coaching staff and front office with respect to the efforts aimed at retaining him. Cousins’ value ultimately went beyond what the Vikings were prepared to pay out on a long-term agreement, something confirmed at the same press availability.

“This sport isn’t such where you can just say on a binary basis: ‘I want that player,'” Adofo-Mensah said (via Lewis). “I think we’ve been very clear since we’ve gotten here that we like Kirk Cousins. We’ve been very clear that we think we could win a Super Bowl with Kirk Cousins. But we have a sport that gives you a certain number of draft picks, a salary cap – it’s a resource-constrained thing.

“When I called Kirk, we joked about the uncomfortable middle [regarding contract talks.] That’s what deals should be. And we weren’t able to find that… But that doesn’t mean we didn’t compete for him. Sometimes, it just gets to that place where the uncomfortable middle isn’t somewhere where you want to go, or where a different team can go because of their timeline of their team, they’re in a different situation.”

Cousins admitted he viewed his final few Vikings season as a “year-to-year” arrangement compared to his Falcons deal setting him up for (in all likelihood) the remainder of his career. His arrival will put Atlanta in a solid QB situation compared to the team’s 2023 signal-callers, provided Cousins can return to his pre-injury form. Minnesota, meanwhile, faces questions about the potential addition of a new quarterback in April’s draft.

The Vikings added an extra first-round pick by swinging a deal with the Texans on Friday. That added draft capital could be used to move up the board on Day 1, although Adofo-Mensah noted he is not exclusively committed to selecting a quarterback at that point. For now, Darnold is in place as the team’s starter after the Falcons outbid them for Cousins. The effectiveness of Minnesota’s and Atlanta’s respective decisions will be a key storyline to follow in 2024.

Vikings Obtain Texans’ First-Round Pick; Team Hoping To Acquire Cardinals’ No. 4 Pick?

MARCH 17: Now that the Vikings have two first-round picks in the 2024 draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller says the “latest leaguewide rumor” is that Minnesota will use its newfound resource to acquire the Cardinals‘ No. 4 overall pick (subcription required). Arizona has Kyler Murray entrenched as its QB1 and could accelerate its rebuild with additional high-end draft capital to address non-QB needs.

Such a move would almost certainly give the Vikes the chance to select McCarthy, and there is a chance that Maye or Jayden Daniels may be available as well.

MARCH 15: More than a month ahead of the draft, the Vikings reached an agreement to acquire an additional first-round pick. Minnesota and Houston agreed to a trade Friday involving only draft picks.

The NFC North team will part with two second-rounders to move up this year. The Vikings will obtain the Texans‘ 2024 first-rounder — No. 23 overall — and a 2024 seventh in exchange for Nos. 42, 188 and a 2025 second-round pick, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero report.

This will give the Vikings another asset if they are serious about moving up for a quarterback. The Texans, who obtained the No. 23 overall pick from the Browns in the Deshaun Watson trade, will not have a 2024 first-rounder now. But they now hold two second-rounders in 2024 and ’25.

Minnesota now holds the Nos. 11 and 23 overall picks in this year’s draft. The deal could give the team a chance to add two starter-caliber rookies to team with Sam Darnold. Perhaps more likely: it provides a team transitioning at quarterback — following Kirk Cousins‘ Falcons defection — with a better asset to acquire a long-term replacement. Early-offseason rumblings about the Vikings’ interest in trading up surfaced; this deal will provide them with a better chance at moving into range for one of the top QB prospects.

QB injuries have led the Vikings to continually turn to veterans at quarterback this century. Daunte Culpepper‘s six-season run as Minnesota’s QB1 ended with an October 2005 ACL tear. Teddy Bridgewater saw his time as the team’s starter end with a severe knee injury during training camp in 2016. The likes of Brett Favre, Sam Bradford, Case Keenum and Cousins have stepped in. But with Cousins moving on after six years — as the Vikings did not offer their longtime starter the guarantees the Falcons did in a four-year, $180MM deal — could put the Vikes on a path to make another first-round effort to land a passer.

Since the 1999 Culpepper pick, Minnesota has not enjoyed good luck choosing first-round passers. Neither Bridgewater nor Christian Ponder panned out as a long-term option. The Vikings, however, have never chosen a quarterback in the top 10 of a draft. The Nos. 11 and 23 selections could serve as the lead assets in a deal to potentially move into the top three, though it would not surprise to see the Patriots — who sit at No. 3 — to ask for more for a draft pick that could lead to a Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy investment. McCarthy may well be available further down the board, but the Michigan prospect’s stock is climbing. It is certainly possible the Vikings would be stuck with the draft’s fifth-best QB if they stay at 11.

Third-year GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will receive more attention this offseason, having a chance to grab his own quarterback after effectively renting Cousins for two seasons. Darnold agreed to a one-year, $10MM deal, but the former No. 3 overall pick should be considered a bridge QB. The Broncos also showed interest in Darnold, and while they may not have submitted an offer, this trade leaves another obvious candidate to select a QB lacking in ammo by comparison. Sean Payton‘s team — thanks to the move to acquire the head coach — does not have a second-round pick. Denver sits at No. 12.

For the Texans, this move marks a considerable change with regards to their 2024 draft arsenal. The Watson trade had given the team two 2024 firsts, but GM Nick Caserio dealt the team’s own pick to move up for Will Anderson last year. But the C.J. Stroud pick has changed Houston’s trajectory. Picking up seconds in back-to-back drafts provides Houston the opportunity to add more quality cost-controlled starters around its new franchise quarterback.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/15/24

Friday’s minor transactions:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

  • Released: OL Roy Mbaeteka

Cincinnati Bengals

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Irwin gets a crack at a WR3 role in Cincinnati as Tyler Boyd heads to free agency. Irwin also holds experience as the team’s backup return man, filling in last year when Charlie Jones was injured.

Heck rejoins the Texans on a one-year deal worth up to $3.3MM. He’ll add some key depth at an important position.

Rozeboom was a restricted free agent who wasn’t tendered. Regardless, the two sides work out a fully guaranteed deal for 2024.

Feeney joins the Vikings on a one-year deal. Though far removed from a consistent starting role with the Chargers, Feeney has continued to find starts throughout his career as a valuable body off the bench.

The Giants bring in two tight ends without much receiving experience. Manhertz, a veteran whose played for the Panthers from 2016-20, has extensive starting experience as a blocking tight end with 53 starts in his career.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/14/24

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Jets

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Vikings To Sign DT Jerry Tillery

Continuing to re-shape their front seven, the Vikings have a deal in place with Jerry TilleryThe former first-round defensive tackle is set to join Minnesota on a one-year deal worth up to $3.25MM, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Tillery had an underwhelming start to his career with the Chargers, despite seeing a full-time starting role 2020 and ’21. The 27-year-old saw his workload cut the following season, and he was ultimately waived midway through the 2022 campaign. He closed out that year with the division-rival Raiders, starting four of eight games. His play with Las Vegas earned him a two-year, $6.8MM contract last offseason.

However, Tillery was released last week as part of the Raiders’ cost-shedding moves. The Notre Dame product logged a 45% defensive snap share in Vegas in 2023, making 31 tackles and adding a pair of sacks. His nine pressures fell well short of his previous high marks in the pass-rush department, something of particular significance given his skillset. Tillery will get another chance to establish himself in Minnesota, though.

The Vikings have seen plenty of changes along the defensive front this offseason, with edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport departing and Jonathan Greenard being added on a big-money deal along with Andrew Van Ginkel. Along the interior, Minnesota has retained Jonathan Bullard, but Tillery will add to the list of new faces for the unit. The latter will look to carve out a starting (or at least rotational) role under DC Brian Flores.

Minnesota ranked 19th in the league in sacks last season, and the absence of Hunter will lead to questions about the team’s ability to improve on that figure (even given the additions made to replace him). Known more for his ability to generate interior pressure than his run defense, Tillery could help in that regard if he earns notable playing time. Doing so would help the Vikings transition to a new look on the defensive front while helping his 2025 free agent stock in the process.

NFL Investigating Eagles, Falcons For Potential Tampering

Although the NFL calls its unofficial free agency the legal tampering period, the league is looking into whether two teams went too far during this year’s window. The Eagles and Falcons are under investigation, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano tweets.

The league is looking into potential violations from these teams during their respective Saquon Barkley and Kirk Cousins negotiations. Penn State coach James Franklin, who coached Barkley in college, said GM Howie Roseman spoke directly with the running back prior to the new league year. Teams are not permitted to speak directly with players during the tampering period unless they are self-represented; the Eagles have denied any violation occurred, ESPN.com’s Tim McManus notes.

Cousins said Wednesday night he spoke with the Falcons’ trainer during the tampering window, which is not permitted under league rules. While tampering ahead of the days that comprise the legal tampering period happens annually, as some deals come to pass rather quickly once the signing window opens. But the league is investigating these two high-profile team changes. Fines or potential loss of draft picks can come out of tampering violations.

For him now to come back and be able to play within the state, in Philadelphia, he said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch to him was not only the Philadelphia Eagles and that but obviously the connection with Penn State and the fan base as well,” Franklin said (via McManus) of Barkley’s Eagles talks.

As of Thursday morning, the Giants had not contacted the league about tampering, per McManus. By most accounts, the Giants were prepared to move on from the two-time Pro Bowler. While New York did add a veteran replacement in Devin Singletary, the ex-Brian Daboll Bills charge comes cheaper than Barkley, who signed a three-year, $37.75MM deal with $26MM guaranteed at signing. The Vikings did make a more concerted effort to retain Cousins, but the Falcons came in with a big offer — four years, $180MM with a $100MM practical guarantee — to lure him out of Minneapolis.

Rehabbing a torn Achilles sustained in late October, Cousins wants to be ready for the Falcons’ summer workouts. Falcons buzz began building coming out of the Combine, which often serves as a preview of the market. After battling uphill against Cousins during negotiations for years, the Vikings held tight against the kind of guarantee the Falcons are authorizing. As he prepares to move to his wife’s hometown, the 35-year-old passer will be working with the Falcons’ medical staff soon. The NFL will look into whether the Falcons’ staff violated tampering policies during this high-profile recruitment.

Latest On Falcons QB Kirk Cousins

There’s a new sheriff in Atlanta and he brings with him a surprising amount of bling. Kirk Cousins officially signed today to join the Falcons, the third NFL franchise of his 12-year career. He’s played six seasons in Washington and six seasons in Minnesota, and if things go well, it sounds like Cousins could play the last six years of his career in Atlanta.

The decision to leave the Vikings was certainly not a sudden one. Cousins joined the team after being franchise-tagged twice in Washington. He signed a fully guaranteed three-year, $84MM salary to head to Minnesota. After narrowly missing the playoffs in his first season as a Viking and then making it to the Divisional Round of the playoffs in his second, the Vikings rewarded his success. While technically a multi-year extension, Minnesota only signed him to two more fully guaranteed years. Going into the final year of that deal, the Vikings gave him one more fully guaranteed season.

Shortly after signing the deal that would keep him in town through this past season, Cousins led the Vikings to a 13-4 record, though the season ended in a first-round knockout. Pleased with the success in 2022, the Vikings spent much of the offseason, and eventually the regular season, working towards another extension for Cousins. The deal never ended up getting done.

All of these short-term solutions sent a message to Cousins who told ESPN’s Michael Rothstein that it felt like his time in Minnesota “was trending year-to-year” over his last few seasons with the team. Whether or not it came up in negotiations, it doesn’t seem like a true long-term solution was ever in play. On the flip side, Cousins said that “when he talked to Atlanta, it seemed like, if things went well, he could retire with the Falcons when he was done.” What seems to have won Atlanta his services was the fact that they seemed more willing to commit to him long-term, something most recently displayed when Matt Ryan played with the team until he was 36 years old.

Now, Cousins is currently working his way back from a torn Achilles that cost Cousins his last 10 weeks in Minnesota. He’s certainly not ready to suit up in red and black just yet. According to James Palmer of NFL Network, his current goal is “to be full speed before the Falcons break for the summer after spring workouts.”

He believes that to be a feasible goal. For right now, he says he’s able to take drops and make throws with no problems, something we saw from Aaron Rodgers‘ ambitious attempt to return from the same injury in a length of time shorter than the NFL regular season. He adds that, were he to attempt to break from the pocket, that’s when it would become noticeable that he’s still recovering from the Achilles injury.

Falcons fans will just have to be patient. If they are, they will eventually get to see Cousins leading their team. If they’re patient and things go well, they could get to see him leading their team for the remainder of his career.

Vikings To Re-Sign DE Jonathan Bullard

Jonathan Bullard is inking a third contract with the Vikings. The team announced that they’ve resigned the veteran defensive lineman.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Bullard inked a one-year deal worth a max value of $3.25MM.

Bullard has spent the past two seasons in Minnesota, starting 21 of his 29 appearances. During his age-30 season in 2023, he got into a career-high 644 defensive snaps, compiling 44 tackles and a pair of sacks. Pro Football Focus ranked him 115th among 130 qualifying interior defenders, although the site did give him a glimmer of hope for his run-stopping ability.

The former third-round pick spent the first three seasons of his career with the Bears, where he got into 46 games. He bounced around the league a bit before finding a home in Minnesota, spending time with the Cardinals, Seahawks, and Falcons.

The Vikings will be counting on Bullard to provide some continuity on their defensive line. The veteran will likely continue to slot in next to Harrison Phillips on the Vikings defensive line in 2024.