Vikings Re-Sign CB/PR Marcus Sherels
Cornerback Marcus Sherels has re-signed with the Vikings on a one-year contract, Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press tweets. Sherels is expected to return in his role as the Vikings’ primary punt returner with some kick returns as well. The Vikings officially announced the deal on Thursday afternoon. 
Last year, Sherels returned a league-high 39 punts for Minnesota. He averaged 9.5 yards per attempt with a long of 46 coming against the Ravens in an October win.
The Vikings are also considering a reunion with cornerback Terence Newman, but money may be a factor in those talks. Newman will be 40 years old when the 2018 season begins, but he stayed healthy for the entire 16-game slate last year as well as the playoffs.
For now, the Vikings have a cornerback group headlined by Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes with Mackensie Alexander, Jack Tocho, Horace Richardson, and Sherels in support.
Vikings Still Talking With Terence Newman
- The Vikings have indicated they’d like to re-sign cornerback Terence Newman, but it sound as though money will be the determining factor in any such agreement, according to Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). While Newman will be 40 years old when the 2018 season gets underway, he was able to stay healthy for all 16 games last year. Newman, who ranked as the No. 66 CB among 119 qualifiers in 2017 (per Pro Football Focus), would reinforce a Minnesota secondary that also includes Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander.
Contract Details: Richardson, Fluker, Pats
Some details on recent free agent deals:
- Sheldon Richardson, DT (Vikings): One year, $7MM deal. $7.8MM guaranteed ($5.8MM base + $2MM signing bonus). $200K workout bonus. Incentives up to $3MM, but categorized as Not Likely To Be Earned (NLBTE) for cap purposes (Twitter link via Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune).
- D.J. Fluker, OL (Seahawks): One year, $1.5MM deal. $300K guaranteed. Cap charge of $1.37MM (Twitter link via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com).
- Marquis Flowers, LB (Patriots): One year, $2.55MM deal. $1.05MM base salary. $200K signing bonus. Up to $400K in roster bonuses plus $50K workout bonus. Incentives package: $100K for playing 30% of the defensive snaps, $300K for 40%, $550K for 50%, and $800K for 60% (In 2017, Flowers played 26 percent of the defensive snaps) (Twitter link via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com).
Vikings Have Questions To Be Answered At Guard
- The Vikings were dealt a pair of losses to their offensive line this week, with Joe Berger‘s retirement and Jeremiah Sirles‘ departure to the Panthers in free agency. We saw Friday that Mike Remmers could move to right tackle, opening the door for the team to pick a guard in the upcoming draft. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin also points to recently-tendered Nick Easton as an option at guard, along with recently-signed Tom Compton. Cronin said that some guards to keep an eye on as the draft approaches include Will Hernandez(UTEP), Isaiah Wynn (Georgia) and Billy Price (Ohio State). The Vikings have the No. 30 overall pick in the draft.
Contract Details: Burnett, Bodine, Williams
Let’s take a look at the most recent new contracts around the NFL:
AFC
- Morgan Burnett, S (Steelers): Three years, $14.35MM. $4.25MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
- Kyle Williams, DT (Bills): One year, $5.5MM. $4.5MM guaranteed. $2.25MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com).
- Russell Bodine, C (Bills): Two years, $5MM. $2.15MM guaranteed. $1.15MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Rodak).
- Matthew Slater, ST (Patriots): Two years, $5.2MM. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
- Clinton McDonald DT (Broncos) Two years, $7MM. $1MM roster bonus. $3MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News).
NFC
- Tramon Williams, CB (Packers): Two years, ~$10MM (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com).
- Alex Okafor, DE (Saints): Two years, $6.787MM. $1.5MM guaranteed. $1.5MM signing bonus (link via Nick Underhill of the Advocate).
- Jonathan Cooper, G (49ers): One year, $4.95MM. $4MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com).
- Sylvester Williams, DT (Lions): One year, $3.5MM. $3.4MM guaranteed. $1.5MM available via playtime incentives (Twitter links via Pelissero and Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com).
- Luke Willson, TE (Lions): One year, $2.5MM. $1.4MM guaranteed. $900K signing bonus (Twitter link via Justin Rogers of the Detroit News).
- Kai Forbath, K (Vikings): One year, $790,000 base salary (Twitter link via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press)
Vikings Seriously Contempleting Moving Mike Remmers To RG
- The Vikings have heavily contemplated moving Mike Remmers to right guard, with the anticipation that the team would take a player to fill in at right tackle with the No. 30 overall pick in the upcoming draft, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (on Twitter). Tomasson also noted that Rashod Hill could be in the mix to take over at right tackle. The retirement of Joe Berger created a void on the Vikings’ offensive line. Remmers started 11 games at right tackle for the Vikings last season.
- Sources also told Tomasson (on Twitter) that the Vikings won’t re-sign wide receiver and Minnesota native Michael Floyd. Last season, the former first-round pick of the Cardinals appeared in 12 games for the Vikings, making one start, and caught 10 passes for 78 yards. The 28-year-old was suspended the first four games of last season for violating the NFL’s Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
Vikings OL Joe Berger To Retire
Longtime NFL offensive lineman Joe Berger has announced his retirement following a 13-year career, according to a statement provided to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link).
“After a lot of careful though and prayer I have decide(d) to retire from football,” reads the statement, in part. “I have been fortunate to enjoy seasons and have had the opportunity to play with so many good players and coaches. I was on some great teams before the Vikings, but it wasn’t until I got to Minnesota that I really felt at home. For seven years I was able to play for a great organization and in front of the best fans. U.S. Bank Stadium is an incredible place to play football.”
Berger, 35, certainly isn’t hanging up his cleats due to lack of interest. Both the Vikings and the Lions had standing offers out to Berger, while at least two other unidentified clubs may have also been involved in talks. However, reports had surfaced as early as last June indication that Berger was expected to retire following the 2017 campaign, so after testing free agency, he’s following through on what was likely his original plan.
A former sixth-round pick, Berger started at least 10 games only one time during the first decade of his career before signing with Minnesota in 2015. Berger, who also spent time with the Dolphins and Cowboys, became a fixture on the Vikings’ front five, starting 46 games over the next three campaigns. Capable of playing both center and guard, Berger was still effective in 2017, as Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL’s No. 23 guard among 77 qualifiers.
PFR extends its best wishes to Berger and his family as he enters retirement.
Vikings To Sign OL Tom Compton
The Vikings are set to sign offensive lineman Tom Compton, according to Alex Marvez of The Sporting News. The deal is contingent on him passing a physical. 
Compton, 29 in May, is a native of Rosemount, a suburb of Minneapolis. After 71 career games, he finally gets an opportunity to play for his hometown team.
Compton mostly worked as a reserve during his first five NFL seasons, starting in just 11 of 44 appearances with the Redskins and Falcons. Last year, he wound up starting in five of eleven contests for the Bears. Although he has previous experience at tackle, he played mostly on the inside in 2017.
The veteran will likely take on a reserve role with the Vikings, though he may get a chance to compete for a starting job on the interior. The Vikings are still waiting to find out if Joe Berger will return.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/21/17
Denver Broncos
- Signed: K Taylor Bertolet, LS Christian Kuntz
Houston Texans
- Waived: DT Chunky Clements, WR Cobi Hamilton
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: S Jordan Lucas (ERFA)
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: LS Nick Dooley, TE Josiah Price
- Waived: LB Shaan Washington
Emmanuel Lamur To Meet With Dolphins, Raiders
Vikings free agent linebacker Emmanuel Lamur will visit the Raiders on Wednesday and will travel to meet with Dolphins afterwards (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo). Lamur has ties to both clubs thanks to defensive coordinators Paul Guenther and Matt Burke who know Lamur from their time with the Bengals. 
We first heard of the Raiders’ interest in Lamur last week. He’d be a logical fit for Oakland’s new-look defense, but the Dolphins are also showing interest after parting ways with veteran linebacker Lawrence Timmons. For now, the Dolphins project to start Chase Allen alongside Raekwon McMillan and Kiko Alonso with Neville Hewitt, Mike Hull, and Stephone Anthony in support. That unit will need an impact player or two, either through free agency or the draft.
In other Dolphins news, Kirk Cousins‘ agent reportedly researched the ‘Fins heading into free agency. We also learned that the release of Mike Pouncey was not related to locker room issues.