Vikings Met With Michigan LB Desmond Morgan
- The Patriots also met with Michigan linebacker Desmond Morgan on Friday, as did the Vikings and Lions, per Pauline.
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Contract Details For Andre Smith, Terence Newman, Matt Asiata
- Andre Smith, T (Vikings): One year, $3.5MM. $500K of $2.5MM base salary guaranteed. $250K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $1MM in playing-time and Pro Bowl incentives (Twitter link).
- Terence Newman, CB (Vikings): One year, $2.5MM. $1MM guaranteed. $250K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $500K in playing-time incentives (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
- Matt Asiata, RB (Vikings): One year, $840K. $60K signing bonus. Up to $500K in playing-time, rushing-yard, and catch incentives (Twitter link).
Vikings Sign TE Brian Leonhardt
- The Vikings have signed tight end Brian Leonhardt to a one-year, $600K deal, per ESPN’s Ben Goessling (on Twitter). Leonhardt has appeared in seven career games with the Raiders and 49ers since entering the NFL in 2014. He has seven catches and a touchdown to his name.
Vikings Sign Andre Smith
FRIDAY, 12:57pm: The Vikings have officially announced their deal with Smith, confirming the signing in a press release.
THURSDAY, 11:12am: Smith’s one-year deal has a base value of $3.5MM, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
11:05am: The Vikings continue to fortify their offensive line, with free agent tackle Andre Smith announcing today (via Twitter) that he’s heading to Minnesota, having agreed to a one-year contract with the club.
“Minneapolis here I come,” Smith tweeted. “Excited to join the great Vikings organization today on a 1-yr deal!!#SKOLVikings!!”
Smith, the sixth overall pick in the 2009 draft, has been the Bengals’ starting right tackle for the last several seasons, making 73 starts in Cincinnati since first joining the club seven years ago. Although he has been a steady performer throughout his career, the 29-year-old became expendable in Cincinnati after the Bengals used their first two picks in the 2015 draft on offensive tackles.
Smith’s new deal with the Vikings will pay him up to $4.5MM, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Ben Goessling of ESPN.com notes (via Twitter) that it will feature $1MM in guaranteed money, while Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports says (via Twitter) that it sounds as if other options were on the table for Smith, who “really liked” the Vikings.
Earlier this week, Smith was said to be deciding between the Vikings and Cardinals, though Arizona GM Steve Keim downplayed his team’s interest in the veteran tackle in a radio interview this morning. It’s not clear whether the Cards’ interest in Smith was overstated, or whether Keim knew at that point that the free agent would end up in Minnesota.
Having initially pursued Kelechi Osemele in free agency, the Vikings have now added two solid veterans in Smith and Alex Boone. While Boone will be penciled in as a starter at guard, Smith may have to beat out Phil Loadholt and T.J. Clemmings to win the right tackle job.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Vikings Re-Sign Terence Newman
FRIDAY, 12:48pm: The Vikings have issued a press release formally announcing their new deal with Newman.
TUESDAY, 12:54pm: The Vikings will bring back the NFL’s oldest defensive back for one more season, reports Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter link). According to Pelissero, Minnesota has agreed to terms with veteran free agent Terence Newman on a one-year, $3MM deal.
Newman, who will turn 38 in September, started all 16 regular-season games for the Vikings in 2015, his 13th NFL season. The veteran cornerback racked up 61 tackles, three interceptions, and 12 passes defended, and ranked a respectable 39th out of 111 qualified corners, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades.
Assuming the Vikings continue to view Newman as a cornerback, and don’t intend to move him over to safety, he’ll join returning teammates Captain Munnerlyn and Xavier Rhodes atop Minnesota’s depth chart at the position.
With 39-year-old Charles Woodson having retired after the 2015 season, Newman is on track to be the oldest defensive back in the NFL in 2016, and could also be the oldest defender at any position. James Harrison, who has not yet announced whether he’ll play another season, is only about four months older than Newman.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Vikings Re-Sign DE Justin Trattou
MARCH 18, 12:47pm: The Vikings have officially re-signed Trattou, the team confirmed in a press release.
MARCH 12, 5:24pm: The Vikings have reached an agreement to re-sign defensive end Justin Trattou, as Trattou himself announced on Instagram. Speaking to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Trattou confirmed it’s a one-year deal.
“Couldn’t be more excited to be part of the best young team in the NFL,” Trattou said. “There is no ceiling on what we can accomplish and I’m excited to be part of it. Can’t wait to get back to work.”
The 27-year old Trattou only managed to play in five games last season as he dealt with a foot injury, but despite seeing just 22 defensive snaps on the year, he somewhat miraculously posted two interceptions. After spending a week unemployed after the Vikings waived him in December, Trattou admitted that he received an offer to join another club, but declined the overture, saying he wanted to remain Minnesota. Trattou, who also plays a bit on special teams, will stay with the Vikings for a fourth season after spending the first two-and-a-half years of his career with the Giants.
Trattou made the veteran’s minimum in 2015, and I’d expect that he’ll be paid the same during the upcoming season, especially given how little he played last year.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Harrison Smith, Vikings To Discuss Extension Soon
It looks like a matter of when, not if, standout safety Harrison Smith will sign an extension with the Vikings, tweets Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News. Wolfson hears that talks between the two sides are expected to pick up before the end of the month.
Smith, 27, is entering the final year of his contract and is coming off his first Pro Bowl season. So far this offseason, most of the new deals signed by noteworthy safeties – including Malcolm Jenkins, Tashaun Gipson, Rodney McLeod, and George Iloka – have ranged from $6-9MM per year, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Smith exceed all of those when he eventually re-ups with the Vikings.
Contract Details: Bruton, Soliai, M. Wallace
Here are specific details on several of the latest agreed-upon and signed contracts from around the NFL. All links are courtesy of Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle unless otherwise indicated…
NFC:
- David Bruton, S (Washington): Three years, $9MM. $3.4MM guaranteed. $2.5MM signing bonus. $500K annual playing-time escalator in 2017 and 2018. $500K in incentives in 2018 (Twitter links via Master Tesfatsion of the Washington Post).
- Paul Soliai, DT (Panthers): Two years, $6.5MM. $3MM guaranteed. $2MM signing bonus. $740K in annual per-game active roster bonuses. $500K roster bonus due on the fifth day of the 2017 league year (Twitter link).
- Leodis McKelvin, CB (Eagles): Two years, $6.2MM. $3MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus. $1.2MM bonus due on fifth day of 2017 league year. $100K Pro Bowl incentive. $350K playing-time incentive (Twitter link).
- Cory Harkey, TE (Rams): Three years, $5.7MM. $2.5MM guaranteed. $500K roster bonus due on 10th day of 2016 league year. $500K roster bonus due in 2017, guaranteed for skill and injury (Twitter link).
- Rolando McClain, LB (Cowboys): One year, $4MM. $750K signing bonus. $1.25MM base salary. $2MM in per-game roster bonuses. Up to $1MM in playing-time and playoff incentives (Twitter link).
- Rhett Ellison, TE (Vikings): One year, $1.75MM. $100K signing bonus. $790K in per-game active roster bonuses. Up to $500K in incentives (Twitter link).
- Chris Givens, WR (Eagles): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K signing bonus. $100K of $760K base salary is guaranteed (Twitter link via Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News).
AFC:
- Mike Wallace, WR (Ravens): Two years, $11.5MM. $4.5MM signing bonus. $1MM roster bonus due on fifth day of 2017 league year. Option for second year to be exercised/declined prior to end of 2016 league year (Twitter links).
- Matt Moore, QB (Dolphins): Two years, $3.55MM. $2.25MM guaranteed. $750K signing bonus. $1.25MM in annual incentives (Twitter link).
- Sean Spence, LB (Titans): One year, $2.5MM. $500K signing bonus. $500K in per-game active roster bonuses (Twitter link).
- Robert Turbin, RB (Colts): One year, minimum salary benefit. $80K in incentives for rushing yards (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of USA Today).
Vikings Re-Sign Matt Asiata
The Vikings announced that they have re-signed Matt Asiata. It’s a one-year deal, according to a source who spoke with Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press (on Twitter). 
A little over a week ago, we heard that the Vikings and Asiata were far apart on a possible contract. Several other teams expressed an interest in the running back at the start of free agency, but Asiata did not make a secret of his desire to stay in Minnesota. Minnesota has been said to value the tailback’s pass-blocking acumen, as well as his prowess near the goal line.
Last year, Asiata re-upped with the Vikings on a one-year deal worth less than $1MM. The deal also included a fair amount of performance bonuses, since neither side was sure about how the running back would be used. In 2015, Asiata ran the ball just 29 times for 112 yards over the course of 16 games. That was a stark contrast to the previous year in which Asiata rushed for more than 500 yards and scored nine touchdowns, and was heavily involved in the passing game, securing 44 receptions. As long as Adrian Peterson stays healthy and the athletic Jerick McKinnon lives up to his potential, Asiata probably isn’t primed for a major role in the Vikings’ offense.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Free Agency Rumors: D. Davis, Browns, Steelers
Free agent linebacker Demario Davis is in Cleveland visiting the Browns, according to Newsday’s Kimberley A. Martin, who tweets that Davis has also drawn interest from other clubs. Davis, 27, has spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Jets, starting every game for the team since the start of the 2013 season.
Here are a few more free agency notes and rumors from around the NFL:
- Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link) hears from sources that safety Eric Weddle turned down larger offers from two other teams to join the Ravens. Cole adds that Baltimore assistant general manager Eric DeCosta spoke to Weddle and his representatives for 90 minutes on the phone, addressing questions and issues that the veteran free agent had about Baltimore and the Ravens.
- The Steelers like nose tackle Steve McLendon and want to re-sign him, but they’re resistant to paying big money to a player who only sees the field for about 25-30% of the club’s defensive snaps, writes Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. According to Fowler, Pittsburgh is willing to enhance Dan McCullers‘ role if the team loses McLendon, who recently paid a visit to the Jets.
- Before he agreed to a new deal with the Vikings, cornerback Marcus Sherels received an offer from the Jets and was prepared to visit with the Panthers, tweets Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The Buccaneers also had interest in Sherels.