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Minnesota Vikings free agency tracker: Day 1 recap

Here comes the NFL free agency whirlwind. We've got the latest news.

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Minnesota Vikings free agency tracker: Day 1 recap
Minnesota Vikings free agency tracker: Day 1 recap /

Welcome to NFL free agency. It's going to be a wild ride for the Minnesota Vikings as big names could be coming and going. Kirk Cousins? Gone. Danielle Hunter? Still waiting. Christian Wilkins? To the Raiders. 

We've got a recap of all of the reports and rumors from Day 1 below, with links to some of the major updates also below for easy access. Follow our Day 2 free agency tracker here. 

10:30 p.m. — Aaron Jones deal could happen

NFL insider Aaron Wilson is reporting that there is “optimism” that the Vikings could agree to terms with running back Aaron Jones, who was released by the Packers earlier Monday. 

8:30 p.m. – Darnold deciding between Vikings and Broncos?

That's the word from Boston Globe NFL insider Ben Volin, who says quarterback Sam Darnold is weighing offers from the Vikings and Broncos. 

8:15 p.m. – Darnold, Garoppolo are 'options' for Vikings

Who will play QB for the Vikings in 2024? You've likely seen Sam Darnold connecting to Minnesota numerous times already, but what about Jimmy Garoppolo? He'll be suspended the first two games but Ian Rapoport says he's an "option" for the Vikings. Read more here. 

7:55 p.m. – Vikings interested in former Packers RB Aaron Jones

Well this would be a surprise. Aaron Jones, the 29-year-old running back released by the Green Bay Packers today after they signed Josh Jacobs, is drawing interest from the Vikings.

7:45 p.m. - Jordan Hicks signs with Browns

Veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks goes to Cleveland after two years in Minnesota. The already have a replacement in former Gopher Blake Cashman.

5:00 p.m. - Marcus Davenport signs one-year deal with Lions

Former Vikings edge rusher signed a one-year deal with Lions after playing just four games for Minnesota in 2023. Read more here.

3:45 p.m. – Gardner Minshew headed to the Raiders

Another quarterback is off the board, it seems, with Gardner Minshew signing with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he will compete with Aidan McConnell.

2:19 p.m. - Vikings sign former Gopher Blake Cashman

The Vikings continue to rebuild their defense bringing in former Texan linebacker Blake Cashman. The former Gopher had a breakout season in 2023 with the resurgent Texans. Read more here.

2:01 p.m. – Not near done on defense?

Alec Lewis of The Athletic is hinting that more defensive signings could be on the way for the Vikings. 

1:55 p.m. - Vikings sign edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel

Vikings reportedly sign former Dolphins edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel to a two-year, $20 million deal. Van Ginkel's 90.7 pass rush grade ranked seventh in the NFL among edge rusher sin 2023, according to Pro Football Focus. Read more here.

1:34 p.m. – 'Look for the Vikings to go after Sam Darnold'

The next man up could be Sam Darnold. Dianna Russini says "look for" the Vikings to go after the 49ers backup quarterback. 

1:30 p.m. - Kirk Cousins agrees to deal with Atlanta Falcons

Kirk Cousins' agent Mike McCartney posted on twitter that Cousins has agreed to a four-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. Read more here.

12:25 p.m. – Christian Wilkins off to Las Vegas

No Christian Wilkins for the Minnesota Vikings, with the Dolphins defensive end off to the Las Vegas Raiders for an eye-watering $110-million over four, including $84.75 million in guarantees.

12:16 p.m. – Confirmation of Vikings' interest in Wilkins, Sneed

11:59 a.m. — Vikes bringing back two on the O-line

The Vikings have confirmed they are re-signing David Quessenberry and Blake Brandel. Darren Wolfson of KSTP says Quessenberry’s deal is $2 million for one year. 

11:53 a.m. — Vikings had eyes on Pollard?

That’s the word from Russini, which could u indicate that Minnesota is in the market for a running back after the recent release of Alexander Mattison. 

11:40 a.m. – VIKINGS SIGNING EDGE JONATHAN GREENARD

Breaking news from the NFL.com insiders, with the Vikings signing one of the top edge rushers on the market, Jonathan Greenard, from the Houston Texans.

The Texans declined to franchise tag Greenard coming off a season in which he registered 12.5 sacks, 52 tackles and 22 QB hits.

Greenard is signing a four-year, $76 million deal with $42 million guaranteed.

Read more here.

11:03 a.m. – Vikings' 'top target' is Christian Wilkins

The star defensive tackle is officially a free agent and the Vikings, per Dianna Russini, is a top target for the Minnesota Vikings. 

10:51 a.m. – 'Blast off' news from Cousins coming?

NFL Network's Peter Schrager doesn't think it'll take long before Cousins news drops. 

10:21 a.m. – Cousins decision "to be made very quickly"

"There's a real possibility Cousins has played his final down in Minnesota," says NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "The Vikings are still in it, however, the Falcons are expected to make a strong push for Kirk Cousins."

He added: "Expect a decision to be made very quickly here, assuming that the offer is right."

9:54 a.m. – Vikings face 'real possibility' of losing Cousins

On Good Morning Football, Mike Garafolo says "the Vikings facing the real possibility of not retaining Cousins." He reiterated that the expectation is now for Cousins to remain unsigned when the legal negotiating period opens at 11 a.m. CT. 

9:30 a.m. – Cousins, Atlanta to begin talks

Dianna Russini reports that Cousins "will hit free agency and begin discussions with Atlanta" at 11 a.m. CT. 

8:52 a.m. – Schefter unsure Falcons can 'pry' Cousins from Minnesota

"The Minnesota Vikings are not going to let him go without fighting for him," Schefter said on ESPN's Get Up. "They are the incumbent and still the team that would have to be beat. There have been are ongoing discussions to try to get him there. Atlanta would have to step up in a way to essentially pry him loose from the Vikings and the best I can tell, I don't know that that will happen." 

8:15 a.m. – Cousins deal could have ramifications for Vikings' Hunter, Sneed efforts

An interesting story by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, who says the Vikings and the Falcons appear to be the final two teams in contention for Cousins' signature.

But what's more, if the Vikings sign Cousins it could signal that they are in "win now" mode and see them be more aggressive going after other free agents, such as re-signing Danielle Hunter and pursuing Kansas City Chiefs' cornerback L'Jarius Sneed.

"The Vikings have already called the Kansas City Chiefs on Sneed, and Minnesota could take the next steps if the quarterback situation turns in its favor," Breer writes.

Read more here.

6:24 a.m. – Cousins is 'always going to take the biggest deal'

From NFL Network's Ian Rapoport: "It does seem like the MN Vikings are still working, still trying to see if there's somehow, someway they can get Kirk Cousins to stay. He is always going to maximize, always going to take the biggest deal."

9:38 p.m. – 49ers' 'top priority' may be Danielle Hunter

Danielle Hunter will be free to speak to teams barring a last-minute negotiation with the Vikings, and one team that could be going after him is the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers. Longtime San Francisco sports insider Tim Kawakami believes Hunter is their "top priority."

8:48 p.m. – Vikings won't mind if Cousins gauges the market

According to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, the Vikings and Cousins talked contract over the weekend and now Goessling believes the Vikings don't mind if Cousins inspects the market, "especially if it helps him put their offer in context."

8:02 p.m. – Broncos reportedly out on Cousins

Denver has been connected to Cousins in rumors but The Athletic's Dianna Russini is now reporting that the Broncos will not be pursuing him if he reaches free agency. 

7:12 p.m. – Structure the most important element for Cousins?

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the chance of Cousins re-signing with Minnesota "will come down to structure of the deal." In other words, it's all about guaranteed money. 

6:24 p.m. – Cousins deal "could come together quickly"

Pelissero said "it does appear that the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is going to hit the free agent market on Monday." He went on to say the Falcons and possibly the Broncos could show interest and that the cost for Cousins will be $40 million or more per season, with guarantees also being important. 

"The Vikings are still in this. A deal could come together quickly assuming that the offer is right," Pelissero said. 

2:02 p.m. – Texans, Vikings in on Christian Wilkins?

Houston-based NFL insider Aaron Wilson is reporting that the Texans and Vikings are expected to have "strong" interest in Wilkins. 

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