Minnesota Vikings free agency tracker: Day 3 recap
The first two days of NFL free agency were crazy for the Minnesota Vikings. They agreed to terms with quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Aaron Jones, a kicker and three projected defensive starters in Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard and Blake Cashman.
They also watched Kirk Cousins sign with the Falcons and Danielle Hunter get $48 million guaranteed from the Texans. Below is a recap of everything that popped on Wednesday.
Major headlines the first three days:
- 5:30 p.m. Wednesday – Harrison Smith returning to Vikings for 13th season
- 9:30 a.m. Wednesday – Amid rumors, Vikings have 'no plans' to trade Jefferson
- 5:50 p.m. Tuesday - Danielle Hunter signs two-year deal with Houston Texans
- 7:45 a.m. Tuesday – Vikings reportedly agree deal with RB Aaron Jones
- 12:04 a.m. Tuesday – Vikings sign Sam Darnold, how good can he be?
- 2:19 p.m. Monday – Vikings splash again with Blake Cashman signing
- 1:55 p.m. Monday – Vikings ink high-end edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel
- 1:30 p.m. Monday – Kirk Cousins agrees 4-year deal with Atlanta
- 12:25 p.m. Monday – Vikings' target Christian Wilkins lands with Raiders
- 11:40 a.m. Monday – Vikings sign edge rusher Jonathan Greenard
- 9:30 a.m. Monday – Cousins, Atlanta to begin talks
5:30 p.m. - Harrison Smith restructures deal, set to play 13th season with Vikings
Veteran safety Harrison Smith will return for a 13th season with the Vikings after restructuring his contract.
THE HITMAN 💥#Vikings and @HarriSmith22 have reached an agreement that keeps him with the team. pic.twitter.com/WbGs5EQhVD
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 13, 2024
3:50 p.m. - Vikings decline restricted free agent tenders on Cam Akers, Khyiris Tonga
Running back Cam Akers and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga are now free agents after the Vikings declined to offer restricted free agent tenders on the duo.
The Vikings declined to offer RFA tenders to RB Cam Akers and DT Khyiris Tonga, among others. They're now free agents. Thus (begins and) ends my RFA coverage for this offseason.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) March 13, 2024
3:05 p.m. - Vikings officially announce Sam Darnold, Blake Cashman and Andrew Van Ginkel signings
The Vikings announced the signings of QB Sam Darnold, LB Blake Cashman and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel.
Hey Sam!
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 13, 2024
The #Vikings have agreed to terms with QB Sam Darnold.
📰: https://t.co/WeRL9XogVV pic.twitter.com/5EI4ZDfU2d
2:30 p.m. - Defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard returns to Minnesota on a one-year deal
The Athletic's Alec Lewis reports the Vikings have re-signed defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard to a one-year deal.
The #Vikings have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with DL Jonathan Bullard, a source says. Played alongside Harrison Phillips last year on the defensive line, was stout against the run.
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) March 13, 2024
2:30 p.m. - Vikings officially announce John Parker Romo signing
The Vikings announced the signing of former XFL kicker John Parker Romo
The #Vikings have signed K John Parker Romo (@Romo_HKA).
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 13, 2024
📰: https://t.co/DxIs6Ayf9i pic.twitter.com/qBvCV5RqC2
12:34 p.m. – Details of Blake Cashman's contract
NFL insider Aaron Wilson has the breakdown of Cashman's contract. He says it includes $15 million guaranteed and a $7.75 million signing bonus.
#Vikings Blake Cashman: three years, $22.5M base value, $15M gtd, $7.75M signing bonus, salaries $1.125M 9gtd), $4.925M (gtd for inj at signing, fully gtd if on roster 3rd day 2025 lg yr), $6.9M; annual up to $500K per game active roster bonus, annual gtd $100K workout bonus, $1M…
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 13, 2024
11:40 a.m. – Kirk Cousins' goodbye to Vikings
Just in:
Thank you Minnesota.
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) March 13, 2024
Love,
Turner, Cooper, Julie and Kirk pic.twitter.com/DuRrIvDYSl
10:14 a.m. – Full details of Darnold's contract
Here are the details, via Tom Pelissero...
Full details on Sam Darnold's one-year deal with the #Vikings:
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2024
$6.25 million signing bonus
$2.5M base salary (guaranteed)
$1M in per-game active bonuses
$250K workout bonus
A legit $10 million.
9:07 a.m. – 'No plans' to trade Justin Jefferson
This one is a big update from Dianna Russini of The Athletic as she says the Vikings still have "no plans" to trade Jefferson, who has yet to agree to a contract extension ahead of the final year on his rookie deal.
The Vikings came close to extending WR Justin Jefferson last offseason. In Indy, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah aggressively rejected the idea of trading the star. Kirk Cousins’ departure hasn’t changed things. The Vikings have no plans to trade Jefferson, sources tell me and @alec_lewis.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 13, 2024
8:48 a.m. – Jordan Hicks' farewell message
Jordan Hicks has agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns, but he won't forget two years in Minnesota. He called his time with the Vikings an "absolute blessing."
The last two years in Minnesota have been an absolute blessing for not only myself, but for our entire family. I’m grateful for my teammates, coaches, staff, and all the friends we met along the way.
— Jordan Hicks (@JordanHicks) March 13, 2024
Thank you for everything, Minnesota 💜
Here’s to the next chapter! pic.twitter.com/s9gsydLxm1
7:48 a.m. – Vikings have mega cap space for 2025
This time next year could be even crazier as the Vikings currently have around $135 million in projected cap space. That's literally about four times as much spending power as they entered this offseason with.
This is mostly a result of cap acceleration for Kirk Cousins, Danielle Hunter and Marcus Davenport. It puts Minnesota on track to have $135ish million in 2025 cap space, per @Jason_OTC. There will be lots of space around the league, but Vikings on track to be in top 5. https://t.co/9RrrrlQedF
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) March 13, 2024
