Inside The Vikings

Vikings Signing Former Texans LB Blake Cashman to Three-Year Deal

Cashman is a Minnesota native who played his college ball for the Gophers.

Will Ragatz

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The Vikings' busy day of reloading their defense continues with the signing of a native Minnesotan. They've agreed to terms with former Texans linebacker Blake Cashman on a three-year deal worth up to $25.5 million, according to Tom Pelissero.

So after adding outside linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel to their pass rush, the Vikings have a new inside linebacker to replace Jordan Hicks and pair with Ivan Pace Jr. in the middle of their front. Cashman, an Eden Prairie native who played for the Gophers, started 13 games for the Texans last season and had 106 tackles in the regular season. He turns 28 in May.

Drafted by the Jets in the fifth round in 2019, Cashman started five games as a rookie but then just two over the next two seasons. Two years ago, he was traded to the Texans for a sixth-round pick. He has since resurrected his career in Houston. In 2022, he recorded three sacks on just 150 defensive snaps while playing a massive role on special teams. Then he had a huge breakout year in 2023.

Last season, Cashman played 746 defensive snaps for Houston, including two playoff games. In the regular season, he earned an 83.7 PFF grade that ranked fifth out of 66 off-ball linebackers who played at least 500 snaps. Cashman earned high marks from PFF in run defense, coverage, and tackling, adding eight pressures and two more sacks on just a handful of pass rushing snaps.

What a big day for Brian Flores and the Vikings' defense.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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