Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is happy with how things ended up despite the fact that there was plenty of belief that the Philadelphia Eagles would select him in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

The Eagles were in clear need of a wideout when they went on the clock with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, and while they did take a receiver, it wasn't Jefferson.

Philly instead selected TCU's Jalen Reagor, allowing the Vikings to nab Jefferson with the next pick at No. 22 overall.

In an interview with Tyler R. Tynes of GQ published on Wednesday, Jefferson discussed the circumstances leading up to the Vikings drafting him and why he is pleased to be in Minnesota rather than Philadelphia:

"Leading up to the draft, you know, they had all of those mock drafts and people sharing their opinions on who is going to go where. A lot of people had me going to Philly. And, I thought I was going to Philly. Honestly. The funny part is, Philly was on the board and then Minnesota called me. At first, I thought it was Philly. But, I answered the phone and it was Minnesota. It's crazy how all of that happened and everything. But, I'm definitely, definitely, definitely excited that I'm on the Vikings rather than Philly."

Jefferson went on to enjoy one of the greatest seasons by a rookie wide receiver in NFL history with the Vikings, as he racked up 88 receptions for 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns en route to being named a Pro Bowler.

That helped ease any sting Vikings fans may have felt from seeing Stefon Diggs go off for 127 catches, 1,535 yards and eight touchdowns in an All-Pro year for the Buffalo Bills after getting traded there from Minnesota.

The sting resided with Eagles fans instead, as Reagor was limited to 11 games as a rookie because of injuries and finished with just 31 receptions for 396 yards and one touchdown.

It remains possible that Reagor could develop into a stud if he can stay healthy moving forward, but it is undoubtedly a question mark, whereas Jefferson is already one of the NFL's best receivers one year in.

Passing on Jefferson is looking like a major loss on the Eagles' part, but Philadelphia's decision was a win for Jefferson in his eyes.  

The players of the Minnesota Vikings became the latest group to say most of them would be bypassing voluntary offseason workouts. 

In a statement released on behalf of those players by the NFL Players Association, they noted that "many of us have decided to exercise our right to not attend in-person, voluntary workouts." The Minnesota players added that "we understand that some players will go into the facility for different reasons, but feel strongly, as a unit, about putting our health and safety first."

A statement from the Minnesota Vikings players: pic.twitter.com/yTZVc48BNt

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) April 19, 2021

Players from the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos all previously released statements saying they collectively, as a team, would skip voluntary offseason workouts.

Players from the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots and Chicago Bears did not unanimously choose as a team to skip voluntary workouts but released statements saying they supported any players who did opt out of such in-person workouts.

Given the ongoing concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, many NFL players are contending that a virtual offseason for non-mandatory workouts—much like the NFL implemented last season—makes more sense to repeat instead of in-person, voluntary workouts. 

Other announcements should follow for players from teams who haven't yet publicly made a decision. 

"Obviously it's virtual right now, so we still have a little time to think about it and figure out the best plan for us as a team," Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes told reporters Monday regarding the plan for Chiefs players. "We're in talks with the NFLPA, and we're trying to figure out what's best for not only us but for the entire league."

Phase 1 of the offseason program for NFL teams are virtual meetings that began Monday and run through May 14. Phase 2 is May 17-21 and includes on-field drills with coaches, followed by Phase 3 between May 2 and June 18 when teams can hold up to 10 days of organized team activities. All three phases are non-mandatory. 

The Minnesota Vikings are the latest professional sports team in the state to react to the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright.

"We are heartbroken by the senseless killing of Daunte Wright," the Vikings said in a statement. "This avoidable situation is yet another tragic reminder of the drastic need for change in law enforcement training and police relations, specifically within the Black community. Our hearts go out to Mr. Wright's family and friends and all those who are hurting in our community."

The Minnesota Twins also released a statement while announcing Monday's game against the Boston Red Sox was postponed:

"Out of respect for the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Brooklyn Center, and following the additional details in this evolving situation, the Minnesota Twins have decided it is in the best interests of our fans, staff, players and community to not play today's game. ... The Minnesota Twins organization extends its sympathies to the family of Daunte Wright."

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Wild did the same while announcing their respective games against the Brooklyn Nets and St. Louis Blues were postponed:

pic.twitter.com/zJMX8kh9rt

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) April 12, 2021

A statement from the #mnwild: pic.twitter.com/3YDy8HTJKz

— x - Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 12, 2021

According to CNN, the officer who shot and killed Wright on Sunday in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Center was identified as Kim Potter.

Brooklyn Center police chief Tim Gannon called it "an accidental discharge" while saying he believed Potter meant to reach for a Taser.

"As I watched the video and listened to the officer's commands, it is my belief that the officer had the intention to deploy their Taser, but instead shot Mr. Wright with a single bullet," Gannon said. "This appears to me, from what I've viewed and the officer's reaction and distress immediately after, that this was an accidental discharge that resulted in the tragic death of Mr. Wright."

This occurred as the ongoing trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin continued in the state.

Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter stemming from the May 2020 killing of George Floyd. Video showed Chauvin with his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes even though Floyd was pleading that he couldn't breathe.

The Minnesota Vikings missed the playoffs for the first time in four years after going 7-9 in 2020. Their defense, which finished No. 11 or better in scoring during each of head coach Mike Zimmer's first six seasons, dropped to No. 29 last year.

Regarding the defense, Zimmer had this to say to reporters while also noting that he was "down in the dumps" at the end of last season when reviewing the team's depth chart.

"When we looked at the defense after the season, evaluated it, it was pretty barren in there," Zimmer said (h/t Nick Shook of NFL.com).

"So we had to address that. Honestly, at the end of the season, I was pretty down in the dumps when I kept looking at the depth chart and knowing what kind of salary cap space we had. Like I said, Rob (Brzezinski) and Rick (Spielman) have done an unbelievable job doing that, and they've got me rejuvenated with the guys they've brought in."

The Vikings' additions include cornerback Mackensie Alexander, who played for Minnesota from 2016-2019 before moving to the Cincinnati Bengals for a year. They also include safety Xavier Woods, cornerback Patrick Peterson, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson, linebacker Nick Vigil and defensive end Stephen Weatherly.

Minnesota should also return defensive end Danielle Hunter, who underwent neck surgery and missed all of 2020. He had 29 sacks over 2018 and 2019. The Vikings also return linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks and safety Harrison Smith, who have combined to make 10 Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams.

The offense appears to be in pretty good shape thanks to some superstars in wideouts Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen and running back Dalvin Cook. Quarterback Kirk Cousins is also back after completing 67.6 percent of his passes and tossing a career-high 35 touchdowns in 2020.

If the defense can return to its old form under Zimmer, the Vikings could easily post a winning record and find themselves back in the playoffs following a one-year absence.

The Minnesota Vikings reportedly signed safety Xavier Woods to a one-year contract Saturday.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $2.25 million.

Woods, 25, spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys after they selected him in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Louisiana Tech.

After spending his rookie year primarily as a backup, Woods was a full-time starter for the Cowboys in each of the next three seasons, starting all 44 games he appeared in.

In 60 career NFL regular-season games, Woods has 247 tackles, five interceptions, 18 passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

He recorded two interceptions each in 2018 and 2019, while finished with a career-high 77 tackles during the 2019 campaign as well.

Woods finished without an interception last season for the first time, but he still racked up 72 tackles and one pass breakup.

The Vikings have been hard at work reshaping their secondary this offseason, as they signed three-time All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson and reportedly agreed to a deal with corner Mackensie Alexander on Saturday, per Rapoport.

Safety was still a need for the Vikings after Anthony Harris signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, and they addressed it with Woods.

He is in good position to start next season alongside Harrison Smith, with Peterson, Alexander, Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler and Mike Hughes providing plenty of depth at the corner spots.

Minnesota ranked just 25th in the NFL against the pass last season and 29th in scoring defense, but the Vikes should fare much better in 2021 given their free-agent signings.

Mike Zimmer is a defensive-minded head coach, and he figures to make the most of the talent general manager Rick Spielman has brought in this offseason.

The Minnesota Vikings have forfeited a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft due to a salary-cap violation committed two years ago, per Marc Craig of the Star Tribune. Three Vikings executives were also given $10,000 fines. 

Per Craig, the NFL's decisions stemmed from a violation the team committed related to a practice squad player's contract.

Minnesota has notably taken its seventh-round pick off its official team website list of upcoming selections, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

The team still has 11 remaining picks, leading off with the 14th overall selection. Minnesota also has two third-rounders, four fourth-rounders, two fifth-rounders and two sixth-rounders. The Vikings are looking to bounce back from a 7-9 season in 2020, marking their first losing campaign in six years.

The 2021 draft will begin on Thursday, April 29 and run through Saturday, May 1 in Cleveland.

The Minnesota Vikings made a major addition on defense Wednesday, inking eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson to a one-year, $10 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter: 

Perennial Pro-Bowl CB Patrick Peterson has reached agreement on a one-year, $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2021

Minnesota finished with the eighth-worst pass defense last year (258.8 yards per game) despite tying for the third-most interceptions (15). Peterson should help both of those numbers greatly improve. The longtime Arizona Cardinals star has recorded at least two picks in each of the last three years and has recorded three or more interceptions in five seasons. 

Here's how Peterson fits in as the Vikings look for a quick turnaround following a third-place finish in the NFC North last year.

      

Minnesota Vikings Defensive Depth Chart

LDE: Danielle Hunter, Stephen Weatherly, Jordan Brailford

LDT: Armon Watts 

RDT: Dalvin Tomlinson, James Lynch

RDE: Jalyn Holmes, D.J. Wonnum

OLB: Anthony Barr, Blake Lynch

MLB: Eric Kendricks, Hardy Nickerson Jr.

OLB:  Ryan Connelly, Troy Dye, Cameron Smith

CB: Patrick Peterson, Jeff Gladney, Kris Boyd 

CB: Mike Hughes, Harrison Hand

FS: Myles Dorn

SS: Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus

Total Cap: $188.8 million

Report contract details via Spotrac.com. 

      

Outlook

With Andy Dalton poised to start for the Chicago Bears and Jared Goff headed to the Detroit Lions, it makes plenty of sense for the Vikings to go out and nab a cornerback who is known for making quarterbacks regret their mistakes.

Peterson should feast in the NFC North—with the likely exception of facing Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rodgers—but it's clear Minnesota was out to add a game-changing corner. 

To that end the team accomplished its mission, but after allowing 29.7 points per game last year (fourth-most in the league), there's still plenty of work to do in rebuilding the Vikings defense. It's hard to find someone more suited to revitalize a defensive unit than Peterson, but he can't do it alone. 

If Minnesota isn't able to build out around him, it may be a quick and forgettable year in the NFC North for the 30-year-old.

Patrick Peterson will play for a different team than the Arizona Cardinals for the first time in his NFL career.

The veteran cornerback agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

There was a time when it appeared as if Peterson's tenure with the Cardinals would come to an end via trade and not free agency.

Schefter reported the LSU product asked Arizona for a trade after Week 7 of the 2018 campaign and "desperately" wanted out following an abysmal 1-6 start to that season. However, he ultimately apologized for requesting the trade when he played in the Waste Management Phoenix Open pro-am in 2019, per Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com.

General manager Steve Keim also told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station in 2020 he wanted to see the playmaker retire as a Cardinal.

Alas, that will not be the case after Minnesota jumped at the opportunity to add the talented playmaker.

Peterson has been to the Pro Bowl in eight of his 10 seasons since the Cardinals selected him with the No. 5 overall pick of the 2011 NFL draft, and he was often a bright spot on an otherwise lackluster team.

Despite his head-turning play, Arizona reached the playoffs in just two of his first 10 seasons.

Peterson will look to make the playoffs for a new team by providing a stabilizing veteran force on the defensive side as they look to compete with the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. While he missed the Pro Bowl the last two seasons, he is still just 30 years old and figures to be a key piece of his new team's defense.

That is especially the case after signing this new deal as he looks to turn an impressive individual career into one that features a Super Bowl title.

The Minnesota Vikings and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson reportedly reached an agreement Monday on a two-year, $22 million deal featuring $20 million in total guarantees.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the news.

Of note, the Dallas Cowboys were not in the mix for Tomlinson because of the lineman's price tag, according to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

Tomlinson has been a model of consistency since the New York Giants selected him in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. He recorded between 49 and 59 total tackles every season while playing all 64 regular-season games over his first four years.

The 27-year-old University of Alabama product has made strides as a pass-rusher over the last two seasons. He's tallied 19 quarterback hits and seven sacks over that span.

He was asked about his future with the Giants in October when his name popped up in trade rumors after the team got off to a 1-7 start.

"I feel like the Giants are a competitor," Tomlinson told reporters. "The franchise, the organization is built on that. It's just the tradition. The tough-nose, toughness, the D-line is built on physicality. I just feel like that's something I always want to be a part of."

His reliability and recent improvement in generating pressure from the interior ensured he was going to generate plenty of interest, though.

Tomlinson is coming off a 2020 season where he received a solid 75.2 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.

He'd found a comfort zone working as the Giants' nose tackle, now he'll move to the Vikings where he'll play on a defense alongside Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith and others.

Tomlinson hasn't received much mainstream attention during the early stages of his career, but he's a high-impact addition for Minnesota.

The Minnesota Vikings reportedly could look to restructure wide receiver Adam Thielen's contract in an effort to create more cap space.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the two sides have discussed a "revised deal." Florio explained Minnesota could convert $10.025 million of the wide receiver's $11.1 million in salary on the four-year deal into a signing bonus.

What's more, "adding a voidable year would cut the cap number from the payment to $2 million for 2021, creating more than $8 million in cap space."

Thielen has far exceeded expectations as a career-long Viking to this point.

He entered the league as an undrafted free agent and was a role player during his first two seasons in 2014 and 2015. However, he turned the corner in 2016 with 967 receiving yards and then made the Pro Bowl in each of the next two seasons with more than 1,200 receiving yards.

The 30-year-old dealt with injuries in 2019 but bounced back in 2020 with 74 catches for 925 yards and a career-best 14 touchdowns.

It makes sense the Vikings would want to create some cap space while still keeping a receiver that productive on the roster. Per Over the Cap, they have the 21st-most cap space in the league for the 2021 campaign.

Adding cap space to address other holes on the roster while making sure Thielen is a key part of the offense would help Minnesota compete with playoff teams in the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears within the NFC North.

Regardless of what happens with his contract, look for Thielen to continue putting up impressive numbers alongside Justin Jefferson as one of the best one-two punches in the league.