Minnesota Vikings Add 3 Defenders, Including A Top 10 Free Agent
The NFL free agency frenzy has begun and the biggest headline, and one of tremendous interest for Minnesota Vikings fans, was Kirk Cousins leaving Minnesota for the Atlanta Falcons on what is reportedly a four-year, $180 million contract that includes $100 million guaranteed(!).
While the debates have just begun on whether the Falcons overpaid for Cousins, and his departure currently leaves a big question mark on who will be throwing Justin Jefferson passes next year and beyond, the Vikings did sit on their hands Monday. They smartly focused on their defense.
NFL.com is reporting that the Vikings have signed edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who just had a breakout year with the Houston Texans. Greenard had 12.5 sacks and finished sixth among edge rushers in pass-rush win rate in 2023.
He was NFL.com's 6th ranked free agent going into free agency, saying "He often wins quickly. It would be a shame if the Texans couldn’t keep him and Will Anderson Jr. together."
Greenard is reportedly signing a four-year, $76 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. That likely means Danielle Hunter, who was ranked as the 3rd best free agent, will not be returning. However, the move makes sense as the 27-year-old Greenard is two years younger than Hunter and signed for a more cap-friendly deal than Hunter was expected to agree to.
The Vikings signed another notable free agent to their defense Monday when they signed former Miami Dolphin edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, who had played under Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. A big highlight was when he had a 78-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams when Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was the Rams offensive coordinator.
Van Ginkel was NFL.com's 28th ranked free agent going into free agency, who added that his versatile skill set "should be sought after by a number of teams looking for a jack of all trades."
He is reportedly signing a two-year contract worth up to $20 million with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings are also signing former Houston Texans linebacker Blake Cashman, who Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans reportedly trusted to run his defense.
Cashman was NFL.com's 89th-ranked free agent going into free agency, and he is expected to join the Vikings on a three-year deal worth up to $25.5 million. It will be a homecoming for the 28-year-old who was a star for Eden Prairie High School and the Minnesota Golden Gophers.