On Monday afternoon, the magical time of the year known as the NFL’s legal tampering window commenced. Teams have been talking about contracts for weeks. Although nobody can officially sign a contract for a few days, it’s considered the big reveal for every team’s offseason plans.
The Minnesota Vikings’ legal tampering window had a little extra to it. This was the first year since 2018 where the Vikings could be big spenders. They came into the legal tampering period with over $60 million in cap space and needs at defensive tackle, offensive guard, and cornerback. Since their playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams, videos of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah throwing money around have been in the minds of Vikings fans. Today was supposed to be more exhilarating than finding a Nintendo 64 under the tree.
Instead, the Vikings remained quiet, with their lone notable addition being Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. It’s made some fans worry because big names have come off the board. But it’s all part of Adofo-Mensah’s plan that has mirrored his approach throughout his tenure in Minnesota.
It’s hard to comprehend, considering what the Vikings have lost. Cam Bynum signed a four-year, $60 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Byron Murphy Jr.’s price went through the roof when D.J. Reed and Carlton Davis signed massive deals with the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots. Then there’s the quarterback situation, where Sam Darnold signed a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks.
Each of these losses stings, but it shows that Minnesota’s front office has a price in mind for each player and is willing to draw a line in the sand to keep their plans alive.
They did this with Murphy two years ago. The Vikings needed cornerback help but couldn’t afford the top-tier free agents. Murphy was 25 years old and hitting free agency for the first time. Minnesota pounced with a two-year, $17.5 million contract.
Murphy struggled in his first season in Minnesota, posting a 58-overall Pro Football Focus grade. However, Murphy rebounded with a 73.4-overall grade in his second season while helping the Vikings defense become one of the best in the NFL.
Over The Cap gave Murphy an $11.4 million evaluation for his play last year. Still, Spotrac projected his market value at $22.1 million per season after Reed and Davis got their massive deals on Monday morning. The Vikings could still give Murphy a ton of money as he enters his age-27 season. However, like most signings, Adofo-Mensah is looking for the best value.
That’s the situation that unfolded with Bynum. A fourth-round pick by the Vikings in the 2021 draft, Bynum exceeded the value of his rookie contract according to Over The Cap, which valued him at $5.6 million. However, the market value went through the roof. Spotrac projects Bynum to have a $17.7 million market value ahead of free agency.
Indianapolis pounced with $15 million per season. The Vikings are replacing him with Theo Jackson, who signed a two-year, $12.6 million contract similar to the one Josh Metellus signed before the 2023 season. That contract worked out well. Metellus signed for two years, $8 million, and Over The Cap gave him a $5.1 million valuation last season.
Keep that in mind when the New England Patriots gave Milton Williams $26 million per season. Or when the Jacksonville Jaguars sign Patrick Mekari to a three-year, $37.5 million deal. It will make Vikings fans sweat a bit, but it could pan out like the Vikings are hoping to do with Jackson and Rodgers.
Jackson has played sparingly, with 222 snaps in his first three seasons. While it’s a small sample size, Jackson played well when Minnesota gave him an opportunity, posting a 79.2-overall grade in 79 snaps last season. While the move likely has Brian Flores’ endorsement, it helps the Vikings spend big elsewhere and gives them more value in the secondary.
Rodgers is in a similar situation. He’s older than Murphy when he signed with the Vikings but is like Jackson, posting good grades in a limited sample size. Perhaps the most encouraging stat is that Rodgers has posted a coverage grade over 70 in his first four seasons. The risk is worth the reward at two years, $11 million.
It’s not as splashy as if the Vikings went out and signed Williams and Will Fries on the opening day of free agency. Murphy could still return if the price is right, but the Vikings continue to search for value even as money becomes available. It could help Minnesota turn an under-the-radar move into a great one.
