The limited advice I offered our readers last week was to buckle up for free agency’s wild ride.
Hopefully everyone strapped in for all the twists and turns presented during the first wave.
It is beyond a hunch that you all are the folks in the roller-coaster seat who see no one in line and start negotiating for another trip with the ride operator.
Even after such a monumental week, there’s more happening.
Important work is still being accomplished by teams on the free agency front, but for those who haven’t been combing through the Vikings Free Agency Tracker, here’s a simple list of official moves the Vikings personnel department has executed since last week’s Mailbag, which included the news of deals to return Theo Jackson and Aaron Jones, Sr.
Returned: P Ryan Wright, CB Byron Murphy, Jr., Harrison Smith
Added: S Bubba Bolden, DL Jonathan Allen, C Ryan Kelly, G Will Fries, DL Javon Hargrave, CB Isaiah Rodgers, DB Tavierre Thomas, T Justin Skule, LB Eric Wilson (which also counts as bringing him back since he played for Minnesota from 2017-20)
Traded: G Ed Iagram to Houston for a 2026 sixth-round pick
You may notice a move that has been reported, say this past Saturday night, but is not included. That’s because I can’t add any moves until they become official with the NFL office.
Also last week, we were proud to help announce retired equipment manager Dennis Ryan will be receiving an Award of Excellence at the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer. D-Ryan set a tremendous example of selfless service during his 47 seasons with the club.
The NFL also announced Minnesota was awarded the first compensatory pick (97th overall) in the upcoming NFL Draft. The Vikings received the selection to offset the departure of Kirk Cousins during 2024 free agency.
The opening of every free agency means players depart for a variety of reasons — often for financial or playing time opportunities.
Among the confirmed departures this year were quarterbacks Sam Darnold (Seahawks), Nick Mullens (Jaguars) and Daniel Jones (Colts).
For the second time in as many offseasons the Vikings have allocated dollars that would have gone to retaining the previous year’s starter toward other parts of the roster.
Lastly, before we get to the questions, I’d like to offer condolences to the family and longtime friends of Paul Flatley, who won 1963 Rookie of the Year honors during his first season as a Viking. Flatley passed away Saturday at age 84.
Lindsey Young worked on this tribute to Flatley, who had participated in a really cool video conference with Justin Jefferson in 2020 when Jefferson won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Flatley also had returned to Minnesota to visit Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in recent years, and it was an absolute treat to share appreciation to him for what he had a role in the NFL becoming.
Flatley recorded the first 200-yard game for a Vikings receiver on Oct. 24, 1965, and Fran Tarkenton aired it out for a career-high 407 yards as Minnesota overcame three 21-point deficits to upend the 49ers by a 42-41 margin. I wish we had full footage of that comeback effort.
