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Tyler Forness

Stay or Go: Predicting the fates of Vikings free agents in 2024

The Minnesota Vikings have a lot of needs heading into the 2024 season and one of the ways they can address those is by re-signing their own free agents.

Heading into the offseason, the Vikings have 28 players set to hit the free-agent market and there are a lot of decisions that need to be made for the present and the future.

What should they do? Would it be worth it to bring back each individual player? There is an argument for or against all of them and we will break it all down.

QB Kirk Cousins

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

We’ve broken this one down in nearly every way possible. There are merits for and against bringing back Cousins but in the end, I don’t see him returning.

Prediction: GO

OLB Danielle Hunter

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Hunter has said he wants to come back and the Vikings desperately need to sign multiple edge rushers. It would be a massive mistake to let Hunter leave.

Prediction: STAY

OLB Marcus Davenport

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

The idea of Davenport could have been a game changer. Unfortunately, he missed nearly the entirety of the season with his two ankle injuries. With nearly $7 million in dead cap, signing him to a cheap deal could lessen his cap hit for 2024 and that could be a smart play. However, the vibe is that both sides will part ways.

Prediction: GO

ILB Jordan Hicks

Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Hicks played fantastic football last season and was an important leader on the defense. However, he is well into his 30’s now and his athleticism is waning. At the right price, Hicks is someone the Vikings should bring back.

Prediction: STAY

LG Dalton Risner

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Risner has a relationship with offensive line coach Chris Kuper and played well when he was promoted to starter after the Vikings traded Ezra Cleveland. Will the Vikings be willing to give Risner around $8 million to stay? That’s the big question but I think it’s likely.

Prediction: STAY

OT Oli Udoh

Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini

Udoh was on a unique contract that paid him $2.55 million but only counted as the veteran minimum toward the salary cap. Coming off of a torn quadriceps injury, the Vikings are likely to bring him back to be the swing tackle like they did with Rashod Hill for years.

Prediction: STAY

QB Josh Dobbs

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Dobbs mania was a fun time that will forever live in our memories. However, it didn’t last and Dobbs was benched. With both Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall on the roster, Dobbs isn’t likely to re-sign unless there was the potential to  start next season. Which, if the Vikings don’t re-sign Cousins, there could be.

Prediction: STAY

K Greg Joseph

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Joseph is a below-average kicker and the Vikings don’t seem to have a problem with that. Unless they decide to change course, expect Joseph back.

Prediction: STAY

RB Cam Akers

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Akers was finally getting settled in before he suffered another torn Achilles tendon. With him coming off of that injury, he likely won’t have a market in free agency which could allow the Vikings to bring him back on a vet minimum deal.

Prediction: STAY

DE Jonathan Bullard

Alex Slitz/Getty Images

Bullard has played the last two seasons for the Vikings on the vet minimum and has been a serviceable player. That is likely to continue, as he is a solid player to have around for the price.

Prediction: STAY

G Chris Reed

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Reed wanted a chance to start in Minnesota but that never happened mainly due to injury. Expect him to leave to try and find that opportunity.

Prediction: GO

WR Brandon Powell

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Powell played well in his opportunities but isn’t likely to be a consistent WR3 with any form of consistency. He might have a market with his return and YAC ability but the Vikings will try to bring him back to continue providing depth.

Prediction: STAY

TE Johnny Mundt

Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings will likely need another tight end with T.J. Hockenson’s injury and Mundt is comfortable in the system. It will likely be for the vet minimum, but he should be back next season.

Prediction: STAY

ILB Nick Vigil

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Vigil was brought in to provide depth with the injuries suffered at the position. He’s a good hand, especially on special teams, but likely won’t be back.

Prediction: GO

ILB Anthony Barr

Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Barr has been a nice feel good story returning to the team that drafted him and played relatively well all things considered. However, he likely isn’t in any long-term plans and there are concerns about his health moving forward.

Prediction: GO

C Austin Schlottmann

Christopher Mast/Getty Images

Schlottmann is a quality backup level center and will likely be in the Vikings plans as just that at the vet minimum.

Prediction: STAY

RT David Quessenberry

Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

Quessenberry only signed with the Vikings due to injuries on the line but he played relatively well when called upon. While the Vikings could end up bringing him back, having Udoh and a rookie as the fourth tackle makes the most sense.

Prediction: GO

NT Sheldon Day

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Day is a good rotational player and will likely be given a chance to win a job in training camp.

Prediction: STAY

OLB D.J. Wonnum

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

This is going to be an interesting one. Wonnum took a massive step forward in his development but he tore his quadriceps tendon making his path forward that much more murky. With what he will likely command after his breakout year, that likey causes Wonnum to leave.

Prediction: GO

OT Hakeem Adeniji

USA Today Sports

Solid backup and could have a chance to earn a roster spot but likely will end up somewhere else.

Prediction: GO

DE James Lynch

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After a torn ACL ended his season in August, Lynch enters free agency with a lot of uncertainty. Lynch likely ends up with a prove-it deal and I don’t see that being with the Vikings.

Prediction: GO

ILB Troy Dye

AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn

Good special teams player and the Vikings have a lack of depth at ILB. He will likely be brought back due to his versatility.

Prediction: STAY

WR K.J. Osborn

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Osborn is a great success story but doesn’t offer enough to warrant a larger contract. He will get one from someone else and that’s good for him, but it doesn’t make business sense for the Vikings.

Prediction: GO

RG Blake Brandel-RFA

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Brandel has both versatility and has shown substantial growth over the last few years. He likely gets a solid tender and is brought back.

Prediction: STAY

NT Khyiris Tonga-RFA

Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Tonga is in a similar position to Brandel. He has flashed real potential but didn’t play a lot last year. At the price he will come back at, Tonga will return.

Prediction: STAY

TE Nick Muse-ERFA

USA Today Sports

Muse showed some growth in his second season and with T.J. Hockenson likely to miss half or more of the 2024 season, Muse is almost guaranteed to return.

Prediction: STAY

S Theo Jackson-ERFA

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Jackson earned the fourth safety spot on the Vikings and earned serious playing time. He will almost certainly be returning.

Prediction: STAY

NT T.J. Smith

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Smith is in a similar spot to Day but I doubt the Vikings bring them both back to compete for a roster spot.

Prediction: GO

The Real Forno Show

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