Multiple Former Vikings Find New Homes, Including Another QB

As of 11 a.m. central time, the NFL’s legal tampering period began, allowing teams to negotiate with free agents on the open market. The Minnesota Vikings are making moves, and so are their former players. Lots of names are being paid as the offseason heats up, including some fan favorites.

Heading into the offseason, the biggest discussion surrounding the Vikings was whether they should bring back Sam Darnold. All that was put to rest on Monday when Darnold signed a three-year, $110.5 million deal with the Seahawks. After trading Geno Smith to the Raiders, Seattle found their new QB.

Vikings safety Camryn Bynum also signed a new deal. The Colts nabbed him for four years at $60 million to beef up their secondary. Bynum was drafted by the Vikings in the fourth round in 2021, and by 2022 he was a full-time starting safety. He tied for second on the team with three interceptions last season.

Minnesota Vikings backup QB signs with Jaguars

With the potential re-signing of Daniel Jones on the table, Nick Mullens has taken a deal with Jacksonville. The almost 30-year-old QB signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract with $3 million guaranteed. He will now back up Trevor Lawrence under new offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, who Mullens followed from Minnesota.

Jacksonville is another step in a long journey for Nick Mullens’ career. After going undrafted in 2017, he signed with the 49ers’ practice squad and spent his whole rookie season there. He became the third-string QB in 2018, getting his chance to start for the back half of the season after injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo and C.J. Beathard. He also started eight games for the Niners in 2020, going 2-6 with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

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Mullens then spent a year in Cleveland before signing with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. In three seasons, he appeared in 13 games with an 0-3 record as a starter, throwing eight touchdowns and nine picks. He’s spent his entire career as a backup and will be first in line behind Lawrence.

Jaguars nab another Viking

Former Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt also got himself paid on Monday. He signed a two-year, $5.5 million deal with the Jaguars, following Mullens and Udinski to the AFC. The Jaguars released starting TE Evan Engram a couple days ago, opening up an opportunity for Mundt to get increased playing time.

Like Mullens, Johnny Mundt went undrafted in 2017 and signed with the Rams, jumping between the active roster and practice squad. He spent five years in LA before coming to Minnesota in 2022, where he was the starter before T.J. Hockenson was traded from Detroit. He caught 19 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown.

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In the ensuing two years, Mundt started just three games but appeared in all of them. He totaled 36 catches for 314 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 8.7 yards per reception. His numbers weren’t eye-popping, but he is known for his blocking prowess going back to his days as a Ram. Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell even called him the best TE3 in the league.

Vikings LB cashes in on career season

Vikings linebacker and defensive end Patrick Jones II is also cashing in after the best year of his young career. He agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $20 million with the Panthers after racking up a career-high seven sacks and one forced fumble. Jones has spent all four years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, but has only started in five games.

A third-round pick in 2021, Patrick Jones II is likely looking for a spot where he can start consistently. With both Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard coming back for Minnesota, there was little room for Jones to become a starter. He will now be a part of a rejuvenated Panthers defense that signed Tre’von Moehrig and re-signed Jaycee Horn.