Minnesota Vikings Swap Out Defender for More Minicamp Depth on Offense

It’s day one of Minnesota Vikings mandatory minicamp, which started off with a couple of moves this morning that sent some waves through the local internet world. The announcement everyone is talking about is a contract extension for tight end Josh Oliver.

Minnesota Vikings sign another tight end, release Matt Harmon

That’s because it came just days after an earlier report dropped that the 28-year-old Oliver was not interested in signing a new deal anytime soon. In other news, though, the Vikings also swapped out one of their 2025 undrafted free agent signings, OLB Matt Harmon, for 2020 UDFA, TE Giovanni Ricci.

The #Vikings have signed TE Giovanni Ricci (@G_Ricci10) and released OLB Matt Harmon. pic.twitter.com/1SVOw0idVS

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 10, 2025

The 28-year-old Ricci played three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, but he hasn’t recorded an NFL appearance since 2023. The former Western Michigan standout takes the place of an outside linebacker in Matt Harmon, an undrafted rookie the Minnesota Vikings signed prior to rookie training camp.

Who is new Viking, Giovanni Ricci?

Giovanni Ricci was forced to sit out the entire 2024 season — following three seasons in Carolina where he caught 9 passes on 12 targets for 102 yards and 0 touchdowns (36 starts) — thanks to a knee injury he suffered at Cleveland Browns training camp last August.

In case anyone was wondering, Giovanni Ricci has been pleasantly surprising in camp so far for the #Browns.

He’s definitely answered some of the TE3 questions that the team had entering training camp.
pic.twitter.com/VzownGX0uV

— Matt Wilson (@CoachWilson66) August 9, 2024

Most of Ricci’s playing time with the Panthers came on special teams, where he totalled 644 snaps (PFF) over three seasons. After being released by the Browns last summer, no other team was willing to give him a shot during the regular season.

Finally, just a week before the Super Bowl (on February 3, 2025), Ricci signed a futures contract with the New England Patriots. Two and a half months later (April 29), they released him. Now, he’ll get his latest shot in the league this week at minicamp. It’s his first opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings Running Back Lands Tryout in New Orleans

In all likelihood, the main reason for this signing is the ongoing recovery of newly drafted Gavin Bartholomew (Pitt), who’s been out with an undisclosed injury.