That is especially true in the NFL, where there really is no offseason. Yeah, baseball was once America’s pastime; and sure, the NBA may have figured out the TV revenue thing first… but one reason why the NFL has risen to power over the last two decades is its ability to stay the sports news cycle year-round, whether games are being played or not.

Minnesota Vikings re-sign Jalen Redmond

On Wednesday, head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah met with reporters for their 2024 exit interviews. Beforehand, the Vikings’ front office had already inked and announced its first notable move of the 2025 offseason, the re-signing of interior defensive lineman Jalen Redmond.

The #Vikings have re-signed DL Jalen Redmond. pic.twitter.com/CJNT0c8o3W

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 16, 2025

Redmond, who is closing in on his 26th birthday, is two offseasons removed from signing with the Carolina Panthers as a 2023 undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma. After he failed to find the field or an NFL home during his rookie season, Jalen found what he was looking for with the Minnesota Vikings.

After signing on late, Jalen Redmond ended up playing in 13 regular season games for the Vikings, totalling 18 tackles, 6 TFL, 1 QB Hit, 1 Sack and 1 Pass Defended. If you include the 28 snaps he played during last weekend’s Wild Card game vs the Rams, Jalen Redmond played 236 defensive snaps in purple last season.

That’s good for 5th most of any interior defensive lineman on the Vikings roster. Redmond’s PFF grade of 75.6 is far and away the best of any Minnesota defensive tackle with more than 100 defensive snaps.

Vikings intentionally jump the gun on “exclusive rights free agent”

The sample size is smaller than the other four interior defensive linemen who received more playing time than he did, and not everyone trusts Pro Football Focus… but clearly, the Minnesota Vikings saw exactly what PFF did during the 2024 season, which is why they jumped at an opportunity to re-sign him.

Related: Vikings DC Brian Flores in for Busy Weekend of Job Interviews

The Vikings had all the leverage, though. Redmond was set to be an “exclusive rights free agent” at the beginning of the new league year, in March. Instead, he and the Vikings came to terms on a fresh new deal. We do not yet know the details of Jalen Redmond’s new contract. When those details become available, they will be here.

The Minnesota Vikings have also been without Ivan Pace Jr. for a matter of weeks, and while Blake Cashman has proven to be an amazing addition to the team this season, the linebacker unit truly excels when both players are on the field together. Pace Jr.’s absence was notably felt in their earlier encounter with the Green Bay Packers this year, making his potential return for this game highly anticipated.

Related: Former Vikings Fan Favorite QB is Unretiring to Sign with… the Lions

Minnesota Vikings looking healthier on defense

The Vikings activated Ivan Pace Jr.’s practice window earlier this week, paving the way for his return to the active roster and his spot in the starting lineup. On Thursday, Pace Jr. participated in his second consecutive full practice session, alongside several notable teammates.

Thursday's #Vikings injury report.@harrismith22 was a full participant in today's practice. pic.twitter.com/RZh76zLBio

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 26, 2024

After not practicing in what was just a walkthrough on Wednesday, Harrison Smith was back in action. The veteran safety didn’t miss a game last season but played in just 14 the year before. He has 79 tackles this season and could flirt with besting 2023’s 93 total tackles with two big games coming up in the final weeks.

Harrison Smith knows how to lay a clean hit pic.twitter.com/EjnYiut3WE

— Craig Williams (@GA_SKOL) November 4, 2024

Pace Jr. has started nine games for Minnesota in 2024. He has three sacks, already beating last year’s 2.5. His 59 total tackles won’t touch the 102 he had as a rookie, but the six tackles for loss have been significant.

Ridiculous play by Ivan Pace Jr, as he outruns the TE to his block, and then runs right through the split-blocking TE to make the run stop.

Tillery also beat the LT to his spot and got into the backfield, forcing the cutback into pace. pic.twitter.com/LH7rNziRA7

— Matt Fries (@FriesFootball) October 7, 2024

Related: Minnesota Vikings Sign Veteran D-lineman to Practice Squad, Cut Cornerback

Although the Vikings did sign veteran defensive lineman Jonathan Harris to their practice squad, rookie Jalen Redmond should be back. He has played in 11 games this season and owns 15 tackles with a single sack. Redmond missed the tilt against Seattle due to a concussion.

Minnesota’s only non-participant was cornerback Fabian Moreau. He started in place of Stephon Gilmore but missed the game last week against Seattle as well.

Minnesota must win on Sunday in order to keep their hopes of grabbing the top seed in the NFC alive. A gigantic matchup against Detroit then looms for Week 18.

It was the first game Smith has missed since week 18 of the 2022 season vs the Chicago Bears, a start streak that had reached 31 games in a row, prior to his absence on Sunday. In week 17 vs the Green Bay Packers, though, it sounds like Harry the Hitman will start a new streak.

Early Week 17 Minnesota Vikings injury updates: Good news on Harrison Smith and Ivan Pace Jr

On Monday, head coach Kevin O’Connell met with reporters and said he expects his future Ring of Honor safety to return vs the Vikings’ hated rival, in what will be one of the most anticipated iterations of the historic rivalry in recent seasons.

“Harrison Smith, as I kinda said yesterday, truly was a game-time [decision]. So to get the victory, and also make sure we gave him a day, he should be able to progress through the week and be available for us [vs the Packers].”

Kevin O’Connell on Harrison Smith injury status

But Harrison Smith wasn’t the only optimistic injury update we got from Minnesota’s head coach yesterday. Ivan Pace Jr had his practice window opened, which means he now has 21 days to get back on the active roster.

In Pace’s case, it sounds like it could be much sooner than that, possibly even this week vs the Packers. When pressed on the linebacker’s status for Sunday, O’Connell pushed back a little bit, but did confirm that the plan is to “get him some work, and then have him available” vs for a huge week 17 game this weekend.

KOC: “We will open Ivan Pace Jr’s window, to begin practicing. [I am] very excited about that.”

Reporter: “Just to clarify, you made it sound like Ivan definitely is going to come back this week…?”

KOC: “Well, we’re going to open his window and we’ll see how he progresses. Coming off of a hamstring [injury] you never quite know, so I don’t want to be absolute. But the plan is to open his window, get him some work and hopefully have him available [on Sunday].”

Kevin O’Connell press conference back-and-forth from Monday

Related: What We Learned About the Vikings in Latest Nerve-Racking Win vs Seahawks

The reporter who asked that Ivan Pace Jr follow-up question to the Minnesota Vikings head coach was the Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer. That is notable, because of something Krammer said late last week, as a guest on Matthew Coller‘s “Purple Insider” podcast.

Ivan Pace Jr has been ready to return…?

There, the Vikings insider and beat writer recalled a recent comment from Kevin O’Connell where, “reading between the lines”, the head coach pretty much admitted that the Vikings mistakenly placed Pace Jr on injured reserve.

That the sophomore linebacker’s hamstring injury was not as serious as they originally determined, and he’s been healthy enough to return, but just hadn’t yet reached the four weeks on IR necessary to make him eligible.

“O’Connell mentioned something this week, where he said, you know, maybe his return would have been sooner than we expected, meaning that I think they probably, reading between the lines, it seems like he could have been out here this week, but he’s on IR, so they can’t bring him back yet.”

Andrew Krammer – Purple Insider Podcast

Fabian Moreau, Jalen Redmond much more questionable

Back to KOC’s press conference from Monday, where he also gave updates on Jalen Redmond and backup CB Fabian Moreau, who have more questions surrounding their status for week 17 than Ivan Pace Jr and Harrison Smith.

Related: Week 16 PFF Grades: Minnesota Vikings’ Top Performers and Key Takeaways

Redmond is still in concussion protocol, but he is doing better than last week. Independent doctors will work with Vikings doctors to monitor the 25-year-old‘s progress the rest of this week, to see if he is able to clear protocol. As for Moreau, he is still nursing his way back from a hip injury suffered in week 15 vs Chicago.

The 30-year-old also sounds like more of a longshot to be active vs the Packers. Even with Gilmore healthy, Moreau proved himself as very serviceable and would allow defensive coordinator Brian Flores a much deeper group of cornerbacks, for this final two-game stretch run.

They earned their week 15 victory without top cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and went a quarter or two without right tackle Brian O’Neill, who hurt his knee in the 2nd quarter. Punter Ryan Wright had to go through concussion protocol too, after being lit up during his final punt of the afternoon.

Thankfully, O’Neill gave an optimistic update on his injured right knee, immediately after the game. In more good news, Ryan Wright cleared his concussion tests and seems to be okay, going forward.

Kevin O’Connell gives Minnesota Vikings injury updates on Tuesday

On Tuesday afternoon, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell met with media and gave injury updates on all of the players listed above, plus a few other updates, including one on Jalen Redmond and Pat Jones.

Related: No 12th Man? Vikings Open as Road Favorites vs Seahawks

O’Connell confirmed that, while right tackle Brian O’Neill is sore today, he is expected to play on Sunday vs the Seattle Seahawks. On top of that, KOC marked Stephon Gilmore as likely to play Sunday, as well.

“I want to update you guys on some injuries. Obviously, we had Brian [O’Neill] with the knee [injury] return to the game [Monday night]. He’s sore, but should be able to work through the week and I am expecting to have him available. Pat Jones was available to return the game, as well.

I had a couple guys, Fabian Moreau ended up coming in [today] with some hip soreness. So, we will see how he handles the week and kind of works through it. We are expecting Steph Gilmore working back in and potentially be back available this week.

And then, Jalen Redmond did get kind of identified by the independent [doctor], and was put into the concussion protocol, but did come in feeling really good today. So, he will go through that protocol throughout the week, and we hope to have him available, but that will be strictly a medical thing, as he works through that.”

Kevin O’Connell updates media on Minnesota Vikings injuries (Tuesday afternoon)

Brian O’Neill is okay | Stephon Gilmore to return? | No mention of Sam Darnold…

The first Minnesota Vikings injury report of the week will drop on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see if the names above are the only names listed tomorrow afternoon. Remember, Sam Darnold had a wrap of some sort around his right pinky, during the 2nd half vs the Bears.

We will see if he lands on the report tomorrow. But at least for now, there has been no mention of Sam’s pinky by media or anyone in the Minnesota Vikings organization, since the game vs Chicago ended on Monday night. So even if he does hit tomorrow’s report, I do not have any concern over whether or not he will play on Sunday vs the Seahawks.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Convincing MNF Win Over Bears

Instead, we got nothing but good news from the Vikings’ head coach this afternoon. Not only is Brian O’Neill going to be ok, but so is Pat Jones. On top of that, Stephon Gilmore is expected back as the CB1 of a secondary that had rookie QB Caleb Williams scrambling for options.

Minnesota has opened as a -3.5 point favorite in Seattle. As long as nothing changes dramatically in the next 24 hours, it sounds like Vikings’ injuries will play little part in moving that line, as the week goes on.

But beyond trade talks with other teams, the Vikings had a lot going on yesterday. For example, kicker Will Reichard was moved to injured reserve, after suffering a quad injury vs the Colts. He wasn’t the only special teams player to find the IR, though. Pro Bowl long snapper Andrew DePaola got the same designation, after he too suffered an injury Sunday night.

Minnesota Vikings shuffle roster on Wednesday

In corresponding moves, the Minnesota Vikings signed familiar kicker, John Parker Romo, who lost a very short training camp battle vs Reichard this summer. Shortly after, DePaola’s replacement was announced with the signing of veteran Jake McQuaide.

So, roster moves on Wednesday weren’t surprising. But when the official news broke this afternoon, those roster transactions looked a bit different than what most expected. The only new guy at TCO Performance Center to be signed to the active roster was kicker John Parker Romo. LS Jake McQuaide was signed to the practice squad.

That left one 53-man roster spot still open. The Vikings filled it with defensive lineman, Jalen Redmond, who had been on the practice squad. To fill his spot down there, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed 26-year-old former Atlanta Falcon defensive tackle, Travis Bell.

Related: Patriots Signing Offensive Lineman Off Minnesota Vikings Practice Squad

Bell totaled 34 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and 3 QB hurries as a senior at Kennisaw State University. He has played in two regular season NFL games, both for the 2023 Atlanta Falcons. The Minnesota Vikings are the third roster Travis Bell has been on this year. He was cut by the Bengals in late August, then signed to the Bears practice squad a month later, before he was cut on October 15.

Vikings also designate Gabriel Murphy to return to practice

The last roster move announced by the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday was the designation of UDFA Gabriel Murphy to return to practice. Kwesi and Co now have 21 days to activate Murphy, or he will go on season-ending injured reserve.

The #Vikings have announced the following roster moves

– Signed DL Jalen Redmond to the 53-man roster

– Signed K John Parker Romo

– Signed LS Jake McQuaide and DL Travis Bell to the practice squad

– Designated OLB Gabriel Murphy to return to practice

📰:… pic.twitter.com/xvoA5POy4M

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 6, 2024

Aaron Jones, TJ Hockenson and Dalton Risner were all questionable entering the weekend. And while neither Hock or Risner are mandated to come off the PUP list today, both guys made it clear earlier in the week that they thought it was possible.

Minnesota Vikings rule TJ Hockenson, Dalton Risner both OUT

But it didn’t happen. On Saturday afternoon, both Risner and Hockenson were ruled OUT for Sunday’s noon contest vs the Lions. Robert Tonyan has been signed to the roster, to add tight end depth vs TJ’s old team.

Related: Friday Minnesota Vikings Injury Report: Who’s In and Who’s Out vs Lions?

Meanwhile, Jones went from ‘oh god, how long is he going to be out’ just a few days ago, to a guy who is all set to be active and in the starting lineup tomorrow. And all of this coming off of a bye week. In other moves, the Vikings waived wide receiver Trishton Jackson and elevated two players off the practice squad.

Jalen Redmond, Bo Richter called up off the practice squad vs the Detroit Lions

One of those practice squad call-ups is DL Jalen Redmond, who was waived and then signed back to the practice squad earlier this week. EDGE Bo Richter, who has been a regular practice squad elevation over the first five games, will also be active.

The #Vikings have announced the following roster moves

– Signed TE Robert Tonyan to the 53-man roster

– Waived WR Trishton Jackson

– Elevated DL Jalen Redmond and OLB Bo Richter to the active roster for tomorrow's game

– Downgraded TE T.J. Hockenson and G Dalton Risner to OUT pic.twitter.com/BfPeWTW6uz

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 19, 2024

TJ Hockenson’s new status for Sunday is not a surprise. Local and national insiders have both had him all but ruled out this entire week. Again, this all points to injury report gamesmanship, which the NFL is trying to get rid of.

Lots of things to watch after today’s roster moves

Clearly, the Minnesota Vikings knew that TJ Hockenson wasn’t going to play vs the Lions. Somebody was feeding that information to every insider who hit the pager button. Yet, he was listed all week as “limited” in practice and then hit the final Friday injury report as “Questionable”.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings EDGE Welcomes Revenge Factor NFC North Trade Rumors

What’s also worth monitoring is the situation with Dalton Risner. Earlier this week, the 29-year-old former Bronco made it very clear that he was 100% healthy and ready to go. Not only that, but he stated multiple times while interviewing with media that he’s been ready to go.

"I'm comfortable at right and left, whatever guard position it is, truly whatever position they want me to play I'm ready to go."

– #Vikings Guard Dalton Risner

📽️ @Vikings pic.twitter.com/xyyRdtALHa

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) October 15, 2024

It almost sounded like he was trying to secretly report a hostage situation. Yet, when today’s status report dropped… Risner was listed as OUT. Why?

That’s something we will have to wait to get the answer on, but if Dalton Risner isn’t injured anymore then why isn’t he being activated. There’s no doubt he has to be unhappy with today’s roster announcement. And don’t forget… the trade deadline is just a few weeks away.

They also made another minor transaction that likely won’t have a major impact on gamedays or even in Week 7 against the Lions.

Related: 6 Minnesota Vikings Trades We’d Love To See After the Bye, Including An All-Pro

Jalen Redmond re-signs to Minnesota Vikings practice squad after losing roster spot

According to the team’s official X social media account, the Minnesota Vikings have signed former XFL defensive lineman Jalen Redmond back to the practice squad.

The #Vikings have signed DL Jalen Redmond to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/A3Yw7hV6J7

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 14, 2024

Redmond was cut loose last week during the bye, which was viewed as a precursor to a bigger roster move, although we didn’t know what it was at the time. Perhaps that move will come later this week in the form of activating T.J. Hockenson to the active roster.

• Jalen Redmond stats this season: 2 games played, 1 tackle, 1 sack (23 snaps)

But for now, the Vikings still have just 52 players on the active roster instead of the maximum of 53. Meanwhile, with Redmond’s addition, the 17-man practice squad (counting International Pathway Program player Sammis Reyes) is now full again.

One potential move is signing running back Myles Gaskin to the active roster because Aaron Jones is still recovering from his hamstring injury, and Ty Chandler is the only other running back on the roster aside from the perfectly capable C.J. Ham, who’s primary job is as the starting fullback as a core member of the special teams.

For now, Redmond will re-join his teammates on the Vikings’ practice squad while waiting for his next opportunity to get back into a game.

Related: Patrick Peterson Wants to Play for the Minnesota Vikings Again

Jalen Redmond waived by Minnesota Vikings

On Friday afternoon, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made a roster move, waiving defensive lineman Jalen Redmond, who made the final 53-man roster, after battling all throughout training camp for his job. Redmond, a former UFL stud, was made inactive last week vs the New York Jets. Now, the former UDFA out of Oklahoma is off the Vikings roster.

The #Vikings have waived DL Jalen Redmond.

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 11, 2024

The Minnesota Vikings have yet to announce a corresponding roster move, to replace Jalen Redmond. For now, the official roster sits at just 52 players. I’d imagine Redmond will get an opportunity to join the Vikings practice squad, should he make it through waivers, but that’s never a guarantee.

Redmond has made it onto the field for defense, in two games this season. Jalen has played a total of 23 snaps. In that limited playing time, he’s grabbed one sack and two QB pressures, to go with a 60.1 PFF grade on defense.

Related: Kirk Herbstreit Forgot the Minnesota Vikings Play in the NFC

All of Jalen Redmond’s sack and two QB pressures came in week three vs the Houston Texans. The 25-year-old 291 pound d-lineman hasn’t been used much at all on special teams. PFF shows just one special teams snap, on the year.

#Vikings DT Jalen Redmond officially recorded the first NFL sack of his career against the Texans.@jalen_redmond was a standout with the @XFLRenegades in the #UFL – & after an impressive preseason with Minnesota, is showcasing what he's capable of at the highest level. pic.twitter.com/JHITPOzTcm

— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) September 23, 2024

But every once in a while, we will get a little taste to help feed our addiction, which happened on Monday night when news broke per multiple NFL media outlets that the Vikings are signing 25-year-old former Oklahoma Sooner, turned United Football League star, Jalen Redmond.

Minnesota Vikings sign UFL DT Jalen Redmond

In just four games with the Arlington Renegades last season, Redmond piled up 4.5 sacks (as an interior defensive lineman). That was good for 2nd on the team. Most of his defensive teammates played 10 games. He also posted a rather ridiculous 90.3 defensive grade at PFF (89.2 pass rush grade).

These clips from the Renegades’ game vs the St. Louis Battlehawks shows you just about everything you need to know about how dominant Redmond was during his short stint with Arlington this UFL season.

Newly signed #Vikings DT Jalen Redmond (#90) was a STUD this game for the UFL this season.

Redmond had 4 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 additional pressures, and assisted on 2 run stops 🔥pic.twitter.com/AAil9BIKFG

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) June 18, 2024

This is a sneaky good pickup for the Minnesota Vikings. Maybe Jalen Redmond ends up making it out of camp and, god please, contributing in 2024 and beyond. Maybe he joins Joe Kapp or Bud Grant, both of whom made their names in the CFL before landing in Minneapolis.

Related: Minnesota Vikings are Best Team in NFL… at Getting Arrested

It’s unlikely this is the only headlines the Vikings make between now and training camp. While it’s unlikely a Christian Darrisaw contract extension happens for another year and we all hope they don’t add to their league-leading arrest total since 2000, but we could see Cam Bynum get a new contract prior to camp, among some others.

Until then, we’ll all just go back to our offseason lives… I guess.