Minnesota Vikings 2024-25 roster additions and subtractions
MINNEAPOLIS — There are enough comings and goings on the Minnesota Vikings roster through free agency that the club may need to make nametags mandatory when Organized Team Activities (OTAs) begin in May.
To ease the confusion, KARE 11 is compiling a list of departures and arrivals as the Vikings remake their roster in big and small ways.
Kirk Cousins – QB: This is the big dog. Cousins leaves Minnesota after six seasons heavy on downfield passing, signing a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta. His replacement will likely lack the system knowledge and veteran judgement to justify that many pass attempts, meaning Coach Kevin O’Connell may need to build up the Vikings’ running game a bit. See below.
Danielle Hunter – DE: The four-time Pro Bowler has reportedly signed a two-year, $49 million with the Houston Texans. Hunter was a third-round selection for the Vikings in 2015 and developed into one of the best pass-rushers in franchise history. Hunter is leaving Minnesota with the sixth-most sacks in team history.
K.J. Osborn – WR: The 26-year-old wideout served as the Vikings’ third wide receiver for the last three years. Osborn produced some memorable moments for the team over the 50 games he played. Multiple reports say Osborn has agreed to a deal with the New England Patriots, a team that, like the Vikings, is headed into 2024-25 without an established quarterback.
Alexander Mattison – RB: Mattison signed a new deal to replace cap casualty Dalvin Cook before the 2023-24 season, but disappointed with his meager rushing totals and inability to hang on to the ball. The Vikings cut him before the onset of free agency.
Jordan Hicks – LB: Hicks reportedly signed with the Cleveland Browns after two seasons with the Vikings. Hicks provided veteran leadership for an otherwise young linebacking core that included rookie starter Ivan Pace Jr.
Marcus Davenport – DE: Davenport’s time with Minnesota was very short, spanning just one season — four games because of injury — but the veteran edge rusher is joining division rival Detroit. According to reports, Davenport and the Lions agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million deal.
D.J. Wonnum – DE: The 26-year-old reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers after four seasons in Minnesota. Wonnum, a fourth-round pick in 2020, played in 62 games — starting in half of them — compiling 171 tackles and 23 sacks. Eight of those sacks came last season.
Dean Lowry – DT: Released March 12 after just one season in Minnesota. Lowry joined the Vikings last offseason after seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. Lowry’s impact with the Vikings was minimal, appearing in just nine games and compiling 14 total tackles.
Greg Joseph – K: Greg Joseph had plenty of highs during his time in Minnesota, including a 61-yard game-winning field goal on Christmas Eve in 2022, and a 47-yard clincher on Dec. 17, 2022 to complete the biggest comeback in NFL history. However, the 29-year-old struggled to consistently deliver, missing on 20% of his field goal attempts last season. He has reportedly signed with NFC North rival Green Bay.
Joshua Dobbs – QB: Dobbs signed with the 49ers after taking the league by storm in his short time in Minnesota. Dobbs’ stock was out of this world after he led the Vikings to a comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons just five days after joining the team. Nicknamed the “passtronaut” because of his aerospace engineering degree, Dobbs made five starts with the Vikings before being benched in favor of Nick Mullens.
Troy Dye – LB: Dye is switching it up for the first time in his NFL career after he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. The linebacker spent four years with the Purple and Gold, mostly filling in on special teams. He made eight starts on defense during that time.
Arrivals
Sam Darnold – QB (reported): Darnold is coming in as a so-called “Bridge Quarterback” after agreeing to a one-year deal. The Vikings have not confirmed it, but NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says Darnold inked a contract that includes a $6.25 million signing bonus and $2.5 million in base salary. While the Vikings will mark his fourth team in a young career, team brass likes that he is coming from San Francisco and an offensive system similar to theirs, and has a previous relationship with new quarterbacks coach Josh McGown.
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