[2024] Minnesota Vikings come to terms with first FA league-wide

[Bundy]

The last time the Minnesota Vikings signed a QB in the early stages of free agency, they wrangled in now-Franchise QB Christian Sinnock in the 2021 Dispersal Free Agency. Sinnock has of course had ups and downs, but has grown into one of the rising passers of tomorrow, with room still for development.

The Vikings have signed several QBs in "free agency" since - including 2021 CFB dominant passer Austin Bishop in 2022 UDFA, the quarterback of Vikings 1st ever draft selectee Alex Williams III while at Wisconsin (and first ever UDFA to start a game at QB), as well as short-term offseason camp arms like John Saffold (UDFA, Texas) and Randy Madson (UDFA 2023, Northwestern). 

Now, Bishop's roster status is unclear, as the Vikings have come to terms with another signal caller. Last year, they drafted Penn State's uber-accurate Derrick Marshall in the 7th round, and the two beat out Vegas Raiders castoff Jeffrey Gingerich for the backup jobs. Marshall often dressed as the #2 QB, with Bishop relegated to a practice squad role, though the two were on the roster during the 2023 season's final weeks, and both acted as the team's QB2 interchangeably during practices. 

This year, the Vikings splashed early in free agency, and while they haven't put pen to paper just yet, it's quarterback Brandon Smith who is coming to Minnesota. Smith will once again wear purple during his football career, having been the Kansas State quarterback during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, where he put up the 15th most yards as a junior (4,566, with 34 TDs to 14 INTs on 55.4% passing) and 41st most as a senior (3,457, with 23 TDs to 11 INTs on 61.9% passing). Smith worked out well during the predraft process during 2023, and ended up as a 4th round selection by the New York Jets during last years' draft, the 4th QB off the board.

"Our roster really breeds competition at this point," quipped Vikings CEO @Bundy. "We've built the core, now the challenge begins. We really like the steps Brandon took from his junior to senior seasons"

Of course, there's a reason Smith wasn't on a roster despite being drafted less than a year ago. Smith saw some playing time as a rookie, completing just 40 of his 93 passes for 528 yards, 1 TD, and 6 INT, taking 6 sacks in the process. The Jets were also "a mess" per one AFC scout, especially prior to new leadership midseason, and the Jets have also moved up in the upcoming 2024 Draft, presumably to select a quarterback more to their liking. 

The Vikings and Smith will reportedly officialize a 3 year deal worth upwards of $2M, with the 23 year old likely to slot in as the projected backup to Sinnock. No other free agents have yet come to terms with prospective teams this year, making Smith the first free agent to announce his 2024 plans.