[2024] Vikings, 2x Pro Bowler reach terms

[Bundy]

In a deal to be finalized in the coming weeks, the Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms and filed paperwork with the simNFLPA regarding 2x Pro Bowl TE Michael Vega, who has spent his career with the Arizona Cardinals. 

Over the past two seasons, the Vikings have struggled to implement TEs into their offense, starting John Hendrickson for a few games of 2022 before trading him to Tennessee and turning the role over to UDFA D.J. Neverauskas; last year the team signed street FA vet Carl White who earned the bulk of the TE1 reps (going 25/332/1), though at times Cleveland castoff Marquis Rudolph (37/312/0) fought for some. 2023 4th Round pick Connor Pence (7/79/0) was largely inactive until the very end of the season. 

The Vikings aren't expecting Vega to be the single upgrade to make their offense click, but after seeing what he's done in Arizona, there will certainly be some lofty expectations. Last year, he caught 89 passes for 1273 yards and 11 TDs, and was tied for top Pro Bowl vote getter in the NFC at the position. 

"He's getting up there in age, but he's still performing at a top level" said a Vikings source. "He could be the key to pushing for the playoffs, the Division."

The Vikings managed to scrape a 1,003 yard season out of Alex Williams III, the teams' top choice in the 2022 Draft, but it's clear Williams and QB Christian Sinnock needed some sort of help to take some of the extra coverage off. Vega should bring a new wrinkle to the Vikings offense. 

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Vega's agreement isn't the Vikings only one due in the coming weeks, as two other players announced via social media that they will be joining him and already signed QB Brandon Smith as Vikings additions.

WR Joseph Jones, who played with the Jets, put together 71 receptions for 901 yards and 3 TDs last year. Jones isn't expected to be a major contributor to the team, but has shown he can at least put up counting stats in a pass heavy offense, and the 27 year old is looking to sign a "prove it" deal with the Vikings in order to show he's more than just a garbage time monster. There's potential for him to compete for another solid role this year with the Vikings having traded vet WR Dwaine Pitchford to Carolina, though the Vikings appear more interested in developing 3rd year WR Adrian Daniels, who they received in the Paul Gurule trade. (Daniels finished the year with 530 yards and 2 TDs). 

Rigoberto Pascual was a Steelers lineman last year, earning some favoritism from fans because, while his 15 tackles were pedestrian, he managed 4.0 sacks, two interceptions, and a TD in black and yellow. Pascual will come to Minnesota as a rotational defensive tackle, likely competing for reps with 2023 6th round selection Brent Lopez behind entrenched vet Neil Henry and 2023 1st rounder Marcus Sirles.