Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Free Agent Signings
With this year’s free agency off and running, here's a look back at ten of the best free agent signings of the Minnesota Vikings. It's a modest list as the Vikings have often been bystanders rather than participants in these annual shopping sprees. These are only unrestricted and restricted free agent signings so no Brett Favre, Randall Cunningham and other street free agents like them. Hopefully, Josh Oliver, Marcus Davenport, Byron Murphy Jr., Dean Lowry, as well as any other player signed this offseason populate future attempts at the Top 10 Minnesota Vikings Free Agents. For now, here’s this one.
10. Tom Johnson, DT
Tom Johnson’s play with the Vikings was a revelation mostly because it took him so long to hit his stride in the NFL. He played in the Arena Football League, Canadian Football League, and NFL Europe before he found a spot with the New Orleans Saints in 2011 at the age of 27. He really found his place in the NFL with the Vikings in 2014. Johnson was a terrific interior pass rusher. So terrific that he's one of the best Vikings free agent signings. His impact on the pass rush reminds of that made by Lance Johnstone two decades ago. Actually, Johnstone is a player that is deserving of a spot on this list.
9. Ben Leber, LB
Ben Leber was a consistently solid linebacker for the Vikings from 2006-10. He had a great knack for making big plays in crucial moments. The linebacker trio that Leber formed with Chad Greenway and E.J. Henderson was one of the best in franchise history.
8. Ryan Longwell, K
A kicker! The only thing that keeps Ryan Longwell from being ranked higher is the position that he played. Longwell was an excellent kicker each of his six seasons in Minnesota. His six seasons are probably the only seasons since a particular day in January 1999 that I haven’t worried about field goals or extra points. He's in the argument for best kicker in Vikings franchise history.
7. Chester Taylor, RB
Chester Taylor had an outstanding first season for the Vikings in 2006. He probably would have had several more in Minnesota if not for the surprising arrival of Adrian Peterson in the 2007 NFL Draft. Taylor's playing time was cut drastically but he remained an effective complimentary back to Peterson. The two formed an excellent combo.
6. Corey Chavous, S
Corey Chavous came to Minnesota as a corner in 2002 but really found his home with a switch to safety. His 2003 season was outstanding. That was the year in which he often seemed to be the only Vikings player on the field that had any interest in playing defense. He earned the only Pro Bowl nod of his career that season. Smart football player.
5. Pat Williams, DT
Defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams formed the "Williams Wall." No one ran on the "Williams Wall." It was remarkable to watch Pat Williams move short distances. He was so big but he got through the line so fast. He was a lot of fun to watch.
4. Linval Joseph, DT
Linval Joseph was a force in the middle of the Vikings defensive line from the moment he joined the team in 2014. In his six years in Minnesota there were stretches of games in which he simply couldn't be blocked. The only knock on his play was the occasional injuries. When healthy, he was among the very best interior defensive linemen in the league.
3. Kirk Cousins, QB
Kirk Cousins has been sailing up this list. Statistically, each of Cousins’ seasons in Minnesota are among the best passing seasons in Vikings franchise history. Unless he can lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl title it’ll never be enough. If nothing else, Cousins has brought consistency to football’s most important position. The Vikings had been seeking quarterbacking consistency since Fran Tarkenton’s last snap.
2. Antoine Winfield, CB
Antoine Winfield's signing in 2004 was the Vikings first true venture into big time free agency. They merely dabbled in the “free” player market for the first ten years. They struck gold with Winfield. He played for the Vikings for nine years and was fantastic for nine years. He made it to three Pro Bowls. He should have been to more. It was a real treat to be witness to his football career. He won't get much Hall of Fame consideration but he's in my Hall of Fame. Winfield was a great, fun football player.
1. Steve Hutchinson, G
Steve Hutchinson might have been the team MVP in 2006. He quickly changed the level of play and attitude of the Vikings offensive line the moment he became a part of it. As a result he changed the entire offense. He was an outstanding football player for all of his six seasons in Minnesota. He has a much deserved bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The Minnesota Vikings have rarely gotten too involved in free agency. The Hutchinson, Winfield, and Cousins signings were the biggest but such signings have been rare in Minnesota. A low free agency profile is the norm. That's why 2006 was such a surprise. In Brad Childress' first season as head coach the Vikings really dove into free agency. Four players on this list were signed that year. Steve Hutchinson, Chester Taylor, Ryan Longwell, and Ben Leber. That offseason was a bonanza and Vikings fans were delirious. All four helped form the foundation of a team that improved each season. A team that ended up being a play away from the Super Bowl in 2009.
10. Tom Johnson, DT
Tom Johnson’s play with the Vikings was a revelation mostly because it took him so long to hit his stride in the NFL. He played in the Arena Football League, Canadian Football League, and NFL Europe before he found a spot with the New Orleans Saints in 2011 at the age of 27. He really found his place in the NFL with the Vikings in 2014. Johnson was a terrific interior pass rusher. So terrific that he's one of the best Vikings free agent signings. His impact on the pass rush reminds of that made by Lance Johnstone two decades ago. Actually, Johnstone is a player that is deserving of a spot on this list.
9. Ben Leber, LB
Ben Leber was a consistently solid linebacker for the Vikings from 2006-10. He had a great knack for making big plays in crucial moments. The linebacker trio that Leber formed with Chad Greenway and E.J. Henderson was one of the best in franchise history.
8. Ryan Longwell, K
A kicker! The only thing that keeps Ryan Longwell from being ranked higher is the position that he played. Longwell was an excellent kicker each of his six seasons in Minnesota. His six seasons are probably the only seasons since a particular day in January 1999 that I haven’t worried about field goals or extra points. He's in the argument for best kicker in Vikings franchise history.
7. Chester Taylor, RB
Chester Taylor had an outstanding first season for the Vikings in 2006. He probably would have had several more in Minnesota if not for the surprising arrival of Adrian Peterson in the 2007 NFL Draft. Taylor's playing time was cut drastically but he remained an effective complimentary back to Peterson. The two formed an excellent combo.
6. Corey Chavous, S
Corey Chavous came to Minnesota as a corner in 2002 but really found his home with a switch to safety. His 2003 season was outstanding. That was the year in which he often seemed to be the only Vikings player on the field that had any interest in playing defense. He earned the only Pro Bowl nod of his career that season. Smart football player.
5. Pat Williams, DT
Defensive tackles Pat and Kevin Williams formed the "Williams Wall." No one ran on the "Williams Wall." It was remarkable to watch Pat Williams move short distances. He was so big but he got through the line so fast. He was a lot of fun to watch.
4. Linval Joseph, DT
Linval Joseph was a force in the middle of the Vikings defensive line from the moment he joined the team in 2014. In his six years in Minnesota there were stretches of games in which he simply couldn't be blocked. The only knock on his play was the occasional injuries. When healthy, he was among the very best interior defensive linemen in the league.
3. Kirk Cousins, QB
Kirk Cousins has been sailing up this list. Statistically, each of Cousins’ seasons in Minnesota are among the best passing seasons in Vikings franchise history. Unless he can lead the Vikings to a Super Bowl title it’ll never be enough. If nothing else, Cousins has brought consistency to football’s most important position. The Vikings had been seeking quarterbacking consistency since Fran Tarkenton’s last snap.
2. Antoine Winfield, CB
Antoine Winfield's signing in 2004 was the Vikings first true venture into big time free agency. They merely dabbled in the “free” player market for the first ten years. They struck gold with Winfield. He played for the Vikings for nine years and was fantastic for nine years. He made it to three Pro Bowls. He should have been to more. It was a real treat to be witness to his football career. He won't get much Hall of Fame consideration but he's in my Hall of Fame. Winfield was a great, fun football player.
1. Steve Hutchinson, G
Steve Hutchinson might have been the team MVP in 2006. He quickly changed the level of play and attitude of the Vikings offensive line the moment he became a part of it. As a result he changed the entire offense. He was an outstanding football player for all of his six seasons in Minnesota. He has a much deserved bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
***
The Minnesota Vikings have rarely gotten too involved in free agency. The Hutchinson, Winfield, and Cousins signings were the biggest but such signings have been rare in Minnesota. A low free agency profile is the norm. That's why 2006 was such a surprise. In Brad Childress' first season as head coach the Vikings really dove into free agency. Four players on this list were signed that year. Steve Hutchinson, Chester Taylor, Ryan Longwell, and Ben Leber. That offseason was a bonanza and Vikings fans were delirious. All four helped form the foundation of a team that improved each season. A team that ended up being a play away from the Super Bowl in 2009.
