Minnesota Vikings 2015 Free Agency: Day One Recap

While other teams were spending a ton of money and shifting around draft picks to acquire new talent on the March 10, 2015 opening of the new season, the Minnesota Vikings were instead looking at keeping their pieces from last year’s team in tact. Prior to day one of free agency, the team was able to retain longsnapper Cullen Loeffler on a one year deal and bring back defensive tackle Tom Johnson for 3 years on a $7 million deal. They also agreed to trade QB Matt Cassel and a 6th round draft pick to the Buffalo Bills for a 5th round draft pick and a 2016 7th round selection.

Here are the Minnesota Vikings transactions that happened on day one of free agency:

Running back Matt Asiata was signed to a one year deal. While the two parties agreed to terms on the day before free agency opened, it became official today. The deal was worth less than one million but is full of incentives. Here is Chris Tomasson’s tweet about the deal:

Terms not immediately available on Asiata's contract. But it has a lot of incentives and is for less than $1 million.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 10, 2015

Guard/center Joe Berger agreed to a two year deal with the Minnesota Vikings. Despite a small holdout for a little more money by Berger, this deal keeps a veteran offensive lineman that played all 16 games and started 9 with the team. Here’s the tweet from USA Today’s Tom Pelissero about it:

#Vikings gave key backup OL Joe Berger a 2-year, $2.155M deal with $130K guaranteed. Another $800K in incentives available. Nice little deal
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2015

Quarterback Shaun Hill agrees to sign with the Minnesota Vikings on a two year deal. The Vikings were looking for a solid backup for Teddy Bridgewater and they got on in the wily veteran. Here is Tomasson’s tweet about the deal:

Vikings reach terms with Shaun Hill to be Teddy Bridgewater's backup. http://t.co/dZwdiU7GYW
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 10, 2015

FB Jerome Felton agrees to sign with the Buffalo Bills. He will join Matt Cassel in Buffalo as their lead blocker for the newly acquired LeSean McCoy. Here is NFL.com’s Ian Rappaport’s tweet confirming the move.

The #Bills are signing FB Jerome Felton
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2015

The Minnesota Vikings placed a $1.52 million tender on free agent OT Mike Harris. Will work out a deal now that he’s been tendered. That is NOT the amount that he will make this year, but will hold him with the team until a deal is made. Here is the tweet from Chris Tomasson confirming the move:

Vikings restricted FA OT Mike Harris has received a tender for $1.52 mil. Sides now to try to work out deal for what would obviously be less
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 10, 2015

Typically, the Minnesota Vikings don’t make a big splash on the first day of free agency. GM Rick Spielman likes to let the market settle so that the team doesn’t end up overpaying in a bidding war with other teams. Expect the team to be more active in next days when things are less insane on the free agent and trade front.

Next: Top 10 Biggest Vikings Salaries For 2015

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