Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker released by the Jacksonville Jaguars

After signing on with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason, former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Audie Cole has been released and is currently without a team for 2017.

It was a different kind of offseason for the Minnesota Vikings in 2017. A total of 12 players from their 2016 roster were not re-signed by the Vikings and went on to join a different NFL team for the upcoming season.

One of those 12 players to depart Minnesota this offseason was linebacker Audie Cole. Drafted by the Vikings in 2012, Cole signed a deal during free agency last March to join the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Unfortunately for the linebacker, his time with the Jaguars did not last very long as the team announced on Saturday that they had decided to release Cole. He is currently without a job for the 2017 NFL season.

Cole spent five years in Minnesota, mainly as a backup linebacker and a contributor on special teams. During his time with the Vikings, the linebacker racked up a total of 78 tackles, one sack, and two fumble recoveries.

The best game of his career so far came back in 2013 when he started at middle linebacker in place of Erin Henderson during Minnesota’s Week 12 matchup with the rival Green Bay Packers. The game ended in a tie, but Cole finished his day with 13 total tackles and a sack.

He will likely be able to catch on with another team this season, if not an invitation to come back to the Vikings.

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But for now, he should enjoy some rare free time with his new wife Caroline. His wife who also happens to be the cousin of current Minnesota safety Harrison Smith.