Report: Vikings attempting to re-sign offensive lineman Brett Jones

With the recent departure of Nick Easton, the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly trying to keep at least one of their free agent offensive linemen around for 2019.

Since the new league year began last Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings have seen the depth of their offensive line take a bit of a hit. Of the offensive linemen that were on the Vikings’ 2018 roster, Nick Easton, Mike Remmers, and Tom Compton will not be returning to the team for next season.

Minnesota was apparently interested in retaining Easton this year, but they couldn’t compete with the contract offer he was given by the New Orleans Saints.

With some of these recent offensive linemen going elsewhere, the Vikings are reportedly trying to keep at least one of their free agent blockers around for 2019. According to the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson on Tuesday, Minnesota is currently attempting to retain center Brett Jones.

The Vikings actually acquired Jones after Easton suffered his neck injury during the preseason last year. Minnesota was desperate for some veteran experience on their offensive line, so they were able to work out a deal with the New York Giants to acquire Jones in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.

The 27-year-old interior blocker is not expected to be too expensive for the Vikings to re-sign. But Tomasson did also mention that Jones has interest from a few other teams around the NFL including the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, and Seattle Seahawks.

For Minnesota last season, the former Giants offensive lineman was a starter for three games before Pat Elflein returned to the field on a full-time basis for the Vikings in Week 4. Jones also started in a total of 14 contests for New York during the two years he was with New York before being dealt to Minnesota.

His return would definitely be a good sign for Minnesota’s offensive line depth. But re-signing Jones shouldn’t prevent the Vikings from going after some talented young blockers during the first few rounds of the upcoming 2019 draft.