Vikings re-sign veteran offensive lineman to a one-year deal

The Minnesota Vikings and free agent offensive lineman Brett Jones have reportedly agreed to a new contract that will keep him on the team’s roster for next season.

To say that the current Minnesota Vikings offseason hasn’t been exciting would be a pretty big understatement. But with little cap space to work with, the Vikings haven’t really had the ability to make any big-time acquisitions this year other than the re-signing of linebacker Anthony Barr.

Well, Minnesota made another roster move on Monday and it’s not one that is about to cause many to come down with a case of uncontrollable excitement either.

The Vikings have announced that they have agreed to a deal with offensive lineman Brett Jones that will keep him with the team for the 2019 season. Minnesota acquired Jones last August from the New York Giants in exchange for a 2019 seventh-round draft pick.

His new deal with the Vikings is reportedly for one year and he can make up to $1.5 million with incentives according to the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson.

While filling in for Pat Elflein at center for Minnesota’s first three games of last season, the 27-year-old blocker provided the team with some decent performances. But for a guy that was placed in the starting lineup shortly after he was acquired, no one should have expected Jones to play like an All-Pro for the Vikings last year anyways.

In three starts for Minnesota last season, Jones didn’t give up a single sack. Despite his solid efforts during the early part of the year, the Vikings opted to keep him on the bench even when other members of their interior offensive line were struggling.

If anything, Minnesota’s latest re-signing gives them more offensive line depth. Jones does have experience as a starter in the NFL, so it is quite possible that the Vikings could even begin the 2019 season with him as one of their starting blockers.

Minnesota’s decision to keep the veteran around shouldn’t change their plans for this year’s draft. One should still expect the Vikings to at least add one rookie interior offensive lineman to compete for playing time next season.

Even if he doesn’t end up as a starter for 2019, Jones was cheap for Minnesota to bring back and it’s not a move that comes with much risk.

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