During the XFL’s Supplemental Draft on Friday, a number of former Minnesota Vikings players were selected to participate in the new league that will begin play in 2020.
Back in October, a bunch of former Minnesota Vikings players were given the opportunity to continue their dream of playing professional football when they were selected in the XFL Draft.
For whatever reason, things just weren’t able to work out for these guys during their time with the Vikings. But now, the XFL is giving them another chance to prove to Minnesota and the rest of the NFL that they still have what it takes to play football at the highest level in the world.
On Friday, the XFL held a Supplemental Draft so that each of their eight teams could fill out the rest of their rosters before they begin training camp in the near future. More than 50 players were picked during the draft including three guys who have spent a little time with the Vikings.
Former Minnesota quarterback Taylor Heinicke was selected by the St. Louis BattleHawks on Friday. Heinicke was with the Vikings from 2015 to 2017 and his most recent stint with an NFL team came last season when he was a backup for the Carolina Panthers.
Back during the 2017 NFL Draft, Minnesota used a sixth-round pick to select former Virginia Tech tight end Bucky Hodges. Unfortunately, Hodges’ time with the Vikings only lasted a few months but now, he’ll be suiting up for the XFL’s Los Angeles Wildcats after he was taken during Friday’s Supplemental Draft.
After signing with Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2018, defensive tackle Curtis Cothran was never able to make it onto the Vikings’ active roster. The former Penn State defensive lineman isn’t giving up hope on football though as he was drafted by the XFL’s Dallas Renegades on Friday.
Heinicke, Hodges, and Cothran will join a number of other former Minnesota players who were selected in the XFL’s initial draft a few weeks ago including Jeff Badet, Stacy Coley, and Willie Beavers.
The XFL’s first game of the 2020 season will kick off on Saturday, February 8 when the Seattle Dragons take on the DC Defenders at 2 p.m. ET.