4 recent departures the Minnesota Vikings will miss most in 2021
By Dean Jones
Ifeadi Odenigbo – DE
To say there was a real opportunity awaiting Ifeadi Odenigbo in 2020 would be something of an understatement. The defensive end was projected to start opposite Danielle Hunter following the departure of Everson Griffen in free agency, and considering he notched seven sacks from a rotational position during the 2019 season, more was expected from a prominent role.
Odenigbo’s importance to the Vikings grew even more before their season opener when Hunter was ruled out for the entire campaign with a neck injury. It was perhaps more responsibility than the former seventh-round pick was ready for, which is reflected in the player’s production overall.
Things didn’t go accordingly to plan for Odenigbo, who struggled to generate pressure with far more attention coming his way than he was used to. He was still a force against the run, which was pleasing. But the Vikings had seen enough to convince them he wasn’t worth keeping around.
Odenigbo signed a one-year deal with the New York Giants this offseason and he will look to reignite his career on a defense that does need some assistance on their front seven. The Vikings may regret letting him walk depending on how the current situation with Hunter plays out, which would leave them relying on inexperienced players and mid-round selections drafted in 2021.