Vikings expected to sign former Jaguars wide receiver
By Adam Carlson
There has been a lot of talk about what the Minnesota Vikings are going to do at wide receiver heading into the 2021 NFL season. Although Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson are cemented as the starting duo, the depth behind them could be summed up as shaky at best.
Recently, it was announced that former Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Dede Westbrook would visit Minnesota for a workout and that he would likely sign a deal with the team if the workout went well for both sides.
Well, it seems as though things went smoothly. According to Josina Anderson on Twitter, the two sides have apparently come to terms on a deal that would land Westbrook in a purple and gold jersey for the 2021 NFL season.
I'm told free agent WR Dede Westbrook is planning to sign a 1-year deal with the #Vikings on Sunday, per source.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 24, 2021
Why is Dede Westbrook a great signing for the Minnesota Vikings?
Westbrook has been productive as a pass-catcher with the Jaguars in the past despite highly questionable and unstable offenses that featured some quarterbacks who truly struggled to deliver the ball accurately and efficiently.
Working in an offense with Kirk Cousins as his quarterback and former teammate Keenan McCardell as his wide receivers coach could do wonders for the 6′, 178 lb pass-catcher given his excellent speed ability to work as a return specialist if needed.
He may not be 100 percent immediately as he tore his ACL in Week 7 of the 2020 season. But there is no need to rush him into any role thanks to his 4 seasons of experience where he accumulated 1,720 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his 40 games played.
Westbrook will have the opportunity to step in and beat out guys like Bisi Johnson and Chad Beebe for a role as the team’s third wide receiver on the roster, bringing some more experience and depth to a team that needed it desperately.
The financial terms of the expected deal have not been disclosed but considering how long Westbrook had to wait in free agency likely means that Minnesota won’t be breaking the bank to add him to the roster. However, the true value of the signing will remain unknown until that figure is revealed.
Dede Westbrook will be an excellent signing for the Minnesota Vikings and should bring some more excitement to an offense that is already one of the most explosive in the NFL. Congrats to both sides on finding a great fit!