4 free agents the Vikings absolutely should not sign in 2022
By Luke Parrish
When the NFL kicks off the 2022 free agency period on March 16, which players should the Minnesota Vikings stay away from?
The Minnesota Vikings have made some splashes in free agency over the past few years, but a lot of their additions have underperformed. With investments going in all the wrong places, how can they avoid the same fate in 2022 and beyond?
Minnesota spent money when they needed to and brought in the players they thought would elevate them to a Super Bowl Champion, but that has simply not been the case. Kirk Cousins aside, the Vikings have suffered failed experiments with Michael Pierce, Sheldon Richardson, Anthony Barr, and so many other players that signed deals to make that dream come true.
Over the last two offseasons, the Vikings spent big money on interior defensive linemen that did not make nearly the impact that was expected. Michael Pierce opted out of the 2020 season and battled injuries in 2021. Dalvin Tomlinson missed just one game in 2021 but had the worst season of his NFL career.
They’ve also added some depth pieces that can fill in from time to time, but given the injuries throughout the roster, those signings are not nearly enough. The Vikings have not done a good job of filling out a 53-man roster and that can be seen through their struggles. They have made the playoffs just once over the past four seasons.
If they want to get back to the top of the NFC, the Vikings have to do a better job of allocating money the right ways in free agency. In order to do that, they must avoid these players in 2022.