4 free agents the Vikings absolutely should not sign in 2022
By Luke Parrish
Akiem Hicks – IDL
2021 Team: Chicago Bears
It seems as though Michael Pierce is going to see his way out of Minnesota this offseason, thanks to an enormous cap hit and lack of production in his two seasons with the team. With Pierce likely departing and the Vikings implementing more of a 3-4 defense, they could be in the market for a big-bodied defensive end.
If that’s the case, Minnesota has to be smart about its approach. Spending a chunk of money once again on an interior defender is something that would cripple the team financially in 2022 and disallow them to build depth on the defense.
Akiem Hicks has battled injuries over the past two seasons but has been productive when on the field. While that is exciting – and taking him out of the division would be enticing – the Vikings cannot afford that mistake once again. Hicks has missed 20 games over the past three seasons and will demand a sizeable payday in free agency.
The Vikings can find much cheaper options to fill this spot while also having the resources to improve elsewhere on the roster. They even have some players already in place that can serve as big defensive ends between James Lynch, Armon Watts, and Janarius Robinson.
Signing Hicks to a one-year deal with limited cap space already holding the team back would be one of the worst possible moves they could make this season.