6 remaining free agents who have connections to the 2022 Vikings
By Adam Patrick
Danny Trevathan – LB
Connection to Vikings: Ed Donatell and Mike Pettine
One of Minnesota’s first new additions this offseason was former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks. Expected to open the 2022 campaign as a starter, he will replace Anthony Barr in the middle of the Vikings’ defense as Eric Kendricks’ partner in crime.
While Minnesota should feel good about Hicks and Kendricks as their two starting inside linebackers, the depth behind this pair is full of questions.
The Vikings did just draft former Oklahoma linebacker Brian Asamoah, but it’s hard to determine how quickly he will be able to make an impact as a rookie. Along with Asamoah, Minnesota’s inside linebacker depth consists of a bunch of players that don’t have a ton of meaningful experience like Blake Lynch, Troy Dye, and Chazz Surratt.
If the Vikings would like to add a veteran linebacker to the group who not only has a ton of NFL experience, but is also familiar with the new defensive scheme the team is installing this year, former Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan might be someone to consider.
Due to a knee injury, Trevathan only appeared in five games for the Bears last season. But in 2020, he started all 16 of Chicago’s regular-season games and he finished with 113 tackles.
Vikings assistant head coach Mike Pettine (in 2021) and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell (2016 to 2018) both spent portions of their coaching careers with Trevathan and the Bears. If these two defensive minds think they need more inside linebacker depth before the start of the regular season, Trevathan could be a guy they think about bringing in.