Vikings agree to terms with former Chargers free agent linebacker

The Minnesota Vikings announced they have agreed to terms with a former Los Angeles Chargers and Rams linebacker in free agency.

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was busy on Wednesday, reportedly agreeing to terms with former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandon Powell before announcing another deal on the team’s official Twitter account.

This time, the purple and gold made their most recent acquisition a defender who might be able to help the hold created when veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks exited the team. The individual coming to Minnesota is Troy Reeder.

Here is the Vikings’ tweet announcing the deal:

What does this mean for the Minnesota Vikings?

Troy Reeder is a familiar face to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell since the two spent a little time together with the Los Angeles Rams. However, Reeder spent the 2022 NFL season on the roster of the Los Angeles Chargers.

A six-foot-three and 245-pound defender, Reeder started 25 games for the Rams from 2019 through 2021 while playing multiple linebacker positions, in his 49 games with the Rams, he defended eight passes and recorded five sacks as well as forced two fumbles and 230 tackles.

Reeder’s production dropped off when he played for the Chargers last year since he was no longer in a starting role. He did see action in all 17 of their regular-season games but recorded only 11 combined tackles.

Minnesota’s new defender will likely stay inside for Minnesota in 2023. There is even a chance he could crack the starting lineup if the Vikings don’t look for more linebacker competition in free agency or the draft.

Reeder is only 28 years old and has a nice mix of starting experience as well as special teams time put in to be a contributor in multiple ways this coming season.

Congratulations to linebacker Troy Reeder on joining the Minnesota Vikings!