Just one day after the Minnesota Vikings abruptly released linebacker Brian Asamoah II, the 25-year-old has already found a new home, as ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that the fourth-year pro has been claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, who were first in line in the claim order.
The Asamoah transaction is one of several moves the Titans have made at linebacker this week, as they showed Anfernee Orji and David Gbenda the door while adding Khaleke Hudson and Blake Lynch to the active roster.
Truth be told, Tennessee doesn't have a ton of depth at the position, and one could easily argue that Cody Barton is the only linebacker currently guaranteed a spot in the starting lineup. James Williams Sr. seemingly has the edge for the second slot, with Otis Reese IV and Cedric Gray lagging a little behind. So, Asamoah could very well come in and compete for snaps.
Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah was reportedly claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday.
Taken by the Vikings in the third round of the 2022 draft, which has turned out to be a monumental failure overall for Minnesota, Asamoah showed some flashes as a rookie, earning a solid 78.8 overall PFF grade after notching 17 total tackles, which sadly turned out to be a career-high, as everything went downhill from there.
After taking 121 defensive snaps in his first season, the Oklahoma alum took just 36 in 2023 and 34 in 2024. And in that limited action, things didn't go overly well, as he earned a 38.3 overall grade in '23, ranking 170th among 179 eligible linebackers, and a 29.2 overall grade this past year, ranking 187th out of 189.
He spent far more time on special teams the past two years, logging a combined 515 snaps in various roles.
Along with his overall poor play the last couple of seasons, Asamoah certainly didn't do himself any favors earlier this month when he got into it with offensive lineman Will Fries. The scuffle started after Asamoah apparently hit running back Aaron Jones a little too aggressively. Fries took exception and subsequently shoved Asamoah, who responded with a punch.
Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell has been fairly strict on fighting in the past. So, again, while the punch likely isn't the only reason Asamoah was waived, it undoubtedly didn't help him.
But what's done is done, and Asamoah now has to hope he can find a fresh start with the Titans.