14 former Vikings who are having trouble finding jobs in 2024

These former Minnesota Vikings players were contributors at one time but are now struggling to find a team to play for in 2024.

Many high-quality players have suited up for the Minnesota Vikings over the years but not all of them stuck around until the end of their career. Those players were either released or traded and went on to play for another team in the NFL.

Quite a few individuals remain available in free agency who should be familiar to Vikings fans. While some of them had more memorable stints with the purple and gold than others, each of them found ways to contribute to the team,

Let's take a quick look at 14 former Minnesota Vikings players that have yet to find a new team to play for during the 2024 NFL season.

Former Minnesota Vikings still available in free agency

Blake Bell, tight end

Life is pretty good when you're a three-time Super Bowl champion. Blake Bell has yet to be re-signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. The "Belldozer" played for the Vikings in 2017 and acted mostly as a blocking specialist. The fourth-round draft pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2015 caught three passes for 19 yards and a touchdown for Minnesota.

Ross Blacklock, defensive line

Spending only one season in Minnesota, Ross Blacklock saw action in 11 games in 2022. He recorded two combined tackles to go with one sack. Still only 25 years old, the former TCU defender is still looking for a new team.

Dalvin Cook, running back

At one time, Dalvin Cook was the face of the Vikings franchise. The star running back hasn't seemed like his former self since his release from Minnesota. Last season, he struggled to compete for snaps with the Jets and had his first NFL season without scoring a touchdown.

Linval Joseph, defensive tackle

It's hard not to love Linval Joseph. The memory of him on the Minnesota sideline with an oxygen mask after running in a long defensive touchdown will stick with fans. At 35 years old, the two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman may have some difficulty finding a team to suit up for during the 2024 NFL season.

Jayron Kearse, safety

The Minnesota Vikings selected Jayron Kearse in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft and spent four seasons there, playing in 62 games. Although he only started five games for Minnesota, he became a starter for the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. Now, the former Clemson defender is still searching for a new home for the upcoming year.

Jerick McKinnon, running back

Jerick McKinnon may always be known for the play where he went down before scoring a touchdown in the Super Bowl to ensure a Kansas City Chiefs victory, but before that, he was a third-round draft pick of the Vikings. He scored 12 touchdowns for Minnesota during his stay and could be a solid running back for any team in 2024.

Latavius Murray, running back

Another former Vikings running back who has yet to sign a contract is Latavius Murray. While with Minnesota for two seasons in 2017 and 2018, he ran in 14 touchdowns and averaged four yards per carry. Last season, the 34-year-old running back spent time with the Buffalo Bills. 2024 would be his 11th season in the NFL.

Yannick Ngakoue, edge rusher

Although he played only six games in Minnesota, Yannick Ngakoue racked up five sacks for the Vikings in 2020. Since his exit, he has played for four teams and the pass rush specialist could find his fifth this offseason.

Ifeadi Odenigbo, edge rusher

A seventh-round pick of Minnesota in 2017, Ifeadi Odenigbo was initially waived and put on the practice squad then signed by the Cleveland Browns before he would finally return to the Vikings in 2019 and start 15 games in 2020. He had 10.5 sacks in two seasons for the purple and gold but has struggled to find a stable team following his exit from Minnesota.

Cordarrelle Patterson, running back/wide receiver/kick returner

There is no denying that Cordarrelle Patterson was electric for the Vikings. He tore up the league as a kickoff return specialist but struggled to contribute as a receiver. He moved to running back with the Atlanta Falcons and found some success, but hasn't drawn much interest in a market flooded at the position.

Adrian Peterson, running back

Adrian Peterson is a likely Hall of Fame running back, but his career has tapered off after 15 seasons. "Purple Jesus" was a first-round pick of the Vikings and spent a decade with the team creating highlight-reel runs and earning one league MVP trophy. At 39 years old and not having played since 2021, it wouldn't be surprising to see the star running back retire soon.

MyCole Pruitt, tight end

Don't feel too bad if you don't remember MyCole Pruitt's time with the Vikings. A fifth-round pick of Minnesota in 2015, the tight end only played 18 games for Minnesota and started three of those before being signed off the practice squad by the Chicago Bears. Entering his 10th NFL season, Pruitt has yet to sign a contract for 2024.

Patrick Peterson, cornerback

Another potential Hall of Fame player, Patrick Peterson is best known for being a shutdown corner and electric return specialist, but he was solid for two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and 2022. He struggled with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and is still available for teams to sign in free agency.

Laquon Treadwell, wide receiver

The opinion of Laquon Treadwell among Minnesota Vikings is pretty low, but the former first-round pick worked hard to do what was asked of him. Although he never lived up to his potential and has played for four teams in the last four years, some team is bound to take a look at him in free agency.