Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 7

Former Jets WR Denzel Mims, whom the Steelers released this week, is signing today with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Related Players: Devin Duvernay, Parker Washington, Tim Jones

It's been quite the drop from relevance for the former second-round selection, but he'll have a chance to carve out a role through training camp. It's possible the Jaguars see what they can do with him on special teams.

Sam Darnold will continue as the Minnesota Vikings' lead quarterback when training camp opens next month, coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday as the team wrapped up its final OTA of the spring.

O'Connell stopped short of projecting anything beyond that, saying he plans for a "competitive" training camp at many positions. The Vikings have three other quarterbacks on their roster: Rookie J.J. McCarthy and veterans Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall.

Even if Darnold begins Week 1 as the starting quarterback, we shouldn't assume that continues deep into the season. McCarthy can still be targeted (very) late in best ball drafts, while neither option should be in consideration for typical 1QB redraft leagues.

A record deal: the Vikings and three-time Pro-Bowl WR Justin Jefferson reached agreement on a four-year, $140 million contract extension that includes $110 million guaranteed and makes him not only the highest-paid WR in NFL history, but the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history.

Jefferson’s deal includes $88.743 million due at signing, the highest non-QB guarantee at signing in NFL history. And it resets the WR market.

Related Players: Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, N'Keal Harry

Jefferson is one of five players ever with 5,000-plus receiving yards in his first four seasons, and his 5,899 career yards are nearly 400 more than any other player in NFL history along that same measure, according to NFL Research.

This locks in one of the best playmakers in the league for Sam Darnold/J.J. McCarthy going forward.

WR Justin Jefferson, who has been in talks with the Vikings regarding a contract extension, was not spotted at the team’s training facility today for the start of organized team activities.

Related Players: Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, N'Keal Harry

This is likely a non-story for now, but we'll keep an eye on it. The Vikings WR depth chart isn't particularly deep behind Jefferson and Addison, so it would behoove the team to keep their star receiver on the field for Sam Darnold/J.J. McCarthy.

Former Bears and Packers TE Robert Tonyan signed with the Vikings.

Related Players: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt

Good move by Minnesota to solidify their pass-catching tight ends while Hockenson works his way back to the field. Tonyan had a down year behind Cole Kmet last season but should be able to rotate in toward the beginning of the year with Oliver and Mundt.

The Cardinals are trading WR Rondale Moore to the Falcons for QB Desmond Ridder.

Related Players: Drake London, Darnell Mooney

Moore should slot in as the WR3, and will likely be used in a gadget-y role every so often. That won't be enough for fantasy relevance, and the team could still add a piece through the NFL Draft for Kirk Cousins.

Aaron Jones is expected to sign with the Vikings on a one-year deal for $7 million.

Related Players: Ty Chandler,

This is a nice snag for Minnesota, as Jones can operate in a one-two punch with Chandler. The offense as a whole is in a questionable spot without a quarterback, though. Jones and Chandler should be considered low-upside options in 2024.

Former Eagles QB Marcus Mariota is signing with the Washington Commanders on a 1-year deal with a base value of $6 million and upside to $10 million, per source.

Related Players: Sam Howell

The Commanders sign further insurance for the quarterback room, in case their eventual rookie signal-caller has problems getting up to speed.

The Packers are releasing star RB Aaron Jones. A three-time 1,000-yard rusher, Jones missed time with injuries last season and was due $12 million in 2024. Instead, he hits the market at age 29.

Related Players: Josh Jacobs

This is huge news for Jacobs, as he will likely only be competing with Patrick Taylor for touches as it stands, unless the team is contemplating keeping an under-performing A.J. Dillon. Jones will definitely land somewhere, so we'll be keeping an eye out.

The Packers are expected to sign Josh Jacobs.

Related Players: Aaron Jones, Zamir White

Jones had restructured his deal with Green Bay, so this will be a two-headed attack with Jones/Jacobs. Both options figure to canibalize each other, but it's a clear talent upgrade for the Packers backfield.

Zamir White is the RB1 in Las Vegas as it stands, with the team expected to target the position in the NFL Draft.