The first signee of Minnesota’s offseason was a tight end, Josh Oliver, on Monday, a blocking specialist with upside in the passing game. Many more will follow. However, some former Vikings find new teams.
Recently Waived Vikings Defender Finds New Home
One Vikings move last week was waiving cornerback Cameron Dantzler. He had to enter the waivers process, and other teams could put in a claim for the rights of the waived player. The Washington Commanders did just that, and Dantzler is heading to Washington, DC.
Jul 28, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
The cornerback played for the Vikings for three seasons after former GM Rick Spielman selected him in the third round of the 202o draft. Spielman had a wonderful draft. He picked, among others, Justin Jefferson, Ezra Cleveland, K.J. Osborn, and Dantzler.
In his rookie year, Dantzler had to fill the vacated spots of the departed Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mackensie Alexander. The rookie started ten games for the Vikings in his first year and 26 games throughout his tenure with the club. Overall, he played in 35 games throughout the three campaigns.
As a rookie, Dantzler played well but couldn’t continue to play at that level as a sophomore. The Vikings even replaced him with Beshaud Breeland, despite his disastrous play. Only after Breeland’s release did Dantzler get his chance.
Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
When Mike Zimmer left the organization, many expected Dantzler to make a jump after escaping the doghouse of his former coach. Last season, the cornerback once again was a starter at the beginning of the year but struggled in coverage and later with an ankle injury.
He started opposite Patrick Peterson, and the struggles were acceptable, but he certainly didn’t play great football. Dantzler sprained his ankle in Week 9 against Washington and missed some time.
After his comeback in Week 14 against the Lions, a game in which he gave up two scores, Dantzler missed time with a “personal matter,” but it is still unknown what happened. It is possible that he simply landed in the doghouse of another coaching staff. In Week 17 against the Packers, Dantzler played his last game for the Vikings as a non-starter. He was inactive in Week 18 and in the postseason.
Oct 9, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery (32) and Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr. (3) in action during the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The cornerback had his most memorable moment as a Viking when he forced the game-clinching fumble against the Bears and former Vikings wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
Washington has to pick up the contract of Dantzler, which is slightly under $3 million for one season without any guaranteed money. It is a low-risk move for the Commanders.
The Vikings only have four CBs on the roster, and neither of the four is a proven NFL player. Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth Jr., Tay Gowan, and Kalon Barnes are the current cover players on the team. GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will make many moves at the position in the next two months.
In addition to Dantzler, the purple team may have lost cornerbacks Chandon Sullivan, Duke Shelley, and Patrick Peterson to free agency. Peterson agreed to a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers and will join former Vikings defensive head coach Mike Tomlin.
Days after release from Vikings, Eric Kendricks headed to Chargers
Kendricks is back in the city where he starred in college.
Last week the Minnesota Vikings released linebacker Eric Kendricks and this week Kendricks has agreed to a new deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
In an Instagram post he published Monday night, Kendricks revealed that he’s signing with the Chargers – a deal that brings him back to Los Angeles where he starred in college at UCLA.
Kendricks led the Vikings in tackles seven seasons and was given a celebrity’s goodbye when the Vikings announced his release last week, with team owners Zygi and Mark Wilf, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Eric Kendricks all issuing statements of gratitude about Kendricks.
Terms of his deal with the Chargers are unclear.
Kendricks, who went to high school in Fresno, California before starring at UCLA from 2010-2014, was drafted in the second round by Minnesota in 2015.
He led the Vikings in tackles in 2015 (his rookie season), 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022. The only reason he didn’t lead Minnesota in tackles in 2020 was because an injury limited him to 11 games, but he still finished second on the team in tackles behind Eric Wilson.