Inside The Vikings

Vikings TE Ben Ellefson Announces Retirement From Football

The Minnesota native dealt with numerous injuries during his NFL career.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings TE Ben Ellefson Announces Retirement From Football
Vikings TE Ben Ellefson Announces Retirement From Football

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Minnesota Vikings

Vikings tight end Ben Ellefson announced his retirement from football on his Instagram page on Thursday.

Ellefson, a native of Hawley, MN, had a standout career at North Dakota State and spent three seasons in the NFL. He was signed by the Jaguars as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and played 133 offensive snaps across seven games as a rookie, starting four of them and catching his first career pass.

After he was waived by Jacksonville in 2021, the Vikings claimed Ellefson on waivers. He appeared in nine games for the Vikings on offense and special teams, catching three passes last season. However, he also had three different stints on injured reserve during his Vikings career, as he unfortunately dealt with numerous ailments that kept him off the field. Ellefson, 26, was an excellent blocker when healthy.

Best of luck to Ellefson in his post-playing career.

The Vikings have five tight ends on their roster: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt, Nick Muse, and Ben Sims. They now have one open roster spot.

Ellefson's statement:

Thank you football, for the people you've brought into my life and the opportunities you've given me to pursue my dreams to the fullest. I've been blessed on my path to have people who believed in me, which has drowned out those who doubted. So, thank you believers, for the chances you've taken on me, helping and supporting me in my drive to give this game all I could and to reach my fullest potential. The list is long and I am fortunate.

Everybody's story is different, and I'm proud to say I've given the game of football everything I have. Injuries are a part of the game and although they are a big reason for me moving on, I am fortunate to be in a spot where I can still walk away from the game as a player, ready to tackle whatever is next in my life.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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