Minnesota Vikings 2025 free agency tracker: Day 1 news and rumors

Are you ready for football March Madness?

The craziness began in full with a flurry of moves on the eve of free agency Sunday, including the Minnesota Vikings re-signing running back Aaron Jones and punter Ryan Wright. Elsewhere, the Bills gave Josh Allen a record-setting contract, the Browns made Myles Garrett the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, and the Seahawks traded D.K. Metcalf to the Steelers.

The legal negotiating window opened at 11 a.m. CT Monday, continuing through the official opening of free agency at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. We'll be tracking the moves and rumors all day Monday.

8:45 p.m. – Vikings sign CB Byron Murphy to monster deal

Big news from the Vikings, who have re-signed cornerback Byron Murphy on a massive three-year, $66 million deal. Bringing Murphy back was a key priority for the Vikings.

5:36 p.m. — Vikings make a splash at center

The Vikings are expected to sign former Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly to a two-year, $18 million deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Kelly, 31, is a four-time Pro Bowler. His 67.0 overall grade from Pro Football Focus last season ranked 17th among 64 centers evaluated by the organization.

4:40 p.m. — Charvarius Ward to Saints

Former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That leaves Vikings free agent Byron Murphy Jr. as the clear top cornerback still available in free agency.

4:36 p.m. — Josh Dobbs signs with Patriots

Former Vikings quarterback Josh Dobbs signed a two-year deal with the New England Patriots, according to his agent, Mike McCartney. Dobbs was part of a quarterback carousel in Minnesota when Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles in 2023.

4:25 p.m. — Vikings sign safety Bubba Bolden

The Vikings announced they signed safety Bubba Bolden, 25, who played college football at Southern Cal and Miami before signing with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He spent last year with the UFL's Birmingham Stallions.

3:59 p.m. — Vikings still vying for Byron Murphy Jr.

The latest comes from Alec Lewis of The Athletic: "It does sound like CB Byron Murphy Jr. is still in play for the Vikings. Has been a major priority from the outset of the offseason. Has suitors, but the fit has long made sense for both sides."

3:37 p.m. — Daniel Jones still mulling decision

"Think he's still trying to make a decision on where he wants to go," a league source told Josina Anderson.

3:14 p.m. — Patrick Jones II to Carolina

Jones finished third on the Vikings with 7 sacks last season, and he's now off to the Carolina Panthers. Schefter is saying it's a two-year deal worth up to $10 million.

2:32 p.m. — Guard market heating up, will Vikings make a move?

The guard market is heating up. Patrick Mekari is signing with the Jaguars (3 years, $37.5 million) and Aaron Banks is signing with the Packers (4 years, $77 million). Will the Vikings get in on the action? Will Fries, Teven Jenkins, Mekhi Becton, Brandon Scherff, and Kevin Zeitler are among those still out there.

2:29 p.m. — Bears stay busy, adding Grady Jarrett

The Chicago Bears have been very active today. They signed C Drew Dalman, DE Dayo Odeyingbo, and now ex-Falcons DT Grady Jarrett, who was released by Atlanta. It's a three-year, $43 million deal for Jarrett, who was one of the best defensive tackles in the league in his prime.

1:42 p.m. — Cam Bynum signs with Colts

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, former Vikings safety Cam Bynum agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Minnesota is officially down one of its starting safties from last season.

1:38 p.m. — Daniel Jones deciding on Indy or Minnesota?

According to Yahoo insider Charles Robinson, Jones might be deciding between Indy and Minnesota and the winner might be the team that he feels he'll have a better chance to start for. Will it be easier for him to win the starting job over J.J. McCarthy or Anthony Richardson?

1:28 p.m. — TE Johnny Mundt finds a new home

Mundt to the Jaguars for two years and $5.5 million, per Tom Pelissero. Mundt had 19 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns with Minnesota last season.

1:23 p.m. — Sam Darnold gets $100 million from Seattle

Schefter originally said it was a $110.5 million deal, but he's since corrected it to $100.5 million over three years, giving Darnold an annual average value of $33.5 million.

Darnold is fresh off a Pro Bowl season with the Vikings in which he passed for more than 4,300 yards with 35 touchdowns and 14 wins.

1:21 p.m. — Nick Mullens leaves Vikings for Jaguars

According to Mike Garafolo, Mullens is joining the Jaguars to be Trevor Lawrence's backup for $6.5 million over two years. Mullens reunites with Grant Udinski, who was just hired from the Vikings to be Jacksonville's offensive coordinator.

Could Mullens bolting be a sign that the Vikings are confident in bringing back Daniel Jones?

1:10 p.m. — Milton Williams to the Patriots

Well, it was fun while it lasted. Williams has reportedly agreed to terms with the Patriots for $26 million annually. Albert Breer says it's a four-year deal worth $104 million.

12:52 p.m. — Vikings in on Milton Williams?

After Dianna Russini walked back her report that Milton Williams was signing with the Panthers, more reports have come out saying the Vikings and Cardinals are also in talks with Williams, who is considered by many to be the top free agent defensive tackle on the market.

Milton Williams, @greggrosenthal top free agent, is in talks with the Cardinals, Vikings and Panthers, per @RapSheet and @MikeGarafolo
— Andrew Groover (@APGroover) March 10, 2025

12:39 p.m. — Vikings sign cornerback Isaiah Rodgers

Isaiah Rodgers is the newest cornerback for the Vikings, according to Adam Schefter, who says the 27-year-old has agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with $8 million fully guaranteed.

In the playoffs, Rodgers was targeted 11 times and allowed five receptions for 108 yards. He was credited by PFF with three pass breakups and an opposing passer rating of 80.9. In the regular season, he had the 19th-best coverage grade from PFF among players with at least 145 snaps.

Former Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers reached agreement on a 2-year $15 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The deal includes $8M fully guaranteed. The deal was negotiated by Bryan Gavin and Ed Wasielewski of EMG Sports.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2025

12:38 p.m. — Lions give contract to D.J. Reed

Arguably the top cornerback available, now-former Jets star D.J. Reed has reportedly agreed to a three-year, $48 million deal with the division rival Detroit Lions. The rich get richer.

BREAKING: Free agent CB D.J. Reed plans to sign with the #Lions on a 3-year, $48M that includes $32M fully guaranteed, multiple sources tell @NFLonFOX.

One of the top corners on the market lands a lucrative deal in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/YuqJ1HhwvI
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 10, 2025

12:15 p.m. — Helpful recap

Let me be your NFL savior: All that happened while X was down.

— WR Chris Godwin back to #Bucs: 3-years, $66M.

— OT Dan Moore Jr. to #Titans: 4-years, $82M.

— CB Carlton Davis to #Patriots: 3-years, $60M

— OLB Haason Reddick to #Bucs: 1-year, $14M

— C Drew Dalman to #Bears:…
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 10, 2025

12:10 p.m. — CB Carlton Davis gets $20M per year from Patriots

A major domino has fallen on the cornerback market, as Carlton Davis is signing a three-year, $60 million contract (with $34.5 million fully guaranteed) with the Patriots. That's the first player in a top tier at the position — which also includes Byron Murphy Jr., D.J. Reed, and Charvarius Ward — to come off the board. Murphy might end up making around $20 million per year as well.

12:03 p.m. — Panthers signing Milton Williams, the top DT on the market

The No. 1 defensive tackle on the market has found a new home, and it isn't in Minnesota. Former Eagles standout Milton Williams is signing with the Carolina Panthers, according to Dianna Russini. It'll be interesting to see what that contract looks like. Some of the biggest names still out there at DT include Jonathan Allen (who is visiting the Vikings today), Javon Hargrave, Levi Onwuzurike, and Tershawn Wharton.

11:56 a.m. — Jimmy Garoppolo, Paulson Adebo off the board

A couple possible Vikings targets are off the board. Jimmy Garoppolo, who would've been a scheme fit for Kevin O'Connell, is going back to the Rams to be Matthew Stafford's backup. Former Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo, meanwhile, is signing with the Giants.

11:33 a.m. — How much for top-end defensive tackles?

If the Vikings are going to sign a big-name defensive tackle, how much is it going to cost? Well, the Bengals are reportedly re-signing B.J. Hill to a three-year, $33 million deal with $16 million guaranteed. Meanwhile, the Commanders are replacing Jonathan Allen with Javon Kinlaw on a three-year, $45 million deal with $30 million guaranteed.

That's a range of $11 million to $15 million per season based on those contracts, though someone like Milton Williams or Allen could push the numbers even higher.

11:20 a.m. — Bears bulk up line even more with Drew Dalman

Dalman, the top center in free agency, has reportedly signed with the Bears for three years and $42 million. Chicago has completely rebuilt its interior O-line, having previously acquired Jonah Jackson from the Rams and Joe Thuney from the Chiefs.

10:45 a.m. — Jonathan Allen visiting the Vikings

The first big report involving the Vikings is news from Tom Pelissero that defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is visiting the Vikings today. Allen, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, was released by the Commanders entering the final year of his deal that was set to pay him $15.5 million in 2025.

According to Adam Schefter, Allen is believed to have "a good amount of interest" in the Vikings.

Two-time Pro Bowl DL Jonathan Allen is visiting the #Vikings today, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2025

9:35 a.m. — Panthers extend Jaycee Horn

The Panthers are giving stud cornerback Jaycee Horn a four-year, $100 million contract extension with $70 million guaranteed. The former No. 8 overall pick is now the highest-paid defensive back in league history. There's been some speculation that Horn could be a trade piece, but this deal keeps him in Carolina for the long haul.

9:30 a.m. — Falcons releasing Grady Jarrett

The Falcons are releasing two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett after ten seasons, per reports. Jarrett was one of the best DTs in the NFL from around 2016 to 2022, but it's unclear if he's still the same player. He missed half of the '23 season due to injury, had a career-low 62.1 PFF grade last season, and turns 32 next month. Like Jonathan Allen, he could theoretically be a Vikings target at the right price.

8:38 a.m. — How much for Milton Williams?

Williams, who starred in the Eagles' playoff run to the Super Bowl, is one of the top defensive tackles in free agency and the Vikings have been connected to him. According to SI's Albert Breer, the market for him could push his cost to over $20 million annually, with Breer saying the Patriots and Cardinals could be suitors.

7:21 a.m. — Aaron Rodgers buzz?

After reporters were in lockstep Saturday that Minnesota could turn to Aaron Rodgers, the latest from Adam Schefter is that Rodgers to the Steelers is in play. Meanwhile, Albert Breer has said the Giants are Rodgers' most likely destination, while the Vikings could be "lurking" if they don't re-sign Daniel Jones.

Steelers continue talking to Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, but…Aaron Rodgers has emerged as a quarterback option in Pittsburgh, per league sources.

Rodgers and the Steelers are expected to talk and explore a union. The idea of Rodgers playing for Mike Tomlin is in play. pic.twitter.com/xxv0cbxDff
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2025

7:12 a.m. — Broncos targeting Cam Bynum?

Bynum appears unlikely to return to Minnesota after the Vikings gave safety Theo Jackson a new contract. One to team monitor for his services is Denver, with Broncos insider Mike Klis reporting that the Broncos are expressing interest in the 26-year-old safety.

7:05 a.m. — Raiders making Byron Murphy Jr. a priority?

That's the word from Tashan Reed, who covers the Raiders for the The Athletic. Reed says Murphy "is at the top of the Raiders' list." Read more (subscription required).