Nick

Vigil

Vigil spent all of last season with the Cardinals, appearing in four games while totaling 13 tackles and one TFL. In 2021, Vigil played with the Vikings, where he started 12-of-16 games and racked up 85 tackles, four TFLs, and one interception. His return to the Vikings marks a reunion with a team under whom he played some of his best football, but he’ll need to work his way up from the practice squad in the coming weeks.

Fellow free agent linebacker Sam Eguavoen also worked out for the Giants. The Giants have Bobby Okereke locked into a starting role at linebacker but have a hole next to him in the lineup. The position will be decided by a camp battle, so it makes sense to add a veteran backstop to the mix. Vigil appeared in four games, two of which were starts, for the Cardinals last year.

Vigil spent last season in Minnesota, racking up 85 tackles across 719 defensive snaps. He should provide some veteran depth behind Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins.

A former starter for the Bengals, Vigil was better suited to his 2020 reserve role in Los Angeles, where he still played 312 snaps. Experienced depth never goes out of style at linebacker.

The one-year deal is worth $3 million, with a $1.9 million base salary as well as $500,000 Super Bowl and $600,000 playing-time incentives. Vigil played at least 672 snaps each of the past three years, culminating in a career-high 985 last season. That’s good, but Vigil’s production did not merit every-down usage. He should have his playing time dialed back in Los Angeles, though the linebacker corps is the weak link of the Bolts’ defense. Vigil turns 27 in August.

Vigil has been sidelined with a sprained MCL since Week 6. His return is a small boost for a struggling defense.

Vigil was expected to miss “about a month” went he went down with a sprained MCL about a month ago, but it looks like he is still a week or two away. The good news for the Bengals is Vontaze Burfict (hip) got in a limited practice Wednesday and is practicing again on Thursday.

Vigil went down early in the loss to the Steelers and never returned. Vinny Rey should get more work with Vigil sidelined.

Vontaze Burfict plays the weak side with Rey Maualuga and Vincent Rey sharing time in the middle. A third-round pick out of Utah State last year, Vigil struggled in limited rookie-year snaps. He will likely be a two-down player only.

It’s the second time the Bengals have talked up Vigil this offseason. Vigil had a nondescript rookie year, but is expected to enter OTAs as the strong-side starter. Vontaze Burfict and Kevin Minter will open the season in every-down roles.