All 32 teams can talk to agents for impending free agents around the league, but they can only sign contracts with players who were already on their rosters or those released around the league.
The Vikings have reportedly done both on Sunday. On the heels of word that defensive end Everson Griffen has landed a fat new contract to stay in Minnesota and forgo free agency comes a report from Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports that linebacker Jasper Brinkley has landed a one-year deal in Minnesota.
It’s a reunion for Brinkley and the Vikings after Brinkley’s stay with the Cardinals ended with his recent release. Brinkley, a 2009 fifth-round pick, was the starting middle linebacker for Minnesota in 2012 and the team is looking for someone to fill that role again now that Erin Henderson has been released. Brinkley’s got the run-stuffing chops to play a role on early downs, but will be stretched if he’s asked to do much beyond that.
Brinkley also visited with the Bills last week before settling on a return to his first NFL home.
