Free Agent Frenzy in the NFL
By: Ross Blilie
3–13–2023
It is officially the start of the free agency period for all thirty-two teams in the National Football League. This means that teams can alter, or change, their players to make a new roster to help them win a Super Bowl. Although there can be one winner, every team gets a chance to potentially sign the best player(s) at their respective positions. For example, take Minnesota Vikings Linebacker Eric Kendricks. He has been with the team for eight seasons. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensa, or simply known as KAM, chose to release Kendricks ahead of the free agency period because his contract is too expensive for the team to payout. What this means is that the other thirty-one teams in the league can have a shot at signing him to a contract. Now, the Vikings COULD re-sign Kendricks, but it would take a lot of negotiations. I believe that, at this point, he and his agent don’t want to do that.
With all that being said, there is another fan favorite that KAM has also chosen to release into the free agent pool. If you have not heard, nor heard of, Adam Thielen, then you must not pay too much attention to the NFL. Adam Thielen grew up in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota idolizing the work of Cris Carter and Randy Moss. He got his chance to get to the NFL in 2013 when he was signed to the Vikings as a practice squad member. From there, he shined. He played at an elite level for ten seasons with his home state team. What a dream!
Sadly, he will be missed in the purple and gold uniform. However, Thielen will get picked up by another team and get the money he deserves.
A third move the Vikings have made just before the start of the free agency period, is waive the contract of cornerback Cam Dantzler, Sr. This means that the team is “shopping” his contract around the league. The other thirty-one teams can look into signing him, but they might not sign him for whatever reason. If the other teams in the league choose not to sign Dantzler, the Vikings can look into re-structuring his contract for a paycut. He then has to decide if he wants to take that pay cut or just look for something else.
Whew! Let’s take a breath! There’s a lot going on here! This is just the start of what’s going on in the NFL. If you go to the NFL website, you will see a lot happening in this period. It’s pretty interesting in my humble opinion.
Ross Blilie is an avid NFL fan of the Minnesota Vikings since the 1990’s. He loves to talk about the NFL and the Vikings every chance he gets. His hobbies also include bowling with his wife and friends, narrating audiobooks, fishing, and even sitting by a campfire with family at Lake Blackduck in Minnesota. You can find Ross on twitter & Instagram @Rossthenarrator.
