The Vikings re-signed their seventh free agent of this offseason, as guard Charlie Johnson has agreed to return to the team in 2014, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News.
The moves takes care of one of the Vikings remaining major needs, and ensures the Vikings offensive line will keep the same five starters for the third straight year.
Johnson received a two-year, $5 million contract from the Vikings to return to Winter Park, and with that kind of money it is likely that he is returning as a starter. Johnson may receive some competition this offseason from Jeff Baca or Joe Berger, but for now it seems Johnson's spot is secure.
Left guard was one of the major remaining needs for the Vikings, and they had been linked to several free agents at the position throughout the last couple of days, including Vlad Ducasse, Daryn Colledge and Travelle Wharton.
Johnson was the weak point of the Vikings offensive line last season, but at this stage in free agency Johnsonn was likely the team's best option due to the chemistry he already has with the other four starters. Johnson is not young anymore at 29, but he still has room to improve as 2014 will only be his third full season at left guard.
With Johnson re-signing, the team should have about $15 million in cap space left to use if they so choose, with Jerome Simpson's contract left to be reported.
The Vikings have still shown interest in some free agent running backs left on the market, including former Steeler Larod Stephens-Howling, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL.
No comments:
Post a Comment