Vikings free agent signings
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman’s strategy for improving the team starts with the draft, so don’t expect the Vikings to be tossing stacks of cash around in free agency. But the Vikings aren’t sitting idle -- here’s a rundown of the team’s new acquisitions on Day 1.
Alex Boone, guard
Former team: San Francisco 49ers
Reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter
Boone fills a position of need on the offensive line. His deal is reported to be 4 years, $26.8 million. Boone was undrafted out of Ohio State in 2009 and signed with the 49ers. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2013 and 2015.
Here is the obligatory GIF of Boone head-butting quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2013:
Travis Lewis, linebacker
Former team: Detroit Lions
Reported by Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager
Lewis made 4 starts at outside linebacker, but spent most of 2015 in Detroit backing up Tahir Whitehead. He was also a major contributor on special teams.
Emmanuel Lamur
Former team: Cincinnati Bengals
Reported by Jim Owczarski, Cincinnati Enquirer
Lamur reunites with Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer. The outside linebacker is coming to Minnesota on a deal worth $6 million over 2 years, according to reports. Lamur is a converted safety who was undrafted out of Kansas State in 2012. He played in all 16 games for the Bengals last season before injuring his knee in the regular-season finale.
Staying in Minnesota
Offensive lineman Mike Harris is returning to the Vikings on a one-year extension worth $3 million.
The Vikings previously confirmed the signings of safety Andrew Sendejo, defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis, linebacker Audie Cole, wide receiver Adam Thielen and tackle Carter Bykowski.
Other Vikings free agency targets
Reggie Nelson: Still waiting…The Bengals safety would be the Vikings' biggest splash in free agency and would add another familiar face to head coach Mike Zimmer's defense.
George Iloka: The strong safety will remain with the Cincinnati Bengals on a 5-year, $30 million deal.
Kelechi Osemele: The former Baltimore Ravens guard has signed with the Oakland Raiders.