Story by
Vikings Free Agency Moves Get Instant Verdict from PFF
- Story by
- Vikings Free Agency Moves Get Instant Verdict from PFF
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings free agency might be going at a snail's pace so far, especially when it comes to incoming players. However, there have been two new players added so far in this year's Vikings free agency, and Pro Football Focus has had its say.
PFF keeps an up-to-date tracker of every team's moves in free agency and then gives its verdict on the moves that are made.
Advertisement
PFF Weighed In on Minnesota's Key Additions Right Away
While some teams have a lot to grade as the league broke the record for most spending over the opening four days, Vikings free agency has been quiet with the $16.125 million spent by Minnesota the least amount spent by any team in the league – a stark contrast to last year when the Vikings were second only to the New England Patriots in FA spending.
Dec 26, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) leaves the field after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
In the first week of free agency, the Vikings made sure that Jalen Redmond , Andrew DePaola , and Tavierre Thomas were back in Minnesota for 2026, and also put a right-of-refusal tender on Ivan Pace . Only two new faces have been announced as arriving in Minnesota. The big news at quarterback is Kyler Murray and James Pierre , adding depth to the cornerback room. PFF gave their assessment of these moves.
Advertisement
CB James Pierre signs with the Vikings
Similar to Isaiah Rodgers last year, Pierre turned his best season in the league to date into a good contract from the Vikings. Pierre is a couple of years older than Rodgers, turning 30 in September, but if he can put in the same level of performance as last season as the Vikings' CB3, that will be a significant improvement in the Vikings' secondary. Here is what PFF had to say about the move.
-
2025 PFF Grade: 86.2
-
2025 PFF WAR: 0.33
-
Contract: 2 years, $8.5 million
-
PFF Projected Contract: 1 year, $1.25 million
-
PFF Deal Grade: Average
Pierre looked really good in limited work in 2025, earning an 86.2 PFF overall grade on 408 snaps, so this is a worthwhile swing of the bat for the Vikings. It's a bigger contract than PFF was projecting, but even if all he is is a good depth player, it's a perfectly reasonable signing. The upside is that if Pierre can continue to improve, as we saw this past season, the Vikings could be getting a starting-caliber cornerback for a steal.
Pierre has never been a consistent starter in the NFL, and it would be unusual for that to start at age 30. The contact looks hefty, with the salary cap continuing to grow year on year, and new FA contracts look big every year. If Minnesota can get a couple of seasons of consistent play out of Pierre, this will have been a good deal.
QB Kyler Murray Signs with Vikings
Who were the Vikings going to bring in at QB? It was the story of the offseason, and it became more and more likely that it was going to be Murray as the weeks went by.
NFL Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray in 2022. © Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
We finally got the confirmation, and Murray lands in Minnesota for one year, hoping to prove he can still be the guy and earn another big contract. Here is what PFF had to say about the deal.
Advertisement
-
2025 PFF Grade: 72.2
-
2025 PFF WAR: 0.55
-
Contract: 1 year
-
PFF Contract Projection: 1 year, $1.3 million
-
PFF Contract Grade: Good
After a trying 2025 season that saw Murray play just five games, he lands in an ideal landing spot with the Vikings. Murray hasn't been as dynamic over the last three years with a 74.3 PFF passing grade, tossing 48 big-time throws compared to 43 turnover-worthy plays, but he's still a high-ceiling starter who should push J.J. McCarthy . If Murray plays like peak form, this will look like an absolute bargain.
Some are still pushing the agenda of a QB competition, but it would be a surprise if Murray doesn't start the season as the Vikings' QB1. In the situation that Minnesota found itself in, bringing in a player of Murray's caliber and basically no cost has been a stroke of luck.
