Once Again, The Vikings Miss Out on a Free Agent Pass Rusher

Depending on who gets asked, the Vikings need more help at pass rusher. Recent news indicates that the available talent has grow a touch more thin.

Saints legend Cameron Jordan is back in New Orleans. Consider some of the basic information that got passed along by Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk: “Defensive end Cam Jordan officially returned to the Saints on Tuesday by signing a one-year deal that he indicated will be his final contract as an NFL player.”

The Vikings Miss on Cameron Jordan as FA Pass Rushers Thin

A major part of the reason why Jordan is back in the Bayou is due to a sense of loyalty to the team and broader area.

Consider the quote from the player himself that gets passed along by PFT: “It’s the idea that I could have played for the same team for my entire career. The loyalty streak has always run deep with me, and I think a couple of years ago me and Mickey sat down and it was like, ‘Look, man, the way you’ve played, the way you’ve handled yourself, you’ll always have a job here.’ Now, it may not be what I think I’m worth or whatever it is, but it’s always been the idea that we’ve had an open line of communication. This is where I wanted to be, and [I] got back here.”

Seeing Cameron Jordan go back to the Saints means that it’s back to the drawing board had there been some desire to steal him away from new GM Nolan Teasley.

Right now, the Vikings are leaning on Andrew Van Ginkel as the EDGE1 alongside Dallas Turner as the EDGE2. Next up would appear to be Eric Wilson and Ty Ingram-Dawkins, both of whom are a touch out of their normal position when playing at edge.

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Otherwise, there’s a cluster of young, unproven players jockeying for position on the depth chart. Think Bo Richter (third-year player who was a UDFA), Tyler Batty (second-year player who was a UDFA), and others within that level of ball.

Does somebody else need to get added?

As things stand, the Vikings are an injury away from being in a dire spot. Van Ginkel missed time last year due to needing some time in the infirmary. Seeing something similar occur would involve the pass rush being left without its most accomplished, proven player.

Worse yet, Turner has yet to fully arrive. Maybe he shows that 2026 is his breakout season (a future many foresee). The former Alabama edge rusher doesn’t lack for talent and has already shown good growth. He is, nevertheless, pretty far off from matching the level that Jonathan Greenard, Danielle Hunter, and other Vikings edge rushers proved capable of providing.

The Vikings are sitting atop a pile of cap space that’s showing roughly $13.4 million in room. No doubt, that’s a number that’s going to move around a bunch in the coming weeks and months, but the broader point remains: the Vikings can add somebody if there’s a desire to do so.

Perhaps the top fit is Jadeveon Clowney, somebody who has been a good edge rusher for a long time and who overlapped with Teasley in Seattle.

Note, as well, that the presence of versatile rookie linebacker Jake Golday inspires some optimism about getting some added help along the edge. Moreover, Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez, Caleb Banks, and other defensive linemen will be leaned on to make passers skittish.

Cameron Jordan, 36, has been defying normal age limitations for a long time. He’ll look to continue doing so for a Saints team that has finally decided to rebuild after years of futility.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

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