Vikings Sign Pair of New Players

The Minnesota Vikings hired a new general manager, Nolan Teasley, earlier this month, and it didn’t take long for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s replacement to tweak the roster. Teasley onboarded a new tight and defensive tackle, with about six weeks to go before the start of training camp.

NBC Sports‘ Josh Alper wrote Tuesday, “The Vikings did some roster shuffling on Tuesday. They announced that they have signed tight end Marshall Lang and defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie.”

“The two players are joining the team at the end of the offseason program and will have more work to look forward to at this summer’s training camp. The Vikings waived offensive tackle Caleb Etienne and defensive lineman Monkell Goodwine in corresponding moves.”

Here’s what to know about those additions.

Vikings Add More Size to Both Sides of the Ball

Marshall Lang (TE)

Lang is a big tight end who will firmly fit on the roster bubble. He spent five seasons at Northwestern, gradually increasing his involvement after a quiet freshman year. From 2022 to 2024, he developed into a reliable receiving option, concluding his college career with 48 catches, 491 yards, and 4 touchdowns. While these statistics aren’t utterly spectacular, they were sufficient to attract NFL interest. He was also a teammate of new Vikings offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan at Northwestern.

His physical attributes are also a plus. Lang stands 6’4″, weighs approximately 250 pounds, and possesses solid athletic test results. His size is adequate for a backup tight end role. Following the 2025 NFL Draft, Seattle initially signed him, then cut him in August, re-signed him, and cut him again. New England also cycled him through their practice squad, eventually signing him to a futures deal before releasing him in April 2026.

His career path thus far has been typical for an undrafted tight end: bouncing between practice squads and aspiring to some long-term staying power, without securing a permanent NFL roster spot. The Vikings are likely evaluating him as a low-risk option, considering his size and blocking potential. That’s what June free-agent signings are for.

Lang has never taken an NFL snap in the regular season.

Jahvaree Ritzie (DT)

Ritzie, a developmental defensive lineman, brings enough collegiate production to add a bit of intrigue to the Vikings’ summer roster.

He played four seasons at North Carolina, appearing in 51 games and evolving from a rotational player into a significant contributor on the front seven. His senior season was particularly impressive: 40 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, an interception, 2 pass deflections, and 2 forced fumbles.

Undrafted in 2025, Ritzie initially signed with the Patriots, landed on their practice squad, and was released in early September. Pittsburgh later signed him to a futures contract in January but waived him in May.

Ritzie obviously isn’t a can’t-miss superstar. His journey reflects the typical NFL grind for players on the roster bubble: possessing good size and some college highlights, experiencing short tours with teams, and continuously searching for the right fit. For Minnesota, his appeal is apparent. Ritzie offers power and sufficient pass-rush production to warrant a closer look. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores can always utilize another big player capable of disrupting opposing offenses. Flores did the same thing in recent months by signing Isaiahh Loudermilk, Eric Johnson, Smith Vilbert.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein noted on Ritize before the 2025 NFL Draft, “Ritzie put together solid production in his first season as a full-time starter. He plays with adequate early hands and good base width to take on blocks but sets shallow anchors against add-on blockers that prevent him from effectively defending his turf.”

“Ritzie isn’t quick enough or explosive enough for me to project disruption from him in either phase. He might be fighting for a back-end roster spot in camp.”

Like Lang, Ritzie does not have regular season experience.

The Updated TE Room

The Vikings have a full house at tight end, which is why Lang must stand off the page at training camp and in the preseason to have a shot at the active roster. Here’s the pecking order in mid-June:

• T.J. Hockenson
• Josh Oliver
• Ben Yurosek
• Gavin Bartholomew
• Bryson Nesbit
• Marshall Lang

Lang will basically have to outperform Yurosek or Bartholomew in the coming months, a task most wouldn’t consider insurmountable. Minnesota, too, could keep four tight ends on the 53-man roster, strengthening Lang’s case for the first regular season action of his young career.

The former Seahawk could be a prime candidate for the practice squad.

The DTs

Minnesota has been on a heater in adding new interior defensive linemen since April. The club cut ties with Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in March, but that was just the beginning. Here’s the group at the moment:

• Jalen Redmond
• Caleb Banks
• Domonique Orange
• Levi Drake Rodriguez
• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
• Isaiahh Loudermilk
• Eric Johnson
• Smith Vilbert
• Taki Taimani
• Elijah Williams
• Jahvaree Ritzie

Ritize faces an extremely long shot to make the active roster, mainly because Redmond, Banks, Orange, Rodriguez, and Ingram-Dawkins seem uncuttable. However, like Lang, a practice squad assignment is within reach.

Lang will turn 25 in October, and Ritzie celebrated his 23rd birthday in January.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker