C.J. Ham
RB / Minnesota Vikings
Ham re-signed with the Vikings on a two-year deal Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
What it means:
Ham has spent the entirety of his six year career with the Vikings and will now be tied to them for another two years. While the 29-year-old saw a diminished role in Kevin O'Connell's offense last year, he is still one of the more utilized fullbacks in the NFL playing on both offense and special teams. Ham will look to have a similar role next season and continue to help open up holes for Dalvin Cook and the rest of the run game.
Troy Reeder
LB / Minnesota Vikings
Reeder signed a deal with the Vikings on Wednesday, Lindsey Young and Craig Peters of the team's official site report.
What it means:
Reeder is coming off of the least productive season of his career, logging 11 tackles (six solo) while playing almost exclusively on special teams. The 2019 undrafted free agent will look to bounce back next year and provide solid depth for the Vikings.
Brandon Powell
WR / Minnesota Vikings
Powell agreed to terms with Minnesota on a one-year contract Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
What it means:
Powell appeared in all 17 regular-season games for the Rams in 2022, totaling 24 receptions on 32 targets for 156 yards and 17 rushing attempts for 80 yards. He also complied 605 kick-return yards and 177 punt-return yards. With Adam Thielen off to Carolina, the No. 3 wideout spot behind Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn appears to be open for competition, so Powell could have a chance to carve out a solid offensive role, though he figures to have the most opportunities on special teams. Powell is unlikely to unseat Kene Nwangwu, who has three career return touchdowns, as the primary kick returner, but he should have a good chance to win the punt-returning gig over Jalen Reagor.
Jonathan Bullard
DE / Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota is re-signing Bullard on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
What it means:
Bullard played a depth role in his 12 appearances with the Vikings last season, recording 23 tackles (17 solo). The 29-year-old looks set to handle a similar reserve gig for Minnesota in the 2023 campaign.
Dean Lowry
DE / Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota and Lowry (calf) agreed to terms on a two-year, $8.5 million deal Friday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
What it means:
Lowry ended the 2022 campaign on injured reserve with a calf injury he suffered during the Packers' Christmas Day win over Miami. The 2016 fourth-round pick has 15.5 sacks across 80 career starts in seven seasons with Green Bay and should garner a solid role along Minnesota's defensive line in 2023.
Kirk Cousins
QB / Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings aren't committed to Cousins beyond 2023, as his recent restructure pushes more of the cap hit to future years without changing the length of the contract, Chip Scoggins of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
What it means:
The team used void years rather than an extension, but another contract could still happen next offseason or even later this year. While the Vikings hope to find a young quarterback to develop behind their 34-year-old, long-time starter, there's no guarantee of finding the right player this spring or next, especially without the luxury of an early first-round pick. Minnesota's offense largely looks the same as last year through the first few days of the 2023 league year, with the exception of Adam Thielen leaving and blocking tight end Josh Oliver coming over from Baltimore. Quarterback and wide receiver are two of the positions Minnesota could target early in the 2023 draft, though in terms of filling short-term gaps it's the defense that needs more help. Either way, Cousins is year-to-year with the Vikings, which arguably was the case even before this offseason.