The Minnesota Vikings accepted a defensive rebuild this season by parting ways with several veterans and giving younger players a chance to develop.
That trend is likely to continue next offseason, with other veterans — including linebacker Jordan Hicks — playing on expiring contracts. Bleacher Report predicted that Hicks will leave.
“The Vikings have a good young linebacker in Ivan Pace Jr., but Jordan Hicks and Troy Dye are impending free agents, so the position will be an offseason need,” according to Bleacher Report’s Week 9 “Team Needs” report.
Hicks avoided the knife last season as a more affordable veteran linebacker option over Eric Kendricks, who was released in March 2023 with a year left on his contract. Hicks’ cap hit of $5 million this season is half the amount of what Kendricks’ would have been.
Hicks has reveled in Brian Flores’ scheme, posting the 19th highest Pro Football Focus defensive grade (78.3) among qualifying inside linebackers this season. As one of the most experienced players on the team, he was also named a captain.
Hicks will be 32 before the start of the 2024 season. He’s earned $36.6 million throughout his career but could return for the right price.
But much as they’ve done with most of the their veterans in recent years, the Vikings would bring him back only on the team’s terms — and Minnesota may look for an option who pairs better with Pace after learning what they have in the undrafted rookie.
Ivan Pace Jr.’s Breakout Rookie Season Brings New Possibilities for Vikings
GettyVikings rookie linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. is enjoying a breakout season after being undrafted in 2023.
Undrafted out of Cincinnati, Pace has posted the 23rd highest PFF grade (75.7) among linebackers through nine weeks, and he offers significant upside as a pass rusher. he has the sixth highest pass-rushing grade (86.5) among linebackers, posting 10 pressures and one sack this season.
Pace has shown he’s capable of shedding blockers despite being undersized, and he’s proficient against the pass, allowing an 81.3 passer rating when defending a passing target.
He is the ideal replacement for the role Kendricks held for nearly a decade before his release.
The next order of business is finding Pace his own Anthony Barr, the longtime Vikings linebacker who spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys, to create a dynamic inside linebacker duo.
Vikings Pass Rush Will See Overhaul in 2024
GettyVikings defensive end Danielle Hunter
The other defensive position group that could undergo an exodus is outside linebacker.
Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport and D.J. Wonnum are all playing on expiring contracts.
Although Davenport has not played much due to injury, the trio accounts for 76% of pass-rusher snaps through nine weeks this season.
The Vikings will have to triage who can stay and who can go, with Hunter being one of the biggest decisions this offseason. He currently leads the league with 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
Justin Jefferson‘s contract extension and the decision at quarterback figure to cut into Minnesota’s cap space next season as well, but the Vikings have made it clear they want to prioritize having a premiere edge rusher by reaching a compromise on a contract rework with Hunter last summer.
Patrick Jones II, who is third with 309 snaps played, figures to continue to be a contributor, while prized undrafted rookie Andre Carter II will be leaned on to take a significant step in his second season next year.
Comments
Vikings Predicted to Cut Ties With $36 Million Starter