The Minnesota Vikings have $37.1 million in cap space and have many free agents this offseason, including the free-agent tight end they recently re-signed.
The Minnesota Vikings re-signed their free-agent tight end.
Minnesota announced they re-signed Nick Muse.
Muse was an exclusive rights free agent, meaning he played less than three years of accrued experience in the NFL. The team can tender the player, but that is the only option, and cannot negotiate with another team unless they get released.
Also, if the team offers the ERFA a one-year deal, the player can accept the offer or sit out for the season. If the team doesn’t tender the player, they become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team.
Minnesota drafted Nick Muse in 2022.
Minnesota drafted Muse in the 7th round, 227th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Minnesota released Muse during the final round of roster cuts and signed him to their practice squad in his rookie season. He got promoted to the active roster on November 19. He appeared in ten games but didn’t record a reception. Minnesota waived him on January 6 and signed him to a reserve/future contract on January 16.
Muse made the 53-man roster in his second season but was a healthy scratch in their first 15 games but played the last two, recording one reception for 22 yards.
Why this move matters.
Re-signing Muse matters because T.J. Hockenson suffered a season-ending ACL and MCL tear in Week 16 and will likely miss the start of the 2024 season. Muse could compete with Josh Oliver for the starting job if Hockenson misses games.
Another thing to consider is Muse and Oliver are the only healthy tight ends under contract with Minnesota, as Johnny Mundt is an unrestricted free agent.