On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings came to terms with an offensive playmaker. The NFC North club is still working on a contract extension with star wideout Justin Jefferson, but in the meantime, they extended a tight end with free agency looming. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Vikings have re-signed tight end Johnny Mundt.
Mundt could play a significant role for Minnesota next season, with incumbent starter T.J. Hockenson expected to miss time. Hockenson tore his ACL and MCL late last season. The Iowa product finished the season with 95 catches for 960 yards and five scores in 15 games.
Minnesota Vikings: Re-Sign TE Johnny Mundt
Tight end Johnny Mundt will remain with the purple and gold for the 2024 season. Mundt, an undrafted free agent in 2017, signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a rookie. He recorded his first reception the following year, a five-yard catch against the San Francisco 49ers in the season finale. After five seasons of low production with the Rams, Mundt signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022. He finished his tenure in Los Angeles with ten catches for 93 yards.
The #Vikings agreed to terms with TE Johnny Mundt, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Kevin O'Connell said last year he thinks Mundt is the NFL's best No. 3 tight end, and now Mundt’s staying in Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/x79ksvnZGa
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2024
The Oregon product recorded 19 receptions for 140 yards and one touchdown during his inaugural season with the Vikings. He recorded his first NFL touchdown in a mid-season win over the Arizona Cardinals. Mundt again saw solid action in 2023, collecting 17 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown. Mundt played a significant role late in the season when starting tight end T.J. Hockenson went down with a brutal leg injury. The six-foot-four pass catcher snagged nine passes for 97 yards and a touchdown across the team’s final two games.
Vikings: Expecting Changes to Open Season
The Minnesota Vikings will have a new look for next season’s season opener. They will be without former longtime starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, last year’s lead back Alexander Mattison, and presumably tight end T.J. Hockenson. Cousins, who tore his Achilles last season, hits free agency after six seasons and three Pro Bowl appearances with the franchise. Meanwhile, the Vikings cut Mattison early this month after averaging only 3.9 yards per rush attempt in 2023. Minnesota currently rosters restricted free agent Cam Akers and third-year back Ty Chandler in the running back room.
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