The Vikings are fixing a leaky offensive line and their first solution is signing free-agent guard Alex Boone, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
KFAN reports the deal is four years for $26.8 million with $10 million guaranteed, and it will become official once Boone, a two-time Pro Bowl lineman with the 49ers, signs a contract after the new league year begins at 3 p.m., the Pioneer Press reports.
The newspaper adds that Boone will likely be an immediate starter at left guard while Brandon Fusco moves back to right guard. New Vikings offensive line coach Tony Sparano has familiarity Boone from his days coaching tight ends in San Francisco.
NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport says Boone was Minnesota’s second choice at guard after former Ravens guard/tackle Kelechi Osemele agreed to a monster contract with the Raiders.
The #Vikings are landing G Alex Boone, which was their guard of choice after Osemele, source said (@AdamSchefter on it first)
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2016
According to USA Today, Boone was a key factor in jumpstarting the 49ers’ dominating offensive line in 2012. He played right guard that season through 2014 before moving to left guard in 2015.
Alex Boone is very good. Assuming the price tag is right, this is a strong move for the Vikings. https://t.co/1nIg5RYjNj
— Paul Charchian (@PaulCharchian) March 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/GoesslingESPN/status/707611581165780992
Hat-tip to Reddit for the great Boone head-butting GIF.
Other signings:
The second reported signing by the Vikings on Wednesday is former Lions linebacker Travis Lewis, according to the Pioneer Press.
Lewis started 4 games and played in 15 last season en route to 10 tackles and 1 sack. He’ll add depth in Minnesota.
Travis Lewis started four games last season for Lions. Will provide the #Vikings with depth at the position. Good on special teams.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 9, 2016
The Vikings also added another one of Mike Zimmer’s former players. ESPN’s Ben Goessling reports that Minnesota signed former Bengals linebacker Emmanuel Lamur to a two-year contract. He spent his first two seasons in the NFL playing for Zimmer in Cincinnati.
Lamur has started 15 games for the Bengals over the last two years.
Defensive tackle Kendrick Ellis and right guard Mike Harris also re-signed with the Vikings.
We have re-signed defensive tackle @KenrickEllis.https://t.co/AfFT3QoQLo pic.twitter.com/dAvw2kibuc
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 9, 2016
Safety Michael Griffin has signed with Minnesota as well, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. Beat reporters are indicating that this means the Vikings will no longer be pursuing the Bengals’ Reggie Nelson, as had been rumored earlier.
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/707702976639606784
https://twitter.com/mattvensel/status/707703987349405697
