The Minnesota Vikings have signed another Minnesota native.
St. Louis Park native and former Bemidji State standout Brian Leonhardt agreed to a one-year deal with the Vikings Friday.
It means that Leonhardt may play professional football just a few miles from where he attended high school.
Couldn't be happier signing with the Vikings today. Now I gotta make up to lift I missed this morning. #work
— Brian Leonhardt (@BrianLeonhardt) March 18, 2016
According to 1500 ESPN, Leonhardt and the Vikings agreed to a one-year, $600,000 deal. He’s a fourth-year NFL tight end and has appeared in 16 games for both the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers.
Leonhardt was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Raiders in 2013 and was coached by new Vikings offensive line coach, Tony Sparano in San Francisco last season.
https://twitter.com/GoesslingESPN/status/710920539183796225
ESPN’s Ben Goessling notes that five of Minnesota’s six free-agent additions have played for a current member of the Vikings’ coaching staff previously.
Leonhardt has seven catches for 39 yards in his career. The Star Tribune notes at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds Leonhardt is thought of as more of a blocking tight end.
He could add depth for the Vikings especially as Rhett Ellison continues to rehab from a torn patellar tendon he suffered at the end of last season.
The news headlined several free-agent moves announced by the Vikings Friday.
- The team also officially announced the signing of Cincinnati tackle Andre Smith.
- They also officially announced they have re-signed defensive back Terrence Newman and defensive lineman Justin Trattou.
