New Headline: Vikings Brace for Rush to Seal Pro Bowl Star Swap with Bills

Shawn Dowd/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK The Minnesota Vikings used the first week of free agency to sign a new quarterback in Kyler Murray and a veteran cornerback in James Pierre. Fast forward to free agency’s second wave, and in addition to adding two-time Pro Bowl punter Johnny Hekker on Tuesday evening, Minnesota also tentatively signed a depth offensive tackle: Ryan Van Demark, formerly of the Buffalo Bills. Minnesota is still hunting for offensive line oomph.

The Vikings need OT insurance for Christian Darrisaw’s hot-and-cold ACL recovery in addition to standard depth. Van Demark Makes Sense as a Depth Swing Tackle in MIN The free agency signings are trickling in, alas. Nov 5, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark (74) stretches during warmups before facing the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium, loosening up along the sideline as Buffalo prepared for a high-stakes AFC matchup with playoff implications in a loud, hostile road environment.

Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports Van Demark Signs with Vikings Van Demark is a restricted free agent, meaning the Bills have five days to match the Vikings’ offer. Star Tribune ‘s Ben Goessling wrote Tuesday , “The Vikings made an effort to add depth to their offensive line on Tuesday evening, March 17, signing Bills tackle Ryan Van Demark to an offer sheet, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Van Demark played all 17 games for Buffalo last season, starting a career-high four in his third NFL campaign.

” “He is a restricted free agent, and the Bills have the right to match any offer to him after placing a right of first refusal tender on him. Because he was an undrafted free agent, Buffalo would not receive draft pick compensation if it chose not to match the offer. ” Now, it’s a waiting game.