With NFL free agency right around the corner, ESPN’s Courtney Cronin put together the best and worst recent Vikings’ signings.
The worst brings us back to 2017 when the Vikings signed former Packers defensive tackle Datone Jones.
Here’s what Cronin wrote about the signing:
Rightfully concerned about the health of former first-round pick Sharrif Floyd, the Vikings signed Jones to a one-year, $3.75 million deal in March 2017. A former first-rounder himself, Jones was released by Green Bay at the end of the 2016 season after failing to live up to his draft expectations. Minnesota expected Jones would become a rotational pass-rusher, but it wasn’t the right fit. Jones was cut a few days before the regular season.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, $1.7 million of that $3.75 million deal was guaranteed. Tough stuff for GM Rick Spielman. Jones’ last NFL game came in 2018 when he appeared in one game for the Dallas Cowboys.
At 29 years old, Jones is a free agent.