Kyle Rudolph
FILE - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) speaks with wide receiver Julio Jones (11) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, in Atlanta, in this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, file photo. The Atlanta Falcons began their offseason training program Tuesday, May 25, 20921, without longtime star receiver Julio Jones, who apparently has no intention of returning to a rebuilding team that is still struggling to get under the salary cap. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, FIle)
June 1st arrival gives NFL teams more flexibility

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 01, 2021 03:50 PM EDT

New York Giants quarterback throws during NFL football practice in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, May 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Giants load up offense with playmakers for QB Jones

By Tom Canavan May. 27, 2021 05:22 PM EDT

FILE - Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr (55) drops into coverage against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, in this Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, file photo. Barr is back on the field with the Vikings, having recovered from a torn pectoral muscle that ruined his 2020 season and adjusted his contract to help the team's salary cap management and speed up his next foray into free agency. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Return of Anthony Barr a key upgrade for Vikings defense

By Dave Campbell May. 26, 2021 06:44 PM EDT

Free agency sets up Giants, Judge for NFL draft at No. 11

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 12:37 PM EDT
11. NEW YORK GIANTS (6-10) LAST SEASON: Despite an 0-5 start and the loss of Saquon Barkley to a knee injury in the second game, Joe Judge...

With No. 14 pick, Vikings could use boost on both lines

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2021 12:32 PM EDT
14. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9) LAST SEASON: Minnesota stumbled to a 1-5 start due largely to a deteriorated defense coach Mike Zimmer declared...

FILE - Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) rushes against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Nashville, Tenn., in this Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, file photo. The New York Giants gave it the old college try in signing cornerback Adoree Jackson and filling another glaring need in free agency. Hours after signing a three-year, $39 million contract, Jackson said he felt like a college recruit they way players and coaches pumped up the team in trying to get him to join the Giants. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen, File)
Giants used college tactics recruiting cornerback Jackson

By Tom Canavan Mar. 23, 2021 04:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson plays against the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn. The New York Giants continued their free agent spending spree, signing former cornerback Jackson. A person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press the team reached a three-year deal with the former Titan. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday, March 22, 2021, because the agreement with the free agent has not been announced. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski, File)
Giants continue signing spree, adding CB Adoree Jackson

By Tom Canavan Mar. 22, 2021 07:07 PM EDT

FILE - Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake (41) dives over the line for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020, file photo. The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $14.5 million with free agent running back Kenyan Drake to complement starter Josh Jacobs. A person familiar with the deal says Drake will be guaranteed $11 million under the deal agreed to on Thursday, March 18, 2021. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Let's Talk: NFL free agents and traded players speak up

By Barry Wilner Mar. 18, 2021 05:33 PM EDT

FILE - New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) is shown in action during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. Leonard Williams got everything he wanted in a three-year, $63 million contract with the New York Giants before the start of free agency. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Giants' Williams says he got what he wanted in free agency

By Tom Canavan Mar. 18, 2021 03:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 file photo, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson (21) reacts to a play during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Glendale, Ariz. The Minnesota Vikings agreed to a one-year contract worth up to $10 million with eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson on Wednesday March 17, 2021 according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.(AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart, File)
AP source: Vikings agree to deal with CB Patrick Peterson

By Dave Campbell Mar. 17, 2021 10:30 PM EDT

Vikings have needs on both lines, but little space under cap

By The Associated Press Mar. 12, 2021 04:28 PM EST
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9) UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: SS Anthony Harris, LB Eric Wilson, OT Rashod Hill, LG Dakota Dozier, DT Jaleel Johnson,...

FILE - In this Dec. 6, 2020, file photo, Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Riley Reiff (71) looks to make a block during the second half of the team's NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Minneapolis. The Vikings made their costliest move yet for salary cap compliance Wednesday, March 10, 2021, by terminating the contract of Reiff with one year left on it, weakening an offensive line that was already in need of some upgrades. Though Reiff plays a critical position and 2020 was by most measures the best of his four seasons with the Vikings, cutting him will trim $11.75 million off the team's cap charges. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
Vikings cut LT Riley Reiff for cap savings of more than $11M

By Dave Campbell Mar. 10, 2021 07:53 PM EST

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 file photo, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman says the team has no plan to move on from quarterback Kirk Cousins. Spielman's comments were his first on the team's roster since the season ended. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Vikings GM: 'Kirk Cousins is our quarterback'

By Dave Campbell Mar. 03, 2021 06:38 PM EST

AP Sportlight

By The Associated Press Jan. 26, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Jan. 27 1937 — Tris Speaker and Cy Young are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 1969 — The Pittsburgh Steelers name...

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jan. 21, 2021 12:55 PM EST
Jan. 27 1937 — Tris Speaker and Cy Young are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 1969 — The Pittsburgh Steelers name...

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) tries in vain to pull in a pass over New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. The Saints won 52-33. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Vikings enter offseason with deteriorated defense to repair

By Dave Campbell Jan. 04, 2021 06:29 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) tries in vain to pull in a pass over New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. The Saints won 52-33. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Lions, Vikings both stumbling to the finish

By Noah Trister Dec. 31, 2020 05:19 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs from Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson (39) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
AP sources: Star Vikings RB Cook absent after father's death

By Dave Campbell Dec. 30, 2020 01:14 PM EST

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries for his fifth touchdown of the game, in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings54 in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Eliminated Vikings seek to find purpose from final week

By Dave Campbell Dec. 28, 2020 08:26 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) fumbles as he is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Saints sack leader Hendrickson, Vikings linebacker Davis out

Dec. 25, 2020 03:26 PM EST