NFL free agency: OT Andre Smith signs one-year deal with Minnesota Vikings
By Nick Tylwalk
Tackle Andre Smith has joined the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year deal, the latest move the team has made to shore up its offensive line.
If quarterback Teddy Bridgewater can’t stay upright in 2016, it won’t be for a lack of effort on the part of the Minnesota Vikings. NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport says that the team has added tackle Andre Smith, formerly of the Cincinnati Bengals, on a one-year deal worth at least $3.5 million.
OT Andre Smith signed with the #Vikings on a 1-year deal worth $3.5M, source said. With incentives, it can be worth up to $4.5M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2016
CBS Sports reports that the Vikings now have the NFL’s most expensive offensive line, with the guys in the trenches eating up 28 percent of Minnesota’s salary cap space for 2016. The Vikes also pried guard Alex Boone away from the 49ers earlier in the free agency period.
With Matt Kalil at left tackle, Smith could start immediately for his new team at right tackle. A former sixth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Smith spent most of his seven years with the Bengals manning the right side, though it’s fair to say he never quite lived up to the performance his draft position would indicate, failing to get a Pro Bowl nod even once in Cincinnati.
That said, he has a reputation as a terrific run-blocking tackle, so even though the goal is to get Bridgewater sacked less, Smith should make Adrian Peterson happy as he once again carries a heavy load for the Vikings.
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