clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Former Bengals Tackle Andre Smith joins Vikings on a one year deal worth up to $4.5 million

Former Bengals Tackle Andre Smith, whom the Vikings recently wined and dined at Manny's has joined the Vikings on a one year, up-to $4.5M deal.

By Andrew Renschen
Vikings new Tackle Andre Smith
Vikings new Tackle Andre Smith
Bengals.com

Former Bengals Tackle Andre Smith tweeted this morning that he will be joining the Vikings on a one year pact:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says the deal is for $3.5 million, that can be $4.5 million with incentives.

Smith recently was wined and dined by the Vikings at their usual Free-Agent-Hot-Spot Manny's steakhouse and he also received a tour of the new stadium before departing, saying things were "50/50" between the Vikings and Cardinals.

The Cardinals have been active on the OL front this past week, trading G Jonathan Cooper to the Patriots for Chandler Jones then bringing in G Evan Mathis on a one year, $6 million deal as well. The Mathis signing likely sapped the funds the Cardinals had left to offer Smith. Or so we thought:

This morning though, it sounded like the Cards may not have been as hot after Smith as we were led to believe. Words from Cards General Manager Steve Keim:

This signing is one in a line of positive transactions the Vikings have made to shore up and deepen its Offensive Line unit overall.

Former 49er Alex Boone came first as their "prize" of Free Agency to take over at Left Guard.  Then Right Guard Mike Harris was retained to compete with Brandon Fusco (who should slide back to the right side, where he performed better.) Now with Smith on board, he'll provide Right Tackle competition and insurance with Phil Loadholt on the comeback trail from a torn achilles tendon in 2015.

It will be interesting to see how new OL coach Tony Sparano shakes things up and the training camp battles will be fun to watch!

Thoughts on the signing? Comment below.

More From Daily Norseman