Minnesota Vikings News

With nearly $41 million in cap space to work with during 2014 NFL free agency, the Minnesota Vikings are expected to be busy once the new league year begins on March 11. With a glaring need along the defensive line, the Vikings could pull out all of the stops to bring free agent 4-3 defensive end Michael Johnson to Minnesota.

Jan 4, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Darren Sproles carries the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2013 NFC wild card playoff football game at Lincoln Financial Field.

While NFL teams are not allowed to sign unrestricted free agents until March 11, there are already plenty of players making arrangements for their future.

The Minnesota Vikings are counting on fans to pay up when it comes to the franchise's new stadium.

Despite NFL free agency not officially starting until next week, at least in terms of signings being able to announced as official, players who are released by their current team get to effectively be "first to market" and are free to sign with another team without restriction.

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Letroy Guion celebrates the missed field goal by the Chicago Bears in overtime at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome.

Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said last month that the franchise will spin the wheel again in 2014, hoping this is the year it hits on a quarterback.

Josh Freeman was regarded as one of the top young quarterbacks in all of football as late as 2012 before Greg Schiano and Leslie Frazier proved to be the most powerful tag-team since the Road Warriors while taking turns destroying the 26-year-old's reputation.

While Vikings fans pass these cold winter days trying to guess who will be their Quarterback of the Future, one of their Quarterbacks of the Past is getting all the Internet buzz.

Free agency is set to begin on March 11th but teams can start negotiating with free agents on March 8th.

Dec 15, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick pose for a photo following the game at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome.

Career Statistics: 73 games, 27 starts, 297 tackles, 9 sacks, 9 passes defensed, 1 interception, 1 touchdown, 8 forced fumbles, 1 fumble return Outlook: Bishop has shown the ability to be a very good NFL linebacker.

Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel looks to throw the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Minnesota Vikings seem to have two long-term building blocks for their secondary in safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Xavier Rhodes , but adding talent around them has be an offseason priority after they allowed 37 passing touchdowns and 287.2 yards per game last season.

The Minnesota Vikings will have the eighth pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Picking in the top 10 two of the past three years certainly shows the Vikings have plenty of holes to fill.

For more than 30 years the Metrodome has been home to some of the best teams and players in professional sports.

Mark Craig has covered the NFL for 23 years, and the Vikings since 2003 for the Star Tribune.

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen celebrates his sack of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford on Dec. 29, 2013.

Dec 8, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Minnesota Vikings kicker Blair Walsh walks onto the field prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

Oct 7, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive back Alterraun Verner against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome.