Minnesota Vikings take advantage of a contract loophole with Jamal Adams that could spell the end of a fan favorite
It was a surprise for the Minnesota Vikings to sign Jamal Adams, but it makes sense for a variety of factors
Minnesota Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley made a surprise move on Monday night when the team agreed to terms with linebacker Jamal Adams.
It was a very interesting move by the Vikings to add Adams, who does have connections to Teasley. He was the director of pro personnel when the Seattle Seahawks when they facilitated a trade for Adams. He now rejoins Teasley in Minnesota with an interesting element.
Jamal Adams is on an interesting contract
We got contract details from Over The Cap on Adams’ contract, and it’s a massive win for the Vikings. He is on the veteran salary benefit, which will pay him the vested veteran minimum of $1.3 million, but will only cost the Vikings $1.075 million on the salary cap.
It’s something that teams can use as a way to sign a veteran to the minimum over a someone on a rookie deal, which helps keep them in the league. The Vikings have used this in the past, and this helps get Adams in the fold.
Here’s where things get really interesting for the Vikings. With Adams on a minimal contract, it raises another big question: what is the future of Ivan Pace Jr.?
He is entering year four with the Vikings and was benched last year upon Blake Cashman’s return in Week 7. While they did retain him on the original round tender worth $3.52 million, Pace’s job security is in major doubt with the signing of Adams and the selection of Jake Golday in the second round.
The intrigue here is that the contracts for both Pace and Adams are not guaranteed, which makes a training camp competition very likely for that final linebacker spot. The way it could get decided is with special teams reps. Pace had 332 special teams snaps last season, while Adams had none in 2025 and 218 in his entire nine-year career.
If either player doesn’t make the roster, they won’t cost the Vikings a single penny on the salary cap. Let the battle begin.
