With both the UFL and NFL in their offseason lulls, it's the perfect time to dive into some offseason content. As the UFL awaits the next wave of NFL signings for the 2026 player acquisition cycle, we're taking a look back at how each NFL team has utilized spring football as a developmental pipeline during the modern era of spring football since 2022. We continue the series with the Minnesota Vikings, highlighting every spring league player the organization has signed over the past four years.
2022 Cycle:
The Vikings would not sign any players from the USFL in 2022.
2023 Cycle:
After not signing any players during the 2022 signing cycle, the Vikings relied heavily on the XFL signing five players to their roster for training camp. OL Jack Snyder (Houston Roughnecks), RB Abram Smith (D.C. Defenders), and QB Jordan Ta’amu (D.C. Defenders) would all be released, however the team did sign WR Lucky Jackson (D.C. Defenders) to their practice squad.
Jackson would spend almost three seasons with Minnesota before his release during the 2025 season, appearing in 3 games in 2023. Jackson would be released in September of 2025, joining the Louisville Kings of the UFL in 2026, and now is rostered with the Detroit Lions.
In 2024, after an injury to Will Reichard, the Vikings signed John Parker Romo (San Antonio Brahmas) who appeared in four games for the team going 11/12 on FGs, and 7/8 on extra points before his release in December of 2024.
2024 Cycle:
In 2024, the Vikings would find a viable contributor with one of their four signings this cycle. While QB Matt Corral (Birmingham Stallions), WR Justin Hall (Houston Roughnecks) and OL Chuck Filiaga (San Antonio Brahmas) would all be released DL Jalen Redmond (Arlington Renegades) would make the active roster.
Redmond has since become a key contributor for the Vikings appearing in 30 games, recording 80 tackles and 7.0 sacks. Redmond is one season away from not only being a vested NFL veteran, but also a massive payday as a free agent in 2027.
2025 Cycle:
The Vikings did not sign any UFL players during the 2025 signing cycle.
In total, the Vikings have signed nine players with spring football ties. Most notably Jalen Redmond has been one of Minnesota’s highest investments as the defensive lineman goes into year three with the team and could be due a massive payday. The team has also seen Kicker John Parker Romo perform admirably with incumbent Will Reichard dealing with an injury. With NFL training camp set to begin this week, more UFL players are projected to earn NFL opportunities for the 2026 UFL to NFL signing cycle.