On Wednesday, the Vikings signed outside linebacker Jihad Ward and inside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill, two more experienced defensive free agents. Both players are joining their sixth NFL franchise after being picked in 2016. They turn 30 in May.
The Eagles originally selected Grugier-Hill in the sixth round out of Eastern Illinois. After playing for the Philadelphia Eagles for his first four years of his career, he played the latter four with the Dolphins, Texans, Cardinals, and Panthers. 42 regular-season starts have been made by Grugier-Hill, including a career-high 14 with Houston in 2021 and five with Carolina the previous season. He has 28 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions in his career.
Grugier-Hill, who has almost 1,800 career special teams snaps, can be viewed as Troy Dye’s replacement by the Vikings, as Dye recently inked a contract with the Chargers. In addition, he will be a backup inside linebacker behind Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr.
In 2016, the Raiders selected Ward in the second round out of Illinois. After making 13 starts in his first season, he spent the following five years of his career primarily as a rotational player with Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Jacksonville. Ward has appeared in over 650 snaps and started 20 games for the Giants in the last two seasons. Since joining the Giants, he has accumulated 12 of his 24 career TFL, 8 of his 18 career sacks, and 3 of his forced fumbles.
Ward goes into the Vikings’ outside linebacker room with Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Pat Jones II, and Andre Carter II.
Neither Grugier-Hill nor Ward seem like game changers; their career PFF grades are not outstanding, and they were available for free agency at this particular time for a purpose. However, at a minimal price, the two veterans will give the Vikings, who don’t have any second or third-round picks this year, some crucial depth.
