Kevin O'Connell head coach Minnesota Vikings
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - DECEMBER 25: Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during warm-ups prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 25, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings have experienced some key losses throughout the last month.
The most notable of these losses are WR Jalen Nailor, DL Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, and P Ryan Wright. Though the free agency frenzy has been over, that doesn’t mean the losses are over, however.
Minnesota just watched another role player walk to another team, albeit less notable.
Former Vikings OL Justin Skule Returns to Tampa Bay
Minnesota Vikings, Justin Skule
GettyEAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 24: Sean Tucker #44 celebrates with teammate Justin Skule #77 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after scoring a touchdown against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Buccaneers specialist Greg Auman of Fox Sports broke the news on X.
“Bucs are bringing back offensive lineman Justin Skule, a key backup from 2022-24 who played for the Vikings last year.”
Skule spent just one year in Minnesota after three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is originally a San Francisco 49er.
NFLTradeRumors added some context into Skule’s career thus far.
“Skule, 29, was a sixth-round pick by the 49ers out of Vanderbilt in 2019. He signed a four-year rookie deal worth $2.699 million and was set to make a base salary of $850,ooo in 2021 when he was waived with an injury designation and reverted to injured reserve.
San Francisco waived Skule again coming out of the preseason in 2022 and he made his way onto the Buccaneers’ practice squad. Tampa Bay brought him back on a futures contract for the 2023 season and he made the roster.”
Skule would then hit unrestricted free agency in 2025, inking a one-year deal in Minnesota. He appeared in 16 games in 2025, starting 9. PFF graded him 45th out of 84 qualifying tackles.
The Vikings’ acquisition of former Bills tackle Ryan Van Demark filled the hole that Skule left.
Minnesota Landed Ryan Van Demark After Bills Declined Offer Sheet
Minnesota Vikings T Ryan Van Demark
GettyORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 20: Tyler Bass #2 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after kicking a field goal with teammate Ryan Van Demark #74 against the Tennessee Titans during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The Vikings signed Van Demark a couple of weeks ago, as reported by Tom Pelissero onX.
“RFA on the move: The Bills will not match the offer sheet to OL Ryan Van Demark, who is headed to the Vikings on a one-year, $4.2 million fully guaranteed deal, sources tell The Insiders.”
Pelissero added some context on to the signing of the former UConn lineman.
“Undrafted out of UConn in 2022 and cut by the Colts out of training camp, Ryan Van Demark played in 43 games (six starts) over the past three seasons with the Bills and now heads to Minnesota on a deal that includes a 2.5 million signing bonus.”
Van Demark will likely play in a swing tackle role when needed for the Vikings. In 2025, the mountain of a man played 94 snaps at LT and 218 snaps at RT. A welcome addition for a Vikings team needing offensive line depth.