Jerry Tillery, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Last season the Minnesota Vikings ripped off 14 wins before they flamed out against the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs. Sam Darnold came in on a bridge quarterback deal and crushed expectations which led to a nice payday for him this offseason.
While Kevin O’Connell’s team performed well as a whole, it was clear all season that their interior offensive and defensive fronts left plenty to be desired. That has been the case for a few seasons now. Harrison Phillips returned as an established veteran, but the MN Vikings bet on former first round pick Jerry Tillery.
He was one of many departing free agents this offseason and now he has found a new home.
Jerry Tillery leaves Minnesota Vikings for the Chiefs
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Jerry Tillery with the 28th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He lasted three and a half seasons there before being dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders. Tillery played all 17 games (starting six) for the Raiders in 2023. Last season with Minnesota he drew 11 starts across 17 games played. Now he’s going to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sources: The #Chiefs are signing former #Chargers 1st-round DT Jerry Tillery to a 1-year deal.
Good depth add to the Kansas City D-Line, as Tillery has recorded 12.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 50 career starts. pic.twitter.com/9aysyt3zdK
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 14, 2025
With the MN Vikings Tillery recorded 28 tackles with one being for a loss. He had three quarterback hits but failed to record a single sack for the first time in his career. As a whole he has 12.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 50 starts (96 total games).
Related: Vikings Signing Very Familiar Free Agent Linebacker
Like the Vikings, Kansas City is bringing in Tillery hoping to extract some additional value from a player once seen with immense upside. Tillery has yet to prove that at the highest level, but maybe his fourth stop is where he can put it all together.
In Kansas City it stands to reason that Tillery will start alongside defensive tackle Chris Jones. Even on a one-year deal, the former Notre Dame product has to be excited about the opportunity to remain relevance.
Minnesota Vikings line overhaul complete
Last season the Vikings signed Jerry Tillery to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million. He was fine but the position needed a substantial upgrade. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah accomplished that in the form of both Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
Jonathan Allen with the spinning back fist sack pic.twitter.com/tl1kqBvaGm
— mike (@bengals_sans) July 5, 2024
Harrison Phillips is in the final year of his two-year, $15 million contract he agreed to with Minnesota last season. Supplementing his presence with both Allen and Hargrave is huge.
Related: Minnesota Vikings Hosting Young WR on Free Agency Visit
The Vikings have gotten just 6.5 sacks from Phillips over the past three seasons. He had 92 tackles in 2023 before dipping down to 56 last year. Allen and Hargrave bring a combined 97.5 career sacks to the table, and they should help to generate push against the opposition from up front.
There was never any inclination that Minnesota had interest in retaining Tillery. He goes elsewhere, and Brian Flores has to feel excited about the group he can consistently roll out in the year ahead.
Mentioned in this article: Jerry Tillery NFL Free Agency More About:Minnesota Vikings News