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Vikings Lose Former 1st-Round Pick to Chiefs: Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Trevor Squire | Last updated Mar 14, 2025 8:37 PM ET

The Minnesota Vikings bolstered their defensive front in free agency, signing Jonathan Allen (three years, $51 million) and Javon Hargrave (two years, $30 million) to lucrative contracts.

It was a significant investment for the Vikings, who ranked 28th in spending on the defensive line with just $11.7 million spent on five rostered defensive linemen in 2024.

That unit provided plenty of value, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards in the league, but offered more to be desired in the pass rush. It led to the Vikings selling out to create pressure, blitzing at the highest rate in the NFL.

The desire to improve the defensive line has led several meaningful contributors to reach free agency, but there is still the possibility of re-signing as depth.

However, that won't be the case with a former first-round pick who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Day 5 of free agency.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Friday, March 14, that Jerry Tillery is signing a one-year deal with the Chiefs.

Former #Vikings DE Jerry Tillery is signing with the #Chiefs on a 1-year deal, source said. Former first-rounder.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2025

The 28th overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2019 draft, Tillery didn't live up to his draft status initially and was released after three seasons. He spent two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders before signing a one-year, $3.8 million deal with the Vikings last season.

Tillery played every game and made 11 starts, playing the third-most snaps (482) on the defensive front last season. He totaled 19 pressures and 19 total tackles, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Fellow starter Jonathan Bullard remains a free agent while nose tackle Harrison Phillips is poised to start with Allen and Hargrave on each of his shoulders.

Bullard and Tillery's combined 25 total pressures pale in comparison to Allen and Hargrave's 113 combined pressures from the 2023 season.

Jihad Ward, who played 452 snaps last season, is also still a free agent.

Meanwhile, the Vikings have retained Jalen Redmond and Levi-Drake Rodriguez as developmental pieces.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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