Vikings Announce Roster Moves on Friday

Nov 5, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks offensive lineman Jakai Moore (55) and offensive lineman Vershon Lee (53) celebrate being bowl eligible after a win against the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota’s mandatory minicamp is in the books for the 2025 season, and the players will now head into another break that will just be disturbed by three OTA practices next week until they return for training camp next month.

Vikings Announce Roster Moves on Friday

One player will not be present for training camp: Safety Bubba Bolden. He was released on Friday to make room for offensive lineman Vershon Lee.

The Vikings announced on their website, “After wrapping up its mandatory minicamp, Minnesota added to its offensive line. The Vikings on Friday announced the signing of former South Carolina Gamecocks o-lineman Vershon Lee. To make room for Lee, the Vikings released S Bubba Bolden.”

Mar 5, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami defensive back Bubba Bolden (DB43) talks to the media during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images.

Bolden was initially a free-agent signing on the first day of free agency back in March. He joined a refurbished safety crew that had to say goodbye to three-year starter Cam Bynum and promoted Theo Jackson, his backup in those three years. The ageless wonder, Harrison Smith, ultimately returned for another season, and Joshua Metellus remains as Brian Flores’ Swiss Army Knife.

Bolden’s NFL stints were with the Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns after going undrafted in 2022, but he has yet to make his NFL debut. Instead, he spent last year trying to make an UFL roster but was axed by two different franchises in the spring league. His next step is to audition for another team and hope he gets an invite to someone’s training camp.

His roster spot was given to offensive lineman Lee.

Nov 2, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks running back Raheim Sanders (5) and offensive lineman Vershon Lee (53) celebrate a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies in the fourth quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

About the South Carolina protector, the club wrote: “Lee started 40 games in college (18 at center, 16 at left guard and six at right tackle) and appeared in 51 contests overall. He participated in a tryout with the Vikings on Thursday after going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft and was hosted by Minnesota during a Top 30 visit. In 2024, Lee started all 13 games at center for South Carolina and was tabbed a Rex Enright permanent team captain after the season. He also was named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll and was a co-recipient of the program’s Community Service Award.”

His versatility could be key to carving out a career at the pro level. NFL franchises always look for adaptable backup linemen who can play in multiple spots along the offensive line. He played on the left and right sides and has experience at tackle and guard, as well as playing center in 2024.

Sep 16, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks offensive lineman Vershon Lee (53) blocks Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Zion Logue (96) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

“Lee earned solid run-blocking grades from Pro Football Focus in 2024 (71.4) and 2023 (72.0). At the Gamecocks Pro Day in March, he measured in a smidge taller than 6-foot-3 and weighed 304 pounds; Lee lifted 28 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.12 seconds. A native of Woodbridge, Virginia, Lee initially garnered rookie minicamp invites from Kansas City and Chicago.”

The Vikings have not announced the newcomer’s exact position, so all we can do is speculate about him staying at center.

Free agent addition Ryan Kelly is the obvious starter, but behind him, there might be an opening. College center Michael Jurgens was drafted in the seventh round a year ago, but the Vikings list him as a guard. After this year’s draft, the club also signed Zeke Correll out of NC State.

The backup role is up for grabs, and because of Kelly’s injury history, that is actually a fairly important slot. The preseason will be crucial for the reserve candidates.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.

Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt