The Vikings release a linebacker and sign a tight end with four NFL starts.

Reinforcing the Roster: Vikings Sign Veteran Tight End Giovanni Ricci and Release Outside Linebacker Matt Harmon

In a pair of corresponding transactions designed to bolster depth at tight end and streamline linebacker competition, the Minnesota Vikings on June 10, 2025, signed veteran tight end Giovanni Ricci and waived outside linebacker Matt Harmon. Though neither move makes immediate headlines alongside star contracts or blockbuster trades, they underscore the Vikings’ commitment to roster precision and competitive balance as mandatory minicamp looms. Below, we explore the backgrounds of both players, the strategic implications of these decisions, and what lies ahead for Minnesota’s 2025 campaign.

Giovanni Ricci: A Versatile Weapon Arrives in Minnesota

Giovanni Ricci, 28, brings five seasons of NFL experience—36 games played with four starts—to the Vikings’ tight end room. After a standout senior year at Western Michigan in 2019, where he logged 51 receptions for 642 yards and eight touchdowns, Ricci went undrafted in 2020. He signed with the Carolina Panthers as a free agent, spending his rookie season on the practice squad before contributing on offense and special teams over the next three years.

• Panthers Tenure (2020–2023): Ricci appeared in 36 games, starting four, and recorded nine receptions for 102 yards from 2021–23. While his pass-catching numbers were modest, his blocking ability and special-teams acumen made him a valuable depth piece. He played nearly 650 snaps on special teams during that span, grading out favorably in coverage units and blocking assignments.
• Brief Stints in Cleveland and New England: In March 2024, Ricci signed with the Cleveland Browns but was released in August following an injury settlement. He later inked a reserve/futures deal with the New England Patriots on February 3, 2025, only to be waived on April 28, 2025, as New England trimmed its roster. These short-lived stops attest to Ricci’s resilience and his continued pursuit of the right fit.

Ricci’s signing offers Minnesota more than just an additional body at tight end. His ability to line up inline, flexed, or even in an H-back role provides schematic flexibility. Moreover, his special-teams prowess immediately factors into the 53-man roster calculus, where versatility and willingness to contribute on every down can tip the balance for bubble players.

Matt Harmon: A Brief Opportunity Cut Short

Matt Harmon, 25, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State, where he spent seven seasons—thanks in part to an extra year of eligibility during COVID—playing 49 games and amassing 105 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and four sacks. His college résumé earned him an invitation to Minnesota’s rookie minicamp, after which he secured a spot on the 90-man offseason roster.

• Competition at Outside Linebacker: Harmon faced steep competition. The Vikings feature Pro Bowl-caliber linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel (who signed a one-year, $23 million extension in April 2025) and Jonathan Greenard, plus high-upside rookies like Dallas Turner, the Baltimore Ravens’ former first-round pick acquired in a trade. Against that backdrop, Harmon’s special-teams snaps and practice performances ultimately weren’t enough to survive final cuts.
• Next Steps: While being waived is a setback, Harmon’s college production and physical profile (6’3″, 245 lbs) keep him on teams’ radars. Players with his stature and training-camp reps often join practice squads or sign futures contracts elsewhere. His journey reflects the razor-thin margins undrafted players navigate in the NFL.

Timing and Context: Minicamp Prelude to Training Camp

The Vikings executed these moves on the eve of their three-day mandatory minicamp (June 10–12, 2025). With summer workouts underway and training camp just weeks away, front offices evaluate not only star talent but also borderline players who factor into special teams and positional depth. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s front-loaded approach signals Minnesota’s desire to finalize depth charts and identify practice-squad candidates well before the pads come on.

• Maximizing Roster Windows: Early roster churn allows new signees like Ricci to acclimate to the playbook and coaching staff, while also giving those on the roster bubble—like Harmon—a clear timeline to catch on elsewhere if released.
• Strategic Depth at Tight End: With starter T.J. Hockenson entrenched alongside emerging playmaker Josh Oliver (fresh off a three-year extension), the Vikings prioritized competition behind their top duo. Ricci enters a battle with sixth-round pick Gavin Bartholomew and undrafted rookies Bryson Nesbit and Ben Yurosek for the TE 3 spot and special-teams roles.

The Tight End Landscape in Minnesota

Minnesota’s tight end hierarchy begins with Hockenson—one of the league’s premier pass-catchers at the position—followed by Oliver, whose run-blocking prowess earned top grades from Pro Football Focus in 2024. Behind them, the pecking order remains fluid:

1. T.J. Hockenson: The 2023 Pro Bowl selection commands targets in the intermediate passing game and excels as a blocker in the run game.
2. Josh Oliver: A dependable blocker and red-zone threat, Oliver’s three-year extension (through 2027) at $23.25 million cements his role as the clear No. 2.
3. Giovanni Ricci: His blend of experience, blocking technique, and special-teams snaps gives him a realistic path onto the 53-man roster if he outperforms rookie competitors.
4. Gavin Bartholomew: Selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Bartholomew offers youth and upside but lacks Ricci’s NFL reps.
5. Bryson Nesbit & Ben Yurosek: Two undrafted rookies with raw athleticism and developmental potential, but no regular-season game experience.

Ricci’s value lies in his “do-everything” profile: inline blocking, move-tight end duties in two-tight formations, and stand-up roles on special teams. In a league where roster spots often hinge on championship-mindset traits, his professional pedigree and locker-room presence carry weight.

Evaluating the Linebacker Depth Chart

Waiving Harmon does little to disrupt Minnesota’s formidable linebacker corps. Following Van Ginkel’s contract extension—and Jonathan Greenard’s 2024 breakout season with 11 sacks—the Vikings added Dallas Turner and retained veteran Eric Wilson, who re-signed in March 2025 after previous stints with Minnesota and Green Bay.

• Top Tier: Van Ginkel and Greenard form an elite pass-rush tandem, combining power, athleticism, and coverage ability.
• Middle Tier: Turner, a former Ravens first-round pick, projects as a situational rusher and developmental piece.
• Veteran Depth: Wilson and fellow journeyman linebackers provide special-teams depth and emergency rotational snaps.

Harmon’s release reflects roster logistics rather than a commentary on his talent ceiling. Teams continuously cycle fringe players to maintain competitive practice environments and to field the most effective special-teams units.

What’s Next for Ricci—and the Vikings

Giovanni Ricci’s immediate goal: carve out a role on special teams and impress coaches with his blocking in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 drills during minicamp and training camp. Rich in experience but chronically on the fringe, he must convert every rep into a highlight that separates him from opponents on the depth chart.

• Special Teams Trials: Preseason snaps on punt and kickoff coverage will serve as a proving ground.
• Rotational Offense: Limited packages in camp and preseason games will test his readiness to pick up Kyle Sloter’s or J.J. McCarthy’s (Minnesota’s 2025 first-round quarterback) sight-lines and blocking schemes.
• Practice Squad Considerations: If Ricci falls short of the 53-man cut, he’s likely to land on Minnesota’s practice squad, where he can continue developing and step in if injuries strike the tight end room.

For the Vikings, the payoff of such low-visibility moves often materializes in the homestretch of the season, when injuries mount and depth is tested. A reliable third-string tight end who can handle snaps at fullback or in spread-heavy sub-packages can shift the tide in close games.

Conclusion

The Vikings’ signing of Giovanni Ricci and release of Matt Harmon exemplify the subtle roster maneuvers that underpin sustained success in today’s NFL. While fans fixate on marquee acquisitions and draft-day fireworks, teams win championships by identifying and employing role players who excel in specific niches—be it special teams, blocking assignments, or situational packages.

Ricci arrives with exactly the résumé Minnesota covets in a backup tight end: NFL experience, versatile deployment, and proven special-teams value. Harmon, despite a productive college career, becomes the latest casualty in the unforgiving roster grind—a reminder that margins between making it and moving on are wafer-thin.

As the Vikings transition from organized team activities into minicamp and training camp, these moves set the tone: every roster spot is earned, competition is non-negotiable, and depth is as vital as star power. In the battles ahead, Ricci’s performance could validate this strategic decision, while elsewhere, Harmon’s next opportunity will reflect the cyclical nature of NFL roster building.

Ultimately, Minnesota’s front office and coaching staff continue to sculpt a team balanced across star talent and unsung specialists—a formula that, more often than not, defines contenders in the Marathon to the Super Bowl.