NFL Free Agency 2022: The worst move made by all 32 teams

NFL Free Agency: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns is introduced by general manager Andrew Berry (L) and head coach Kevin Stefanski during a press conference at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on March 25, 2022 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) /

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NFL Free Agency; Minnesota Vikings free safety Xavier Woods (23) celebrates a defensive stop against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Minnesota Vikings worst move in 2022 NFL Free Agency

Letting Xavier Woods walk for $5M per year

In the 2021 offseason, the Minnesota Vikings decided to let starting safety Anthony Harris walk in free agency for a very team-friendly, short-term deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

That deal looked bad on the Vikings’ part at the time and looks even worse now that the Eagles have re-signed Harris after how well he played for them in the 2021 season.

The Vikings made a really good move in place of Harris, signing former Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods to another budget-friendly one-year deal.

Woods rewarded the Vikings’ faith in him on a prove-it deal with a very nice season, racking up 108 total tackles and three interceptions, only for the Vikings to move on from him in 2022 free agency.

The Vikings let Woods walk, and he signed a multi-year deal with the Carolina Panthers at just $5 million per season.

Considering how active the Vikings have been early on in free agency, why would they not bring a player like Woods back into the fold?

Perhaps they view safety as extremely interchangeable in their defense under new coordinator Ed Donatell, but Woods has played well the last couple of seasons and would have been a smart piece to retain.

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