MONDAY, 12:15pm: The Vikings have officially confirmed their new deal with Sendejo in a press release.
SATURDAY, 1:50pm: It could be an incentive-laden deal for the veteran safety, according to Darren Wolfson of KSTP (on Twitter). The Vikings may view Sendejo as a backup plan in case they miss out on signing a more established presence to play alongside Smith, per Wolfson. Last week, Zimmer told media (including Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune) the Vikings were looking for the “right” safety to team with Smith, possibly indicating their previous options weren’t on that level.
1:26pm: It looks like a $16MM contract for Sendejo, Rapoport tweets. The Vikings could still be in the market for another safety in a crowded market which includes two former Bengal proteges of Mike Zimmer in Reggie Nelson and George Iloka, but $4MM per year is starter-level money.
1:20pm: The Vikings reached an agreement to re-sign safety Andrew Sendejo two days before their exclusive negotiating window with him expired.
It’s a four-year pact worth approximately $16MM for the seventh-year player who was set for unrestricted free agency, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
Sendejo’s started 26 games for the Vikings since arriving in Minnesota in 2011, all of which coming in the past three seasons. The former undrafted free agent began his career with the Cowboys a year earlier.
Sendejo beat out 2014 starter Robert Blanton, who remains a UFA, for the strong safety job opposite Harrison Smith last season. Neither was considered a lock to return, however, with the Vikings potentially seeking an upgrade at the position.
Smith rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 safety in 2015, while Sendejo’s performance earned him the fourth-worst grade by the site among back-line defenders.