This week, NFL teams all over the league are starting their offseason programs for 2026. On Monday, the NFC North made two quiet but important roster moves. The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers both locked in important depth pieces by getting free agents to sign their respective tenders. This will keep things the same on both sides of the ball as spring approaches.
The Vikings’ restricted free agent linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. officially signed his tender on Monday, according to his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Kyle Lincoln. The move keeps one of Minnesota’s most productive young defenders in purple for another season as Brian Flores continues to build around his aggressive, blitz-heavy front seven.
Ivan Pace Jr. completes the tip-drill pick for the Vikings pic.twitter.com/xO8NRn5whx
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 6, 2025
Since joining the Vikings as an undrafted free agent from Cincinnati, Pace has become a reliable downhill presence with sideline-to-sideline range. It’s a good sign for a linebacker room that relies on his instincts and tackling volume in the middle of the defense that he was willing to sign the tender without a lot of back-and-forth.
Then in Green Bay, the Packers secured exclusive rights free agent wide receiver Bo Melton, who also signed his tender on Monday. Melton, who originally joined the Packers off waivers, has made the most of limited opportunities and brings speed and versatility to a wideout group that Matt LaFleur continues to develop around Jordan Love.
At least the Packers still have Bo Melton pic.twitter.com/SNf16e68io
— SleeperPackers (@SleeperPackers) April 12, 2026
Both signings come as clubs league-wide open voluntary offseason programs, the first formal step toward training camp. For the Vikings and Packers, two franchises expected to battle atop a competitive NFC North alongside the Lions and Bears, securing depth now allows the front offices to sharpen focus on the NFL Draft and remaining veteran free agents still on the market.
The post NFL news: Packers, Vikings free agents sign tenders as offseason programs begin appeared first on ClutchPoints.
