Minnesota Vikings

Linebacker Cole leaves Vikings for Jaguars in free agency

Published Mar. 11, 2017 1:28 p.m. ET

Linebacker Audie Cole, who mainly played on special teams with Minnesota Vikings, has signed with Jacksonville. Terms were not announced.

Cole was an unrestricted free agent after re-signing for one year with Minnesota last offseason. A seventh-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2012, Cole has played all five of his NFL seasons in Minnesota.

While Cole started six games at middle linebacker in 2013 and another at outside linebacker in 2015, he was mainly a backup and special teams stalwart during his time in Minnesota. In 2016, Cole had 275 snaps on special teams and just 35 on defense. Only once did Cole have more than 100 snaps on defense in a season, in 2013 (324).

In 2016, Cole played in all 16 games and has 12 tackles. He appeared in 57 games with the Vikings overall, recording 86 tackles with one sack.