EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — After testing an unexpectedly soft market in free agency, Minnesota Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson agreed to return to the team on a one-year deal Friday.
Henderson's agent, Brian Mackler, confirmed the agreement Friday afternoon, and multiple reports say Henderson will sign a one-year, $2 million contract. Henderson, 25, developed into a starter for Minnesota last season and entered unrestricted free agency as one of the top linebackers on the market. But with signings slow among linebackers, Henderson made the decision to return to the Vikings and will have the chance again to prove his worth as a starter and re-enter free agency next season.
Henderson has gone from being an undrafted rookie free agent who appeared in 10 games — mainly on special teams — during his first season in 2008 to becoming the starting weakside linebacker last season. He was fourth on the team with 70 tackles last season and added 1 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles. Henderson's return leaves one starting position in the Minnesota linebacking unit open, with Erin's brother E.J. still a free agent.
E.J. Henderson, 31, was the Vikings' starting middle linebacker but isn't expected to return as Minnesota tries to get younger. Jasper Brinkley, who missed all of last season after hip surgery, could be the starter at middle linebacker between Erin Henderson and Chad Greenway.
Erin Henderson had other offers on the table but chose to return to Minnesota. During the season, he had expressed interest in returning, but the team decided to wait until the free-agency period began last week to establish Henderson's value. Henderson shared some frustration on Twitter last week about the slow process of negotiations.
"In a nutshell...market value and franchise value aren't always going to match. If someone can play 3 positions 4 u, their value has to go up," Henderson wrote on his Twitter page (@50ErinHenderson). "I've watched every single 1 of my games from last yr 10x's over. I know what I'm worth. Not to mention they aint even give me an offer...."
He later added: "Whats crazy is I'm not even asking for big money. All I want is respectable money for what I'm asked to do...I have a son. Y wld I want to put our future relationship in jeopardy for some money that ain't even close to being correct...I'd rather be broke and watch my son grow up than put my well being on the line for money that doesn't make sense.
"I got a taste of what it means to be a starting LB. trust me if the money aint right it doesn't make sense at all..."
Returning to Minnesota must have made sense to Henderson, and now the team and player have one more year to see if their interests align on a longer-term contract.
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