EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — John Carlson's roots as a Minnesota native from Litchfield were evident in his first conference call with media after signing a five-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday.
But his dreams to one day play for the hometown team were a little different than might have been expected from the 6-foot-5, 251-pound tight end.
“I was raised in a basketball family," Carlson said. “While I was a Vikings fan, my vision or my dream was to play basketball. But as a power forward at 6-5, you don't see many of those in the NBA. So, I continued on with football."
The decision worked out for Carlson, who has come full circle after signing a five-year deal worth a reported $25 million with the Vikings. A four-year pro out of Notre Dame, Carlson will pair with another former Irish standout, Kyle Rudolph, in Minnesota's two-tight end sets.
Carlson, who was an all-state basketball player in high school, also played with Vikings center John Sullivan at Notre Dame.
With his shoulder now healthy after missing all of 2011, he had received interest from several teams and was in Kansas City to visit with the Chiefs when the Vikings lured him away. He never ended up meeting with Kansas City and made his way back to Minnesota.
“The Vikings came forward with a commitment that no other team had shown, a level of interest that was unparalleled," Carlson said. “It was something I couldn't turn down. Like I've been saying, it's exciting to be a part of what they are building here."
It's the first major move the Vikings have made since free agency opened on Tuesday afternoon. They re-signed defensive tackle Letroy Guion on Tuesday to a three-year contract worth a reported $9 million, but Carlson was one of the first unrestricted free agents Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman had zeroed in on.
“I know how (offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave) likes to use the two-tight end offense," Spielman said. “I know when we went back and looked at tape on John and what he was able to do from an offensive standpoint, even what he did early in his career, and what a threat he can be.
“The thing that I think was most appealing was we had our meetings with Bill Musgrave and the offensive staff, is having a player and how they can utilize his skill set and how they can utilize Kyle Rudolph's skill set in games. John gives you a lot of versatility from being able to split out wide and put in as an H-back to also on the line of scrimmage."
Carlson had 137 catches in his first three seasons after being selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2008 draft. Then surgery to repair torn labrum in his left shoulder wiped out 2011.
The addition of Carlson, 27, restocks what had been a thinning tight end position. Visanthe Shiancoe, 31, is an unrestricted free agent and isn't expected to re-sign in Minnesota with Vikings general manager Rick Spielman trying to infuse more youth into his rebuilding team.
Minnesota also had longtime veteran tight end Jim Kleinsasser retire after the season. Mickey Shuler and Allen Reisner, who have combined for just three NFL catches, were the only other tight ends on the current roster. Meanwhile, Carlson sees an opportunity with a team building for the future.
“It was a factor," Carlson said of returning to Minnesota. “Like I said, I'm excited to be here. I've got family ties here and lots of friends here, but it wasn't the only factor. I wouldn't have come back here if I didn't think the Vikings had a great thing going and a chance to be really special on the offensive side of the ball. And that's something I want to be a part of. The family thing is a factor, but not the primary factor."
In his rookie season, Carlson caught 55 passes for five touchdowns while starting nine of his 16 games. He started every game in his second season and caught 51 passes for seven touchdowns. He slipped to 31 catches and just one touchdown in 2010, playing in 15 games.
“I want to catch passes," Carlson said. “That's the fun part, but I'm also excited to do a good job in the run game and protecting as well. The goal is always to be a well-rounded player."
And now that he's back home, Carlson is eager to watch more Minnesota high school basketball.
“My dad's a high school basketball coach in Litchfield," Carlson said. “I'll make a little plug here. They're actually in the section finals on Saturday night at St. Cloud State. So, I'm excited to get back and watch that game."
Sounds like someone very comfortable in Minnesota, even if he wasn't talking football.
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