The Minnesota Vikings were not big players in the first day of the ‘legal tampering period’ which has become essentially the first day of free agency as a torrent of deals are announced.
Minnesota
American couple stranded in Brazil facing 'bureaucratic nightmare' after newborn son arrives months early
A Minnesota couple in the midst of a “bureaucratic nightmare” amid a months-long stay in Brazil, where paperwork issues regarding their newborn son have prevented them from returning to the United States, is one step closer to being able to leave.
Chris and Cheri Phillips, of Cambridge, located 50 miles north of Minneapolis, visited the South American nation in February for what was supposed to be a two-week trip. The couple consulted with doctors before leaving and were encouraged to travel, as Cheri Phillips’ due date was not until June 2.
Chris, who has a young daughter who lives in Brazil with her mother, visits the country at least three times each year. His wife usually accompanies him on at least one of those trips, they said.
KELLY OSBOURNE WILL NEVER ‘FORGIVE’ BOYFRIEND OVER ‘BIGGEST FIGHT’ ABOUT SON’S NAME
Greyson Phillips in his crib. Greyson was born in Brazil several months early. (Chris Phillips)
On March 8, two days before they were slated to return home, Cheri Phillips began bleeding, and they went to the hospital. Several days later, Greyson Phillips was born through C-section. He spent 51 days in a neonatal intensive care unit before being discharged to his parents on May 3.
“While his health track has gone overall quite well, we are still stuck in a bureaucratic nightmare with regards to Brazilian documentation and American documentation,” Chris Phillips told Fox News Digital from the AirBnb where the family is staying in the coastal city of Florianópolis. “The only reason we can’t bring him home is because he doesn’t have a Brazilian birth certificate, and we can’t get him his American passport until he’s got that birth certificate.”
Despite the fight for their son’s life, the fight to get him to the U.S. has proven to be an unexpected challenge. To leave the country, they needed a passport for Greyson, which requires a birth certificate. However, the local registry office, called a cartorio, refused to issue one because the passports for Chris and Cheri Phillips do not have the names of their parents on them, which is required in Brazil, they said.
WATER RATIONING ORDER AS SEVERE FLOODING DEVASTATES SOUTHERN BRAZIL
Cheri and Chris Phillips with their newborn son Greyson Phillips following his premature birth in Brazil. (Chris Phillips)
Loved ones back in Minnesota sent the couple their individual birth certificates containing their parents’ names and their marriage license. A court translator said the documents would still be denied because they lack an apostille, a little-known provision that certifies a document to be recognized by member nations of the 1961 Hague Convention, Chris Phillips said.
As their plight caught the attention of the Brazilian media, the cartorio “had a change of heart” and issued Greyson’s birth certificate. The agency blamed the holdup on an employee who refused to comply with the request, Chris Phillips said over the weekend.
“No acknowledgement of wrongdoing. No admission of ignorance regarding a law of which they should have been fully aware,” he said in a statement. “No apology for the 2+ months of unnecessary stress and mental anguish they had caused for Cheri and me.”
“Supposedly, as we were told by somebody here, Brazil had passed a law in 2023 that excludes foreigners from needing to present official documents with apostles that contain a child’s grandparents’ names in order to process their Brazilian birth certificate,” he said in a statement.
Getting American documentation was equally difficult. Getting the proper paperwork required Greyson’s birth certificate and a trip to a U.S. consulate or embassy. The nearest facility is some 300 miles away in an area that has been heavily impacted by flooding.
Additionally, the newborn doesn’t fit in a car seat, so driving was out of the question, Chris Phillips said. The couple contracted a local lawyer, but the court process has been slowed to a halt, likening the infant to a child without a country, they said.
“He (Greyson) does not exist officially on paper yet in any system,” Chris Phillips said last week. “He has not officially been registered as they say in Brazil.”
The couple also reached out to Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., for help to cut some of the red tape.
“He (Greyson) does not exist officially on paper yet in any system.”
PREGNANCY ANNOUNCEMENT GONE WRONG! SOON-TO-BE UNCLE MISTAKES ONESIE FOR FAMILY CAT
Cheri Phillips seen being discharged from a Brazilian hospital after giving birth to Greyson Phillips. (Chris Phillips)
“I can only imagine the incredible stress that this family has had to endure, both in giving birth unexpectedly in Brazil and then having to overcome bureaucratic hurdles to come home,” Smith said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “After calling on the Embassy in Brasilia to do more to help the family, we received the news that they will provide extra service to ensure the family does not have to travel to get a U.S. passport.”
As of Sunday, the couple was working with the U.S. Embassy in Brasilia to produce a passport for the son.
“We will not begin to feel truly comfortable until we have that passport in hand. To be clear, we still have a long road ahead of us. But, at long last, at least we can see it,” Chris said.
Aside from the stress of trying to navigate Brazil’s legal system, the Phillips have had to deal with the mental and financial ramifications of their predicament.
“I don’t speak Portuguese and not a lot of people here speak English,” said Cheri Phillips, a first-time mother. “It’s incredibly taxing to go through childbirth and having a child in the hospital when you can’t directly talk to their care team.”
DEATH TOLL FROM HEAVY RAINS, FLOODING RISES TO 13 IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL
Greyson Phillips sits in a crib at the Brazilian hospital, left, and is with his mother, Cheri Phillips. (Chris Phillips)
The family has had to stay in several Airbnb properties, forcing them to move each time their reservation ends. Additionally, they have had to extend the contract for their rental car and adjust their flight home, which can come with significant costs. Their health insurance provider has so far covered their medical expense claims, Chris Phillips said.
Chris, a photographer and video producer for a pediatric health provider, has been working remotely, and Cheri will return to work virtually on a part-time basis next week.
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“Getting him home, that’s the goal now,” he said. “By birth, he’s is a Brazilian citizen. Being born to Americans, he has a right to be an American citizen, which he will be.”
“By birth, he’s is a Brazilian citizen. Being born to Americans, he has a right to be an American citizen, which he will be.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C., for comment.
The Vikings did make some big splashes in free agency last year, and the dead cap hits to clear those moves is a big reason why they haven’t made any big splashes so far this year. That should serve as a useful reminder that often times the big splashes in free agency don’t work out and prove to be bloated contracts the team dumps in a couple years.
‘Moneyball’ Free Agency for the Vikings
The Vikings did sign a one free agent today that wasn’t previously on the team, namely cornerback James Pierre formerly with the Steelers.
The above graphic is difficult to read but the upshot is that Pierre had the lowest passer rating when targeted allowed along with the lowest completion rate when targeted allowed of all defensive backs in the league last season. That translated into the highest PFF coverage grade among cornerbacks with more than 13 coverage snaps last season as well. Pierre is an older player- 29 – but the Vikings signed him on a 2-year deal with an average annual value (AAV) of just $4.25 million. Overall, a good but overlooked player who could fill the CB3 role for the Vikings or potentially be a quality depth piece if the Vikings draft a cornerback that wins a starting job. I like this move by the Vikings a lot better than the move to sign Jeff Okudah last year.
There was no news on the Kyler Murray front as the Cardinals have not officially released him yet, which precludes any announcements from his future team, but should he end up signing with the Vikings as is widely expected, he too would be another “Moneyball” type signing as a quality starter on just a veteran minimum salary.
The Vikings didn’t seriously involved in any bidding wars either, including for their own free agents. Jalen Nailor signed with the Raiders on a 3-year, $35 million deal. There was no way the Vikings were going to pay Nailor anything near that to be WR3. Nailor will move up the depth chart with the Raiders and their likely new quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Vikings also let punter Ryan Wright sign with the Saints on a 4-year, $14 million deal.
The Vikings were also rumored to be looking into the free agency running back market, but don’t appear to have been serious contenders for any of the higher profile names- Kenneth Walker, Kenneth Gainwell, Travis Etienne, or Tyler Allgeier. My own view on this is unless the Vikings went for a big splash and ponied up to sign Walker, the other running backs on the market really aren’t going to move the needle on the Vikings’ running game. That’s not to say they aren’t good or decent running backs, they just aren’t going to make much difference and come at higher prices. The Vikings would be better off using a mid-round pick on a running back who could rotate with Jordan Mason and possibly Zavier Scott. There are a few running backs in this year’s draft who could fill that role nicely and could surprise on the upside.
The Vikings also wisely avoided the overheated center market, highlighted by Tyler Linderbaum signing a 3-year, $81 million deal with the Raiders that is basically fully guaranteed, as the last year of the deal becomes fully guaranteed at the beginning of next season. For comparison, quarterback Kirk Cousins signed the first fully guaranteed free agent quarterback contract back in 2018- 3-years, $84 million. Now centers are getting the same deals.
The Vikings did make deals with some of their own, however. They signed linebacker/core special teamer Eric Wilson on a 3-year, $22.5 million deal with $12.5 million guaranteed. The details of the deal are not yet available, but it looks like more of a two-year deal at $6.25 AAV with a third-year club option. Wilson had one of his better seasons last year, leading the league in quarterback pressures among off-ball linebackers while still being good in run defense. He was mediocre in coverage but also a leader on special teams and highest PFF-graded among core special teamers. He may be the special teams captain this season with the retirement of C.J. Ham.
The Vikings also agreed on some Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA) deals with Bo Richter, Jalen Redmond, and Zavier Scott- essentially league minimum deals- and made a tender offer on Ivan Pace Jr. on a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) deal that will likely keep Pace with the Vikings this year for $3.5 million.
What’s Next in Free Agency
Apart from the Vikings potentially/likely signing quarterback Kyler Murray at some point after he’s officially released by the Cardinals, there’s not a lot of rumors out there linking the Vikings to any particular free agent. They could potentially be looking to add to just about every position room at this point. The Vikings still have plenty available to spend in free agency, but I don’t expect any big money splashes on one particular player.
There is also rumored to be interest among at least a couple teams in trading for Jonathan Greenard. The Eagles, Patriots, and 49ers, among others, could be willing to make a strong trade offer for Greenard. The asking price is thought to be at least a Day Two draft pick this year- most likely a second-round pick- but even a late first-round pick is a reasonable comparable after the trade of Maxx Crosby to the Ravens for two first-round picks. We’ll see what happens, but it seems more likely than not the Vikings will get at least one trade offer for Greenard. Whether any will be sufficient for them to move him is another question.
The Minnesota Vikings have several positions that need attention after last season when the team went 9-8 and was third in the NFC North.
The team has informed running back Aaron Jones and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that they will be released barring a trade, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said they are expected to release defensive tackle Jonathan Allen due to salary cap constraints. The reported transactions are in addition to over a dozen free agents who played for Minnesota last season.
Quarterback is a position that many Vikings fans have been talking about this offseason. Some question whether J.J. McCarthy will again lead the team’s offense. He missed 24 of 34 possible career games — the majority of which have been due to injury.
“We’re still looking at a quarterback who’s started 10 games. Ten out of, what, a possible 34 in two years? Not the ideal path for a young quarterback to develop on the field,” Coach Kevin O’Connell said at a news conference in January. “But I thought he did. I thought he did some really good things.”
The organization will be making moves without a general manager for at least the next six weeks after it fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January. Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in a statement that the Vikings will conduct “a thorough search” for their next general manager after the draft. Executive Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski will lead the team until then, according to the Vikings.
WCCO is tracking every move Minnesota makes in free agency, including cuts, signings, retirements and potentially trades.
Ryan Kelly, center
Four-time Pro Bowl selection Ryan Kelly is retiring after 10 seasons in the league, the Vikings said. The center signed with Minnesota last year after playing nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. He dealt with three concussions last season and only started eight games for the Vikings.
James Pierre, cornerback
NFL Network reporter Cameron Wolfe said Monday that the Vikings agreed to terms with cornerback James Pierre, a move that will add depth to the team’s secondary. The former Pittsburgh Steelers player will get a two-year, $8.5 million deal with $3.7 million guaranteed, Wolfe, who cited Pierre’s agent Toney Scott, said.
Eric Wilson, linebacker
Eric Wilson is staying in Minnesota after the team announced Monday that they’ve reached a three-year, eight-figure deal with the 31-year-old linebacker. The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo says the contract is worth $22.5 million — with $12.5 million “fully guaranteed.”
Wilson is in his second stint with Minnesota. He was first signed as an undrafted rookie in 2017 and spent four seasons with the Vikings.
Full list of Vikings free agents
- RB Ty Chandler
- LS Andrew DePaola
- CB Fabian Moreau
- WR Jalen Nailor (agreed to terms on three-year, $35 million deal with Las Vegas Raiders, per Schefter)
- T Matt Nelson
- CB Jeff Okudah
- OLB Bo Richter
- QB Brett Rypien
- RB Zavier Scott
- T Justin Skule
- TE Ben Sims
- S Harrison Smith
- DB Tavierre Thomas
- QB Carson Wentz
- P Ryan Wright (signing a four-year, $14 million deal with New Orleans Saints, per Schefter)
Minnesota also tendered the contracts of linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. and defensive lineman Jalen Redmond.
Getty
Quarterback Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Minnesota Vikings have been, and remain, the clear favorite to sign Kyler Murray in free agency once the Arizona Cardinals officially release him on Wednesday, March 11, but that outcome is not a foregone conclusion.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Sunday, less than 24 hours before the legal period of player negotiations begin, that Murray and Minnesota have “mutual interest.” The rest of Pelissero’s report, however, is cause for at least mild concern that the Vikings could miss out on the two-time Pro Bowler ahead of his age-29 campaign.
“I fully anticipate this is going to be a robust market for Kyler Murray,” Pelissero said. “I would anticipate there will be mutual interest between Kyler Murray and the Vikings. Fair to say even at this point that the Vikings probably should be considered the favorite.”
“But, if you’re Kyler and his agent, it makes a lot of sense to take advantage of this,” Pelissero continued. “He’s never been a free agent before. He has not interfaced with a lot of team executives since he came out in the draft back in 2019. And for Kyler, who is going to be a free agent again in 2027 after taking a one-year minimum deal this year, makes sense … to take his time and explore his options — hear everybody out before deciding where to take a next, important step in his career.”
Vikings Players Prefer Kyler Murray Over JJ McCarthy, per Report
GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy.
Minnesota isn’t just the favorite to sign Murray in free agency, Murray is the favorite of several members of the Vikings’ locker room who prefer him as the starter in 2026 over JJ McCarthy entering his third NFL season.
Dianna Russinni of The Athletic reported as much over the weekend during an appearance on the Ryen Russillo Show.
“[Murray is] not the type of quarterback for Kevin O’Connell,” Russinni said. “But I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. I think that’s an organization where I can tell you from talking to some players there, they want Kyler there.”
Vikings Will Have Other, Lesser Options at QB if Kyler Murray Lands Elsewhere
GettyIndianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Minnesota will have options if Murray doesn’t pan out, though none are likely to be as promising as the two-time Pro Bowler who is going to play somewhere next season on a veteran’s league minimum totaling just $1.3 million.
If Murray, for whatever reason, lands elsewhere, the Vikings can turn to Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts. That franchise granted Richardson permission to seek a trade during the NFL Combine late last month.
Should that not work out, a short-term deal with the likes of Kirk Cousins or Geno Smith — both veterans in their late 30s — would offer Minnesota real competition for McCarthy in training camp and a viable alternative in-season if McCarthy wins the job but then struggles or suffers an injury.
The only other team in the QB market that might be able to offer Murray a situation good enough that it actually compares to what the Vikings can give him is the Pittsburgh Steelers, though Aaron Rodgers is rumored to potentially return there for his age-42 season in 2026.
Max Dible covers the NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns. He covered local and statewide news as a reporter for West Hawaii Today and served as news director for BigIslandNow.com and Pacific Media Group’s family of Big Island radio stations before joining Heavy. More about Max Dible
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