The Minnesota Vikings didn’t just fill a roster hole on Monday—they twisted the knife in their NFC North rivals. Hours after placing quarterback Carson Wentz on injured reserve to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, the 3-4 Vikings swooped in and claimed former Green Bay Packers tight end Ben Sims off waivers, snatching a player who once wore purple before bleeding green.
Sims, originally signed by Minnesota as an undrafted free agent in 2023, was cut at final roster deadlines that year—only for Green Bay to scoop him up immediately after a pre-draft visit. For two seasons, he blocked on kick returns and took kneel-down snaps in Packers green. On Saturday, Green Bay waived him—not injured lineman Donovan Jennings or inactive kicker Lucas Havrisik—to activate receiver Christian Watson from the PUP list.
Big mistake.
With Wentz sidelined, the Vikings now roll into battle with J.J. McCarthy (returning from an ankle injury) and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer under center. But the real statement? Stealing Sims—again—from Lambeau Field. It marks the second ex-Packer poached in 24 hours, after the Tennessee Titans swiped rookie Micah Robinson from Green Bay’s practice squad on Monday.
Green Bay’s tight end room now leans on Tucker Kraft, John FitzPatrick, and Luke Musgrave, with Josh Whyle—a 2023 fifth-rounder cut by the Titans—lurking on the practice squad.
For the Vikings, this isn’t just a depth move. It’s a declaration: We remember. And we take what’s ours.
NFC North just got personal.