It took just over two weeks, but the Vikings finally went outside the organization to sign a free agent.
Cornerback Karl Paymah, who had spent his first four NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos, agreed to a one-year, $1.55 million contract that includes $500,000 in potential incentives that could bring the deal to over $2 million.
Considering the Vikings investment in Paymah, it's expected he will be given every chance to win a job playing in the nickel package. Minnesota also is bringing back Charles Gordon and Benny Sapp. Both saw time in the nickel last season.
Paymah also will be expected to make a big contribution on special teams.
The Vikings gave up an NFL record seven touchdowns on returns in 2008 and the team will be looking for major improvement under new special teams coordinator Brian Murphy.
A second-tier free agent, Paymah had visits with Baltimore, Tampa Bay, Cleveland and San Francisco before coming to Minnesota last weekend. One day after that visit, Paymah picked the Vikings over the Buccaneers.
Paymah, 26, started two games for Denver last season and has made five regular-season starts since being a third-round pick out of Washington State in 2005.
He also has three interceptions, with all of them coming in the past two seasons.
The Vikings also are nearing an agreement with wide receiver Glenn Holt, who has spent the past three seasons with the Bengals and has been primarily a kickoff return man. Holt averaged 24.1 yards on 46 returns last season but caught only three passes in 15 games.
