The Minnesota Vikings have lost a fan favorite in quarterback Kirk Cousins but will gain a hometown hero on the defensive side of the football.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported on Monday, March 11 that the Vikings will sign linebacker Blake Cashman of the Houston Texans to a three-year deal, bringing him home to the state in which he grew up and played his collegiate football.

Homecoming: The #Vikings are signing Minnesota native and LB Blake Cashman to a three-year deal worth up to $25.5 million, his agent @blakebaratz of @TeamIFA tells me and @RapSheet.

Big deal for @blockayy, who grew up in Eden Prairie, played for the Gophers and now is a Viking.

“Homecoming: The #Vikings are signing Minnesota native and LB Blake Cashman to a three-year deal worth up to $25.5 million, his agent @blakebaratz of @TeamIFA tells me and @RapSheet,” Pelissero wrote. “Big deal for @blockayy, who grew up in Eden Prairie, played for the Gophers and now is a Viking.”

Cashman played his first three NFL seasons for the New York Jets before landing in Houston in 2022. He became a starter last year, starting in 13 of the 14 games in which he played. The 27-year-old Cashman racked up 106 tackles, 5 pass breakups, 2 sacks and an interception, per Pro Football Reference.

Blake Cashman Was Analytics Superstar at Inside Linebacker for Texans in 2023

Cashman was an analytics star in 2023, as Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked him among the top five linebackers who played at least 500 defensive snaps over the course of the season.

PFF graded Cashman as a borderline elite run defender, with just 11 missed tackles. He was also an above-average pass rusher from the position and above average in coverage.

Cashman gained valuable playoff experience in 2023, playing in two postseason games, including a blowout victory over the Cleveland Browns on Super Wildcard Weekend. While Houston’s team success likely had little to do with the Vikings’ interest in Cashman, his knowledge of playoff atmospheres will be a plus if Minnesota regains its division-winning form of 2022.

Cashman’s overall performance last season landed him a major payday with the Vikings and a spot on Brian Flores‘ defense, donning the purple and gold.

Blake Cashman Will Team Up With Ivan Pace Jr. in Middle of Vikings Defense

Cashman will presumably replace Jordan Hicks on the inside of the Vikings base 3-4 scheme, where he will line up alongside Ivan Pace Jr. — an undrafted free agent who turned himself into a starter during his rookie campaign in 2023.

Hicks, 32, is a free agent after playing out a two-year deal worth $10 million total in Minnesota last season. Meanwhile, Pace is playing on a value contract worth just $2.7 million total over three years, which includes the 2023 campaign.

Pace ended up starting 11 games for the Vikings last season, during which he accumulated 96 total tackles, 3 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble, per PFF. The website graded Pace out as an above-average player at his position across 704 total snaps, with better-than-average grades in coverage and as a pass rusher.