Teammates Reed, Thielen Now Two-Thirds of Mavs Pro Roster

Chris Reed, a Minnesota State Mankato football and track & field standout, is now a Minnesota Viking after signing as a free agent to help bolster the Vikings interior line.

The eight-year NFL veteran guard returns to purple and rejoins former Maverick teammate Adam Thielen as two-thirds of the Mavericks pro lineup. Shane Zylstra, who broke Thielen’s single-season reception records in 2019, signed with the Vikings last season as an undrafted free agent but was waived during final roster cuts. A wide receiver turned pro tight end, Zylstra is currently on the Detroit Lions roster.

The 2021 season marked the first time the Mavericks had three former players among NFL ranks.

Reed at 6-5 and 315 pounds, can play both guard positions and center. His Vikings signing is his fifth NFL team. He previously had 29 starts in 61 games played with the Colts, Panthers, Dolphins and Jaguars.

In a 2019 feature, CSU Public Relations Intern Alex Baumann, reported on Reed’s achievements as a Maverick. An 11-time NCAA DII Track & Field All-American, Reed was the NCAA DII champion in outdoor shot put. He holds Maverick records in the indoor and outdoor shot put, the indoor weight throw and the outdoor hammer throw.

In football, Reed played left tackle and was part of the 2014 Maverick team that advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship. He finished his college career as a Division II First-Team All American.