NFL Free Agents: Sidney Rice Leaving Minnesota Vikings for Seattle Seahawks

Well, the Minnesota Vikings will be on the hunt for a new No.1 receiver with the news of Sidney Rice's contract with the Seattle Seahawks. Sidney Rice has reportedly negotiated a five-year, $41 million contract. The contact also includes $18.5 million in guaranteed money.

Sindey Rice's most successful campaign as a Viking was in 2009 when he and Brett Favre helped lead the team to the NFC championship game. In 2009, Rice racked up 83 catches for 1,312 yards and eight touchdowns in the regular season and added 10 receptions for 184 yards and four touchdowns in two playoff games.

Sindey Rice would injure his hip in the NFC championship game against the New Orleans Saints, but he would put off surgery. That is, until the regular season was ready to begin and he realized that the injury would not heal itself.

Rice underwent surgery and missed half of the 2010 season.

Rice would return only to play a career-low six regular-season games. In his six games, Rice recorded 280 yards from 17 passes and scored two touchdowns.

What factors contributed to Rice leaving Minnesota?

At the end of this past year, Rice asked for a contract extension and more money and the Vikings refused his request. The Seattle Seahawks offered him everything he wanted: more money, a long contract and guaranteed money.

Rice will not be going to a place full of complete strangers, either.

His former teammate and quarterback Tarvaris Jackson recently agreed to terms with the Seahawks and ex-Vikings coach Darrell Bevell is now the offensive coordinator at Seattle.

With the loss of Rice, Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin become the top receivers for the Vikings. The Vikings have signed Donovan McNabb and now must look into the free agency pool to find another receiver for him.

Look for the Vikings to look into Braylon Edwards or possibly Plaxico Burress.