The Vikings linebackers room is growing.

Minnesota has agreed to terms with free agent Jordan Hicks, the team announced Tuesday. Because Hicks had been released by Arizona, he was eligible to sign before the official opening of free agency.

Originally a third-round draft pick (84th overall) by the Eagles in 2015, Hicks spent the first four seasons of his career in Philadelphia before joining the Cardinals for the 2019-21 campaigns.

Last season, Hicks started all 17 games and totaled 116 tackles (75 solo), seven tackles for loss, five passes defensed, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.

He has started 89 of 92 career regular-season games thus far, including 51 in a row, which is the third-longest active streak by an NFL linebacker.

Here are five things to know about Hicks:

1. Success against the Vikings

The Vikings will be glad to have Hicks on their side, as members of their roster have noted the effect he can have on an offense.

Hicks started his NFL journey in Philadelphia as a backup linebacker behind Mychal Kendricks, Eric Kendricks' brother, and had an opportunity to showcase his talent when Mychal suffered an injury. Hicks scored his first career touchdown in 2015 after intercepting former Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel, and in 2016 he sacked Vikings QB Sam Bradford once at Philadelphia.

Before joining Minnesota in 2018 as a free agent, Kirk Cousins lost a fumble to Hicks in the 2017 season opener between Philadelphia and Washington.

In three games against the Vikings, Hicks has totaled 26 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, four quarterback hits and three passes defensed.

2. Texas Longhorn

Hicks spent five years at Texas, where he started 28 of 45 career games.

After playing every game as a freshman and sophomore, he dealt with injuries that sidelined him for chunks of the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Hicks missed 10 games in 2012 due to a hip injury, and he received a medical redshirt.

Hicks returned to the field and started every game of his senior season. He led the Longhorns with a career-high 147 tackles, which was the most since Winfred Tubbs' 157 in 1992. Hicks tied for second on the team in tackles for loss (13) and fourth with two interceptions. He earned Second-Team All-American honors from Walter Camp and the FWAA and was named Second-Team All-Big 12 by The Associated Press.

3. Journey to Ohio

Hicks was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but he lived in Indiana from ages 1-6. His family then moved to South Carolina for six years before settling in Ohio.

Hicks attended West Lakota High School in West Chester, Ohio, where he started his final three seasons for the school's football team. He totaled 216 tackles, four interceptions, 8.5 sacks, 36 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, 10 pass breakups and a touchdown during his high school career.

He was an All-American selection by Parade, USA TODAY and EA Sports, and he won the 2009 High School Dick Butkus Award.

4. Teamed off-field with Cousins

Hicks and Cousins haven't before shared a locker room, but they have teamed up for a good cause.

In February 2021, Hicks, Cousins and other pro athletes joined forces with nonprofit International Justice Mission to fight against child trafficking.

5. Lots of love to give

Hicks and his wife Ivana have three children.

They also are avid dog lovers, and in April 2020 they hosted an "Ivana and Jordan Hicks Adoption Week" to help find animals forever homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.