3 former Vikings rivals they should sign this offseason
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 20: Mike Pennel Jr. #64 of the Chicago Bears pressures Marcus Mariota #1 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Vikings (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Minnesota Vikings are coming off their best season since 2017. Could the team turn to its division rivals to fix one of the NFL’s worst defenses?
Despite a 13-win season and an NFC North title, Kevin O’Connell’s Minnesota Vikings failed to win a postseason game. The next step may be to reach the playoffs for a second straight season, something the franchise hasn’t done since 2008 and ’09.
In 2022, the Purple Gang made good use out of a pair of former division rivals. Released by the Green Bay Packers this past offseason, the Vikings signed pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith. He rewarded the team with 44 tackles, 10.0 sacks, a team-high 24 quarterback hits and five passes defensed.
Vikings offseason rumors: Rivals to sign
At midseason, Minnesota was able to obtain tight end T.J. Hockenson from the Detroit Lions. In 10 games with the Vikings, he wound up finishing tied for third on the team with 60 receptions, good for 519 yards and three touchdowns. Hockenson also caught 10 passes for 129 yards in the playoff loss to the Giants.
Via Spotrac, the club has some work to do to get under the salary cap before 4:00 pm ET on March 15. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may look for some help amongst his NFC North neighbors this offseason. So here are three suggestions.
3. DT Mike Pennel (Bears)
The well-traveled interior defender spent 2022 with the Chicago Bears, his fifth team in nine NFL seasons. He played in all 17 games for Matt Eberflus’ club, making two starts. The former undrafted free agent finished with 26 tackles, knocked down two passes, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.
The Vikings’ defense could use all the help it can get, and defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard (7 starts in 2022) could test free agency. Only the Detroit Lions gave up more total yards per game in ’22 and defensive coordinator Ed Donatell was fired after one season in the Twin Cities. Hence the hiring of new coordinator Brian Flores.
