The Vikings defense struggled to get stops in 2020, but that could all change with a few players being available.
Danielle Hunter, who’s coming off a season-ending injury, should be a big boost. There’s also Michael Pierce, the team’s biggest signing of the 2020 offseason. Pierce was a high-risk opt out in 2020, but he is expected to play in 2021.
Pierce recently talked about the Vikings defense with reporters:
“We’ll get a lot of guys back healthy this year. Obviously, with [Hunter] and Anthony Barr and all of those guys,” Pierce said. “Dalvin Tomlinson will be next to me — that’s a big-, big-, big-time gift for me and for our defensive front. I’m super excited.”
Pierce said he has not been without football this long and cannot wait to get on the field.
“Last year was an outlier for this team,” Pierce said. “The additions and the health that we’re going to bring to the field this season, it’s going to be a lot more reminiscent of what you guys are used to. And that’s why I signed here: to play on another great defense. … I think we’re going to be really good.”