Minnesota Vikings add another free-agent defensive tackle to their roster

The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly agreed to a deal with free-agent defensive tackle David Parry, who should add some more depth to the team’s defensive line.

Despite it being the middle of May and the majority of the NFL offseason already over and done with, the Minnesota Vikings are still making moves.

On Wednesday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapaport reported that the Vikings and free-agent defensive tackle David Parry have agreed to a deal. Minnesota met with Parry last week and apparently the team was impressed enough to give him a contract.

The 26-year-old defensive lineman has had previous stints with the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints since he was drafted out of Stanford in 2015. He spent the 2015 and 2016 seasons as the Colts’ starting nose tackle, appearing in a total of 32 games.

To make room for Parry on their 90-man roster, Minnesota announced the release of defensive tackle Dylan Bradley on Wednesday as well.

Minnesota Vikings

At 6-foot-2, 317 pounds, Parry will provide the Vikings more depth at nose tackle behind Linval Joseph. He will likely have to battle for the backup spot this summer with current Minnesota defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson.

There’s no guarantee that he will make the Vikings’ regular season roster, but the team clearly felt Parry was worth taking a chance on this year.

The young defensive tackle is the latest player the Vikings have added to their roster with a controversial past. Parry served a four-game suspension last season after he was arrested and found guilty of disorderly conduct and attempted unlawful means of transportation in 2017.

Minnesota taking more chances on players with questionable backgrounds like Parry displays the increasing amount of trust that the team’s front office and ownership have in head coach Mike Zimmer to keep these guys in line.

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However, the Vikings and Zimmer have likely already made it very clear to Parry that the team will not hesitate to cut him if he finds himself in trouble off the field again in the future.