5 former Vikings who could return to the team in 2019
By Nik Edlund
Shamar Stephen – DT
Of all the players included in this group, Shamar Stephen might have the best chance of coming back to the Vikings. Stephen was Minnesota’s seventh-round pick in the 2014 Draft. He played all 16 games for the Vikings during his rookie season, including three that featured him in the starting lineup.
Stephen didn’t have a great sophomore season in 2015 with Minnesota as injuries only allowed him to appear in just 5 games and only rack up a total of three tackles. He bounced back in 2016, starting all 16 of the Vikings matchups and finishing with an impressive 36 tackles. In 2017, he played in 15 games for Minnesota and ended the year with 28 tackles.
Stephen landed with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 after signing with them as a free-agent. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer seemed disappointed and even a bit sad when the young defensive tackle left.
Stephen had a decent year in Seattle, starting 14 games and finishing with 25 tackles and two sacks.
Stephen coming back to Minnesota makes a lot of sense. It seems doubtful that the Vikings will be able to afford to bring back Sheldon Richardson for next season and the team will need a veteran to at least play a part in a rotation that will likely include Jalyn Holmes and a possible rookie.
Stephen wouldn’t be that expensive for Minnesota to obtain and he is already familiar with Zimmer’s defense. It would be a perfect fit and fans would warmly welcome ol’ “Double S” back into the fold.