Linval Joseph will reportedly sign a deal with the Chargers

Shortly after his release from the Minnesota Vikings, defensive tackle Linval Joseph has reportedly agreed to a deal to join the Los Angeles Chargers

For fans of the Minnesota Vikings, the 2020 season is going to consist of seeing a bunch of familiar faces in new places.

Trae Waynes has already agreed to a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals and now another longtime member of the Vikings starting defense is reportedly going to play elsewhere in 2020 as well.

After Minnesota decided to release him last Friday, defensive tackle Linval Joseph has found a new home with the Los Angeles Chargers according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo on Wednesday. Joseph has agreed to a two year, $17 million contract with the Chargers with an additional $2 million in incentives included as well.

After spending the first four seasons of his NFL career with the New York Giants, the talented defensive tackle signed with the Vikings in 2014. Joseph went on to remain with Minnesota for a total of six seasons before his release last Friday.

During his tenure with the Vikings, he earned invitations to a pair of Pro Bowls and he emerged as one of the best defensive tackles in the entire league. His massive presence in the middle of Minnesota’s defensive line played a tremendous part in the team’s defense evolving into one of the NFL’s top units since the hiring of Mike Zimmer.

The Vikings clearly felt it was time to move on from Joseph this year though. Some felt like there was a possibility that he could re-sign with Minnesota for 2020, but Los Angeles obviously gave him an offer that he was happy with.

Who will the Vikings choose as Joseph’s replacement for next season? That is still an unknown, but Wednesday’s news is just the latest reminder that Minnesota’s defense is going to look much different in 2020 than it has in the recent past.