What will Michael Pierce add to the Vikings defense?

Is Pierce worth the money?

The Minnesota Vikings played it safe when they gave Michael Pierce a three-year, $27 million deal that includes a $6 million signing bonus and $18m guaranteed.

This was a smart deal for the Vikings, who do have a potential out after the 2020 season if things do not go according to plan. Pierce can be released at a $5.1 million saving for the franchise next spring heading into the second year of his deal.

There is plenty of incentive for Pierce to perform well and secure the final two years of his contract, where he is due to be paid $7.9 million and $8.9 million. This is a win-win situation for the Vikings, who will be getting a productive player at a cheaper cost to Linval Joseph.

Leaving the onus on Pierce to produce consistent performances of a high standard should motivate the player. He made just $4.71 million during his time with the Baltimore Ravens and the Vikings will be hoping the player doesn’t become the latest NFL star to regress after securing big money.

Only time will tell as to whether Pierce is worth such a big financial commitment. It is going to take a little time to settle into a new defensive scheme. But the similarities with Joseph are stark and the player comes at a lesser cost.

This could be a masterstroke from the Vikings’ perspective if Pierce can make the sort of impact they expect. There should also be a real sense of urgency from the player’s perspective given his potential release this time next year.