What will Michael Pierce add to the Vikings defense?
By Dean Jones
Was this a good move by the Vikings?
Acquiring someone with the experience and production of Michael Pierce was the best the Minnesota Vikings could have hoped for.
With the limited salary cap space, they were never going to tempt one of the bigger-name free agents to Minnesota. Getting Pierce on a team-friendly deal with the option to cut the player if he underperforms is a shrewd move from the Vikings’ front office.
It also allows them to focus on other areas of need in the upcoming NFL Draft. Although finding a long-term solution at defensive tackle will be high on their list of priorities, spending their two first-round picks on a wide receiver and cornerback would be more beneficial in a deep class at both positions.
This would give the Vikings the best possible chance of making a second consecutive playoff appearance and push to regain the NFC North crown. If Pierce excels in a new environment, then they can realistically still have the player for the best years of his career.
There is still plenty of work for the Vikings to do this offseason. The organization has little room for error when it comes to picking free agents or draft prospects in 2020 to aid them during what could be the final season of a rapidly closing window for the franchise.
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Pierce’s arrival is a relatively low-risk, high reward move from the Minnesota Vikings. If things don’t work out then he will no doubt be moved on next spring. But if the defensive tackle plays up to his potential it could end up being a real coup for the franchise at a very good price.