The Viking Age
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Impact of Michael Pierce opt out on the Minnesota Vikings defense

By Nik Edlund

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 29: Michael Pierce #97 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts to a play during the second half of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 29: Michael Pierce #97 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts to a play during the second half of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 22: Michael Pierce #97 of the Baltimore Ravens sits on the sideline during the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
Michael Pierce of the Baltimore Ravens (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Hurts Run Defense

The biggest and most obvious impact of Michael Pierce opting out is that it will negatively affect the Vikings’ run defense. This was a unit that already was a coming off a down season, as they finished 13th in the league, allowing 1,728 yards on the ground.

Arguments were made that the reason was Linval Joseph wasn’t healthy all season long, and Shamar Stephen, who was supposed to be stout against the run, struggled. Some of that may be true, and that is why the team went out and brought “The Juggernaut” Michael Pierce in. His specialty in Baltimore was stuffing the run and was looked at as a younger and healthier version of Linval Joseph and a guy who could improve this struggling aspect of the Vikings’ defense.

Without Pierce in there, the Vikings’ run defense takes a major hit. Shamar Stephen could be moved into that nose tackle role and be asked to be the team’s primary run stuffer. Stephen’s play dropped off in a big way last season and there’s no reason to think his performance will be any better in 2020. This is bad news for the Eric Kendricks and company because last year, guards had no problem moving Stephen out of the way and getting to the second level and stopping the linebacker from getting to the ball carrier.

Without Michael Pierce, it’s safe to assume the Vikings run defense will be worse in 2020 and could fall much lower than 13th in the league like it was a season ago.

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