5 things the Vikings 2020 training camp has taught us so far

Stephen is this season’s nose tackle

Defensive tackle Michael Pierce, a free-agent signing by the Vikings this offseason, will not participate in the 2020 NFL season due to COVID-19 concerns. Pierce was tapped to replace nose tackle Linval Joseph who left for the Los Angeles Chargers during free agency this year.

For a series of days, we were unsure as to who would play nose tackle for Minnesota this season. All Mike Zimmer has known at the 1-technique spot is Joseph. After they switched to a man similar in stature to Joseph with Pierce, we figured Zimmer wanted a big-bodied run-stuffer.

Now, however, the Vikings don’t have one of those on the roster. So, the team would scour the free-agent market to find a replacement, right? Not quite.

Minnesota co-defensive coordinator Adam Zimmer revealed earlier this month who the team’s starting nose tackle would likely be this season.

"“Shamar Stephen’s done it before and he’s as good a nose (tackle) as there is. We really think a lot of him. He’s really good in the running game. He’s an extremely smart player.”"

You can passionately debate the merits of thinking Stephen is the best nose tackle in all of football, but it won’t matter. Barring an abrupt change of heart, that statement is currency that mandates Stephen will be the Vikings’ starting nose tackle this year.