4 free agents who have a connection to Minnesota Vikings coaches
By Adam Carlson
Shawn Williams, safety – Cincinnati Bengals
Connection to Vikings: Mike Zimmer
It was only one season that Shawn Williams worked with Mike Zimmer’s defense in Cincinnati, but there is a chance the safety made a good impression on the current Minnesota Vikings head coach back as the Bengals defensive coordinator in 2013.
Williams has proven himself to be worthy of a starting spot despite not being a flashy name in many circles. Since the Vikings are moving on from starting safety Anthony Harris this offseason, it could be someone like Shawn Williams that slides in to compete for that spot as well as make a role for himself on special teams.
Over the course of his eight-season career, Williams played in 119 games and started 61 of those contests while netting 424 combined tackles, 12 interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and three sacks.
2020 was the first season since 2015 that Williams didn’t start a game for the Bengals and that means he might be open for competition. He is coming off a contract that saw him making a little over $5 per year, which wouldn’t be a bad amount to pay for a starting-caliber safety in the NFL.
Which of these free agents would you most like to see the Minnesota Vikings sign for the 2021 NFL season? And are there any you would absolutely not want on the team? Let us know in the comments.