Former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Shamar Stephen has agreed to a deal with the Denver Broncos.
Over the years, there have been a few guys on the Minnesota Vikings roster that the team’s coaches continuously defend when the performance of these players is put into question.
During his tenure with the Vikings, Shamar Stephen was someone who fit into this category. Despite his underwhelming play on the field and his lack of statistical achievements, Minnesota’s coaches used to act like Stephen was the second-coming of John Randle whenever questions were asked about the defensive lineman’s poor performances.
The Vikings no longer have to worry about making Stephen out to be something he’s not as he has found a new home for the 2021 season.
Former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle joining the Denver Broncos
A few weeks ago, running back Mike Boone was the first former Minnesota player to join former Vikings assistant general manager and current Denver Broncos general manager George Paton in the Mile High City. Now, Stephen is the latest to leave the Twin Cities and sign with the Broncos.
Denver announced on Tuesday that they have agreed to a one-year contract with the former Minnesota defensive tackle. The Broncos will be the third team Stephen has played for in the last four seasons.
Despite their mind-boggling admiration for him, Stephen became expendable last month when the Vikings signed free-agent defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. With the addition of Tomlinson and Michael Pierce returning to the team this year, Minnesota didn’t feel like Stephen was worth keeping around as a backup.
Despite Stephen’s underwhelming NFL career, he’s still a success story. He was a seventh-round pick back in the 2014 NFL Draft and he’s now heading into his eighth season in the league. Most seventh-round draft picks don’t last in the NFL for as long as he has.
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It will be interesting to see how Denver uses the former Vikings defensive tackle in 2021 since they utilize a lot of 3-4 defensive formations and he’s mainly played in 4-3 defenses during his pro career.