7 best moves of the Minnesota Vikings 2021 offseason
By Adam Patrick
Spending money to improve the defense
After the uncharacteristic performance by the Vikings defense last season, it was no surprise that Mike Zimmer made sure the team used the majority of its cap space this year to add some veteran talent on the defensive side of the ball.
To strike some actual fear into the opposing team’s rushing attack, Minnesota went out and signed free-agent defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. Combined with the return of Michael Pierce, Tomlinson’s addition should help the Vikings’ run defense improve significantly next season.
After upgrading the interior of their defensive line, Minnesota turned their attention to their secondary next. Youth and inexperience resulted in the Vikings having a pass defense that was among the worst in the NFL last season. So Minnesota went out and signed cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Mackensie Alexander in addition to former Dallas Cowboys safety Xavier Woods.
The Vikings’ free-agent additions and the returns of guys like Pierce, Danielle Hunter, and Anthony Barr should help the team’s defense get back to performing more like we’ve become accustomed to since Zimmer took over as Minnesota’s head coach.